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Agreement between UFS rectorate and Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) on 16 March 2021

16 March 2021 | Story Lacea Loader

UPDATE: 16 March 2021 at 20:37

During a meeting between members of the Rectorate and representatives of the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) on 15 and 16 March 2021, the following was agreed upon:

1. SUSPENSION OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

All academic activities have been suspended on all UFS campuses from 17 to 22 March 2021. No online/face-to-face lectures/tests/assignments will take place until 23 March 2021, and the full academic programme will resume on this date.

This decision will allow the university management an opportunity to address outstanding matters regarding the admission of senior undergraduate students.

2. FACE-TO-FACE REGISTRATION

Any senior undergraduate and first-year student who is unable to register successfully online, can do so on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses from 17 to 19 March 2021.

► Registration stations:

Bloemfontein Campus:

- Examination Centre (EXR)

Qwaqwa Campus:

- Faculty of Education: Mandela Hall
- Faculty of the Humanities: E0013 + 14
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: E009 + 10 – EMS
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Fulufhelo Gazelle

► Operating times on both campuses:

17 March 2021: 13:00-15:00
18 and 19 March 2021: 8:00-15:00

The following must be noted:

Senior undergraduate students must be in possession of a valid student card (previous year) and will be allowed to enter the campuses without an access permit in order to register.

First-year students must be in possession of a firm offer from the UFS in order to register – no campus access permit is needed.

3. NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON CAMPUSES

The university management is aware of the challenges that some students are experiencing with the continuation of their studies off campus in terms of, for instance, access to campus facilities and connectivity.

It is, however, important to take note that the institution is obliged to adhere to national regulations linked to Level 1 of the national lockdown, also taking into account the university’s teaching and learning approach, as well as the capacity to adhere to physical distancing protocols.

The university management will continue with the return of students to the campuses in a responsible way, as the safety, health, and well-being of students and staff remain the key priorities.

With this in mind, the university will reconsider its blended learning arrangements for 2021 to allow more students to return to campus within the parameters of the national lockdown regulations. These arrangements will be communicated to students soon.

4. ACADEMICALLY ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

The university will compile a list of students who have outstanding debt and who are still awaiting funding confirmation from NSFAS. Confirmation will be provided before midnight on 16 March 2021 if these students can register provisionally without payment of the first amount.

5. MEAL ALLOWANCES

The payment of meal allowances for NSFAS students will be implemented by the end of March 2021. It should be noted that NSFAS is only expected to transfer funds in April, but the UFS will lay out the funds for food allowances in the meantime.

6. ACADEMIC EXCLUSION

During the meetings on 15 and 16 March 2021, the ISRC tabled the matter regarding students who are academically excluded for the 2021 academic year. This matter is being addressed by the university management and engagement in this regard will continue.

7. VICTIMISATION OF STUDENTS BY PRIVATE SECURITY

During the meetings on 15 and 16 March 2021, the ISRC tabled the matter regarding students being victimised, harassed, and assaulted by private security.

The ISRC will submit more information, after which the allegations will be investigated.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

News Archive

Farmers need to plan grazing better, says UFS expert

2017-02-21

Description: Prof HO de Waal Tags: Prof HO de Waal

Prof HO de Waal, affiliated researcher
at the University of the Free State,
says farmers should save grazing
during the summer months to have
fodder available in the winter and
early spring.
Photo: Theuns Botha,
Landbouweekblad

“Farmers should save veld during the summer months to have grazing available for animals especially in the winter and early spring. Farmers should also adjust livestock numbers timely and wisely according to the available material in the field,” says Prof HO de Waal, professional animal scientist and affiliated researcher in the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the University of the Free State.

He offered this advice as a result of the sporadic and scattered (scant) rainfall of the past couple of summers. “In retrospect we know that this kind of precipitation started in about 2014 and has continued in subsequent summers. In February 2015, it was clear that a major fodder scarcity was developing.”

Existing research methods serve as source of current knowledge
Dr Herman Fouché (Agricultural Research Council) has conducted research on the impact of climate, especially rainfall, on the growth of grass. Sophisticated computer technology developed as far back as the 1980s to – through modelling – predicts the impact of climate on field production during the growing season.

The impact of climate, and more specifically rainfall, on field production has been known to animal and grazing scientists for a long time. Prof De Waal used the modelling results to determine the impact of rainfall on grass as a feeding source for animals.

“Information that emerged from this old research programme could therefore be applied directly to animal production,” says Prof De Waal.

Adjust livestock numbers to availability of grazing
In the summer rainfall areas of South Africa, grass usually grows from the end of August and early September. The growth process is dependent on the transfer of soil moisture, as well as on rainfall during the winter and early spring.

“Livestock numbers should be balanced throughout the year (according to the nutritional needs and production of the animals) with the availability of grazing material – be consistent, not only during certain seasons or when drought is imminent,” is Prof De Waal’s advice to farmers. “Farmers are also encouraged to carefully reduce the number of livestock on grazing and to rather focus their attention and limited resources on the remaining breeding herds (cows and ewes).”

“It is tragic, but unfortunately many farmers will not survive the effects of recent years. Similar climatic conditions will occur, with the same tragic consequences for man and beast. Better planning has to start now.” The assistance of private institutions, individuals, as well as the government, during the severe droughts is gratefully acknowledged.

Spineless cactus pear as solution for scarcity of animal feed
Prof De Waal says spineless cactus pears could be used as a feeding source during droughts. “The effects of a severe drought, or major animal-feed scarcity, are still prevalent in large parts of the subcontinent.” This may act as a catalyst to utilise spineless cactus pears as a feeding source and to be incorporated in the feed-flow programme for livestock on natural grazing.

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