The Administration of the University of Liberia has condemned, in the strongest terms, the recent August 2, 2021, violent protest staged by students resulting in injuries and the destruction of properties.

The condemnation was made by UL President, Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson at a press conference held on Monday, August 9, 2021, on the Capitol Hill campus of the University to address some growing concerns surrounding the recent pronouncement of a hundred percent eLearning semester as an option to continue the academic calendar in the midst of threats posed by the new wave of Covid-19 Delta variant.

“We strongly condemn these acts of violence perpetrated by some of our students and assure all that at the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, those found culpable will bear the full weight of the rules and regulations of the Revised Student Handbook of the University of Liberia”, Dr. Nelson assured.

Dr. Nelson wondered that with the available leverage given to students as provided by the Students Handbook to express their discontentment, they chose the path of violence protest resulting in injuries and destruction of properties.

“While this is allowed at the University of Liberia, it unfortunately degenerated into violent episodes and was extended beyond the campus perimeters. There are reports of multiple injuries sustained by students and staff as well the destruction of properties on Capitol Hill and in parts of Sinkor”, Dr. Nelson reported.

He furthered that the right to protest can be exercised without resorting to violence or compromising public peace and safety.

“Violence has never resolved any problem in the history of our country. This is why we continuously teach men and women of the University of Liberia to choose dialogue over violence as a path to resolution of grievances while respecting their rights to peaceful assembly and protest as well as the rights of others”, he lamented.

Dr. Nelson is meanwhile urging all stakeholders, particularly the students, to exercise restraints as his administration is doing all it can to provide affordable and quality higher education.

“As we return to class after Flag Day, we appeal to men and women of this university to be patient, cooperative and be assured that the Administration is resolved to give students the best possible learning experience during these COVID-19 trying conditions.