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Institutional Forum

Institutional Forum (IF)

The Institutional Forum (IF) is a statutory body established under the Higher Education Act of 1997 and Section 40 of the CPUT Statute. Its members are elected from a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Senate, Executive Management, external councillors, academic and non-academic staff, unions, and students. 

Roles and Responsibilities

The function of the IF is to deliberate and advise the Council on a wide range of issues affecting the institution. The Higher Education Act notes explicitly as part of the IF’s brief:

  • national policy
  • race and gender equity policies
  • selection of candidates for senior management positions
  • codes of conduct and procedures for dispute resolution
  • fostering an institutional culture of respect and tolerance
  • the implementation of the Higher Education Act and national policy on higher education
  • other functions as may be delegated or assigned to it by the council

Institutional Forum Code of Conduct

The IF at CPUT grew out of the old Transformation Forums. While it is now a statutory body, it still retains much of its earlier culture and traditions. The IF:

  • provides a Forum to an extensive range of stakeholders — probably more so than any other single entity in the university,
  • strives to provide a non-threatening environment where all members of the CPUT community and its stakeholders can freely express their opinions,
  • values the views of all members, and places a premium on honest and open contributions,
  • has a tradition of open and robust debate,
  • operates in a spirit of collegial respect for the viewpoints of other members and
  • values professionalism.

The IF has always strived for consensus rather than winner-takes-all democracy in formulating its position and consequent advice to the Council.  Therefore, voting is scarce at IF meetings. To promote an environment wherein debate can be robust yet respectful and considerate yet productive, the IF will:

  • make its minutes (once ratified) available to anybody who wishes to see them,
  • treat the details of discussions as privileged and count on members to respect that,
  • Welcome visitors and observers to its meetings (except the rare meetings that need to be confidential for good reason), and
  • count on members to arrive at meetings prepared and — having previously consulted with their constituencies and stakeholders — with required mandates.