THE Port Alfred campus bar where a Dutch university student died after a marathon drinking session to celebrate his birthday has been converted into a coffee shop.
Jurriën “Wiz Khalifa” Wissink died on his 24th birthday late last month at the popular Stenden South Africa bar.
Stenden South Africa general manager Dr Wouter Hensens said yesterday the Port Alfred campus bar had been refurbished during a recent student holiday break and was now a coffee bar where healthy smoothies, sandwiches and coffee were sold to students.
“We believe these are appropriate measures for enhancing the responsible use of alcohol by our students. We are not naive in believing that students will not drink, but are confident that by enhancing their understanding and discipline, excesses can be reduced.”
He said students had been banned from having any alcohol on campus and that they faced a fine if caught. A second offence would result in a suspension.
According to Hensens the change was part of offering students “a healthy and safe environment to study in”.
He said Stenden was also liaising with local bars in the seaside resort and hoped they would not serve alcohol to students who were already under the influence.
Feedback from local bars had been good. Hensens said they would call the university if students needed assistance.
Other safety measures adopted since Wissink’s death include guest lectures and case studies on the dangers of alcohol.
“The student representative council will take up a more responsible role and will reiterate this commitment at all formal functions.”
Introduction activities hosted by the student body will all be alcohol free. “Besides awareness, Stenden South Africa seeks to further build discipline in the consumption of alcohol in its student body. The existing rules that forbid the bringing or consumption of alcohol onto campus residences are enforced more stringently, effectively providing an alcohol-free campus environment.”
Being a hospitality university, wine tasting is an integral part of the curriculum but this would be strictly monitored by staff. “There will be no social drinking on campus,” Hensens said.
Zimbabwean student Simba Vhurumuku thought the new look Taste Coffee Bar was “a great idea”.
Franiziska Zikmantori, who helped in the coffee shop conversion, said students had even come up with ideas for healthy food and drink alternatives.
Wissink’s tragic death on the night of his 24th birthday sent shock waves through the university and 10 department of social development counsellors were sent to help traumatised students and staff deal with his sudden death.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said soon after Wissink’s death post-mortem results revealed he had choked on food and died from a lack of oxygen. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Smoothies in – booze banned
Jurriën “Wiz Khalifa” Wissink died on his 24th birthday late last month at the popular Stenden South Africa bar.
Stenden South Africa general manager Dr Wouter Hensens said yesterday the Port Alfred campus bar had been refurbished during a recent student holiday break and was now a coffee bar where healthy smoothies, sandwiches and coffee were sold to students.
“We believe these are appropriate measures for enhancing the responsible use of alcohol by our students. We are not naive in believing that students will not drink, but are confident that by enhancing their understanding and discipline, excesses can be reduced.”
He said students had been banned from having any alcohol on campus and that they faced a fine if caught. A second offence would result in a suspension.
According to Hensens the change was part of offering students “a healthy and safe environment to study in”.
He said Stenden was also liaising with local bars in the seaside resort and hoped they would not serve alcohol to students who were already under the influence.
Feedback from local bars had been good. Hensens said they would call the university if students needed assistance.
Other safety measures adopted since Wissink’s death include guest lectures and case studies on the dangers of alcohol.
“The student representative council will take up a more responsible role and will reiterate this commitment at all formal functions.”
Introduction activities hosted by the student body will all be alcohol free. “Besides awareness, Stenden South Africa seeks to further build discipline in the consumption of alcohol in its student body. The existing rules that forbid the bringing or consumption of alcohol onto campus residences are enforced more stringently, effectively providing an alcohol-free campus environment.”
Being a hospitality university, wine tasting is an integral part of the curriculum but this would be strictly monitored by staff. “There will be no social drinking on campus,” Hensens said.
Zimbabwean student Simba Vhurumuku thought the new look Taste Coffee Bar was “a great idea”.
Franiziska Zikmantori, who helped in the coffee shop conversion, said students had even come up with ideas for healthy food and drink alternatives.
Wissink’s tragic death on the night of his 24th birthday sent shock waves through the university and 10 department of social development counsellors were sent to help traumatised students and staff deal with his sudden death.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said soon after Wissink’s death post-mortem results revealed he had choked on food and died from a lack of oxygen. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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