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07 March 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

On 14 March 2022, the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) will return to face-to-face classes as per the teaching plans for 2022. The faculties that are continuing with face-to-face classes in the first term (i.e., the Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Health Sciences), will remain face-to-face during the week of 7 to 11 March 2022.

The decision to resume face-to-face classes follows previous communiques in February 2022 about the temporary closure of the Qwaqwa Campus due to violent protest action, and the continuation of the academic programme on the Bloemfontein Campus in a differentiated and flexible online delivery mode due to challenges experienced with disruption of classes. 
 
The return to face-to-face classes on 14 March 2022 also follows the reopening of and resumption of online classes on the Qwaqwa Campus on 28 February 2022, and the resumption of some face-to-face activity on the Qwaqwa Campus as from 7 March 2022.

As a residential institution, it is important for students to return to campus, for the academic programme to continue as planned, and for activities to return to normal.
 
Students will be informed by their respective faculties as to how the academic programme will be adapted for face-to-face classes, including instances where classes will remain online.

News Archive

UFS lays criminal charges against students
2008-02-28

Statement by Mr Anton Fisher, Director: Strategic Communication at the University of the Free State (UFS)

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has today instructed its attorneys to formulate criminal charges against four students who were involved in the production of an extremely offensive and racist video.

This follows other action taken late yesterday to prohibit two of the four students from the Reitz men’s residence from the campus. The other two students who can be seen in the video have since completed their studies and are no longer on campus.

Further steps are in the pipeline as the internal disciplinary procedure of the university must also take its course.

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Frederick Fourie, has condemned the video and the gross violation of human rights that it portrays and has promised to deal swiftly and firmly with this matter.

This morning Prof. Fourie met personally with the workers who were tricked into taking part in the video and apologised to them face to face. Counselling is being arranged for the workers.

The management has also suspended lectures today in a proactive step to allow the emotions of staff and students to calm down. Lectures will resume tomorrow (Thursday 28 February 2008).

This follows a protest march earlier today against the extremely offensive and racist video which shows white students staging a mock “integration” of black workers in the residence.

After the march the management received memoranda from student organisations and two trade unions, NEHAWU and UVPERSU, about the video.

The students and the unions have made certain demands that the management will consider and respond to as soon as possible.

While the march proceeded peacefully, there have been sporadic incidents of intimidation and damage to property. Five students were arrested.

Prof. Fourie has appealed to students to act in solidarity with the management against the scourge of racism and to support the UFS in its policy to integrate student residences.


Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
27 February 2008
 

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