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COVID-19 CLM Faculty information portal

Last updated 16 November 2020
 
Latest faculty updates for students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is updated regularly. 
 
  • Permits are no longer required for staff/ students to access campus. However, staff / students must complete the Covid-19 Screening Tool on a daily basis and present the clearance notification to security before accessing campus. 
The latest 2020 term dates and 2021 term dates have been published.
 
Staff in arrangement with line managers are required to report to campus.
From VCO
26 March 2020: WITS COVID19 UPDATE 18
15 March 2020: WITS COVID19 UPDATE 10
13 March 2020: WITS COVID19 UPDATE 8
13 March 2020: WITS UPDATE ON COVID19
From CLM Dean
Campus reopening
The student break ends on 19 April 2020. Classes will start online on 20 April 2020. There will be no contact lectures, all teaching has moved online. No students are expected on campus until further notice.
 
 
For access problems (loan device) please see 'Applying for a loan device' section below.
 
For course content matters please contact:
  1. Your lecturer
  2. Your course coordinator
  3. Your Head of School (in that order)
For academic registration matters please contact: Marike Bosman (Marike.bosman@wits.ac.za), the CLM Registrar.
Applying for a loan device

The University has a limited number of mobile computing devices available for loan to students in need. The loan devices will be charged to fee accounts. The charges will be reversed if the device is returned in good working order at the end of the academic year. Students who require a device should urgently apply by emailing tshepiso.maleswena@wits.ac.za

Who may apply for a loan device?

  • Students registered for a full-time degree in 2020;
  • NSFAS funded and “missing middle” students with a family income of less than R600 000 annually. Bursary/scholarship funded students who have not received devices from their funders. (Please note that all information supplied will be verified); and
  • Students who do not have their own device, or who do not have access to a device.

Due to the challenges with delivery, regrettably only students residing within the borders of South Africa are eligible for this assistance. 

Devices will be allocated in the following order of priority: final year undergraduate students, first year students, other undergraduate students and then postgraduate students.

Conditions

Devices will be made available on a case by case basis, and decisions are made on the basis of the information available and/or provided. In addition:

  • All devices must be returned by the end of the 2020 academic year. Where devices are not returned, students will be charged for the full cost of the device;
  • Where a device is damaged and/or lost, a student will be liable for the full repair and/or replacement cost of the device; and
  • Wits takes no responsibility for maintenance or the insurance of the device.

Application process

Students in need may approach their respective faculties for assistance, provide all the information required and note the conditions for assistance. Recommendations for assistance may also be made to faculties through student leaders (the SRC, school councils and class representatives) and the Division of Student Affairs, provided that all the relevant information is supplied. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

As the academic programme starts on 20 April 2020, those needing assistance are urged to apply through their faculties as soon as possible.

Students must make sure that they provide the following information:

  • A brief motivation (including proof of income, if possible);
  • Name and Surname,
  • Student Number,
  • Identity Document Number,
  • Year of Study,
  • Physical delivery address details (including province) on the application for assistance, including providing their up to date contact mobile numbers; and
  • Name and contact details of a next-of-kin, parent, or guardian (the University may contact the next of kin / parent/ guardian to verify information provided).

Applications are made through Faculties, via the details listed below:

Commerce, Law and Management: tshepiso.maleswena@wits.ac.za

Alternatively, complete the form via this link - https://bit.ly/2XGHJNC

Read full statement on the announcement here - http://www.wits.ac.za/covid19/covid19-news/latest/process-to-apply-for-mobile-computing-devices.html

 

Status of loan device application

If you have managed to submit an application for a loan device and want to check the status of your application, kindly email Thembelihle.Dlamini@wits.ac.za

ICT and data support

Access to Data and ICT Support

From 20 April, registered Wits students can access 30GB of data (10GB Anytime & 20GB at night) if they are registered with Cell C, MTN, Telkom or Vodacom. Data will automatically be loaded on students' cellphone numbers and will be valid for a month. Students are to ensure their correct cellphone number is captured correctly on the self-service portal. 

Any data queries (not loaded, not 30gigs etc), students should contact itstudenthelp@wits.ac.za and put in the subject line 'Mobile data problem'

If you do not have access to a device, please see process of 'Applying for a loan device' above.

See tips on how to maximise your data usage here.

Students using Telkom, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C have access to these zero-rated sites free of charge. Please note that you must have at least R1 worth of data loaded on a SIM card in order to access these sites.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact the student ICT Service Delivery team via itstudenthelp@wits.ac.za or log a call via https://witshelp-ism.saasiteu.com/.

Updated 2020 Term Dates

ONLINE COHORT OF STUDENTS TEACHING TERM

Activity

Date

Number of Days

Online Orientation

15 April –19 April

4 Days

Second Teaching Block

20 April – 05 June

34 Days

Study Break

08 June – 09 June

2 Days

Exams*

10 June - 24 June

10 Days

Deferred Exams

25 June - 01 July

5 Days

Vacation

02 July -12 July

7 Days

July Graduations(pending)*

07July -10 July

4 Days

Third Teaching Block*

13 July-28 August

34 Days

Study Break

29 August-06 Sept

9 Days

Fourth Teaching block*

07 Sept-20 Oct

31 Days

Study Break

21 Oct-01 Nov

12 Days

Exams

02 Nov-27 Nov

20 Days

Vacation

28 November

 

*Exam Question Papers needs to be submitted to EGO for record and Library purposes by 8 May 2020.

*Possible dates to consider for July Graduation cohort only

*For now the dates of the Second Semester (Third and Fourth Teaching Blocks) to remain as is pending COVID-19 outcomes.

Timetable, exams and assessments

Your lecturers will update you with any changes to the timetables, exams and or assessments. If you have queries please contact:

  • Your lecturer
  • Your course coordinator
  • Your Head of School (in that order)
Information for postgraduate students

Postgraduate students are to continue working with their supervisors remotely. Below are a list of e-resources available to assist during the period.

Access to Digital Library Resources

There are several resources available to students, including:

 For Research and Writing Assistance, visit:

For more information, contact Denise.Nicholson@wits.ac.za  

Access to the Wits University Press eBook collection

Wits University Press is joining a large number of international university presses and academic publishers in providing free access to content for students and researchers.

Links to JSTOR: https://about.jstor.org/covid19/?utm_source=jstor&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=dsp_jstor_home_right_covid19_03_2020 

Link to Proquest: https://www.proquest.com/products-services/ebooks/ebooks-main.html#whatsnewSection

The Wits University Press books at JSTOR are here: https://www.jstor.org/publisher/witsup

Contact details

Device applicationsTshepiso.Maleswena@wits.ac.za

To check status of your device application: thembelihle.dlamini@wits.ac.za 

ICT-related issues: You can log an issue with Wits ICT Helpdesk at https://witshelp-ism.saasiteu.com/ (login with your Wits email and password). Or you can email the ICT Helpdesk.

Academic registration matters: marike.bosman@wits.ac.za

Academic support: Contact your lecturer, course coordinator, then Head of School (in that order). See list of contact persons per School:

 

Wits School of Accounting
 
General queries:
 
Postgraduate queries: 
MCom Accounting:
 
MCom Tax: 
 
 
School of Business Sciences (SBS) 
Undergraduate queries:
IS and Marketing: Sara.Kapay@wits.ac.za 
 
HRM, Management, Insurance & Risk MNGT: Patricia.Nowlotha@wits.ac.za  

Postgraduate queries:Irma.Watson@wits.ac.za  

Escalations can be directed to the Acting Head of School:Mitchell.Hughes@wits.ac.za  
Wits School of Economics and Finance 
 
Undergraduate:Fatima.Bhoola@wits.ac.za   
 
Postgraduate:
(Economics)
 

 

 

Wits School of Law
Undergraduate queries:
 
PhD/LLM by research: 
 
LLM/ PGDip: Minette.Nortje@wits.ac.za or 
 
Mandela Institute: 
 
Law Clinic: Daven.Dass@wits.ac.za 
 
Registration queries:

Wits School of Governance

Head of ADU: Helen.Mzileni@wits.ac.za 
 
Research/panel/PhDSithembile.Xaba@wits.ac.za
 
Academic queries:

Wits Business School 

sch-wbs-genenquiries@wits.ac.za 

 

 

Remote working

Staff working remotely can download Teams here - https://products.office.com/en-za/microsoft-teams/download-appYou will need to log in using your StaffNo@wits.ac.za and your normal password.

All staff using Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C can access to these zero-rated sites free of charge. Please note that you must have at least R1 worth of data loaded on a SIM card in order to access these sites. If you have any queries or concerns, please log a call via https://witshelp-ism.saasiteu.com/.

Staff also have access to a number of online resources ideal for virtual lectures and meetings. You will need to log in using your StaffNo@wits.ac.za and your normal password.

Staff can access emails online via: https://email.wits.ac.za/owa/auth/logon.aspx?replaceCurrent=1&url=https%3a%2f%2femail.wits.ac.za%2fowa%2f

Access to the Wits intranet (you will need to run a VPN to access) can be accessed via: http://intranet.wits.ac.za/Pages/Default.aspx

More quick links to online staff services: http://www.wits.ac.za/staff/

Online teaching

The following site has been set-up to assist staff with the transition to online teaching - https://wits-e.wits.ac.za/portal/site/dafd3abf-2ae4-4e05-a498-5dc9aa7cead4

Familiarise yourself with the site to access all the available the resources.

In addition, please see the University’s Emergency Plan for Teaching - Emergency Plan for Teaching

HR
All essential staff are to report for work as required by your respective line manager and/or SET member in order for essential services to continue (like payroll functions) and to prepare to continue the academic programme online. Please liaise directly with your line manager if this affects you. All other staff are expected to work remotely from their homes.
 
Staff that are expected to be working are required to put in the necessary leave as appropriate - be it vacation, sick or family responsibility leave. A new category of leave is currently being developed for staff who are required to self quarantine. Such staff will be expected to produce medical note within two days. 
 
For any leave-related matters please contact your line manager.
 
Any further decisions regarding working conditions will be communicated to you after consultation with the unions and Council approval.
 
All staff are to ensure their emergency contacts and personal details are up to date. You can update your details via the Wits self-service portal. You will need to download and install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the portal outside of the Wits Wifi network. See instructions on how to access the VPN - http://www.wits.ac.za/access/
 
If you have problems updating your details online please contact your HR officer. The CLM HR manager is Velashka Martin (Velashka.martin@wits.ac.za)
 
Click here to access soft copy HR documents. The link will direct you to the intranet (you will need to connect via VPN); login using your staff number and password
Finance and payment issues

Any claims must be scanned and electronically processed. Download updated electronic templates on the intranet. Use your staff number and password to access the intranet. You will need to connect via a VPN if you are connecting from outside a Wits network. 

For any finance issues please contact the finance person in your School or the CLM Business Manager, Zubeida Bagus (Zubeida.bagus@wits.ac.za).

Updated 2020 Term Dates

ONLINE COHORT OF STUDENTS TEACHING TERM

Activity

Date

Number of Days

Online Orientation

15 April –19 April

4 Days

Second Teaching Block

20 April – 05 June

34 Days

Study Break

08 June – 09 June

2 Days

Exams*

10 June - 24 June

10 Days

Deferred Exams

25 June - 01 July

5 Days

Vacation

02 July -12 July

7 Days

July Graduations(pending)*

07July -10 July

4 Days

Third Teaching Block*

13 July-28 August

34 Days

Study Break

29 August-06 Sept

9 Days

Fourth Teaching block*

07 Sept-20 Oct

31 Days

Study Break

21 Oct-01 Nov

12 Days

Exams

02 Nov-27 Nov

20 Days

Vacation

28 November

 

*Exam Question Papers needs to be submitted to EGO for record and Library purposes by 8 May 2020.

*Possible dates to consider for July Graduation cohort only

*For now the dates of the Second Semester (Third and Fourth Teaching Blocks) to remain as is pending COVID-19 outcomes.

Support services

Feeling anxious or stressed during these uncertain times? You are not alone. Below services are available to Wits staff and students during and after the lockdown. 

CLM Students can access the Faculty Road to Success (RSP) support services by emailing one of the below RSP advisors:

Students are reminded that the Wits Student Crisis Line is fully operational from anywhere in South Africa and in all official South African languages on 0800 111 331.

The Counselling and Careers Development Unit is available 24/7, free of charge during the lockdown via 0800 111 331 / info.ccdu@wits.ac.za. Also see their Lockdown Wellness Chronicles for daily updates during the lockdown period.

The Gender Equity Office is available via info.geo@wits.ac.za or call (011) 717 9790. Alternatively, call the national gender based violence command centre on 0800 428 428 or send a "Please call me" to *120*7867#. It is important to remember that should you require a restraining order, courts continue to operate for this purpose.

Staff counselling services are available from Kaelo via 0861 635 766 or dial *134*928# or send a ‘Please call me’ to 072 620 5699 or via email asknelson@kaelo.co.za. Staff can also access a range of mental health/ wellbeing resources on the Kaelo website. 

The Campus Health and Wellness Centre is available to assist with primary healthcare and mental health enquires:

  • Primary healthcare enquiries – Call 0743077259 or 0824832251
  • Mental health enquiries – Call 0766093924 

The Department of Health’s WhatsApp number is 0600123456 and provides additional information about COVID19.

The NICD website (www.nicd.ac.za) is a credible source of information on COVID-19.

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