The draft policy was considered by the University Executive Management and Senior Management and it was decided to forward it to University constituent groups for discussions and comments as necessary. The draft policy was thus released to constituent groups of the University as an internal discussion paper aimed at soliciting inputs and comments consistent with the University's time-honoured consultative mechanisms on overarching issues of this nature. Contrary to what some people want the public to believe, the document is not a final policy, but a draft discussion paper aimed at facilitating focused discussions on this issue. The University Management believes therefore that, at the end of the rounds of consultations, the University will have a framework for dealing with issues germane to political activities on campus.
The University Management is of the view that a matter as serious and contentious as political participation in a corporate environment cannot be left to chance. A policy framework is necessary to address and guide the complex issues of political participation. Experience has shown that operating without a policy is not in the interest of the University and its internal stakeholders and operating under such circumstances sometimes leads to unnecessary conflict and misunderstanding.
