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06 December 2021 | Story Temba Hlasho

Dear Student,
I trust that this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health.

The 2021 academic year has presented numerous changes in the Department of Student Affairs (DSA). However, we remained resilient to continue providing needed support to all students on our three campuses. 

As we conclude the 2021 academic year, it is a golden opportunity for each and every one of us to introspect by reflecting on our academic journey, identifying shortcomings, opportunities to help us reimagine, reconstruct, and improve going forward. This reflection does not serve to intentionally create discomfort, but rather to create an opportunity for all of us to be self-aware and gain a depended perspective of the direction we should be taking in 2022. 

I would like to congratulate Kholeka Mtshali and Nonstikelelo Ntima, who participated as finalists in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) national competition. The competition was highly contested, with more than 75 applications and only 6 student entrepreneurs competing. Furthermore, both students were invited to pitch for the Free State Innovation Drive 2021 and Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards (GSEA) competition, which will take place in February next year. The DSA is excited about students being engaged in their communities and their personal development. In the same breath, I urge you to explore your out-of-classroom experiences to enhance your skill and development, as well as the development of your community. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the global 16 Days campaign.  The campaign kicked off nationally on 25 November 2021. The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) will be hosting a placard campaign for the global 16 days.  As a Kovsie, I encourage you to embrace the values of inclusive society and to oppose any form of violence against women and children.  Further, we are living in perilous times, we need to be vigilant; you are encouraged to stay safe, wear your mask, sanitise, and vaccinate.

We can now look ahead into the new biennium with confidence, hope, and resilience. In the 2022 academic year, I encourage you to take some time to explore student life opportunities, whether it be arts, sports, campus competitions, making new friends, joining an organisation, or getting involved in community projects.  Your participation will sharpen your skill sets for the world of work and the entrepreneurial space. 

To our final-year students who might not be returning to our campuses for postgraduate studies – congratulations on completing this big milestone! As you enter the world of work or venture into an entrepreneurial environment, please remember that there is no script for life after university – but be bold and courageous on the path you choose. 

To our postgraduate students who will continue to enhance their academic outfit at the UFS – the DSA is here for you, let us hear about your experiences and expectations.  We are geared to interact more with you in the new year to make your postgrad study experience a memorable one.  

I therefore bid you well for the holidays and urge you to stay alert and safe during the festive season. I hope that you will all take time during this holiday season to relax, recharge, and reflect on all that you have accomplished this year. I look forward to seeing you all upon our eventual return to campus. Best wishes for your continued health and well-being in 2022!

Thank you to all the students who participated in our campaigns and activities during the year. Please continue to support the DSA in 2022. In the same breath, please be safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitise, and practise social distancing, but most importantly, stay at home as far as it is practically possible.

To remind yourself about the services offered by the Department of Student Affairs, please follow the link for more information.

Mr Temba Hlasho
Executive Director: Student Affairs 


News Archive

Access to the Bloemfontein Campus
2015-04-02

Access Control Made Easy

The first phase of access control at the University of the Free State (UFS) was implemented in August 2014. The aim of this initiative is to tighten security measures on the Bloemfontein Campus.
 
Since November 2014, access control has been implemented at all five gates on the Bloemfontein Campus. These are:

  • The Main gate in Nelson Mandela Drive (Gate 1)
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive (Gate 5)
  • The gate in Wynand Mouton Drive (Gate 3) 
  • The gate in Furstenburg Street (Gate 4)
  • The gate in Badenhorst Street (Gate 2)

Here is some useful information about the access control system:

1. Remember your access card when you enter the campus

Dual-function cards (with distance reader compatibility) will make your movement through the gates more convenient. The university’s access system works automatically with remote or swipe action. Please make sure that you drive close to the reader or, better still, get the dual-frequency card to manage the distance between your vehicle and the remote card reader.

As of 23 March 2015, the extra security staff, who have been assisting at the gates since the implementation of access control on the Bloemfontein Campus, are no longer manning the card readers at the gates. Therefore, persons without cards will be able to enter the campus only at the one gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. They will be referred to the Visitors Centre, where a day visitor’s card will be issued to them. You will need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

Security will continue their normal duties at the guardhouses for the various gates on the campus.

2. Where do I get an access card?

You can apply at the university’s Visitors Centre front desk by producing your positive identification (ID book/passport/driver’s licence) and proof of payment for your access card.

You will then be directed to the Thakaneng Bridge where you will be able to collect your access card.

  • Go to the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge and pay your R65 for the dual-frequency card
  • Take your receipt, together with your existing card (if you have one), to the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge (next to Mellins Optometrists)
  • A new photo will be taken of you at the Card Office for your new card. Your new card will then be issued immediately.

Currently, there is a sufficient stock of the dual-frequency cards available at the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge.
 
Alternatively, you can apply online for your access card: http://apps.ufs.ac.za/cardapplication/application.aspx

Make sure you have the following documents ready to attach when completing the online form:

  • Copy of positive identification: ID/Driver's Licence/Passport
  • Signed declaration (http://supportservices.ufs.ac.za/dl/Userfiles/Documents/00007/4668_eng.pdf) by your service provider/employer (if you are a service provider) or a letter of confirmation from your spouse/partner/relative/coach/relevant UFS staff member or student in cases where you have to visit, pick-up or drop off your spouse/partner/relative frequently on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Cost: R65 for a long-term card and free of charge for short-term visits and conference delegates. Pay at the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge or at Absa Bank, Account Number: 1 570 8500 71, Ref: 1 413 07670 0198.

3. Cutoff Date: 7 April 2015

After 7 April 2015, no pedestrian or motorist will be able to enter the campus without a valid access card. Persons without access cards will have to enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will then be referred to the Visitors Centre where you will have to apply for a day visitor’s card. It is important to note that no one will be able to enter the campus at the Visitors Centre without a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

4. Dual-frequency card simplifies access to the campus

It is important to have your card ready on entering the campus.

This card will simplify access to the campus considerably, as the card reader will read the card when it is held in a vertical position at the driver’s side window in the direction of the distance reader. Please do not place the card on the dashboard. There is an antenna wire in the card. If the card is placed on the dashboard, you are not exposing the card surface to the reader, and that might influence the antenna’s response to the reader.

Remember, the distance between the reader and the boom is only a few metres.  If you approach the reader at a ’high’ speed, you are not allowing the system to identify your card, match it to the entry in the database, check if you are ‘legal’, and then send a signal to open the boom. 

All five gates are equipped with distance readers. Within the next three weeks, two extra distance readers will also be installed at the Main Gate in Nelson Mandela Drive.
 
Please note that the dual-frequency card is needed only when you enter the campus with a vehicle and you want to activate the distance reader. All the older cards will continue to work at the tag readers. 

5. Use alternative gates

At times, some of the gates carry more traffic than others, especially with the peak morning and afternoon traffic. Gates with less traffic include:

  • The gate in Badenhorst Street
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive
  • The gate in Nelson Mandela Drive

You are welcome to make use of one of these alternative gates.

6. Pedestrians

No pedestrian will be able to enter the Bloemfontein Campus without a valid access card. If you have left your card at home or have lost it, you should enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will be referred to the Visitors Centre where you can apply for a day visitor’s card. You will still need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

7. More information

Email: visitorscentre@ufs.ac.za
Visitors Centre front desk: Tel: +27 51 401 7766 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Card Division: Tel: +27 51 401 2799 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Protection Services duty room: +27 51 401 2634 (24 hours)

 

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