There is no decision yet on the possible closure of the Reitz men’s residence at the University of the Free State (UFS), a university spokesperson said on Monday.
Lacea Loader said media reports on Monday created the impression that the UFS had made a decision not to close Reitz, but this was incorrect.
”No such or any other decision on the future of Reitz residence has been taken,” she said in statement.
This follows a racist video that surfaced at the institution earlier this year, made by former students living in Reitz hostel.
The video, which sparked a national outcry, features black university employees on their knees eating food that had apparently been urinated on by a white student.
It depicts a mock initiation of five black staff members into hostel activities and refers openly to the university’s integration policy for campus residences announced in 2007.
Loader said the UFS council last month mandated the university’s management to consider the possible closure of Reitz and its conversion into a beacon of transformation, hope and liberation, either as a residence or in some other form.
However, this could only happen after all who could be affected by such a decision were given an opportunity to make written submissions for consideration by the UFS management.
The Bond van Oud Reitz Manne (National Union of Former Reitz Men) gathered in Bloemfontein over the past weekend to discuss the possible closure of the residence.
Loader said the group was one of many that had used the opportunity to make recommendations.
”They held a meeting in Bloemfontein this past weekend where the call was made for Reitz to remain open as a residence.
”This call was reported as if it was a decision of the UFS.”
Loader said the group’s submission would be considered along with various other written submissions that were made and ”they are being carefully studied”.
She said the university would make an announcement on the future of the residence when the process was finished.
A spokesperson for the union of former Reitz men, Robert Dennis, said the meeting was attended by former residents, current students and their parents.
He said the aim was to inform all those interested in the situation concerning the hostel, to give background on the video and to look at recommendations on the future of Reitz.
He said the meeting accepted the transformation and integration process of the UFS. — Sapa