Perspectives from the Dean of Students: Navigating challenges together: A collective strategy for CUT Student Success
Supporting Your Journey and Success in Turbulent Times
01 | 03 | 2025
29 January 2025
To all senior and incoming students at the Central University Of Technology, Free State
Understanding the current situation
Life brings challenges and overcoming them requires action rather than blame. At the start of this month, the Dean’s Perspective highlighted concerns about student housing, particularly the shortage of beds and the NSFAS guidelines that prohibit landlords from charging extra fees (e.g., WiFi, admin fees, electricity).
We strongly oppose landlords imposing additional costs and are actively working to secure more student accommodation. However, we need students’ cooperation in managing this situation as part of a collective effort to ensure no student is left without housing.
Our solutions and progress
To support students during this period, we introduced transit accommodation to prevent any student from being left without shelter. This has helped first-year students settle in, but as senior students return, the demand remains high. We continue to provide temporary housing while implementing two key strategies:
- Urgent call for landlords to offer beds without extra charges
Landlords play a crucial role in student housing. We have formally requested them to provide beds at NSFAS-approved rates, without additional fees. The deadline for landlords to respond is Thursday, 30 January 2025.
- Expanding accommodation options through non-accredited properties
We have invited non-accredited property owners to list available rooms for students. The student housing office is finalising these additional beds. Students who find their own accommodation should ensure they have a lease agreement and submit the landlord’s bank details for NSFAS payments.
Looking ahead: a call for unity
This situation affects all of us. The university, alongside the SRC, is working tirelessly to resolve these challenges. I urge students to remain engaged and proactive in finding solutions. Over the next week, we anticipate progress, and I will provide updates on our interventions.
Students, you are once again encouraged to work with us, and I am confident that our unity of purposes will surpass the challenge at hand. I will revert timeously with feedback on what our strategic intervention is yielding.
“As we work together to pursue excellence in turbulent times, our unity is what intends to guide us as we gravitate to success in pursued of student centricity”
Issued by
Dr B.K. Sebake
CUT's Dean of Students
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