Monrovia – Classes for the second semester academic year 2017-18 officially commenced on Monday, May 28, 2018, at the University of Liberia with a call to deans and chairpersons of colleges and departments to ensure that instructors are present, on time, with syllabi and fully prepared to teach.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
In a welcoming back-to-school message to deans and chairpersons, Dr. William Ezra Allen, Vice President for Academic Affairs, wrote:
“Let me extend my warm welcome and appreciation to all of you this morning as we begin Second Semester 2017-18. Though school has been “closed”, you have continued to work diligently. Thanks for your dedication.”
Dr. Allen’s statement emphasized that instructors are the ones who should be waiting for students, and not students waiting for teachers to show up.
“Beginning this week, we are reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy that forbids undue absences and tardiness,” he said. “As usual, monitors will visit classrooms. So kindly inform your instructors.”
But at least three instructors from the Department of Accounting did not turn a deaf ear to Dr. Allen’s message, as they were seen teaching on the first day of school in the Firestone Building on the Capitol Hill campus. The three instructors were Wattta M. Fofana, Acct. 102 Section # 5; Christopher T. Sapla, Accounting 202 Sections # 6; and Joseph S. Blamah, Acct. 310 Section # 5.
And when asked whether she received the back-to-school message, Instructor Fofana said, Dean Hnady J. Kolenky of the College of Business and Public Administration, reiterated the importance of attending class on the first day of school because it helps defeat the notion of some students that the first day or week of school is not serious.
“For me normally I can’t take any day to be a free day in my teaching life,” she said, adding that she was very impressed with the attendance of students on the first day of class.
The instructor said even though only 19 of her class of 61 students showed up on the first day, when compared to the first day of last year’s attendance, she said ‘it’s a record.’
“For this semester I am impressed. When you say ‘school opens,’ you will only meet two students in class, but for today—for the number of students to reach 19—I’m very impressed,” she said with much praise.
Much-Improved Registration
Dr. Allen also applauded the contribution made by deans and chairpersons towards improving the university registration system, singling out for particular praise the Registration Enhancement Committee set up by Dr. Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks, UL President, with the mandate to find a solution to the perennial problem which often hampers the university registration process.
“Our new, ongoing automated registration has produced good results. And we expect it to get even better when the system moves from the current hybrid format to full automation by the start of the next academic year. Many of you have contributed immensely to this success,” he said. “I give particular recognition to the Registration Enhancement Committee for its stellar role in this process: kudos to you!”
According to findings based on data downloaded at 11:30 PM on Sunday, May 27, 2018, from the University of Liberia ePortal for the 2017-18 registration, a total of 14, 313 students have been billed for registration, but only 3, 421 students or 23.90% have completed registration, including paying money.
According to the University of Liberia academic calendar, students billing ends on May 30, 2018, while the period of payment ends on June 30, 2018.
Meanwhile, students are requested to attend all classes or lectures during the entire period of registration.