University of Liberia Board Reinforces Ban on Campus Politics Following Violence
- Michael T
- Sep 14
- 2 min read
MONROVIA, Sept 12, 2025 — The University of Liberia’s Board of Trustees has reaffirmed its ban on student political activities, asserting its mounting resolve to curb campus unrest after fresh violence disrupted academic life on its Capitol Hill and Fendall campuses earlier this month.
The move, announced Friday in Monrovia, follows violent incidents on September 1 and September 11 that forced the suspension of student orientation at Fendall and sparked clashes between students and security personnel at Capitol Hill. The trustees said the disruptions left them with little choice but to enforce the suspension first imposed in 2024, citing “persistent student violence” as a continued threat to both order and learning.
In a firm directive, the board ordered the immediate suspension of students linked to the recent incidents, pending investigation under the Student Handbook, and instructed the establishment of a Standing Disciplinary Committee to give enforcement greater permanence. The decision reflects the trustees’ determination to strengthen institutional authority after months of disorder.
The statement also demanded that classes resume without delay, urged administrators to resolve outstanding negotiations with the University of Liberia Faculty Association, and directed the start of long-postponed renovations on critical facilities, beginning with campus bathrooms.
Trustees said those improvements were aimed at addressing grievances while signaling to students that the administration’s crackdown was being matched with tangible investments in welfare.
For Liberia, where student activism has historically played an outsized role in shaping national political life, the wholesale suspension of student political activities is a striking development. While the trustees’ latest measures may restore immediate calm, the risk remains that unresolved grievances could resurface outside the university’s gates, fueling tensions in less managed arenas.
The board’s statement sought to reassure students, faculty, and the wider public that discipline and stability will take precedence. However, the credibility of the new approach hinges on whether swift disciplinary action, resumed classes, and small but visible campus improvements can restore the desired confidence in the Institution.
__________________________________________
Get Involved
Do you have additional facts to add to this insight or an opinion you would like to express?
Email Us
Comments