The move by the University of Liberia administration to ban campus-based political activities have been received with mixed reactions.
Last week, authorities of the state-owned university announced with immediate effect the suspension of all student groups and campus-based political activities on all its campuses, until further notice.
According to a UL press release: Accordingly, no political group shall assemble or hold meetings or engage in any political-related activities on any University of Liberia campus during this period of suspension.
The suspension affects political/solidarity marches, political gatherings, the wearing of symbols and emblems depicting and promoting campus-based political groups, student protests, among others.
Any student who is involved in any activity that disrupts normal university activity shall be EXPELLED.
But the position of the UL administration has come under criticisms from the President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Bishop Kortu Brown and the new leadership of the Student Unification Party (SUP).
In an interview with the local Fabric Fm radio in Monrovia over the weekend, Dr. Brown frowned on the move by the UL authorities and considered it too harsh.
The new Standard Bearer of SUP, student Martin N Kollie said his party opposes the ban on student politics on the UL campus, while other students said it was necessary to end frequent disruption of classes on the university’s campuses.
Meanwhile, UL authorities are reminding students that the state owned university’s Student Handbook strictly prohibits the use of violence as a means of solving problems.
According to 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. Insubordination shall not be tolerated., hostile and disrespectful behavior towards university authorities, government officials, visitors or university personnel and the use of provocative, abusive or other obscene language on campus whether against government officials, university employees, other students or otherwise is prohibited. The penalty for violation shall range from warning, suspension to expulsion as the gravity of the case might warrant.”
The university remains open and students are encouraged to attend classes especially during this period of mid-term exams.