Post Courier day 2 report

Students urged to return to classes
ACTING Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology Wilson Tovirika has appealed to students to return to classes. The students yesterday started an indefinite boycott of classes to push for a number of demands, among them for the University council and administration to consider the re-introduction of sale and consumption of alcohol on campus. This, the students said, would stop students going outside campus to look for beer and ending up getting killed. Other security issues have also been raised by the students to be addressed.
The boycott of classes is in response to the killing of a third-year Computer Science student early on Saturday morning near a pub at Tent Siti by armed thugs. Six suspects have been arrested by police over the killing. Mr Tovirika said yesterday the boycott of classes was untimely because the students' exams were only four weeks away. He said student activities including the recent cultural show had already disrupted studies and the boycott would only add to the disruptions. Mr Tovirika also called on the students not to disrupt normal operations of the university and to allow public access in and out of the campus. He assured that the administration would endeavour to address the concerns that relate to the running of the university and pass on to the council issues relating to policy.
He said a special university council meeting could be convened to address the issues. The students also held meetings yesterday and requested Vice Chancellor Misty Baloiloi and members of the council to meet with them today to receive their petition. Mr Baloiloi, who is on leave, has indicated to attend the meeting. SRC president Nathan Dingu said the students would stay away from classes until their concerns have been addressed.
Acting Vice Chancellor Mr Tovirika and Registrar Allan Sako as well as other university staff attended the meeting with the students yesterday. Mr Sako assured that the university would provide support to repatriate the body of the murdered student and assist in funeral expenses. A ‘haus-krai’ has been erected on campus and students have been visiting in provincial groups.