Monrovia, Liberia- In a bold move, the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) has issued a stern ultimatum to Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson, President of the University of Liberia, regarding the recent controversial appointments within the institution. ULFASA, in a joint Emergency General Assembly convened on August 25, 2023, demanded that Dr. Nelson rescind the appointments of Dr. Lester Tenny as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Mr. Clifford Young as Dean of the Business College within one week, as of August 25, 2023, or face an impending go-slow action.

The uproar stems from concerns over the qualifications of Mr. Clifford Young for the role of Dean of the Business College, as he holds only a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. ULFASA asserts that the newly adopted policy on the merging of Graduate Programs with the Colleges mandates an academic PhD for serving in such a position. Furthermore, this dispute is compounded by the contentious removal of Dr. Lester Tenny, the former Dean of the Business College, who had been declared persona-non-grata by ULFASA due to alleged threats against its members.

As tensions escalate, the future of the University of Liberia remains uncertain, with ULFASA’s threat of a go-slow action hanging in the balance pending Dr. Nelson’s response to their ultimatum. This situation highlights the critical need for dialogue and resolution within the university’s leadership to ensure the institution’s continued stability and academic excellence.

By Sadia M. Mohammed