Capitol Hill– The University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) has given a 30-day ultimatum to the national government and the university administration to address persistent issues, including salary arrears, unpaid retroactive benefits, and longstanding faculty welfare concerns.
The decision followed a General Assembly held on Friday, July 18, at the University of Liberia’s Capitol Hill campus, where frustrated faculty members expressed deep dissatisfaction with what they described as ongoing neglect by both the government and university leadership.
ULFA President Dr. Edna Johnny emphasized that poor working conditions continue to undermine faculty morale.
These include unsafe and unsanitary campus facilities, insufficient office space, and a lack of essential teaching materials. She noted that despite several resolutions-some dating back to June 2024-and a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding, most commitments remain unfulfilled.
“We met with President Dr. Layli Maparyan on multiple occasions to seek solutions to these persistent problems affecting faculty and staff. Unfortunately, her administration has shown minimal follow-through,” Dr. Johnny stated.
She also disclosed that ULFA had requested two key documents from the university: the investigation report into the controversial “Dorr Cooper” incident, which led to faculty dismissals, and Dr. Maparyan’s 100-day deliverables. Neither has been provided.
“Dr. Maparyan pledged to share these reports to demonstrate transparency and commitment, but we have yet to receive them,” Dr. Johnny added.
Following extensive discussions at the Assembly, members empowered the ULFA leadership to exhaust all remaining avenues for redress, including petitioning the Liberian Senate and the Office of the President.
The Assembly mandated that ULFA must return with a concrete update within one month. At that time, an emergency General Assembly will convene to determine the next steps.
In their resolution, faculty members called for the immediate payment of all outstanding retroactive salaries, compensation adjustments for long-serving faculty (particularly those with over five years of service), and the full reimbursement of funds allegedly deducted without due process by the university’s comptroller.
The faculty also demanded the immediate release of the “Dorr Cooper” investigation report, Dr. Maparyan’s 100-day report, and the urgent renovation-and where necessary, reconstruction-of restrooms across all campuses.
They further pressed for overdue faculty promotions and the resolution of ongoing salary disparities affecting both academic and support staff.
ULFA warned that failure to meet these demands within the 30-day window will prompt a vote on full disengagement from all academic activities.
The emergency General Assembly will decide whether to continue or suspend classes indefinitely, depending on progress made.
While reaffirming their dedication to quality education, ULFA members declared they will no longer tolerate continued disregard for their rights, welfare, and professional dignity.
