ATC130328: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on its site visit to the Stellenbosch University (Tygerberg Campus) Stag Student Lodge, dated 20 March 2013

Higher Education, Science and Innovation

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON ITS SITE VISIT TO THE STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY (TYGERBERG CAMPUS) STAG STUDENT LODGE, DATED 20 MARCH 2013

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON ITS SITE VISIT TO THE STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY (TYGERBERG CAMPUS) STAG STUDENT LODGE, DATED 20 MARCH 2013

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, having conducted the site visit to the Stellenbosch University ( Tygerberg Campus), reports as follows:

1. Introduction

The Committee conducted a site visit to the Stellenbosch University ’s ( Tygerberg Campus) STAG Student Lodge on 20 February 2013 on a fact finding mission regarding alternative student accommodation.

2. Background

The Committee visited the STAG Student Lodge at Tyberberg Campus which was a joint partnership between the Stellenbosch University and STAG Properties. The STAG Student Lodge was an alternative accommodation for students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences which was built using alternative building methods that were green, innovative and cost efficient.

3. The following were present:

a) Portfolio Committee on Higher Education & Training:

Present: Ms D Chili (ANC), Adv I Malale (Chairperson) (ANC), Mr S Makhubele (ANC), Prof S Mayatula (ANC), Mr C Moni (ANC), Ms D Sibiya (ANC), Dr L Bosman (DA) and Mr A Mpontshane (IFP).

Apologies: Ms N Gina (Whip) (ANC), Mr S Radebe (ANC), Prof A Lotriet (DA), Mr N Bhanga (COPE) and Mr J Dikobo (AZAPO).

Support Staff: Mr A Kabingesi (Committee Secretary), Ms M Modiba (Content Advisor), Mr L Komle (Researcher), Mr F Mohale (Media Officer) and Ms T Majone (Committee Assistant).

b) Department of Higher Education and Training:

Mr S Makgoba : Chief Director Financial Planning, Mr N Nqandela : Chief of Staff Ministry, Mr S Zondi : Parliamentary Liaison Officer Deputy Minister’s Office, Ms N Sofoyiya : Regional Coordinator Western Cape, Ms G Umeh : Deputy Director, Mr L Cloete : Deputy Director Infrastructure and Ms P Sekgobela : Parliamentary Liaison Officer Director-General’s Office.

c) Stellenbosch University

Prof R Botman : Vice-Chancellor, Prof C Volmink : Dean Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof L van Huyssteen : Executive Director Operations and Finance, Prof N van Pittius : Deputy Dean Research, Dr T Fish: Deputy Dean Community Service and Interaction, Mr C Munnik : Facilities Management, Mr S Bernado : Facility Manager, Mr S Opperman : Director Planning and Development, Ms M Walters: Senior Planner, Ms G Jacobs: Manager Facilities Planning, Mr E Mouton: Director Business Management, Mr J Groenewald: Residence Coordinator and Mr P Kloppers : Director Centre for Student Community.

d) STAG

Mr J Schooling: Managing Director, Mr Z Burns- Ncamashe : Director and Mr D Palm: Project Manager.

4. Summary of presentations

4.1 Input by the Vice-Chancellor (VC).

Prof R Botman : VC made the following input.

· The VC acknowledged that transformation of diversity profile of the university was slow and a continuous work in progress. The university had 800 black students in 1994 and 9000 black students in 2013 and majority of these black students were at post-graduate level.

· The university believed in enhancement of rural areas. Rural development formed part of the university strategic plan to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities. A number of rural development partnerships had been implemented in the rural towns of Bredasdorp, Worcester and 10 other towns where the university assisted with legal aid clinics.

· Student successes was contributed by a good learning and living space. Retention of first year students at the university was 70% compared to the national average of between 40 to 50%. The STAG partnership came as result of the university’s quest for innovative cost efficient student housing.

4.2 Student Housing

Mr P Kloppers : Director Centre for Student Community led the presentation which highlighted the following key issues:

· The STAG Student Lodge could accommodate up to 150 students in each residence. The idea of partnering with STAG properties came as a result of huge demand for student accommodation in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Owing to time constraints and lack of capital, the university had to find means of providing student accommodation for the 2013 intake. The Lodge was then constructed in August 2012 and by January 2013 it was ready to accommodate students. On average it would have taken two years to complete a brick and mortar structure as compared to six months to complete the STAG Student Lodge.

· The STAG Student Lodge was a more affordable student housing alternative for the university. There was no direct charge from the university for construction . The 15 year lease agreement between the university and STAG properties was cost effective as compared to building a new residence from the university’s budget. Maintenance costs of the Lodge were covered by STAG properties during the 15 year lease agreement period.

· The durability of the building was equally good as compared to the brick and mortar structures. It was guaranteed to last more than 50 years and was able to withstand bad weather conditions.

4.3 STAG Student Lodge

Mr J Schooling: Managing Director led the presentation which highlighted the following key issues.

· The STAG Student Lodge was a 21 st century, green, alternative, cost and time effective solution based on international best practices, product innovation, optimal architectural design and customised for students of Stellenbosch University.

· The architectural design criteria included 8 single bed pod design which was not just about providing a bed, but rather creating a student community. The building structure was developed using cladding (cement and wood fibre panel) and light weight steel.

· The benefits of this innovative student housing included; lower cost, speed, quality, low combustibility, lower maintenance, reduced carbon footprint and good sound insulation.

4.4. Department of Higher Education and Training

Mr S Makgoba : Chief Director Financial Planning highlighted the following:

· The Department officials visited the STAG Student Lodge on 30 January 2013.

· Since the release of the Report on Student Housing universities were approached by various developers who considered the STAG approach in building their student residences.

· R240 000 cost per bed construction excluded the purchase of land, furniture, Information Technology.

· The Department requested an opportunity to present a detailed report on student housing to the Committee.

5. Observations

The Committee made the following observations:

· The overall impression of the Committee was that the building structure of the STAG Student Lodge looked strong and well designed.

· Although the project was not complete during the site inspection of the Committee, the completed rooms were fully equipped with furniture and the ablution services were functional.

· Students with special needs could only be accommodated at the ground floor as the building did not have elevators.

· The building was a 15 year lease contract between the university and STAG properties and the university financed this lease through the payment made by students living in the residences. The university would take ownership of the buildings after lease contract came to an end.

· The average cost of students living at the STAG Student Lodge was R26 000 per annum.

· The construction of the STAG Student Lodge did not require any use of water and all the material used during the construction could be recycled. There was reduced carbon footprint produced during construction process.

· The eight single bed unit floor plan with recreational hall facilitated cultural transformation among students as they could easily interact with each other in that type of setting.

· All the rooms in the building were fully equipped with fire sensors and the building structure had low combustibility levels as compared to the brick structure.

· Access to the rooms was through an accredited student card only, making the rooms safe from outsiders or intruders.

· Sound insulation in the building was good as noise levels could be very frustrating to a learning environment.

6. Recommendations

The Committee having conducted a site visit to the STAG Student Lodge recommends the following:

· The Department should consider the use of alternative modes of student housing which was more efficient to address the challenge of student housing.

Report to be considered

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