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29 September 2020 | Story Dr Lynette van der Merwe | Photo Supplied
There is no doubt that 2020 will be a year to remember.  A pandemic, national lockdown, social isolation, health risks, economic and academic disruption, and uncertainty, loss of control, fear, and panic due to information flooding are all ingredients in the perfect storm of the unprecedented ‘new normal’.  Due to COVID-19, we have become sensitised to the need to protect mental health and well-being among all members of society – not least, our caregivers.  The plight of healthcare workers in the front lines has focused our attention on the threat of burnout (defined as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a sense of low personal accomplishment) as a result of increased stress, as well as the risk of depression and anxiety disorders. 
 
Focus on becoming more agile and adaptable

But do we need to stick to the prescribed script that dooms us to global resignation of merely trying to survive?  Is there an alternative response that uncovers unique strengths? Can we flip the narrative to resilience?  

In the destructive wake of this global crisis, we could instead focus on how we have become more agile and adaptable. We could notice the coping strategies of those who do not succumb to despair, victimhood, or expedience.  We could reimagine a world where the problems of the day do not define us; a world where we respond with intention, drawing on resilience forged in the fire of adversity, resolutely using our prior-established values to guide us.

Resilience helps us to not merely survive, but to recover, regroup, and reach new heights.   Diane Coutu described the characteristics of resilient people:  stoic acceptance of tough situations, creating meaning despite the current overwhelming circumstances, and an astonishing ability to improvise.  The notion was reinforced in a recent perspective published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The authors eloquently pointed out that during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, a sense of altruism and urgency seemed to catalyse restored autonomy, competency, and relatedness – three pillars considered supportive of intrinsic motivation and psychological well-being.  

Adaptive coping strategies

Research among students and staff in the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences has shown that higher resilience (and lower burnout) is associated with adaptive coping strategies.  Strength and growth through hardship were foundational to dealing with endemic stress and inevitable personal, academic, and financial challenges. 

So, what are some of the qualities, skills, or resources that help us bounce back and grow our resilience, resulting in the crisis of the day (aka COVID-19 and its nasty sequelae) causing a (temporary) bruise, rather than a (permanent) tattoo?
Have hope.  Far from blind, naïve optimism, it is instead a sober realism about reality, balanced by finding strength in the belief that in the end, you will overcome (the Stockdale Paradox). This ties closely with acceptance, allowing emotions a seat at the table of our lives but not giving in to their attempts at a hostile takeover.  It happens when we choose to respond, rather than react, leaving space to be flexible enough to adjust our expectations from immediate gratification to the perseverance to sit out the discomfort.  

Stay kind.  In the face of extreme hardship, humans reveal the truth about themselves.  Treating others with compassion, patience, and respect may not make the crisis disappear – but when we look back, are we not most inspired by those who have created meaning through extraordinary humility and sacrifice?  When all is said and done, what story would you like to tell about the kind of person you were during the pandemic? 

Be brave

Be brave anyway.  Approaching the sixth month of the pandemic means that most of us are tired.  Despite trying to be safe, innovative, and wise, there are no apparent solutions or a clear end in sight.  This is the time to be insanely courageous, to step into the arena to find answers and offer alternatives, despite naysayers (often anonymous) criticising your best efforts. This is the moment in history when we need to overcome our fear with the kind of courage that shows up even when legs shake, the voice trembles, and the heart palpitates.

When we look back on 2020, may we do so knowing that we continued hoping (even while accepting the tragic reality), that we stayed kind (creating meaning in the midst of turmoil), and that we were brave (overcoming seemingly insurmountable difficulty with exceptional creativity).  We have much to offer if we allow our resilience to stand this test of time. May COVID-19 change us for the better.


News Archive

UFS policies want to help all students
2005-03-09

The death of Hannes van Rensburg, a first-year student from the JBM Hertzog residence, this past weekend, placed various aspects of student life in the spotlight.  Dr Natie Luyt, Dean:  Student Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the UFS explain which policies are in place to counter these practices.

At all tertiary institutions there are rules and policies to guide students and provide direction for certain behaviour and practices.  The same applies to the University of the Free State (UFS).

“At the beginning of the year the UFS provides every residence committee with a manual to establish a framework for meaningful and orderly relations within and among residences on the campus,” said Dr Natie Luyt.

However, it is one thing to set rules, but it is an impossible task to enforce all aspects thereof.  Policies currently in place include an alcohol policy, a policy on the induction of first years and a policy on banned practices in residence orientation. 

“The alcohol policy was compiled in cooperation with students and their input was constantly asked,” said Dr Luyt.  We also liaise on a continuous basis with residences and senior students to encourage the responsible use of alcohol, especially around activities like intervarsities and Rag. 

In the policy, recognition is given to the right and voluntary and informed choice of every individual to use alcohol on the UFS campus in a responsible way. 

Guidelines for the use of alcohol on campus include among others the following: 

Only authorised points of sale will be permitted on campus.  In this case it is the various league halls in most of the male residences on campus.

Alcohol will only be made available during fixed times and is not permitted in residence rooms.    

All alcohol-related functions are regulated and an application for a temporary alcohol license must be obtained from the Dean:  Student Affairs.     

The UFS obtained a liquor license in March 2004 which must be administered by senior leagues in various residences on campus.   Normal liquor license conditions and the county’s liquor laws apply.  Liquor can only be sold to members of the senior league (or special guests) and also to persons over the age of 18 years.  Liquor may not be used in public (outside the senior league) or on campus.    

The senior leagues may only be open three nights per week and within prescribed times.  No liquor could be used in any other place than the senior league halls.  Senior leagues could buy liquor from club monies generated by themselves. 

The right of senior leagues to serve liquor was suspended by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, on Monday 7 March 2005 – pending an investigation of the recent events on campus. 

The policy on banned practices include among others that no swearing and shouting at first-years may take place, no first-year student may be targeted individually, no senior may enter the room of a first-year student without an invitation or permission from that first-year student and no senior under the influence of alcohol may have contact with first-year students. 

The induction of first-year students takes place by means of three functions, namely an information function (the introduction to the various facets and possibilities of the university system), an induction function (the first-year student becomes involved in various campus and residence activities) and a development function (the first-year student is motivated to take charge of his development potential). 

No first-year induction activity may commence before the residence committee’s contracting with the senior students is not completed.  This meeting is attended by the residence head and all senior students.  The induction policy, residence induction policy of first-year students and first-year rules are discussed.

The senior students sign an attendance list to show that he/she was informed about the policies.  A senior who does not sign, may not be involved with any induction session with first-year students.  

No physical contact is allowed during the conclusion of the first-year students’ official induction period.  The induction of first-year students as full members of the residence is a prestige event, presented by the residence committee.  No physical or degrading activities may take place. 

The Dean:  Student Affairs also has a daily meeting with the primarii of all the residences during the induction period.  This helps to monitor the situation and counter any problem behaviour or tendencies.

“Enforced behaviour – where a senior student forces a first-year student to do something against his/her own free wil – is not allowed.  Where there is any sign of this, it is met wortel en tak uitgeroei,” said Dr Luyt.

“In any group of people – whether it is a group of students or people at a workplace – there will always be those who will break the rules or those who would like to see how far they could push it.

The SRC, the UFS management and myself are and will stay committed to make each student’s life on this campus a school of learning and an experience which would be remembered for ever,” said Dr Luyt.

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