UV Jaaroorsig - University of the Free State

A First-year Success Week takes place in the final week of
orientation. The aim of the programme is to help new
students to make the transition from high school to higher
education.
Department helps students with development,
success
A notable project that has already proceeded well is that
launched by the newly-created department of Student Development
and Success, with Dr Francois Strydom as
Director. Projects to be proud of are such as the New
Academic Tutorial Programme (NATP), the new firstyear
orientation programme, the new orientation material
and book lets, the exciting student portal on the UFS web,
and more.
The NATP aimes to develop a new generation of tutors
that can contribute to teaching and learning innovation at
the UFS, create a new approach to the support and
development of student learning to maximise throughput
and success rates; and integrate and contextualise cutt ingedge
international, electronic resources and teaching and
learning approaches, through the development of a student
success portal, into the training and development of tutors.
It aims also to contribute to the development of a new
generation of future academics that are skilled in teaching
and learning.
It is hoped that the impact of this new department and
its programmes on student success rates will become visible
soon and be sustained into the future.
Admission requirements change
Admission requirements were revised on account of the
new education policy for schools which was phased in at
Grade 10 level at the beginning of 2006. Up to now the
UFS required a Senior Certificate with Matriculation
exemp tion/endorsement plus a minimum M Score of 28
points based on achievement symbols/percentages in
school subjects (HG A= 8 points, SG A= 6 points, HG B=7
points, SG B= 5 points, etc.) as well as faculty spe cific
Annual Review • 2007 53
A
new orientation programme was designed, for implementation in 2008, to ensure
that students get the most effective and efficient orientation to university life. This
programme embodies the belief of the University of the Free State that proper
orientation is the best opportunity to introduce a strong learning environment, one
that is built on the foundations for academic success, welcomes students and families to the
campus community, promotes students’ interactions with staff, and convey the values and
traditions of the new institution.
ad mission requirements and selection for certain programmes.
From 2009 the UFS will use an Admission Point (AP)
system which reflects the same level of subject achievement
of the previous system. Faculty specific admission
re quire ments basically remained the same except for the
changing of subject names to be in line with the new school
system’s subject terminology.
The UFS does not plan to set additional admission
requirements. Proficiency tests are not utilized as additional
admission requirements (except for Health Sciences),
but to channel students who underperformed in
aca demic pro ficiency/literacy tests to applicable de velopment
modules which form part of their curriculum for a
specific qualification.
The new school subjects Life Orientation and Mathematical
Literacy will also be accommodated. The UFS
also provides for students who do not meet the minimum
admission requirements by means of extended degree programmes,
a bridging programme, and recognition of prior
learning.
First-years assisted with adjustments
To assist first-year students in the residences to adjust to
the university life, peer counsellors were appointed for
each residence and trained in, for instance, communication,
decision making and conflict-management skills. Housecommittee
members were also trained in the same skills. A
total of 42 peer helpers were trained for the Bloemfontein
Campus and nine, as well as wardens and sub wardens, on
the Qwaqwa Campus.
A career open day was presented on 3 and 4 May, a
practitioner’s day on 8 May, a job-hunting workshop on 17
May and a financial-planning workshop on 15 March.
Kovsie Counseling is still involved in the training of
intern psychologists and psychometrists. Each year, three
intern psychologists receive training which involves psycho
therapy, individual and group counseling, case pre-