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UFS Lifts its COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy with immediate effect

15 July 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the lifting of the institution’s COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy with immediate effect.

“Since the declaration by the Government on 22 June 2022 that the COVID-19 regulations will be repealed, the UFS has conducted a risk assessment to determine the risk of exposure to staff and students. From the assessment, it was clear that the university’s COVID-19 infections are currently a low risk,” said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Factors that contributed to this low risk include the following:

No COVID-19 positive cases among UFS staff and students have been reported in the past month.
The high number of vaccinations among UFS stakeholders. In addition, the current national immunity level of the total South African population is high.
Certain faculties and postgraduate students are currently proceeding with hybrid/online learning, which minimises the risk of possible COVID-19 infections on the university’s three campuses.
In its correspondence of 23 June 2022, the UFS urged all staff and students to continue wearing masks should they have comorbidities and/or symptoms of illness, thus safeguarding other stakeholders.

“We believe that COVID-19 no longer poses an immediate threat to the safety of our staff and students, and that the pandemic is at a stage where they should take responsibility for their own safety. This can be mainly ascribed to the success of the implementation of the policy. Staff and students who still wish to wear masks are urged to do so at their own discretion. Those who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus and have no

known condition preventing them from doing so, are advised to get vaccinated for their own safety and protection,” said Prof Petersen.

The UFS COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy was approved by the University Council on 26 November 2021 and implemented on 6 December 2021. The university commenced restricting unvaccinated individuals from accessing its campuses as of 14 February 2022.

“If the national regulatory environment with respect to COVID-19 is changing to such an extent that the policy needs to be re-implemented, the university’s executive management will act accordingly, and hence the COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy remains a policy of the university as approved by the UFS Council on 26 November 2021.” said Prof Petersen.

Uplifting of the COVID-19 vaccination policy - mitigation strategies of the University of the Free State.

News Archive

The UFS warmly welcomes 2016 first-years

2016-01-06

The University of the Free State (UFS) is ready to offer a warm welcome to all first-year and senior students for the 2016 academic year. In striving for excellence, we intend to provide an environment that is conducive to students enjoying their learning experience. To ensure that you, as new Kovsies, are able to navigate all three campuses easily, and receive the assistance you need, we have compiled a list for your information and convenience below.

Gateway Pocket Guide 2016

To assist you in finding your way on campus and to answer frequently asked questions, please read this document and refer to the accompanying map:
Information Sheet and Registration Map 2016.

Important dates

Bloemfontein Campus

18 - 22 January 2016: First-year student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
25 - 29 January 2016: Senior resident student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
20 January 2016: First-year athletics
23 January 2016: First-year sports tournament
30 January 2016: Rag procession
1 February 2016: Lectures start

South Campus

Registration and Orientation dates for the South Campus
1 February 2016: Lectures start

Qwaqwa Campus
Pre- and post-registration information for the Qwaqwa Campus
19-22 January 2016: Registration - first-year undergraduate students
22-25 January 2016: Gateway Orientation - first-year undergraduate students (Gateway Pocket Guide 2016)
25-29 January 2016: Registration - senior residence students (undergraduate and honours)
25 January 2016: Registration - International students
26 January 2016: Official welcoming - first-year students
18 January – 5 February 2016: Registration - master’s and doctoral students
1-5 February 2016: Module and Qualification changes (all faculties)

1 February 2016: Lectures start

Stepping to success at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
Programme for other Gateway activities

Contact numbers

Bloemfontein Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Admissions: +27(0)51 401 9864/ 3693/ 3696	Financial Aid: +27(0)51 401 7175/ 9359/ 2103
Tuition Fees: Accounts/amounts payable: Undergraduate: +27(0)51 401 2806 / 3003 Postgraduate, BML and e-Learn students: +27(0)51 401 9537	Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 9160/ 3603	Loans: +27(0)51 401 9359/ 3202
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562	Postgraduate Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 2045

South Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Tuition Fees: +27(0)51 401 2806/ 3003
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562
Admissions: University Preparation Programme (UPP): +27 (0)51 505 1201/ 1362 Advanced Certificate in Teaching (ACT): +27 (0)51 505 1378 National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE): +27 (0)51 505 1221 Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): +27 (0)51 505 1342 Varsity College: +27 (0)51 505 1378 Short Learning Programmes: +27 (0)51 505 1436

Qwaqwa Campus

Switchboard: +27 (0)58 718 5000	Admissions: +27 (0)58 718 5011/ 5012/ 5022
Tuition Fees: +27 (0)58 718 5024/ 5119	Financial Aid: +27 (0) 58 718 5062/ 5061/ 5038
Accommodation: +27 (0) 58 718 5030/ 5016

Payments and registration

Registration fees are payable five days before the registration date.

Once you have registered, you will be able to access your official timetable. Use our campus maps to easily find your way around.

For detailed payment information, visit our Tuition Fees website.

Student card

Students on the Bloemfontein Campus have to obtain a student card from the Card Division on the Thakeneng Bridge. Your student card is your official university identification, and allows you access to:

campus
residence
events
library
computer labs.

With your student card, you are also able to pay for:

meals
books
electronic items.

General

Once you are registered, important announcements will be emailed to your student email account (studentnumber@ufs4life.ac.za). Information regarding assessments and electronic study material related to the modules you are registered for at the university will be posted on Blackboard - an online learning management system. For Blackboard-related queries, dial +27 (0)51 401 9452.

Safety and security is a priority here at the UFS. Protection services are available 24 hours a day on +27(0)51 401 / 2911. In addition, the Health and Wellness Centre is here to cater for your health needs.

Please like the University of the Free State and the Kovsie2B Facebook pages to stay up-to-date about what is happening at the UFS.

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