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24 March 2020

#UFSupdate (18 March 2020): UFS IMPLEMENTS MEASURES TO MINIMISE RISK OF COVID-19 TO STAFF
STATEMENT BY PROF FRANCIS PETERSEN, RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) welcomes the announcement of Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology on 17 March 2020 that all post-school training institutions will have an early recess, starting on 18 March 2020. The Minister’s directive that universities should minimise risk of COVID-19 to all its staff during this time is also welcomed.  

The announcement of Dr Nzimande is in line with the university’s decision on 16 March 2020 to suspend the academic programme as from 17 March 2020 and to resume it again on 14 April 2020.

It is important for us all to know that this is not business as usual, and that different  thinking is required. Responsible citizenship is one of the crucial elements the world has increasingly been experiencing for the past few weeks. This is why we must act out our responsibility towards one another by focusing on ways in which social distancing can be achieved – especially during this low-risk period that South Africa is still experiencing. This is one of the reasons that informed the university’s decision on 16 March 2020 week to suspend the academic programme and also for students to vacate the residences by 20 March 2020.

The health and well-being of our staff members are equally important. The university’s Employee Task Team that was established on 16 March 2020 analysed options for the continuation of university operations during the recess period. These options were submitted to the executive management, discussed with the Chairperson of the UFS Council and approved on 18 March 2020.

Staff members who have children at school and pre-school may work from home on 19 and 20 March 2020. For the period 23 March 2020 to 13 April 2020, the number of staff members present on all three campuses will be reduced to a minimum and staff members may be allowed to work from home where practically possible.

Arrangements have been made to accommodate those staff members who are performing services which cannot be done from home (such as cleaning, gardening, maintenance, sports, etc) in a flexible and reasonable way. Similar arrangements will be made with office-based support services staff, prioritising institutional needs and based on humane and personal circumstances. Academic staff have been requested to ensure that the online learning materials are finalised and made available for the online learning platform.

The decision for employees to work from home is based on the premise that all employees are deemed to be at work from 23 March 2020 to 13 April 2020. This requires staff members to be available and contactable by line managers at all times during the university’s normal working hours.

I am comfortable that these measures will alleviate the concerns from our staff regarding the spreading of COVID-19 and the risk to themselves without compromising university operations.

Prof F W Petersen
Rector and Vice-Chancellor
University of the Free State


News Archive

UFS to host first leadership conference for Grade 12 learners
2011-04-04

Our university is proud to announce that it will be hosting its very first Leadership Summit for Grade 12 learners.

More than 280 learners from all over South Africa and Namibia have registered to participate in the three-day event, which takes place on our Main Campus from Thursday, 7 April to Saturday, 9 April 2011.
 
Mrs Linda Greyling from UFS Corporate Relations said learners from as far afield as Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal and Wellington in the Western Cape had applied to learn more about leadership in our country.
 
The goal of the summit is to enable young leaders to develop their leadership capabilities by looking beyond their normal boundaries.
 
Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS,  will address the visitors on leadership while Mr Louie de Necker will speak about conflict resolution. Other highlights include a visit to the Boyden Observatory, picnic suppers, an introduction to residence life, a social evening, and a prize-giving ceremony aimed at learners who distinguished themselves as potential leaders during the three-day visit.
 
Registration for the summit will take place at the Odeion Theatre on our Main Campus on 07 April from 09:00 to 11:00. The proceedings will commence upon completion of registration.


Media Release
1 April 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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