Fincom members discuss NSRC 2023 budget

Unisa’s Department of Student Affairs, under the Office of the Dean of Students, recently held a Finance Committee (Fincom) meeting aimed to oversee and ascertain that the National Student Representative Council (NSRC) budget aligns to the university’s budgeting cycle and embeds applicable principles. The meeting was attended by student leaders and Fincom members from the university’s various regions.

Discussants at the Fincom meeting.

The Department of Student Affairs connects students and addresses issues such as student social development, student governance and leadership development, and student needs, including the needs of students with disabilities. Therefore, the department’s role, through its Student Development Division, enhances graduateness and citizenship. Among others, the role of the division includes creating a nurturing environment to ensure student wellbeing and a sense of belonging, promoting and developing co-operative governance through student participation in various forums, and contributing to quality learning experience in an open and distance learning context.

During the meeting, the committee focused on the following:

• Compiling a business plan that justifies financial and resource commitment
• Allocating funds to 2023 recognised student structures 
• Reporting on the current status quo of the NSRC budget

The committee mandated its members to ensure that the NSRC and recognised student structures, focus on the implementation of programmes and activities that stimulate student activism and speak to student success, leadership development, and career pathing.

“As Fincom, we rotate among the regions to interact with students and determine if the plans of action from student structures align with the intended mandate,” said Gudani Magwaba, NSRC Treasurer General and Fincom Chairperson. He emphasised the importance of the committee being guided by the university and SRC finance policies in allocating budgets to student activities. Magwaba further noted that another important aspect discussed at the meeting was the student debt relief fund, as it will unlock opportunities for students who are unable to settle their student debts.

Furthermore, Limpopo Regional SRC Treasurer, Trust Chinyama, said that the meeting was a success and its outcome will enable the NSRC to discharge duties effectively on the identified programmes.  

In conclusion, the university’s Chief Financial Officer, Khathutshelo Ramukumba, gave a presentation on Unisa’s budgeting processes.

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* Submitted by Mogau Malatjie, Acting Manager of Student Governance, Department of Student Affairs, packaged by Lesego Chiloane Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement