Page 60 - UniZulu Annual Report 2020
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CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Issues of conflict management in student governance are dealt with in regular meetings held with the student leadership. Issues that may lead to conflict with the student leadership are catered for in the SRC Constitution, as well as constitutions of the various committees in which students are involved. Student leaders are members of the institutional committee structures where they can voice their concerns. The University also developed a student grievance procedure as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student charters, aimed at assisting in conflict management.
Regarding staff, minor incidents of conflict on campus were resolved through intervention by managers and/or the Labour Relations Unit. As always, every attempt was made to resolve conflict at the lowest possible level. UNIZULU unfortunately does not have a recognised union in place. UNIZULU has an approved grievance procedure in place that is used to deal with most incidents of conflict.
STAFF AND STUDENT PARTICIPATION –
COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE
The University places a great deal of emphasis on fostering and maintaining a high standard of cooperative governance and good governance in general. Management and employees constantly voice and amplify their commitment to the need for scrupulous systems and processes through various avenues. Employee representatives are extensively involved in committees, right up to the level of Council.
In addition, employee representatives have observer status or are co-opted on some operational committees, depending on the nature of the role and the matters of focus. Student leadership is involved in the key governance and management structures of UNIZULU, such as the Senate, Institutional Forum and Council. There are standing quarterly meetings between MANCO and the SRC. Their inputs are taken seriously, and constructive student comments are incorporated when effecting changes. In cases where SRC has not been constituted or is dissolved, Council appoints an SRC Administrator to assume SRC responsibilities.
In the absence of a representative and recognised trade union, management, in consultation with staff, established a Management and Employee Consultative Forum (the
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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