Stampede Erupts Yet Again On UL Campus -UL Board Urges Faculty to Rescind Go-slow

MONROVIA – Amid student disturbances and uprising on the campus of the University of Liberia yesterday, occasioned by a go-slow by instructors, the Board of Trustees is calling for rescindment and roundtable talks for an amicable solution.

The Board said in a release that while it understands the concerns raised by the UL Faculty Association (ULFA), it is urging a return to work towards addressing their concerns.

The UL Board issued a statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, in response to the University of Liberia Faculty Association’s announced disenchantment from all academic activities across the University.

Given the urgency the Board has attached to ULFA’s concerns, it has scheduled an emergency meeting to be convened on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

“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 UL Board of Trustees declared.

Apparently seeking a peaceful resolution of the prevailing critical issues, the Board has admonished all faculty members to avoid any actions that would disrupt academic activities at the University during this time, acknowledging ULSA’s call on Friday, August 29, 2025, for members to refrain from attending academic activities until their unsolved welfare issues are addressed.

However, the Board said it was assuring all faculty and stakeholders that it was actively working to address critical matters affecting the smooth operation of the University.

The Board urges all faculty and staff to ensure the continuity of teaching, learning, and research activities which are vital for maintaining the mission of the University.

On Friday, ULFA announced that it had disengaged from any planned academic activities on all campuses of the UL until further notice.

Key among ULFA’s issues for disengagement are poor sanitary conditions, long-standing faculty promotion, salary disparity, social security, issues affecting study leave colleagues, and renovation of all campuses. Most recent issues include outstanding payment for overload and vacation school salaries.

Student Uprising

As the Board scramble to calm the faculty, the Student Unification Party has stormed the office of Dr. Layli Marparyan in the Cassell Building on the university main campus up Capitol Hill, Demanding her immediate removal over allegations of corruption related to the receipt of large salaries.

Officers from the Liberia National Police have intervened to disperse the protesters, firing tear gas to dislodge them.

The Police today arrested a welder accused of being hired by the Student Unification Party (SUP) to forcibly unlock the Cassell Building, which houses the office of University of Liberia (UL) President Dr. Layli Marpayan.

The arrest came just hours after SUP staged a protest at the President’s office, demanding her resignation over what they describe as failed leadership and deepening inequality at the nation’s premier university.

SUP’s call for Dr. Marpayan to step down follows the circulation of leaked documents alleging that the UL President receives over US$15,000 monthly, a figure the student group says is unjustifiable at a time when faculty members are engaged in a go-slow action over salary cuts and poor welfare.

The students argue that such disparities highlight longstanding issues of mismanagement and neglect of the teaching staff.

In a press briefing, SUP leaders insisted that Dr. Marpayan must vacate her post without delay, accusing her administration of prioritizing personal benefits over the broader interests of the university community. They warned that continued inaction on the welfare concerns of faculty and students could trigger further demonstrations, escalating the already strained relationship between the UL administration and the influential campus-based political group.