Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
![]()
The University of the Free State (UFS) has received an overwhelming response from staff and students to upload their COVID-19 vaccination certificates to access campus in the past weeks. This includes unvaccinated staff and students who are uploading their weekly SARS (COVID-19) PCR test results or are applying for deferral or exemption.
This comes after the system and process to grant access to the campuses to vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students stipulated in the UFS COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy was activated on 14 February 2022.
So far, 99,54% permanent staff members have uploaded their vaccination/PCR certificates. The percentage of students is continuing to rise in anticipation for the beginning of the academic year, which commences on 21 February 2022 in a blended teaching and learning approach, where 67% of modules on offer will be in a face-to-face format.
The university would like to thank all staff and students who are complying with the policy and uploading their vaccination/PCR certificates as they are assisting greatly in the institution’s aim to provide and maintain a working, teaching and learning environment that is safe and without risk to the health of its staff and students.
Staff experience running in the shoes of students
2014-07-29
Photo: Sonia Small
From having to upload money on a card and buying lunch at Thakaneng Bridge to naming the SRC members, some UFS staff members got to experience life as a full-time student on our Bloemfontein Campus.
During their 2014 Purpose Summit on 22 July, staff from Student Affairs competed against each other in an Amazing Race.
“We got to see how students actually run around on campus each day,” said Elize Rall from Residence Life. “We always hear from parents how their children have to go from one place on campus to the other to get things done … and now we know what they are talking about.”
Staff who attended the summit was divided into teams during the morning’s practical session. Similar to the popular television programme, The Amazing Race, there were quite a few checkpoints – often with some formidable challenges and quizzes.
To make their tasks even more difficult, the participants were forced to take the route students with disabilities would have taken. This means: no stairs could be climbed and no curbs could be jumped – they could only use ramps and elevators.
"The experience was extra-ordinary," said Lerato Masapo from Residence Life. "I learned a lot and I didn't realise how difficult it was for our disabled students to move around the campus.
"What struck me the most was the distance between every building and how far the students had to walk to reach certain places. This made me realise the importance and responsibility on us as staff members to know our environment and assist students accordingly in that regard."