MONROVIA – The University of Liberia (UL) Board of Trustees on Friday, September 12, 2025, reaffirmed its 2024 decision to suspend all student political activities on campus following a review of recent violent incidents at the Capitol Hill and Fendall campuses. The announcement, signed by Numene H.T. Bartekwa, Chairman of the Board, cited ongoing disruptions to academic activities and persistent student violence, including clashes between students and security personnel on September 1 and September 11, 2025.
In its statement, the Board directed the UL administration to suspend students involved in the incidents immediately, pending a detailed investigation, in accordance with the Student Handbook. The Board also called for the immediate establishment of a Standing Disciplinary Committee to enforce university regulations. These steps, the Board stated, are necessary to restore order and protect both students and staff from further harm.
The Board further urged the University administration to conclude ongoing negotiations with the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), noting that the administration had already addressed many faculty demands in good faith. The Board stressed that a collaborative relationship between faculty and administration is crucial to maintaining a stable academic environment, especially as the university prepares to commence the current term.
Another directive issued by the Board mandates the immediate commencement of classes. According to the statement, ensuring uninterrupted academic activities is a top priority, and the administration is expected to take all necessary steps to start lectures promptly. Renovation of critical campus facilities, beginning with bathrooms, was also highlighted as an urgent task to provide students with safe and functional learning spaces.
Chairman Bartekwa emphasized that the Board is committed to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all students and a hospitable working atmosphere for employees. “We will not tolerate any form of violence or disruption that jeopardizes the academic and administrative activities of the University,” the statement said. The Board appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the administration in implementing these directives to restore normalcy.
Following the Board’s announcement, the Student Unification Party (SUP) issued a strong reaction on its Facebook page, accusing the government under President Joseph Boakai of deploying police to brutalize peaceful students. SUP claimed that the University remained silent while the Board, labeled as illegitimate, imposed restrictions on student political activities to intimidate the student body. The group vowed never to bow to intimidation.
SUP had previously issued an ultimatum on Thursday, September 11, demanding mass protests beginning Monday, September 15, to push for the immediate resignation or dismissal of President Dr. Layli Maparyan. In its statement, the party accused Dr. Maparyan of corruption, incompetence, and a blatant disregard for student welfare, asserting that prior meetings with House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and members of the House of Representatives had been ignored.
Under the leadership of Chairman Sylvester Wheeler, SUP outlined a comprehensive list of grievances. The party demanded a reversal of the decision to treat vacation school as a full semester, resolution of add-and-drop issues, timely uploads of grades to the university portal, and provision of transportation for students commuting to the Fendall campus. They also called for functional campus facilities, protection against unlawful employee dismissals, transparent hiring practices, strengthened campus security, and the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees.
SUP Secretary-General Odecious Mulbah, speaking on behalf of the party’s 33rd Politburo and Central Committee, warned that dialogue without action is “meaningless and useless.” He urged students to mobilize across campuses nationwide, declaring that protests would be “mass and unrelenting” until Dr. Maparyan resigns. The group framed its campaign as a fight for students’ rights, fairness, and accountability in higher education.
Like this:
Like Loading…
