The University of Liberia is reviewing the Student’s Handbook to conform to present-day reality, both nationally and internationally.
By: Naneka Hoffman
Monrovia, Liberia; August 18, 2025 – The University of Liberia (UL) has begun reviewing its Student’s Handbook to make sure it reflects the diversity of student populations on its campuses and addresses changes that have occurred both globally and on campus since the last edition was produced.
The first Handbook Review Meeting was held in the conference room of the Nathaniel Cassell Building on the Capitol Hill campus, bringing together UL President, Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, the Office of Student Affairs, students, professors, and administrative staff.
Additional review sessions are scheduled for next week to ensure the revised Handbook fully embodies diversity, functions effectively as a rulebook for student life, adapts to the digital age, and promotes justice.
UL President Prof. Dr. Maparyan underscored the importance of the initiative, describing the Handbook as a critical resource for students.
“The Student Handbook serves as an orientation guide for new students, an advisor-on-paper for continuing students, a rulebook governing student activity, and a regulatory manual for disciplinary matters,” Dr. Maparyan said.
She explained that the current version was first developed under former President Ophelia Inez Weeks and later updated by her successor, Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson, with a new welcome letter. Under her administration, however, Dr. Maparyan emphasized that her goal is to significantly revise, update, and even reimagine the Handbook.
“A lot has changed in the world and on campus since the last version was written,” she noted. She urged the review committee to approach the process with “fresh eyes” and to ask deeper questions about the higher purpose of the document.
“How does it help us and our university become the highest and best version of itself or ourselves?” she asked.
Dr. Maparyan further encouraged participants to offer suggestions with candor, listen respectfully, and ensure inclusive dialogue throughout the process.
Also speaking, UL Vice President for Student Affairs, Prof. Sekou Konneh, highlighted the significance of the review, noting that it has been more than five years since the Handbook was last updated.
“For a document of this nature, you have to look at it and re-look at it over time,” Prof. Konneh said. “That’s why we decided it was necessary to revisit the Handbook. Some of the people in this room were part of that previous review.”
He added that UL’s goal is to bring in all stakeholders to inject “new dynamism and new energy” into the Handbook while allowing different perspectives to shape the final product. Editing by Jonathan Browne
