Liberia: UL Graduation Doubtful

26 November 2013

The indefinite suspension of normal activities at the University of Liberia has left over 1,000 expected graduates gloomy about the prospects of conferring academic degrees on them this December.

As a result, many of the prospective graduates have begun shivering in various quarters over the possibility of having graduation ceremonies following an unexpected embargo that has been placed on all activities by University authorities. The latest development came when graduating candidates began to receive clearances from the administration. But the process is likely to be halted in the coming days, a university source told this paper yesterday. UL has been a scene of violent protests that have disrupted normal activities for the past few days, a situation attributed to administrative disputes. The latest position by the University administration suspending normal activities on the campuses came after the police stormed the main campus to rescue the embattled Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr Wade Brownell from the wrath of angry students. Both students and faculty members have cited Madam Brownell's "poor human and administration skills and lack of team work," as factors fueling their consistent demands for her to quit. But a statement issued yesterday under the signature of UL Relations Vice President, Dr Momolu Getaweh, approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustee, announced the indefinite suspension of all activities at the University with immediate effect. The University has also directed that all concerned persons should stay away from its premises while a full investigation was being conducted. On November 18, 2013, the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) presented a position statement to the Vice President for Students Affairs listing issues that needed to be addressed. While in the process of reviewing the students' concerns, the University Faculty Association (ULFA) issued a statement demanding the resignation of Madam Brownell and calling for the disengagement of the faculty from all teaching activities until their demands were met. As a consequence, the University has been engulfed in an unprecedented violence which it has not experienced for the last five years. UL, in the statement, calls for cooperation and understanding from all parties including the general public as it endeavors through consultations to restore civility and serenity to the state owned-higher learning institution. --Stephen Binda Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.