-Forfeits ULFA, ULSA’s Confidence
University of Liberia, UL, President, Dr. Lydia Marpayan, her vice president and others, are under immense pressure from the University’s Faculty Association, ULFA and Staff Association, ULSA, over unresolved issues, including demand for a 40 percent increment in salaries and other outstanding commitments affecting employees.
ULFA and ULSA have already unanimously declared a vote of no confidence in the entire leadership of the State-run University, sparking off yet another crisis that could ground normal academic activities if not handled on time and amicably resolved.
ULFA and ULSA reached the decision that affects the UL President and Vice President during the weekend at a joint general assembly during which they announced an indefinite disengagement from all academic and administrative functions of the University.
The development signals a deepening disillusionment over what the faculty and staff refer to as the alleged failure of the administration to address longstanding welfare and employment concerns.
A press statement quoted ULFA as saying members of both associations have unanimously resolved to withdraw all services until the university’s administration fully implements a series of outstanding commitments affecting employees.
The faculty and staff said their indefinite disengagement will remain in force until there is visible evidence that their demands have been met.
The statement also said other issues driving their actions include NASSCORP-related obligations, implementation of a 40 percent salary increment, correction of salary disparities, salary adjustments, change of employee status, and the provision of operational funds for various university units, among other outstanding concerns.
If not resolved on time, the actions outlined by both ULFA and ULSA would significantly disrupt academic instruction, administrative operations, and other essential services at Liberia’s premier public university, potentially affecting thousands of students.
In a further escalation, ULFA and ULSA instructed all faculty and staff members to stay away from every university-related activity until the leadership of both organizations officially lifts the industrial action.
They also warned that any faculty or staff member, found defying the General Assembly’s decision would face disciplinary action.
“All faculty and staff are hereby mandated to stay away from all University activities until otherwise ordered by the leadership of ULFA and ULSA. Any member of the Faculty and staff found to be in violation of this decision will face the full wrath of the leadership,” the statement declared.
The organizations also cautioned university supervisors and senior administrators against attempting to compel employees to resume work contrary to the General Assembly’s decision.
The organizations also cautioned university supervisors and senior administrators against attempting to compel employees to resume work contrary to the General Assembly’s decision.
“All supervisors and/or Vice Presidents are cautioned against compelling any member of the staff or faculty to engage in normal activities against the will of the General Assembly,” the statement added.
The vote of no confidence represents one of the strongest expressions of dissatisfaction by the University’s workforce in recent years and places additional pressure on the administration to address mounting concerns over employees’ welfare, compensation, and institutional governance.
The latest development also raises fresh concerns about the stability of Liberia’s higher education sector, particularly if the impasse remains unresolved and academic activities continue to be suspended.
As of Saturday, the University of Liberia administration has not publicly reacted to the vote of no confidence or the faculty and staff’s decision to embark on an indefinite strike.
