Fendell Campus, University of Liberia – Dr. Layli Maparyan, the newly inducted president of the University of Liberia (UL), has vowed to address several pressing challenges facing the institution, including unpaid faculty and staff salaries, inconsistent academic schedules, and inadequate campus sanitation, which has raised health and environmental concerns.

Dr. Maparyan, during her induction, highlighted her priorities: achieving financial stability, ensuring a dependable academic calendar, and improving sanitation across UL’s campuses to foster a conducive learning environment.

Addressing Unpaid Salaries and Academic Instability

A significant issue at UL is the delay in faculty and staff salaries, particularly affecting part-time lecturers. This has resulted in halted teaching activities, protests, and disruptions to students’ education.

“I want to move rapidly toward regularizing faculty pay, both in terms of timeliness and amount,” Dr. Maparyan stated. She committed to investigating the root causes of salary delays and cleaning up the payroll, which she described as rife with fraud, including the presence of "ghost workers" and unqualified individuals.

Dr. Maparyan also emphasized the need to establish a predictable academic calendar. “Students need to know when school will start, when it will end, and when commencement will occur. It’s crucial for their planning, especially as they pursue jobs, fellowships, and graduate studies,” she said.

Past administrations, including those of Dr. Emmett Dennis, Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks, and Dr. Julius Sawolo Nelson, have faced criticism for failing to address these persistent challenges. Dr. Maparyan’s reforms aim to restore trust in UL’s payroll system and improve faculty and staff morale.

Combatting Poor Sanitation on Campuses

UL’s campuses at Capitol Bye-Pass and Fendell are plagued by subpar sanitation facilities, which disproportionately affect women and girls and pose serious health risks. Dr. Maparyan pledged to prioritize the renovation of restrooms and provide adequate sanitation supplies to support public health.

“Safe and well-functioning bathrooms are essential for a healthy and comfortable learning environment,” she said, acknowledging that while immediate upgrades might take time, sanitation will remain a high priority under her leadership.

A UNICEF report links poor sanitation to 88% of deaths from diarrheal diseases, and a World Bank study estimates that inadequate sanitation costs Liberia $17.5 million annually. Dr. Maparyan believes that improving UL’s sanitation facilities could alleviate some of these economic and health impacts.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

Dr. Maparyan urged students, faculty, and staff to take pride in maintaining a clean and healthy campus environment. “I encourage everyone to show love and respect for our campuses. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels comfortable and proud to learn and work,” she said.

A Vision for Progress

As Dr. Maparyan begins her tenure, the University of Liberia community looks forward to seeing tangible reforms addressing long-standing issues. Her commitment to tackling financial instability, academic inconsistency, and sanitation concerns signals a hopeful path forward for the institution.