“No Salaries, No Final Exam” – Concerned UL Faculty Members Declare

By Edwin G. Wandah
Some concerned faculty members of the University of Liberia-UL are demanding the full disbursement of their salaries and other benefits before returning to classes to administer their final exams.
In a meeting held on the campus of the University yesterday, the concerned faculty member informed the administration of the University that if their demands are not met, they would remain resolute in their action.
In a communication dated July 17, 2019 and signed by the aggrieved UL Faculty members, they alerted the President of the University, Dr. Ophelia Weeks on some of the problems affecting them.
“As you may not be aware, we have not been paid our salaries and allowances for the months of June and July 2019, and this is creating serious economic hardship for employees and their families. This situation has also made it difficult for instructors to commute to campuses of the University daily,” the communication stated.
“Predicated upon the aforementioned, we are requesting the University of Liberia’s Administration to immediately make payments of our salaries and allowances on or before Friday, July 19, 2019. A further delay to this request will lead to the faculty and employees’ disengagement from all academic activities, including, the administering of the final exams for 2nd Semester 2018-2019,” the communication also stated.
Following that communication, the aggrieved (Concerned) faculty members convened another mass meeting yesterday, July 23rd, 2019 which was a mass meeting held ever to mount pressure on the UL’s Administration to look into their demands.
Few minute later, while the concerned faculty members assemble, a release from the faculty called on those aggrieved workers to return to classes to administer their administer their exams. The UL Administration further stated that it was disbursing one month salary for the month of June and urged all faculty members to immediately return to classes.
In another release issued from the UL’s Administration, it appealed to the faculty to remain in class and that modality was being worked on to pay them for the month of June. The Administration in that release admitted to the delay in the salary disbursement of the faculty members but begged for time, adding that by Wednesday, June 24th, 2019, it was going to pay for the one month.
Meanwhile, during yesterday’s meeting, the concerned UL Faculty members resolved on four counts. One was for the University of Liberia-UL Administration to give their June and July pay, including allowances and benefits of all employees on or before Friday, July 19, 2019.
Secondly, that all monies deducted from the faculty and employees’ salaries amount which are owed by the University are to be paid in full, and that thirdly, that the University of Liberia be exempted from the Pro-poor salary deduction scheme, and lastly, that Adjunct Professors/Instructors receive their salaries, allowances and benefits as per the time stipulated in the contracts with the University.
Shortly after the concerned UL Faculty’s meeting, Alahaji S.M Dukuly, Chair of the Concerned Faculty members and Chair for Ways, Means and Finance of the University Faculty said, the demands of the concerned are something to be considered.
He thanked those aggrieved faculty members who have been engaging the process with respect and dignity to remain calm as everything is being worked out to have their paid.