MONROVIA – Has the dust really settled at the University of Liberia? The administration on Sunday, September 7, 2025, announced the reopening of all its campuses today, Monday, September 8, following several tense days of protest led by the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) and the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA). The demonstrations, which disrupted classes and paralyzed normal operations, focused on poor learning conditions, delayed salaries, and what protesters described as weak leadership from UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan.
While the decision to reopen marks a step toward restoring normalcy, questions linger as to whether the underlying grievances have been addressed or whether students and faculty are returning to an unsettled environment.
During a high-profile meeting on Friday, September 5, 2025, with House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, SUP reiterated its stance that its concerns remain unresolved. In a strongly worded statement, the student party insisted that its “non-negotiable demands” reflect the collective interests of the student body and must be met before academic stability can truly return.
The demands include the reversal of the controversial policy that declared the recent Vacation School a full semester. SUP insists that this policy is unfair and inconsistent with academic tradition, calling instead for the upcoming period to be recognized as the second semester. The group also demands an immediate resolution of long-standing issues with the Add and Drop process, including updating students’ grades on the online portal before classes resume.
Transportation challenges also featured prominently in SUP’s demands. The party stressed the urgent need for reliable buses to facilitate commuting between the Capitol Hill and Fendall campuses. In addition, it called for significant improvements to basic facilities such as bathrooms and adequate classroom seating, conditions students argue are far below standard for a national university.
Beyond student concerns, SUP also raised governance issues, including the establishment of an independent committee to investigate what it termed the “illegal dismissals” of university employees. The group further demanded transparency in administrative decisions, the release of reports justifying staff suspensions, empowerment of campus police for enhanced security, and a comprehensive review of employment procedures at the institution.
While students press their case, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan has turned to the Liberian Senate for financial support. In a letter dated September 5, 2025, addressed to Senator Nathaniel F. McGill, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Dr. Maparyan requested urgent funding of US$550,000 to address critical shortfalls. Of that amount, US$251,000 would settle Semester I salary arrears for adjunct faculty for the 2024/2025 academic year, US$199,000 would go toward outstanding payments from the recently concluded Vacation School semester, and US$100,000 would be earmarked for long-overdue bathroom renovations across campuses.
“The adjunct faculty play a pivotal role in delivering core academic programs across disciplines, and their continued engagement is vital to maintaining instructional continuity and student progression,” Dr. Maparyan wrote. She warned that delays in settling these arrears have damaged morale and disrupted institutional operations.
The president further highlighted the urgent need to rehabilitate bathrooms, a demand that echoes student concerns. She argued that ensuring dignified and functioning facilities is not only a matter of convenience but also essential to preserving the health and dignity of students and faculty.
Despite the administration’s financial request and promises of intervention, some students on social media, particularly on Facebook, are questioning whether the leadership has the capacity to resolve the crisis swiftly. Faculty members, already frustrated by salary delays, are skeptical about whether the Senate will disburse the requested funds in time to avert further disruption.
Meanwhile, SUP has announced plans for a major press conference on Monday, September 8, at noon, just hours after the scheduled reopening of the university. The timing of this announcement signals that students are not ready to stand down until they see concrete results.
For now, the question remains whether classrooms will indeed return to normal or if the protests will resume. With the stakes high and frustrations mounting, the University of Liberia stands at a crossroads, either moving decisively to address grievances or facing the risk of renewed campus unrest.
As students, faculty, and administrators prepare to return today, the central issue persists. Has the UL administration truly settled the dust, or is this reopening merely a pause before another storm?
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