Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Incident on the Bloemfontein Campus related to off-campus emergency accommodation on 8 February 2022

09 February 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

The University of the Free State UFS) is aware of media reports on 8 and 9 February 2022 about challenges that students are facing related to off-campus accommodation and in particular an incident that took place on the Bloemfontein Campus in the early hours of 8 February 2022 when a group of students arrived late evening at Protection Services and requested emergency accommodation.

It is untrue that the university did not provide emergency accommodation to the group of students, and we wish to confirm that accommodation was indeed offered in two on-campus residences. However, the offer to provide such accommodation was not taken up by the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC) on behalf of the group. During Tuesday morning, university staff managed to obtain accommodation for the group in an off-campus emergency accommodation facility, to which they were taken by shuttle.

Several measures are in place to ensure the successful management of the accommodation process in consultation with and in agreement with various stakeholders. When the need arises, the university arranges emergency off-campus accommodation for students on all three campuses. Where a student cannot afford to pay for emergency accommodation, the university has measures in place, which include the provision of daily transport in the form of a shuttle service to the emergency accommodation and back to the campus – specifically during the registration period.

In addition, an Emergency Accommodation Committee, on which the CSRC sits, meets weekly. The CSRC is part of the committee’s decisions to accommodate the needs of students related to emergency accommodation.

News Archive

Kovsie Alumni appeals to the community to support Prof. Jansen

2009-10-28

Kovsie Alumni expresses its shock and astonishment about the sharp criticism that Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), has been enduring since his inauguration as the 13th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Prof. Jansen’s balanced speech at his inauguration was received with a standing ovation by the guests present. These guests were not only representative of the UFS community, but also of the broader South African society.

The memories of the illustrious inauguration event faded within days. Political opportunists who only criticise the Reitz announcement and do not contextualise the inaugural speech, contribute towards mass polarisation, distrust and suspicion. This stands in sharp contrast to Prof. Jansen’s message of reconciliation, unity and hope.

Prof. Jansen’s announcement that the consultation process has been re-opened is welcomed. Kovsie Alumni trusts that all role players, including the critics, would make constructive contributions. In the final instance, everybody should act in a remedial manner towards 9 persons whose lives have been changed irrevocably, namely 5 black workers and 4 white students.

Kovsie Alumni appeals to the community to support Prof. Jansen in his endeavours to remove obstacles in the way of making the UFS a world-class university. Former students, parents and other stakeholders must collectively accept the responsibilities that he has already identified.

Media release
Issued by: Naudé de Klerk
Chairperson: Kovsie Alumni
011 678 1988 / 082 551 3151
naude@edk.co.za

Mauritz Randlhoff
Vice-Chairperson : Kovsie Alumni

Pule Molalenyane
Vice-Chairperson: Kovsie Alumni
28 October 2009

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept