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A closer look into the off-campus accommodation policy

20 March 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo SUPPLIED

In a move to prioritise student welfare and ensure high-quality off-campus accommodation, the University of the Free State (UFS) has introduced a comprehensive Off-Campus Accommodation Policy. This policy sets out rigorous accreditation procedures and minimum requirements for private housing providers catering to UFS students.

Naledi Ntsuku, a Higher Certificate in Music Performance student residing in Victoria Kamano student accommodation near the Bloemfontein Campus, expresses her support for the initiative, stating: “Having access to safe and comfortable off-campus accommodation enhances our overall student experience and contributes positively to our academic journey.”

Quintin Koetaan, Senior Director: Housing and Residence Affairs at the UFS, adds, “This policy reinforces our commitment to providing students with conducive living environments, both on and off campus. It sets clear standards and procedures to ensure the well-being and safety of our students.”

Key highlights of the policy include:

Accreditation Process: Accreditation is granted annually, contingent upon meeting specified requirements. Providers must submit various documents, including property deeds, building plans, and tax clearance certificates.

Minimum Requirements: Providers must adhere to standards outlined in the Minimum Accreditation Requirements document, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Transparent Procedures: The policy emphasises fairness and consistency in accreditation decisions, providing avenues for addressing appeals and complaints.

NSFAS Funding: Accredited off-campus accommodation may qualify for financial aid from NSFAS, further supporting students’ access to quality housing.

Maintenance and Student Well-being: The policy mandates compliance with relevant legislation regarding construction, repairs, and maintenance, prioritising students’ academic activities and well-being.

Disciplinary Measures: Students residing in accredited off-campus accommodation must adhere to university policies. Transgressions may lead to disciplinary action as per UFS Rules on Student Discipline.

Ensuring quality and compliance for student welfare

The UFS Off-Campus Accommodation Policy reaffirms the university’s dedication to students’ welfare beyond campus boundaries. It aims to create a conducive living and learning environment, ensuring all enrolled students have access to safe and comfortable accommodation.

The policy states: “Students living in accredited off-campus accommodation are expected to live in accordance with the values of the UFS. The UFS policies, regulations and procedures shall also apply to students who live in accredited off-campus accommodation.” This is in alignment with the university’s commitment to Vision 130 which is the strategic plan to reposition the university by its 130th anniversary in 2034, centred around values such as excellence, innovation and impact, accountability, care, social justice, and sustainability.

By adhering to these guidelines, the UFS strives to provide a supportive and enriching experience for its student community, fostering success both academically and personally.

Click to view document Click here for more information and access to the full policy document.

News Archive

Researchers urged to re-emphasise regeneration of grassroots

2013-10-23

23 October 2013

Institutions of higher learning have a critical role to play in the promotion and protection of indigenous knowledge systems. This is according to Dr Mogomme Masoga, UFS alumnus and Senior Researcher with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Dr Masoga was addressing the 6th annual Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Symposium at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus.

“The time has come for local communities rich with knowledge to be taken seriously by the researchers doing their work in those respective communities,” argued Dr Masoga.

“Power relations between the researcher and the communities involved in the research process should be clarified. The same applies to the ownership and control of knowledge generated and documented in a community.

“There is an increasing need for democratic and participatory development in our communities. This can be achieved by giving primacy to the interests, values and aspirations of the people at large. There must be a radical move from prevailing paradigm of development that suffers from relying on coercion and authoritarianism. There is a need to associate development with social needs. This will give validity and integrity to the local communities, thereby giving confidence to the leaders and their constituencies.”

Dr Masoga said that the time has come for African universities in particular to “de-emphasise factors that monopolise attention today. Factors like debt crisis, commodity prices and foreign investment, among others, must be replaced by emphasis on the regeneration of the grassroots. Many African universities and research institutions have not lived up to their responsibilities as guiding lights to the continent. However, all is not lost.

“The current global race for knowledge works against so-called developing countries, especially in Africa. There is a far greater need to have a code of ethics drawn up for researchers engaging with local communities, to ensure the promotion and protection of indigenous knowledge systems.”

Meanwhile, a cross-section of papers were also delivered during the symposium. These ranged from Moshoeshoe’s lessons in dealing with poverty alleviation as presented by Dr Samuel Mensah, Department of Economics, to indigenous grasses of Qwaqwa by Prof Rodney Moffett, Department of Plant Sciences. Also presenting lectures were Phephani Gumbi, African Languages; Tshele Moloi, School of Mathematics; Natural Sciences and Technology Education and Dr Tom Ashafa (Plant Sciences).

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