The University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) has announced that it will remain disengaged from academic activities after discussions with the University of Liberia Administration and the Board of Trustees failed to produce sufficient progress on long-standing concerns affecting faculty welfare and institutional operations. In a statement issued Thursday, ULFA said the talks centered on eleven critical issues raised by full-time faculty members, ranging from disparities in staff treatment to broader institutional challenges that continue to undermine the university’s academic environment.
The Association emphasized that the resolution of these issues is vital to the restoration of normal academic activities. Among its key demands, ULFA is pressing for the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to formalize commitments made by the administration. However, during the course of the discussions, the University’s central administration reportedly committed to addressing only four of the eleven issues raised.
The commitments included the resumption of group medical insurance coverage for faculty, the settlement of all outstanding remittances owed to members, payment of the remaining 50% of adjunct and overload arrears for the first semester, and ensuring that the Ministry of Finance disburses US$550,000 to the University of Liberia Administration by September 2025.
The funds, ULFA explained, are intended to cover vacation school costs and commence the renovation of restrooms across the institution. Despite these commitments, ULFA noted that the actions taken so far fall short of addressing the broader concerns and that progress on implementation remains unsatisfactory. As a result, the Association declared that there is no sufficient basis to resume academic activities at this time. “While we acknowledge the partial commitments made, the fact remains that these have not been fully met, and our members continue to face serious challenges that affect their well-being and ability to perform effectively,” the statement read.
“Until these issues are adequately addressed, ULFA has resolved that full-time faculty members remain disengaged.” The Association further instructed all full-time faculty to continue their disengagement until further notice, pending an emergency meeting to determine the next steps. The ongoing impasse is expected to disrupt planned schedules for the resumption of classes at the state-run university, raising concerns among students and parents about the continuity of the academic calendar.
ULFA reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue but stressed that meaningful and comprehensive actions are needed from the University Administration and relevant stakeholders to bring an end to the standoff.
