UV Jaaroorsig - University of the Free State

Two important overarching transformation initiatives came
to fruition in 2007. In addition, a thorny transformation
challenge was tackled: diversity and racial integration in
residences.
Institutional Charter or “social contract” unveiled
A first draft of the UFS Institutional Charter was unveiled
by the Vice-Chancellor at the Official Opening of the
University in February 2007. The draft charter was the outcome
of a process, in 2004-2005, of intensive campus consul
tation around the concept of a Social Contract – a
process proposed by the Vice-Chancellor at his instal lation
in 2003. More than 800 staff members of diverse backgrounds
and many students took part in structured workshops.
After the initial raw emotions and reactions, the discus
sions led to proposals regarding the values and principles
which should underpin the “new” UFS. A draft Charter
was compiled and provisionally adopted by the Exco, Execu
tive Management, Senate and the UFS Council during
the first months of 2007. It was agreed that the Charter has
all the potential to be a break through and mile stone
document that provides essential guidelines to under pin
further transformation.
This was followed by an intensive round of dis cus sions
among academic staff, support services and students on all
three campuses to receive critical comments. A struc tured
questionnaire was used to guide the discussion and comments.
Individual comments were also received. A first impres
sion is broad support for the idea and content of the
draft charter – more than 90% of individuals and groups
that responded supported the idea. More than 60% of respondents
supported the transformation direction and commitments
in the Charter, and more than 70% the format of
the Charter – although a variety of perspectives ob viously
existed. If all went according to plan, a second draft of the
charter was to be prepared later in 2007. However, the
demands of the residence-diversity process significantly
delayed this process, at least until 2008.
Annual Review • 2007 11
As a university community the UFS is committed to excellence in transformation and
the establishment of an inclusive new institutional culture. A key theme has been
that the university community must develop and nurture a culture of belonging. This
means much more than “accommodating” different groups. We must develop an
entirely new institutional culture with a sense of belonging for all, non-dominance as norm, and
a strong sense of common values, and in full recognition of the Constitution and the Bill of
Rights.
Main objective of the Charter: urgent, good
transformation and a sense of belonging
Unlike some business charters, the draft UFS Charter is not
in tended to specificy transformation goals, targets and
timeframes. That would be the task of the transformation
plan and employment equity plan (see below).
The UFS Institutional Charter comprises foundational
principles that seek to underpin a process of brisk, com prehensive,
high-quality institutional transformation, within
the context of a university committed to academic excellence,
equity and innovation. (The UFS now is in its fourth
phase of transformation. Previous phases were from 1978-
1996, 1997-2002 and 2003-2004.) It is believed that, if it is
based on a principled framework and vision of what kind of
future university we are transforming towards, the change
process will be faster, better aligned and more consistent
and will avoid being impeded by conflict, cross-currents
and power struggles. In other words, the goal is bestpractice
transformation.
Essential to the achievement of our goals is an in sti tutional
culture which embraces critical inquiry and free expres
sion, fosters excellence and quality, establishes an
enabling environment for the individual, is based on respect
for and appreciation of diversity, and – above all – promotes
a sense of belonging for all members of the university.
Main principles for a future transformed
University
The Charter starts by committing the University to up holding
the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and
its Bill of Rights, as realised within the institutio nal context
of a university. This commits us to the advance ment of
human rights and constitutional freedoms, the elimi na tion
of discri mi nation, and to equality and human dignity for
all. The Charter also confirms general values that underpin
the University, such as academic freedom and autonomy,
excellence and quality, fairness, service, and integrity.