Fendall – Scores of students of the University of Liberia have hailed the administration of Dr. Julius S. Nelson for lifting sanction on campus-based political activities.
Speaking Monday, January 27, the students, in separate interviews, told FrontPageAfrica that the ban was an indication that the university, under the leadership of Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks, had no interest in strengthening the study of Political Science.
They, however, cautioned student political parties against disrobing classes.
Nathaniel Kettor, a student reading Forestry, said: “Student political activities at any institution offering political science serve as practical so that when the students go to the national scene, they cannot be strangers to politics.”
Korlu Jallah, a student of Biology, added that the decision has reawakened the spirit of intellectualism at the state-run university.
“When we assembled to discuss national issues, it helps to improve our intellectual capacity, but the ban that was placed on campus-based politics was really killing that spirit. Thanks to Dr. Nelson for being so farsighted,” she said.
Another student, Sackie Gboyue, who studies Public Health, admonished campus-based political institutions to desist from the conflict that will hinder learning activities.
UL president Dr. Nelson, during the weekend, declared the resumption of campus-based politics, seven months after political activities was put on freeze.
“We thought that it was time to lift it as we move on as Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.”
– Dr. Julius S. Nelson, President, University of Liberia
Making the declaration at the University’s theatre on its Fendall campus, Dr. Nelson said lifting the ban was long overdue, and that the move would enhance the spirit of campus-based political activities.
“We thought that it was time to lift it as we move on as Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees,” Dr. Nelson told a gathering at the first edition of LUX Talk this year.
He has instructed the office of student’s affairs of the university to work with political groups, pledging his administration’s commitment to renovating the offices of students’ political groups soon.
At the same time, Dr. Nelson has appointed Professor Sekou Konneh as Acting Vice President and Dean of Students’ Affairs of the University.
He’s optimistic Professor Konneh and team will work to uphold the spirit of dialogue between students and the administration.
Student politics was banned on January 11, 2019. It was temporarily lifted and was reinstated on June 3 later the same year.
The suspension was in line with rules 9, 10 and 11 of the UL Student Handbook, which states: “No student shall for any cause whatever insult, assault or batter teachers, staff, fellow students and other university personnel or visitors to the University campus.”
During the suspension, student political groups were advised not to assemble or hold meetings or engage in any political-related activities on any campus of the university.
The suspension affected political/solidarity marches, political gatherings, the wearing of symbols and emblems depicting and promoting campus-based political groups, student protests, among others.
At the same time, Dr. Nelson has revealed that the student’s advocacy group, “Progressive Students Alliance” has been given status as a campus-based political party.
“We are also giving temporary permit, to this new political group that has transitioned from an advocacy group to the “Progressive Students’ Alliance” here at the University of Liberia and their offices will also be based on the Capitol Hill, because we want to ensure that all these students’ political group have their offices on the Capitol Hill Campus,” Dr. Nelson maintained.