The 2016 budget of the University of the Free State (UFS) has not been finalised. This is according to spokesperson, Lacea Loader.
She told Bloemfontein Courant that the university is waiting for the Department of Higher Education and Training to provide an indication of what the impact of the 0% increase in fees for 2016 will be on its final subsidy allocation.
"The budget will serve at the UFS Council meeting on 4 December 2015," said Loader.
In October this year the university announced it would be waiving application fees for all prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students – nationally and internationally – who want to study at the institution in 2016. The application fees for 2016 were R235 for South African students and R500 for international students. Prospective students, who have already applied for admission in 2016, will not be refunded.
Furthermore, the UFS is offering free registration to final-year undergraduate students who want to study for an honours degree in 2016.
Earlier this month, Vice-Chancellor Jonathan Jansen, promised campus workers that they would now receive decent minimum wages and that the outsourcing of services by the university will come to an end. This after Jansen responded to grievances and demands of the Workers and Students Forum.
Loader explained Jansen indicated that the university management understood the concerns of the contracted workers regarding the demand for an end to outsourcing. According to her, a Joint Working Group (JWG) of contracted workers and university leaders has been formed to examine options for insourcing.
"This working group has met and discussions are underway. The university will further contribute to the basic wages of all workers so that no contracted worker is paid less than R5000 cost to company per month. This will be implemented as from 1 December 2015," added Loader.
This announcement from Jansen came shortly after President Jacob Zuma had announced that there would be a 0% fee hike for next year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education and Training responded to Bloemfontein Courant's questions regarding the 2016 budgets of universities. Departmental spokesperson, Khaye Nkwanyana, stated that budget allocation for the next financial year per university is informed by an enrolment plan submitted by universities.
"The universities submit their enrolment plans during this season to influence their 2016/17 allocation for the new financial year from the National Treasury. So when the president made that announcement, it was too early for the completion of those processes," highlighted Nkwanyana. – Refilwe Gaeswe
refilwe@centralmediagroup.co.za
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