UL President Clarifies Tuition Position Amid Debate Over Possible Fee Increase

Paynesville, Liberia: The President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Layli Maparyan, has clarified that the institution is not increasing student fees now or in the next academic semester, despite earlier comments suggesting that fees could rise over time.

Speaking recently on her radio program, Dr. Maparyan said discussions about the financial future of the University should not be interpreted as an immediate fee hike.

“As I said last week and this week on my radio show, we are NOT raising student fees now or next semester, but we need to think together and dialogue about how to achieve the University we want given the rising costs of the things we want,” she stated.

The clarification follows comments previously made by the UL President in which she acknowledged that increasing operational costs could eventually affect student fees.

“Students are going to have to adjust to the fact that over time, the student fees are going to go up. It’s because the things we need to buy for students cost more. Prices go up. Our generators cost more now. Our buses cost more now. Everything that uses fuel is going to cost more because of this war,” Dr. Maparyan said.

According to the UL administration, the institution is under growing financial pressure due to rising fuel prices, transportation costs, electricity generation, and other operational expenses affecting higher education institutions globally.

Dr. Maparyan, however, emphasized that no decision has been made to increase fees at this time and called for national dialogue on sustainable ways to improve the University’s infrastructure, services, and academic standards.

“There are many possible strategies, so let’s have that conversation and don’t run from it,” she added.

The debate surrounding tuition and fees at the state-run university has already generated strong reactions among students and advocacy groups, including the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP), which recently vowed to resist any attempt to end or weaken Liberia’s free tuition policy.