Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
03 October 2018
|
Story UFS
|
Photo Katlego Sekele
Do you know enough about the Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence policy adopted by the university in June 2018? The Office for Gender and Sexual Equity (GSE) at the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted a dialogue on the role of the institution in matters of sexual and gender-based violence and addressing issues surrounding sexual violations.
Developments such as the countrywide #TotalShutdown: Intersectional Women’s March Against Gender-based Violence last month serve as proof of the dire need for issues surrounding sexual violations to inform policies and active safety measures.
Policy purpose
According to the policy, the objectives are to create a safe and enabling environment, establish a common understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual violence, provide applicable and accurate information, ensure that victims receive the necessary support, clearly outline disciplinary procedures for perpetrators, and clarify institutional accountability.
Student’s take on solutions
Tammy Fray, a member of the Student Representative Council, who formed part of the panel at the discussion, says the policy is not a one-stop-shop solution. “The policy is a guiding document. We have to then use it to inform activist work. We cannot always put the onus on policies and codes of conducts to solve problems. However it is our responsibility within this academic space to come up with solutions that enhance the way the policy works.”
Be informed about the policy
It is important to understand the stipulations of the policy in order to make full use of it. Geraldine Lengau, Officer at the GSE said: “It’s important that students know that the institution is not operating in silos but that their demands have been heard and the institution has acknowledged that there is a need for the policy to be adopted. It also makes the process of reporting better with the assistance of the Sexual Assault Response Team coordinator.”
Unforgettable moments at Spring Graduation
2016-09-12
Graduates during the graduation ceremony.
Photo: Johan Roux
The conferment of a degree is an experience one is bound never to forget. Students from the University of the Free State (UFS) once again experienced these unforgettable moments.
The Spring Graduation ceremony enlightened the spirits of Kovsie graduates as they walked across the stage in the Callie Human Centre on 15 September 2016. With a new season comes new opportunities, and the 442 graduates made sure they grab this opportunity with both hands.
A total of 91 diplomas/certificates, 313 bachelors, and 38 honours degrees were conferred on graduates from six faculties of the UFS.
The guest speaker at both graduation ceremonies (09:00 and 14:30) was Dr Molapo Qhobela, Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation (NRF). Dr Qhobela was appointed in this post in January 2016. He obtained a PhD in Plant Pathology from Kansas State University in the United States and a BSc in Botany and Zoology from the University of Zimbabwe.