The volatile situation at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth continued in a week in which more than 30 protesting students were arrested.
They were due to appear in court Friday.
Meanwhile, damage to the institution also continued Thursday night when a boma alongside the sports fields on South campus was set alight.
NMMU management said it remains determined to complete the academic programmes as far as possible in 2016 and that the institution "remains open."
In a statement on its website, NMMU said that "as things stand, we do understand that it will not be possible to conduct classes on South Campus."
"However, we will be employing a range of alternative modalities in order to best complete this year’s programmes. We will prioritise getting the modules completed for those students in their final years of study, but will also address all years of study," the NMMU statement said.
"At the moment faculties are making assessments taking into consideration year levels, module types, teaching and learning requirements and a range of modalities. These include learning resources such as learning packs, digital resources, and a variety of learning spaces as well as assessment requirements. We are also making assessments in each faculty of what is required for postgraduate students to complete their work in order to graduate next year."
NMMU said "it is important to note that the majority of universities in South Africa are in a similar position, but each university also has particular circumstances, capacities and contexts to consider. Many of the institutions have undertaken to assist each other where possible by sharing resources where there are overlaps in module outcomes and content. This is a welcome development, and will stand us in good stead for future collaborations in the higher education sector."
At Rhodes University, management said on a statement on its website that a meeting with Heads of Department and Deans, the decision was taken to proceed with the examination timetable which has been published.
"This means that there will be no changes to the dates of examinations on that timetable. However, simply knowing that the examinations will go ahead is not enough. There are many other questions which we need to answer for you and the purpose of this letter is to try to do that. More details that relate to specific courses will be provided by Deans and Departments as appropriate," the Rhodes statement said.
On Thursday, a group of Rhodes students tried to obtain permission for a march to the local police station to complain about police brutality on campus earlier this week.
This followed reports that police had fired on students inside a hostel earlier this week.
It's understood that they intend to open a case with regard to the heightened police presence on campus.
