Discourses on Institutional Culture at a Historically White University

• In Event: Racial Identities, Campus Climate, and Institutional Culture

Abstract

This study explores how the institutional culture of an historically-white institution (Stellenbosch University in South Africa) is articulated. This exploration is done in two ways: firstly, to express my interest in institutional culture through reflection, discussion, interpretation and challenging established ways of thinking. Secondly, I explain the nature of institutional culture through a literature review and analysis of relevant policy documents. This study shows that Stellenbosch University (SU) struggles to transform its institutional culture. The university’s institutional culture is not yet perceived as sufficiently encouraging and welcoming to non-Afrikaans-speaking students and staff, or those whose Afrikaans is poor, which has resulted in the low enrolment figures among non-Afrikaans-speaking (African) students.

Author

• Berte Van Wyk, Stellenbosch University