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05 October 2018
The public participation process regarding the review of the position of the MT Steyn statue in front of the Main Building on the Bloemfontein Campus is concluded and the reflective column in front of the statue has been removed. The reflective column was placed in front of the statue to elevate engagement and solicit comments from the university community regarding the position of the statue.
 
The public participation process started on 9 July and was concluded on 9 September 2018. During this process, the university community had several opportunities to submit oral and written submissions regarding the position of the statue. The oral and written submissions received during the public participation process were analysed by an independent analyst and a report was provided to the special task team. The broad themes that emerged from the public participation process included opposition to the current location; opposition to the removal; removal to alternative positions off campus; and the addition of other statues next to the statue.
 
The public participation process was by no means a vote on the matter; the aim was to obtain as many opinions and comments about the position of the statue as possible, as it forms part of a broader endeavour to review the position of the statue.   
 
The process going forward is as follows:
 
(i)            The report on the public participation process will be incorporated into the draft Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), and the heritage consultant will submit the final report to the special task team;
(ii)           The special task team will engage with the final HIA and make recommendations to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor;
(iii)          The Rector and Vice-Chancellor will discuss the HIA assessment and the recommendations of the special task team with the university’s executive management and will subsequently make recommendations to the UFS Council for consideration during its meeting in November 2018. 


Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

News Archive

Alleged attacks on students
2008-03-12

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) notes with concern the two alleged incidents of attacks on students on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein

The one incident involves two black female students where a liquid substance was thrown at the students and the other incident involves an alleged attack on a black male student by white male students.

According to reports in the media today (Tuesday, 11 March 2008), the incidents involved students from the Reitz Residential Units. “These incidents, which happened about a month ago, occurred in the vicinity of Reitz, but at this stage I cannot say for certain that students from Reitz were involved in the alleged attacks,” says Dr Natie Luyt, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS.

Both cases were reported to Dr Luyt and are being investigated by the university’s Protection Services Division. The cases are still under investigation.

“I am concerned about incidents of this nature and strongly disapprove of students behaving in such a manner,” says Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

According to Prof. Fourie the UFS already is in the process of reviewing the disciplinary process for students to make it more streamlined and accessible. “The introduction of a hotline to give students the opportunity to report incidents is being considered. We are also looking at the possibility of appointing an ombudsman for diversity. The recent introduction of a system of full-time live-in residence wardens at men’s residences is also intended to improve supervision. This system will be in place shortly, as soon as the necessary accommodation has been provided,” says Prof. Fourie.

Prof. Fourie has urged students to report any unlawful incidents on campus immediately to the Protection Services Division. “If we do not have incidents on record, proper investigations cannot be conducted,” says Prof. Fourie.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za  
11 March 2008

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