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17 June 2020
|
Story Dr WP Wahl
The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) prioritises innovation to meet the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among students. To this end, several student volunteers and student governance structures are collaborating with the DSA on various initiatives.
During 2019, various conversations were held about the possibility of creating a health-promoting food environment at the UFS where students and staff are well informed and empowered to take appropriate action regarding their food and nutritional needs. These conversations resulted in an institutional strategy to address the food environment at the UFS. Student representatives serve on a technical committee that directs the implementation of this strategy. In this regard, several initiatives have already been launched.
Students from residences and other student communities have planted vegetable gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus with the assistance of KovsieACT and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Students and staff are already harvesting and distributing vegetables to needy students every week. Measurements were put in place to continue this during the COVID-19 period. The following vegetables were planted: spinach, cabbage, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
Food parcels, donated by Tiger Brands and Gift of the Givers, are continuously handed out by DSA staff and student volunteers. In this regard, 540 food parcels have already been handed out on the Bloemfontein Campus during the COVID-19 period alone. During the same time, 117 students received food parcels on the Qwaqwa Campus. The innovation of this food parcel project rests on the fact that business, NPOs, UFS students, and DSA staff are collaborating to address food insecurity and malnutrition.
More collaborative initiatives will be implemented over the next 12 months. The DSA staff and students are already working with the Department of Dietetics and Consumer Sciences to create information packages about the preparation of low-budget nutritious meals.
Related article:
Vegetable tunnels established to continue the fight against food insecurity
State of our campuses: UFS campuses to remain closed on Monday 26 September 2016
2016-09-24
Based on
a discussion requested by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Free Education Movement (FEM) this morning, the senior leadership of the University of the Free State
(UFS) decided that all three campuses will remain closed on Monday 26 September 2016.
This means that no academic and administrative services will be available on Monday.
There will also be no classes and no tests will be written.
On Monday the senior leadership will receive a memorandum, as well as a social compact governing student
conduct during student protests from the student leadership . It was agreed that the senior leadership will respond to the memorandum as soon as possible.
The senior
leadership appreciates the peaceful nature in which yesterday’s march to the Provincial offices took place; unlike the disruptive way in which groups of students reacted to the
announcement on fees by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, on Monday 19 September 2016.
Arrangements in terms of the academic calendar will
remain as was communicated to staff and students on Thursday 22 September 2016. Students who missed tests and/or lectures from 19 to 26 September 2016 are requested to contact
their respective faculties on Tuesday 27 September 2016.
There will be no further notices of suspension of any academic or administrative services after Monday 26
September 2016.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director:
Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393