The Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP at the state-owned University of Liberia(UL) has threatened to stage multiple protests beginning Monday, September 15 until the university’s President Dr. Layli Maparyan is dismissed or voluntarily resign from the institution for abruptly announcing the reopening of the institution without addressing their concerns.

By Obediah Johnson

SUP claimed that despite its recent meeting held with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Koon and other legislators and Dr. Maparyan, nothing has been done by the administration of the university to address their concerns.

SUP made the call in a statement released in Monrovia on Thursday, September 11, 2025 under the signatures of its Secretary General and Chairman

Odecious Mulbah and Sylvester Wheeler respectively.

SUP stated that the decision taken by the university authorities to proceed with academic activities without addressing the non-negotiable demands of students is a display of arrogance, pomposity and a complete disregard for students’ welfare and academic integrity.

“The Revolutionary Student Unification Party (SUP) stands in unwavering solidarity with the students of the University of Liberia. Despite our urgent meeting with the Speaker, Dr. Layli Maparyan, and members of the House of Representatives aimed at addressing our demands, the UL administration, under the inept leadership of Dr. Maparyan continues to ignore the legitimate concerns of over 25,000 students while announcing the reopening of school.”

The Student Movement said Dr. Maparyan should either resign from the university or be dismissed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai because, according to SUP, her leadership has allegedly failed the students and the State run university.

The group called for the reversion of vacation school decision, noting that vacation school must not be designated as a full semester.

SUP wants the upcoming semester to be recognized as the second semester.

It noted that the add and drop issue must also be resolved by the administration.

“Administrative failures from the previous semester must be rectified, and students’ grades updated on the university portal immediately.”

SUP further called for the provision of buses to commute students to and from the Fendall Campus of the university.

The Students’ Movement said facilities at the university must be improved with functional bathrooms and sufficient seating secured before the resumption of academic activities this semester.

 SUP called for the launch of investigation into alleged illegal dismissals with the establishment of an independent committee.

The group maintained that the administration must release the report that informed its decision to dismiss and suspend employees for the sake of transparency and accountability.

SUP stated that campus security must be strengthened and empowered to protect students, faculty and staff.

The group, however, underscored the need for the review of employment practices at the university.

SUP pointed out that hiring procedures must be fair, accountable and transparent.

The group called for the reconstitution and restructuring of the Board of Trustees of the university to reflect statutory standards.

“SUP calls for mass and unrelenting protests across all campuses of the University of Liberia beginning Monday, September 15, 2025. We demand the immediate resignation or dismissal of President Dr. Layli Maparyan, whose leadership is marked by corruption, incompetence, and failure to address critical issues plaguing our nation’s premier institution of higher learning. Our demands are clear and non-negotiable.”

SUP, however, pledged that it would not falter in its commitment to the students’ cause, noting that, “dialogue without action is meaningless and useless.”

“We call on all students to assemble on the campuses as we demand the immediate and uncompromising resignation of Dr. Maparyan,” SUP added.

Founded on February 15, 1951, as a successor to Liberia College, the institution has celebrated its Founder’s Day annually as a reminder of its origins and as a call to look forward.

Dr. Maparyan emphasized that while the day provided an opportunity to reflect on the university’s storied past, it also calls on the UL community to engage in discussions about the future. “This is the time for the UL family to envision a noble and dynamic future for our institution and to begin realizing that vision with unity and collective effort,” she said. “I invite you to join me in the coming weeks and months as we talk about UL’s future.”

During the celebration, Dr. William Ezra Allen, Director of the Center for Diaspora and Migration Studies at UL, delivered the keynote address. He recounted the university’s beginnings, noting, “Our primary goal was to provide education for the youth—the leaders of tomorrow.” Dr. Allen further explained that the university’s work must evolve to meet global challenges, adding, “The University of Liberia will develop new curricula to address emerging demands, though we recognize that this progress comes with corresponding costs. This is the challenge we face.”

Earlier in the program, Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Officer-in-Charge, underscored the institution’s resilience. “We remain impenetrable—a beacon of hope and a light in the darkness for the Republic of Liberia,” she declared. “We have trained leaders who have shaped Liberia and even other parts of Africa. Now, I urge the UL family to creatively envision the future of our institution and work together to achieve it.”

The panel discussion featured insights from three prominent members of the UL community including Mr. Kwame Clement, Founder and President/Dean of the Liberia School of Law, Dr. Sonnie Rose Kesselly, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture and Forestry and Ms. Jessica A. Morris, a current student and alumna of St. Teresa Convent Catholic School

The 74th Founder’s Day celebration not only honored the university’s rich heritage but also set the stage for future progress, reaffirming a commitment to a dynamic and united vision for the University of Liberia.

Monrovia – Barley 72 hours after her historic inauguration as the 16^th President of the University of Liberia (UL), Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, has hit the ground running on day one at her Capitol Hill office by sticking to a full schedule that included several back-to-back meetings and a tour of the iconic Firestone Quadrangle (FQ) Building.

The Firestone Quadrangle was constructed by the global giant rubber-producing company Firestone in the ’60s, and the new UL President wanted to get an immediate firsthand impression of the facility as the UL commences a new academic semester.

Initially built as a goodwill gesture by Firestone and used as a lab for the testing of chemicals, the famous FQ Building is now used mainly for classrooms for undergraduate students.

During the tour, Dr. Maparyan interacted with students in various classrooms, sharing with them her sense of excitement and optimism for the University, as well as appreciating students who turned out for class on the first day of school.

Her interaction with students was characterized by taking selfies, shaking hands, jokes, and sharing words of motivation and encouragement with those students.

While in the FQ Building, Dr. Maparyan visited the UL clinic, the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) office, and the Office of Student Affairs.

She also visited the Student Center which hosts the University of Liberia Interim Students Leadership Office.

Further, Dr. Maparyan visited Tubman Hall, another iconic building on the Capitol Hill campus, to assess the teaching and learning environment and the University’s preparedness for the resumption of classes.

In that building, Dr. Maparyan visited the Human Resource Office and the Resource Center for Disabilities and Support Services and Alternative Learning (RCDSSAL), among others.

It can be recalled that during her inaugural address, Dr. Maparyan highlighted the issue of disabilities, promising to address issues affecting students with disabilities.

She met with the Director of the Resource Center for Disabilities and Support Services and Alternative Learning, Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, and her team, thanking them for their efforts to ensure the learning environment is made accessible for students with disabilities.

The tour was intended to give Dr. Maparyan firsthand information on the general outlook of the working and learning environment at UL.

As part of her day’s activities, Dr. Maparyan had meetings separately with USAID Director Jim Wright, her senior office staff, and the Vice President for University Relations Cllr. Norris L. Tweah, and Dr. Lizzie King and Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) Grant Fellows.

Dr. Maparyan also made a stop at the orientation of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.

Addressing the law students briefly, Dr. Maparyan applauded their strive for knowledge as future leaders of Liberia.

Inaugurated on Friday, January 10, 2025, Dr. Maparyan took over from Acting President Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh following a ceremony held on the UL Fendall campus.