Fako To Close UB's Popular 411

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday January 16, 2012 00:00

One of the changes that would touch the anti-sober student community where it hurts the most is the envisaged closure of the student bar, popularly known as 411.

Speaking at the occasion, where throngs wore the academic cap, Fako spoke at length about utilising the tapestry of skills and knowledge that the staff and students of the UB have in abundance to achieve the institution's vision of being a leading centre of academic excellence in the Southern African Development Community region and beyond. He stressed that his aim was not to change the custom and tradition of the institution, but to take it to greater heights.

Today Fako has become an unpopular man within the borders of the traditional institution. His policies are dubbed 'unpopular' as well. The UB Student Representative Council president, Khumoetsile Richard distributed a memorandum last Thursday to the students listing some of the unpleasant transformations the new VC brought to the table. 

Richard wrote that a document on the decision has been submitted to the SRC already. He said this was against the constitution, as the bar should be run by the SRC in order to finance it. However, he said, the UB management currently runs the bar 'illegally and corruptly'.

'This is not in any way, a personal attack on the VC, but this comes as no surprise since he is a political appointee of the current anti-alcoholic campaign, spearhead by President  Ian Khama,' he said.

Moreover, the VC is said to have instructed the UB administration to stop the institution from participating in the much-hyped Intervarsity games between Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

'UBSRC sadly join you in your sorrow and grief. Let it be known that a heavy petition of all sports codes will be organised to humble this VC who is proving to be the worst 'student enemy' ever in the history of UB,' Richard said.

The heavily worded memorandum also accuses the current administration for the departure of Faculty of Engineering and Technology dean, Dr Ngowi.

He also says the discontinuation of supplementary examinations last year, is perceived the most painful and ruthless move by the VC.

The UBSRC said Fako has undermined what his predecessors saw as an answer to the students' high failure rate. Meanwhile, the institution has recorded the highest number of students who failed and discontinued studies this semester.

The Faculty of Science has taken the lead, with about 20 percent being first year students. Nearly 600 students failed and discontinued whereas about 5,000 are retaking.