By Nyeleti Nyathi
A packed venue, curious students, and a mission to decode the rules that govern academic life, that’s what set the tone at the recent G-rule awareness session hosted by the Faculty of Humanities. With registration cancellations, academic exclusions, and appeal deadlines on the line, the event pulled back the curtain on university regulations that many students admit they barely understand until it’s too late.
The session was led by various faculty officials who emphasized how crucial it is for students to familiarise themselves with the G-rules in order to avoid common academic pitfalls. By understanding these regulations, students can better navigate their studies, avoid misconduct, and stay on course for graduation.
Dolly Ramaphoko, the administration officer for the School of Language and Communication, spoke about the importance of upholding academic integrity. “Academic integrity is paramount, and students must avoid copying in tests and exams at all costs, as it can lead to severe consequences,” she warned.
Dolly Ramaphoko, the administration officer for the School of Language and Communication, sharing nuggets of wisdom on how to navigate academics
The assistant registrar for the Faculty of Humanities Susan Van der Merwe, provided a detailed breakdown of the rules students need to follow. She highlighted G-Rule 3.3.8, which requires all certified copies of original documents to be submitted to the Registrar’s office by the last day of the first semester in the year of first registration.
“Failure to meet this deadline results in the cancellation of a student’s registration,” urged Van der Merwe.
Faculty leadership further encouraged students to take responsibility for their academic paths. Melvin Mogano, Chairperson of the Faculty of Humanities, along with Karabo Baloyi, Deputy Chairperson under the School of Education, urged students to understand the systems that determine academic performance. They explained how semester and examination marks are combined to calculate final grades and stressed the importance of meeting minimum exam requirements to pass.
Melvin Mogano, Chairperson of the Faculty of Humanities, shares words of encouragement to the students under his leadership
In an effort to improve efficiency and transparency, the university has introduced a Google form for students to submit appeals. Students were advised that the form may only be submitted once, and following up on appeals is crucial to avoid delays in processing.
Many attendees expressed gratitude for the session, with students saying they left feeling more informed and empowered. “I didn’t know I could only repeat a module once,” said Mogau Makhafola, a first-year Bachelor of Media Studies student from the School of Language and Communication “This event helped me understand the importance of tracking my academic performance.”
“I was unsure about the progression rules,” Nhlori Mabasa, a second-year Bachelor of Education student from the School of Education “but now I know exactly what I need to do to move to the next year.”
Curious student engages with faculty officials, seeking clarity on academic rules and regulations during the G-rule awareness session.
The event was not only deemed to be informative but also empowering giving students the chance to engage directly with officials and gain clarity on key academic regulations. Understanding the G-rules is not just about compliance, it’s about staying in control of your academic future. The event highlighted that being informed is the first step to thriving in university life.
