UFS closes all three campuses
The University of the Free State (UFS) on Tuesday said it has decided to close all it campuses after careful assessment of the situation on the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and South campuses.
In a statement, UFS said senior leadership decided this morning to close all its campuses until Friday 23 September 2016 after engaging with the Student Representative Council (SRC).
"All academic and administrative services on the three campuses have therefore been suspended and will resume again on Monday 26 September 2016. This means that no academic and administrative services will be available and no lectures and/or tests will take place on the three campuses for the rest of the week," it said.
UFS said the decision was made after all academic activities were suspended on the Bloemfontein campus on Monday afternoon, because of a growing unease and disruption of some academic activities by groups of students, resulting from yesterday morning's announcement on tuition fees by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande.
"Although the university management is in favour of peaceful protests, it condemns these disruptions, especially as it took place during an important time in the academic calendar," it said.
The university said the decision to suspend academic and administrative services for the rest of this week was taken with caution, as it will ensure the safety of staff, students, and university property. It will also assist the university management in maintaining stability on the campuses.
"Adjustments will be made to the teaching calendar, and students are requested to obtain this information from their respective faculties. No student will be disadvantaged in terms of tests or assignments as a result of the unfortunate closure of the universiaty for the rest of the week."