ULIBAAA Demands Sustainable Remedy to UL Crisis -Expresses concern Over ‘Persistent Funding Crises’

MONROVIA – The Board of Directors and Executives of the University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas (ULIBAAA) has expressed grave concern over the persistent funding crisis and cycle of violence plaguing the University of Liberia (UL).

This situation, the group said, not only undermines the nation’s highest institution of learning but also jeopardizes the future of its students and the country as a whole.

For decades, according to ULIBAAA, the University of Liberia has endured a pattern of chronic neglect and underfunding by successive governments.

“This historical underinvestment has created an environment of systemic challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate resources for research and teaching, and a failure to provide competitive salaries and benefits for faculty,” the organization said in a release, adding that the recent decision to make undergraduate tuition free, while well-intentioned, has exacerbated these issues without a commensurate increase in government subsidy, placing a heavy burden on the university’s already strained operational budget.

This policy, without a sustainable funding model, has contributed to a decline in the quality and delivery of essential services, ULIBAAA said.

More so, it stated, consistent and stable leadership is essential to the long-term viability of the university.

The group observed that over the past two years, the University of Liberia has had three different presidents, and that such a frequency in leadership changes not only fester academic uncertainties, and undermines public confidence.

“Donor and partnership nonchalance; thereby, hindering academic and institutional progress,” ULIBAAA said, indicating that it is additionally troubled by the counterintuitive and destructive nature of student-led protests.

“While we recognize and validate the grievances of the student body, we vehemently condemn the resort to violence and the destruction of property,” the pro-UL group emphasized. “This culture of violence is at odds with the demands for a better educational environment and only serves to further destabilize the institution. The path to a better university is not paved with destruction, but with intellectual engagement, dialogue, and a commitment to scholarly pursuits.”

It stressed: “We must also recognize the critical role of the faculty in this precarious situation. Faculty members are the intellectual and moral backbone of the university. Their tireless efforts, often under dire circumstances, are what keep the institution functioning. However, their welfare and dignity have been consistently ignored, leading to recent boycotts and protests.”

ULIBAAA called on the Government of Liberia and the University administration to engage in good faith negotiations to address the faculty’s long-standing concerns, including salary arrears and improved benefits, stressing that a stable and well-supported faculty is indispensable to maintaining a culture of intellectualism and scholarship.

It also urged all stakeholders—the Government of Liberia, the University administration, the student body, and the alumni—to prioritize the future of the University of Liberia.

“We urge the government to: develop a Sustainable Funding Plan: Provide a substantial and predictable increase in budgetary support for the University of Liberia to address historical underfunding and ensure the proper implementation of the tuition-free policy; to invest in Infrastructure and Resources, and allocate funds for the rehabilitation of campus facilities, libraries, and laboratories to create a conducive learning environment.”

The UL group also wants concerns raised the faculty association addressed.

“Immediately resolve all outstanding issues with the faculty, including the payment of all arrears and the establishment of a fair Collective Bargaining Agreement,” ULIBAAA said calling on a peaceful dialogue to foster a culture non-violent engagement to address grievances, and discouraging the destructive cycle of violence.

The pro-UL diaspora group noted that the University is not just an institution; it is a pillar of national development, and that its success is a prerequisite for the nation’s progress.

“We stand ready to partner with all parties to ensure the University of Liberia reclaims its place as a center of intellectual excellence and a beacon of hope for future generations,” said the group further.

The University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas (ULIBAAA) is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the University of Liberia through fundraising, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Our mission is to enhance the university’s academic and social environment and contribute to the development of Liberia.