Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
16 March 2021
|
Story Lacea Loader
![]()
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.
Administrative activities will continue during this time and the campuses are not closed. The university management is aware that sporadic disruptions of activities by small groups are still taking place on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Protection Services, with the assistance of private security, remains on high alert and is closely monitoring the situation on the campuses. The necessary safety and security plan, as well as contingency plans, are in place.
Please monitor the university’s communication platforms for updates on any developments.
It is important to ensure that your cellphone number is updated in order to receive communication via the KovsieApp and SMS.
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
Villa Bravado orientation practice
2010-08-02
The University of the Free State (UFS) takes note of forbidden initiation practices which Residence Committee Members (RCM) of Villa Bravado, a men’s residence of the UFS, participated in during September and October 2009. A video of the events is currently widely being distributed.
Earlier this year, the UFS management was informed about the events by students who had also been involved in the initiation practices and management took note of that with great dismay.
These events took place despite the comprehensive amount of support and assistance regarding transformation which is continuously provided to students in residences. The UFS clearly and regularly communicates to students that initiation is strictly forbidden.
After the management had been informed of the matter, it was immediately addressed and the following measures were taken by the Dean: Student Affairs, Mr Rudi Buys without delay:
- The Student Head of the residence was immediately suspended as RCM member; and
- Disciplinary proceedings were immediately instituted against the Residence Head because of his alleged involvement in these forbidden practices. The case is currently under investigation.
The UFS is convinced that the event was not an incident where black students acted against white students, because black members of the Residence Committee had undergone the same initiation exercise earlier. The misconduct was a continuation of a forbidden initiation practice that is not allowed at the UFS.
“I expect that these events, which took place last year, were the last of students exercising forbidden initiation practices and once again I strongly wish to express the loathing that my management and myself have for any form of forbidden initiation practice,” said Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
2 August 2010