President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has moved to defuse a growing standoff at the University of Liberia, pledging government intervention to address concerns raised by faculty and staff while urging continued engagement with the university community.
The President’s intervention comes as tensions escalate between the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) and the university’s Board of Trustees and administration over unresolved concerns surrounding working conditions, institutional governance and other issues raised by faculty and staff.
Following a meeting with the leadership of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) and University of Liberia Staff Association (ULSA), President Boakai acknowledged the concerns presented by the two associations and pledged to take steps toward resolving them through dialogue involving the university community and the government.
As part of his intervention, President Boakai directed the immediate commencement of renovation and rehabilitation works across the university’s campuses, addressing what has become one of the longstanding concerns of faculty and staff.
The President also announced the establishment of a special committee to investigate the university’s financial management and other issues raised by ULFA and ULSA. Representatives of the two associations are expected to participate in the renovation-related process, signaling an attempt by the administration to bring the aggrieved faculty and staff directly into efforts to address their concerns.
However, the presidential intervention has so far failed to end the confrontation.
ULFASA has maintained that faculty and staff will remain disengaged from academic and administrative duties until tangible progress is made toward implementing resolutions adopted by its General Assembly.
The dispute intensified after the University of Liberia administration and Board of Trustees issued a memorandum directing all faculty and staff to return to work on Monday, August 17, at 8:00 a.m.
The memorandum, signed by University President Dr. Layli Maparyan and Board of Trustees Chair Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa, declared attendance mandatory and instructed administrative offices and departments to resume operations, while preparations were to begin for the resumption of classes on Tuesday.
The Board warned that disruption, unauthorized absence and non-compliance would be addressed in accordance with institutional policy, stressing that the university administration remained committed to maintaining its academic calendar and professional standards.
But ULFASA has categorically rejected the directive, accusing the university leadership of disregarding the welfare of faculty and staff and violating the University of Liberia Charter and By-Laws.
In a statement, the association urged faculty and staff to remain at home on Monday and called on its members to disregard the administration’s return-to-work order.
ULFASA said it had activated task forces across the university’s campuses to ensure that offices remain closed, including the Cassell Building, as the standoff continues.
The association further declared several university officials, including Dr. Layli Maparyan, Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa and the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, “persona non grata” on university campuses, describing them as a threat to the institution’s existence.
The escalating confrontation places President Boakai’s intervention at the center of efforts to prevent a prolonged disruption at Liberia’s premier public university.
While the President has pledged concrete measures, including campus rehabilitation and an investigation into financial management, ULFASA’s continued disengagement suggests that faculty and staff are seeking implementation of their General Assembly resolutions before returning to their duties.
The President’s approach appears aimed at resolving the dispute through engagement rather than confrontation, particularly as the university faces the prospect of continued disruption to academic and administrative activities.
