The students’ advocate
- Wits University
Social justice, advocacy and transformation are words that resonate with Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September.
September was appointed as Wits University’s new Dean of Student Affairs in May 2018. He joined Wits in February this year as Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and quickly rose up the ranks to Dean, taking the reins from Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
Prior to joining Wits, September was Head of Student Affairs at Sol Plaatje University, where he was responsible for promoting global excellence and stature by providing strategic and operational leadership for the Student Affairs Division. He brings with him a wealth of experience in this area, where he has served in for more than a decade at his alma mater, the University of Cape Town (UCT).
A warm-hearted individual, who hails from Malmesbury in the Western Cape, September wants his division to contribute in making Wits a “caring, student-centered University that is in tune with who its students are and building support services structure that speak to who our students are”.
His focus is to create an inclusive Wits community, which adequately supports postgraduate disabled students, international students, and is non-sexist, non-racist and one that can support students from different walks of lives.
“What is important for me is to make sure that our students realise that they too are part of the institution and a representation of it. We need to ask ourselves what role do students play in building an inclusive, caring University? Often one hears Wits must do this or that, but inclusivity also means we must all be active and involved, working towards a common purpose.”
He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at the University of Bath in the UK, which focuses on creating an inclusive University. With a Master’s degree in human rights from UCT, September wants to uphold the basic right to education enshrined in the South African Constitution and advocate for students’ rights at Wits University.
Like many Wits students, September is the first generation University graduate in his family and is therefore a stalwart for advancing the academic and social development of students to ensure that they too become University graduates.
A student leader during his University days, September served on UCT’s Council and Senate. He was co-chair of the first Institutional forum at UCT and was actively involved in the transformation process of the institution.As a former student activist who was hungry for success, he understands the challenges and dynamics that students grapple with, one being accommodation. Accommodation is one of the biggest challenges across institutions of higher learning in South Africa and Wits University experiences the same challenges.
In the last six months, September, alongside other University officials was able to arrange emergency accommodation for students who did not have accommodation. This intervention, he says, improved his relationships with the Student Representative Council (SRC). “We have had positive engagements with the SRC. This is very gratifying.”
Lending a helping hand
When it comes to executing his duties, it is the principle of Ubuntu that always guides him. Having grown up in a warm family that always extended a helping hand to everyone, September understood the concept of humanity from a young age.
His career in student affairs and youth development has always been centered on social justice. He is passionate about serving people and contributing to their wellbeing. He believes in servant leadership, an approach he will adapt to serve students at the University.
Growing up in small town, his mother always pushed him beyond the edge and encouraged him to be more involved in school activities. By the time he got to University, there was certainly no question on what he would be involved in. “It was not whether I would be involved, but what I would be involved in”, he says.
While he wanted to excel in his various spheres, making a positive contribution to the world is what drives him.
“My upbringing has been about taking personal responsibility for my journey and striving to become the best that I can be for the world and not just in the world. Wherever I go, I need to leave a mark and make that place better than what I found it because my focus is to contribute to the world beyond my self-interest.”
Civic Education and Engagement
With student elections coming up, he is currently rolling out a civic education campaign to encourage students to be active citizens in the Wits community by having their voices heard.
The former SRC President urges students to participate in the student election by casting their votes for students they believe will represent them best.
“Part of being a citizen is choosing people who represent them properly. You vote for the SRC to lend support to other people. Students need to vote for people who will make Wits the kind of University they aspire to,” he says.
“Voting is way of students shaping their own experiences. Most importantly, as citizens of Wits University, civic engagement is a way of developing their skills.”
Innovative mental health strategies
Issues around mental health at universities are constantly surfacing. Student success and academic excellence does not only depend on dedication and intelligence, but on good mental health. September wants to ensure the holistic wellness of students, including mental health.
In addressing mental health issues and creating awareness around those issues, he believes the University’s mental health strategy needs to be innovative. He is currently investigating alternative practices to enhance the current mental health strategy at Wits.
“Counsellors and psychologist are important in assisting our students with mental health problems or those who are having a difficult time in University. However, we need to supplement their skills and expertise with other alternatives. We need to look at more inclusive practices such as the use of group therapy, traditional healers and religious leaders to assist our students.”
Fighting gender-based violence on campus
Gender-based violence on campus is also an important issue for September. The scourge of gender-based violence in the country is surging with many cases emerging on daily basis. Together with the Gender Equity Office at Wits, he is committed in tackling gender-based violence on campus. He believes that there needs to be an institutional commitment towards gender-based violence on campus.
“How do we buy into a way that says no to violence? We need to make it the business of everyone at the University where everyone is standing together against violence and supporting victims of violence. It has to be an institutional commitment and therefore partnership are important.”