KSU has affirmed its commitment to meet, discuss and work with the University to regularise the current situation about University House, with the ultimate aim of safeguarding the crucial funding on which it relied to function.
In a statement this morning, KSU referred to comments and recommendations made in the Auditor General’s report on concession of parts of University House to the KSU.
The Auditor-General said there had been shortcomings by the University in never having regularised the position. However, the actions by the students’ council in leasing parts of the building were not conducive to accountability and transparency.
The Auditor called on the University and the Council to regularise the situation. He said he was concerned that the Disposal of Government Land Act did not preclude autonomous (public) bodies from disposing immovable assets without the monitoring by competent authorities.
KSU said in its statement this morning it was is an autonomous body and a registered voluntary organisation, with no ties to the government or the university.
“In this regard it is highly inappropriate to state that the university should exercise a monitoring role over KSU’s finances and general administration.
|”This goes against the fundamental principles which form the essential existence and backbone of the oldest students’ council in Europe.”
KSU said the property was handed over to KSU by a University Council decision in 1994 and has been administering the building since.
KSU also holds that the processes adopted over the years have always been concluded in utmost good faith and diligence, in the students’ interest.
It said that all KSU dealings regarding all properties in question were available to all in the KSU annual general meeting, to which KSU executive members were accountable.
In a statement this morning, the University said it will be discussing the concession of parts of University House to the KSU with the council and at the next meeting of the University Council.
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