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17 February 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo UFS Photo Archive
The UFS Protest Protocol offers the university community safety guidelines during protests, including dos and don’ts for staff and students who are not demonstrating; acceptable and unacceptable behaviour during protests, and how to handle protests in accordance with standard operating procedures

The University of the Free State (UFS) recognises the right of students and staff members to peacefully assemble, picket, and protest in a way that does not interfere with the rights of other members of the university community. At the same time, the safety of all UFS staff and students is one of our top priorities.

The UFS Protest Protocol offers the university community safety guidelines during protests, including dos and don’ts for staff and students who are not demonstrating; acceptable and unacceptable behaviour during protests, and how to handle protests in accordance with standard operating procedures.

As a university, we continuously strive to create an inclusive environment where opposing views are accommodated, and the constitutional right to protest is respected. According to the UFS’s Vision 130 strategy, one of the key principles that drive the institution is social justice: “The university recognises that diversity goes together with a commitment to inclusivity, equity, and social justice. We therefore also commit to creating a culture of care and a vibrant space for, and acceptance of, constructive and critical engagement; where a diversity of often contested ideas and perspectives is not just tolerated, but also fostered through discussion and subsequent implementation.”

What should one do if a protest occurs?

1. Communicate: The university must be informed if it is to respond appropriately to protest action. If you are aware of ongoing or impending protest action, immediately inform the relevant 24/7 Protection Services operational centre.

2. Be informed: In order to respond appropriately to protest action (for your own protection and the protection of others), you need to know about impending or ongoing protests and stay informed on how it unfolds, via official UFS communication platforms and ConnectYard. The latter provides as-it-happens crisis alert notifications via WhatsApp.

3. Keep away: If at all possible, keep away from the area of the protest action. Try to keep others for whom you are responsible away as well.

4. Help others: If someone appears to be in danger or distress, intervene only if you are sure that it is safe for you to do so, and proceed calmly, without provoking protesters. Seek treatment for injuries. Should you or someone else suffer injuries of any kind during protest action, seek treatment from emergency services or Kovsie Health. Contact the Protection Services operational centres for any medical emergencies, so that they can activate the ambulance services according to available protocols.

5. Report: Report all incidents and damages to Protection Services at the numbers provided. It is important that non-protesting staff and students submit statements to the UFS investigating officers for the internal disciplinary process, to prevent similar occurrences in future. Be specific when providing a statement, to enable the investigating team to identify those involved in violent disruptions. Culprits cannot be brought to book if no evidence is available to link them to specific incidents. All reasonable steps will be taken to protect non-protesting staff and students testifying in disciplinary proceedings.

For advice on what to do and what not to do, read the UFS Protest Guidelines booklet. You can also watch the video below for more information:

 

Bloemfontein Campus
Protection Services: +27 51 401 2911 | +27 51 401 2634 | 0800 204 682
Ambulance: +27 80 005 1051 | 10177
Social worker: +27 73 182 3048
Kovsie Health: +27 51 401 2603

Qwaqwa Campus     
Protection Services: +27 58 718 5460 | +27 58 718 5175 | +27 58 718 5360
Ambulance: 10177
Social Worker: +27 58 718 5090 | +27 58 718 5091
Kovsie Health:   +27 58 718 5210                          

South Campus
Protection Services: +27 51 505 1217
Ambulance: +27 80 005 1051 | 10177
Social worker: +27 73 182 3048
Kovsie Health: +27 51 401 2603

 

 

News Archive

ACUHO-I SAC chooses Bloemfontein Campus to host its first colloquium
2014-06-17

Mark Seale, Pieter Kloppers and WP Wahl (Assistant Director: Residence Life - UFS)

The Association of College and University Housing Officers - International; Southern Africa Chapter (ACUHO-I SAC) hosted its very first colloquium at our Bloemfontein Campus on 13 June 2014.

The theme revolved around the question: In which ways can practitioners in student housing assist to create an environment that is conducive to student development and success?

Mark Seale (ACUHO-I SAC: President and Director of Residential and Catering Services at the University of Western Cape) and Pieter Kloppers (ACUHO-I SAC: Research and Development and Director: Centre for Student Communities at the Stellenbosch University) were among those who addressed attendees.

Kloppers is also the pioneer of the standing committee idea, gathering experts in different fields of university residences and housing. “When it comes to university residences and housing, there are people specialising in different fields,” says Kloppers. “The idea is therefor to get these specialists together.”

For residence heads at Kovsies this was a wonderful and insightful experience. Residence Head of Kayalami men’s residence, Abel Jordaan, tweeted the following while attending the conference: “Meeting celebs in the field of Housing and Res Life today. Pieter Kloppers is a rock star and Mark Seale is the Neymar* of this field!” 
 
*Neymar is a Brazilian soccer player who was the top goal scorer in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup against Croatia.

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