Jurriën "Wiz Khalifa" Wissink died on his 24th birthday late last month while at the popular Stenden South Africa bar.
Stenden South Africa General Manager Dr Wouter Hensens said 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 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 in which to study.
He said Stenden was also liaising with bars in the seaside resort to look after students when they were out drinking. It was hoped they would not serve alcohol to students who were already under the influence. Feedback from bars had been good and Hensens said they would call the university if students needed assistance.
Being a hospitality university, wine tasting was an integral part of the curriculum but this would be strictly monitored by staff.
Zimbabwean student Simba Vhurumuku said he loved the new look Taste Coffee Bar.
Franiziska Zikmantori, who helped convert the bar into a coffee shop, 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 the town to help traumatised students and staff deal with his sudden death.
Source: Herald via I-Net Bridge
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