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UFS amends the retirement age for all staff members to 65

10 December 2021 | Story Lacea Loader

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the retirement age of all staff members to 65 this week.

“The current retirement age for staff members of the UFS is 65 years for those appointed prior to 1 June 1998, and 60 years for those appointed after 1 June 1998. The Council’s decision to amend the retirement age to 65 comes after an extensive benchmarking process involving the university’s two labour unions, NEHAWU and UVPERSU, which requested that the retirement age of all staff members be adjusted to 65,” said Prof Francis Petesen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

This amendment brings the university in line with other universities and will assist in overcoming a negative impact on the recruitment and attraction of high-calibre academic and specialist staff.

Parallel to the amendment of the retirement age in the Conditions of Services, the university is also adapting the allocation of vacation leave. “We are currently facing a challenge in terms of the provision of the staff leave liability, which has a major financial implication for the UFS. In consultation with stakeholder unions the accumulation of vacation leave has been adjusted to a maximum of five days per year,” said Prof Petersen.

The new retirement age to 65 and the adjusted accumulated vacation leave days will be affected from 1 January 2022. Staff who are set to retire on 31 December 2021 may opt to continue to the age 65. This amendment will not apply to staff that may have already retired.

Adjusted vacation as from 1 January 2022:

Academic staff:

Current number of vacation days: 42

Approved Leave Days

Number of vacation days: 30

Additional research leave days: 12 (non-cumulative and expires at the end of each calendar year)

Support staff:

Deputy Director and higher levels

Peromnes Level: 1 – 6

Current number of leave vacation days: 36

Approved number of vacation days: 30

Assistant Director to Officer

Peromnes Level: 7 – 14

Current number of leave vacation days: 30 - 28

Approved number of vacation days: 28

Service Workers

Peromnes Level: 15 - 18

Current number of leave vacation days: 24

Approved number of vacation days: 24

News Archive

UFS appoints a Dean of Student Affairs

2009-12-08

The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Mr Rudi Buys as its new dean of Student Affairs.

Mr Buys is the Chief Executive Officer of iGubu Leadership Agency and has in this capacity been involved with student affairs by holding key clients in the higher education sector, including amongst others, the Universities of the Free State, Stellenbosch and Pretoria.

“Mr Buys has provided consultancy services to the Student Affairs Department of the UFS and he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the system, the climate and challenges. He also enjoys the trust of our students, is accepted by students across all races and has a sound knowledge of current student issues. He has a passion for youth/student leadership development and I am very pleased that he is joining this university,” says Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

"I consider the appointment an immense privilege – joining a higher education institution such as the UFS with a proud heritage and an even more significant future. I relish the opportunity to join the team at the UFS in realising the vision of an internationally renowned and socially responsive institution. I wish to thank the University for this vote of confidence and offer my utmost commitment in honouring the appointment. As the UFS has inspired me, I'm convinced that the institution will inspire our nation,” says Mr Buys.

Mr Buys has also worked as a Commissioner at the Western Cape Youth Commission, was spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Ministry and is a founding member of a number of civil society initiatives. His academic qualifications include an M.Theologia, B.Divinitatis (Hons Eq) and B. Theologia.

He will take up office on 4 January 2010.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
4 December 2009

Mr Rudi Buys

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