Stellenbosch University may be a step closer to making English the main medium of instruction at the university.

This after the university confirmed on Saturday that the Senate had accepted a motion in support of the University management’s proposal with regards to the use of language at the institution.

Stellenbosch University spokesperson Susan van der Merwe said the motion was accepted by an overwhelming majority of the members of Senate at its meeting on November 27.

“We support the proposal made by the Rector’s management team on 12 November 2015 with regards to the use of language at Stellenbosch University, the spirit which it embraces and the clarification of the implementation procedures as outlined at the meeting of 27 Novembe,” read the motion.

Van der Merwe said the management proposal contained a number of points of departure and principles, and will serve as a discussion document for further consultation with staff and students.

“The motion by Senate will be considered along with the various other language proposals submitted by the campus community,” she said.

SU’s Student Representative Council [SRC] spokesperson James de Villiers, said because Senate’s approved meant Council could approve the decision.

“This motion clearly solidifies campus support for inclusiveness at Stellenbosch University. We call on the university council to see this stance by Senate as a convincing factor in their decisions regarding the future of language policy at SU,” said De Villiers.

He said this was a step in the right direction.

ENGLISH ONLY

“We have been calling for the language policy to be changed for the last three months because this is a step in creating an inclusive community.

“The SRC passed a motion two months ago which enforces the recommendations made by the Rector’s management team which called for all residents and PSO [private student organisation] to conduct all house meetings in English to ensure that it is accessible to all students.”

Earlier this month rector’s management team on the university reportedly said that all learning at the university must be done in English.

“Since English is the common language in South Africa, all learning at Stellenbosch University will be facilitated in English, and substantial academic support will be provided in other South African languages, according to students’ needs,” it said in a statement.

News24 reported that it would discuss this with the university’s council on November 30, for a revised language policy. News24