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South Campus residence
UFS Housing and Residence Affairs leads transformation for university culture to improve student experience and Accommodation
The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Housing and Residence Affairs (HRA) wants to ensure quality and affordable accommodation on and off campus for UFS students through the ITP.

The development of the ITP at the UFS started in January 2017; areas of transformation were identified, of which HRA’s deliverables are as follows:

• A detailed ‘as-is’ study to understand the issues faced by students regarding on- and off-campus accommodation and quantification of the accommodation gap.
• Development of a strategy to create residences with an academic focus, and the full implications regarding numbers and costing.
• Setting of minimum transport and safety standards for students.
• Development of an approach to student accommodation that is affordable for the students and entails optimal cost to the university.
• A strategy for postgraduate, postdoctoral, and international students.
• Gender-inclusive housing.

Mr Quintin Koetaan, Senior Director of HRA, and President of ACUHO-I SAC, started a project to ensure that NSFAS-funded and other UFS students are afforded quality accommodation on and off campus. Mr Koetaan was also appointed by NSFAS to convert this into a national project. This project includes engagements with different role players such as municipalities, national and provincial officials, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, NSFAS, and private off-campus accommodation service providers.

The decision by the UFS to increase the percentage of first-time entering students living on campus, was welcomed by HRA, and is being implemented and managed to address HRA’s ITP deliverables.  As a result of the increased percentage, senior students would be moved to affordable, accredited off-campus accommodation, with available transportation.

HRA’s aim is to ensure that students experience the wholesomeness and joy of being a UFS student, by making provision for their diverse on- and off-campus needs.

News Archive

Joint statement by UFS management, SRC and residence leadership
2008-02-22

At a meeting between the top management and Student Representative Council (SRC) executive, residence managers and the student leadership of residences all those present committed themselves to increasing the diversity of the student residences at the UFS.

All those present at the meeting held on Friday afternoon (22 February 2008) condemned the violence that took place on the campus on Wednesday night and committed themselves to respect the rule of law.

All those present acknowledged that much needs to be done with regard to the implementation of the integration in student residences.

The memorandum from primes (the student heads of residences) that was submitted to management on Wednesday was discussed.

After a lengthy discussion, some of the issues raised in the memorandum were resolved and parties agreed that outstanding issues will receive urgent attention.
Management undertook to provide a comprehensive written response to the memorandum of the primes by Monday next week (25 February 2008).
 

At the end of the meeting management and the student leadership committed themselves to working together in the interest of the University, to work closely towards addressing problem issues and to improve communication between students and management and vice versa.
 

For more information contact Anton Fisher, Director: Strategic Communication, UFS. on 072-207-8334.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
22 February 2008

 

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