STATEMENT BY PROF. EZEKIEL MORAKA, VICE-RECTOR: STUDENT AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE IN RESPONSE TO THE MAIN ARTICLE IN VOLKSBLAD OF 15 MAY 2009

It is unfortunate that the University of the Free State’s (UFS) attempts to protect our students and to ensure that an atmosphere conducive to learning in our residences prevails are now taken out of context and equated to the process of increasing diversity in our residences.

We have a responsibility as a university to protect our students and staff – this includes minority groups like first-year students – and we will continue to do so. The Residence Committees and Residence Heads also have a responsibility to ensure that this atmosphere prevails in our residences.

In accordance with the decision on increasing diversity in the university’s Main Campus residences by our Council, the UFS has a responsibility to protect minorities against the dominance of other groups and to ensure that students respect one another.

The incident at House Armentum is clearly an act of the violation of human rights and cannot be left unattended.

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  
15 May 2009

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