MONROVIA — The Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia (UL) has called on all faculty and staff to return to their duties while the administration addresses their concerns. The appeal comes in response to the University of Liberia Faculty Association’s (ULFA) recent announcement of disengagement from all academic activities across UL campuses.
In a statement issued Monday, September 1, the Board acknowledged the validity of ULFA’s grievances but stressed the importance of maintaining continuity in teaching, learning, and research. “The Board understands the concerns raised by the UL Faculty Association and is committed to working collaboratively with it and the university administration to address its concerns,” the statement said.
The Board disclosed that, in light of the urgency surrounding ULFA’s concerns, it has scheduled an emergency meeting on Wednesday, September 3, to deliberate on the issues raised. Faculty members are urged to avoid actions that could disrupt academic operations during this period.
ULFA had called on its members on Friday, August 29, 2025, to refrain from attending academic activities until longstanding welfare issues were addressed. The association’s concerns include poor sanitary conditions on campuses, delays in faculty promotions, salary disparities, social security matters, unresolved study leave issues, campus renovation needs, and outstanding payments for overload and vacation school salaries.
While the Board expressed empathy for the challenges highlighted by ULFA, it emphasized that the university administration is actively working to resolve these critical matters. It further encouraged faculty and staff to maintain the smooth operation of the University by ensuring the continuity of essential academic functions.
Chairman of the UL Board of Trustees, Numene T. H. Bartekwa, signed off on the statement, reiterating the Board’s commitment to a peaceful and constructive resolution to the ongoing issues. The Board assured stakeholders that collaboration with ULFA would remain a priority as solutions are developed.
The call comes at a time when Liberia’s flagship university faces mounting pressure to address both infrastructural and personnel-related challenges that have affected academic productivity across campuses.
Faculty members have expressed hope that the scheduled emergency meeting will yield tangible actions to address their long-standing concerns. Meanwhile, students and stakeholders continue to monitor developments closely, given the potential impact of prolonged disengagement on academic calendars.
UL’s administration has urged patience from all parties as it navigates the process of addressing the complex issues raised, emphasizing that the University’s mission to deliver quality education must remain uninterrupted.
The Board of Trustees concluded by calling on faculty, staff, and students to work collectively toward a solution that ensures both the welfare of personnel and the continued success of academic programs at Liberia’s premier institution of higher learning.
