By Lewis S Teh
The University of Liberia Faculty Association or ULFA, has termed as inadequate and undermining, 10 weeks given to lecturers by the University Administration for academic activities.
In a letter addressed to the UL Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Moses Moroe Zinnah, ULFA said the time is limited for the faculty to present lectures and complete course syllabus for the semester.
ULFA stressed that the revised zero draft academic calendar for first semester 2022/2023 has the propensity of undermining the quality of learning that the students need to brace themselves for their professional sojourn.
In the letter signed by its Secretary General Eric Patten, the Association has suggested that the UL Administration should run the semester as a vacation school, instead of giving ten weeks for academic activities.
This, the Association believes will limit the course carrying capacity of students and increase the lecture hours.
ULFA noted that the University of Liberia could alternatively run a complete semester of 16 weeks (July — October 2023) to enhance quality at the state-owned University.
It also maintains that the reopening of an academic semester without addressing pending critical issues indicates that the UL Administration lacks interest in its faculty growth and welfare.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
ULFA named implementation of the promotion and tenure policy exercises that is long overdue, payment of arrears for Part-Time lecturers as key unaddressed issues.
Others include non-payment for data packages for those who taught online for the current and last semester, NASSCORP enrollment and status updates, regularity of retirees’ pension payments, adequate instructional materials, human resource manual, transportation for Sinje faculty, credential audit, among other issues.
ULFA noted that all of the issues mentioned are contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 1, 2021, in Monrovia.
Meanwhile, the ULFA leadership said it is optimistic that Dr. Moses Moroe Zinnah will address each of the issues contained in the communication at least by Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
The Association added that when the issues are addressed, it will enable the leadership to provide clear information to their members during their pending Emergency General Assembly scheduled for Friday, June 23, 2023.
Certain group of people at the helm of power at the state run university feel that the university of Liberia belong to they and their families members so they find pleasure in suppressing other. Until those evil cartels are destroy, the university of Liberia will continue to remain the way it is going. Let me say this,” the university of Liberia belong to all Liberian. ULFA and ULSA are 100% right, because UL administration continue to ignore the concern and welfare of the faculty in running the affairs of the state run university. Do you know what it mean to run a semester for just 10 weeks? Only students who aim is to get grades and don’t have time for quality education will accept this. Remember, what is not done properly is not done at all. What l see in this whole message leased by both ULFA and ULSA is that they want the proper things done for the state _ run university for the betterment of the state run university and the nation at large.
Something telling me that this ULFA is not sincerely in students interest as usual, you actually came out to speak of your unsettle MOU which would benefit you only not students. I wish fellow comrades understands this trick and peacefully take advantage of the limited time for this short semester. This ULFA and the rest of the others have wasted our times unnecessarily on that campus in the name of student’s interest, STOP using us students for your interest only – SELFISH evil😈 PEOPLE😡
…….
I love this plaform and I will like to visit this every day and to learned from here.
Wow, what dark hanging over our learning! I am shocked that the State-run University gives 10 weeks to ULFA staff to conduct comprehensive teachings, I don’t want to believe it. Running this semester as a vacation school will be better than having two months, and 10 days to conduct a full semester. I do agree with ULFA’s decision.