The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) says its attention is drawn to the go-slow action by members of the Tubman University Faculty Association (TUFA) calling for the resignation of the university’s President, Dr. Elliot Wreh Wilson, for his alleged failure to address their concerns. On February 26, 2022, the Tubman University Faculty Association began a go-slow action on ground that Dr. Wilson’s administration has allegedly failed to address their concerns, including GoL salary harmonization, faculty contractual tenure and salary increment, faculty employment, housing and compensation and SAAR insurance.
“Having critically followed this issue, compounded with a full-scale investigation conducted into the issues raised by the Tubman University Faculty Association for their go-slow action, the Civil Society Network of Liberia strongly believes that the faculty’s actions are political and intended to undermine the gains and laudable transformation of the university by the administration of Dr. Elliot Wreh Wilson. The issues of salary harmonization, salary increment and other key concerns raised by the Tubman University Faculty Association as basis for their go-slow action cannot be unilaterally resolved by Dr. Wilson. It is unfair for TUFA to have initiated a go-sow action when the university’s administration has started addressing these key concerns through engagements with national government. On February 1, 2022, the TU administration communicated with the leadership of the Tubman University Faculty Association, providing clarity to their key concerns and steps being taken to resolve those issues,” the Civil Society Network of Liberia said in a press release.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia wants the Tubman University Faculty Association to understand that, as the second state-run university, many decisions taken by the administration, including those affecting the welfare of staff, are not unilateral. Decisions on these issues are reached based on deliberation and consultation with relevant stakeholders of the government. So, Dr. Elliot Wreh Wilson cannot be unilaterally blamed, neither does he have the capacity and power to resolve the key concerns of the Tubman University Faculty Association. As such, the faculty needs to seek redress through peaceful engagement with stakeholders of the university, including the Maryland County Legislative Caucus, the Board of Trustees and County Administration. We call on the Tubman University Faculty Association to abandon its go-slow action and return to class, while its leaders constructively engage various key stakeholders of the university.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia wishes to state that the presidency of Dr. Elliot Wreh Wilson at the Tubman University has achieved a lot. In faculty employment, over 30 persons were employed to various departments. In staff capacity development, over twenty (20) staffs have undergone graduate studies at home and abroad. In infrastructure, a new 12-classroom building, a student service center and an engineering building have been constructed. TU’s campus is fully electrified and Internet and IT services have been restored throughout the campus, including at resident halls and student centers. The expansion of academic programs, including the provision of graduate studies at TU and the linking of the university with several international partners, are laudable achievements of Dr. Wilson. We are of the belief that Tubman University will be further transformed based on the cooperation and support of the Tubman University Faculty Association to Dr. Wilson’s administration. Go-slow action is not the best option to resolving their concerns. The resolution of these concerns is only possible through constructive and peaceful engagement with relevant authority. We once more urge the Tubman University Faculty Association to abandon its go-slow action and return to class and continue to constructively engage various key stakeholders of the university.”