The administration of the University of Liberia (UL) has taken the bold step to suspend student politics on all UL campuses until further notice. The decision was announced on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in an official press statement signed by the President of the university, Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr.
The suspension of student politics on UL campus comes in the wake of the many violent disturbances on the University of Liberia’s campuses.
According to Dr. Nelson’s statement, “Students are mandated to keep in strict conformity to this pronouncement. Violators would be severely sanctioned in keeping with the UL Revised Student Handbook.
“Accordingly, no political group shall assemble or hold meetings or engage in any politically-related activities on any of the University of Liberia’s campuses 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.
At the same time, the UL administration has condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the violent disturbances that erupted on the UL Capitol Hill campus on Monday, March 13, 2023, and, by extension, all such incidents.
“Additionally, the UL administration commissions an immediate independent investigation to probe the Monday disturbances, which led to the cancellation of classes and injuries to students and others,” Dr. Nelson disclosed.
The committee is headed by Professor T. Debey Sayndee, Director, Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT).
“The UL administration ensures and commits the full protection and safety of all students/staff/faculty and users of the facilities and services of the university.
“Meanwhile, UL students are reminded that the Revised UL Student Handbook strictly prohibits the use of disruptive noises, violence, and vandalism on all its campuses,” Dr. Nelson noted in his press statement.