Reveals ULFA/ULSA Disengagement Decision Prompted Emergency Meeting Of Her Cabinet, Close Consultations With Stakeholders 

PHOTO: UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan (left) and UL faculty and staff during their July 17 mass meeting (right) 

After days of silence, University of Liberia (UL) President, Dr, Layli Maparyan has cautiously reacted to the strongly-worded joint resolution issued by the UL Faculty Association (ULFA) and the UL Staff Association (ULSA) at a general meeting last Friday passing a “vote of no confidence” in her and calling for the dismissal of two of her vice Presidents,

 “The members of ULFA and ULSA convened in their regular General Assembly on Friday, July 17, 2026 have unanimously a vote of no confidence in the President of the University of Liberia (UL), the acting Vice President for Fiscal Affairs as well as the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, an ULFA press statement signed by its Secretary General, Eric T.S. Patten over the weekend. UL Faculty And Staff Associations Declare “Vote Of No Confidence” In Dr. Maparyan & 2 Vice Presidents – News Public Trust

ULFA and ULSA wants their demand to be met immediately. A reporter visiting the UL campuses on Capitol Hill and Fendell said both campuses virtually look like ghost towns.

But in a press statement from her office today, Tuesday July 21, 2026, the UL President described the concerns raised in the joint resolution as “legitimate” but urged both Associations ”to continue to dialogue instead of prolonging their ongoing go-slow action”.

The UL faculty and staff have since formally written the institution’s Board of Trustees and forwarded their joint July 17 resolution.

BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF THE UL PRESIDENT’S PRESS STATEMENT:

Update: UL President Calls for Dialogue as Faculty, Staff Go-Slow Continues

Fendall, July 21, 2026—President Layli Maparyan has acknowledged the concerns raised by the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA), while urging both groups to continue to dialogue instead of prolonging their ongoing go-slow action.

In an official statement issued Tuesday, July 21, President Maparyan described the issues raised by ULFASA as “legitimate concerns”.

The UL President disclosed that her administration is working closely with relevant stakeholders, including the University’s Board of Trustees, the Government of Liberia, faculty, and staff to address the concerns.

She revealed that the recent resolutions adopted by ULFA and ULSA were discussed extensively during emergency Cabinet and Board meetings held on Capitol Hill on Monday, with discussions focusing on action plans and the way forward.

Dr. Maparyan acknowledged that while some progress has been made in addressing the concerns, the administration has not yet met the expectations of the university employees.

“As UL President, I assure UL’s faculty and staff of my commitment to achieve results that feel like progress and make UL a better workplace,” she stated.

However, Dr. Maparyan cautioned that continued disengagement from academic and administrative activities is not in the best interest of students, employees, or the country. She described the University of Liberia as “a beacon of hope for thousands of young people” and warned that disruptions could undermine the institution’s educational mission.

The UL President appealed to faculty and staff to continue engaging the administration and the Government of Liberia through constructive dialogue, emphasizing that lasting solutions can only be achieved through cooperation and concerted action.

The statement comes amid an ongoing go-slow by ULFA and ULSA over the implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UL administration and the government, including salary disparities, employee welfare, promotions, campus infrastructure, and other unresolved workplace concerns.

The UL employee associations members recently voted to disengage from academic activities until their demands are addressed.