Published: February 25, 2026
MONROVIA — The leadership of the 105th Graduating Class of the Graduate School and Professional Studies at the University of Liberia is intensifying advocacy for fee relief, institutional transparency, and greater respect for graduate-level representation, while commending university authorities for engaging long-standing concerns.
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Prince N. Johnson, president of the graduating class, praised UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan for what he described as her willingness to address structural challenges within the institution, including the practice of allowing undergraduate students to make decisions affecting the entire university without adequate consultation with graduate leadership.
Advocacy for Fee Stability Central to the class leadership’s campaign is an appeal to maintain the graduation fee at US$480, citing the country’s harsh economic climate and the financial strain on students. “As part of our intervention, we appeal to the UL administration to keep the graduation fee at US$480 considering the harsh economic situation faced by the vast majority across the country,” Johnson said.
He noted that souvenir packages distributed to graduates include an electronic fan, backpack, drinking cup, USB card and flash drive. However, Johnson described as “unfortunate and unfair” the exclusion of graduate leadership from the procurement process, arguing that students who are paying for the packages deserve transparency and representation. “We are in the graduate school and professional studies as such, whatever the undergrad is doing should be done in consultation with us,” he said. “We however hope to settle that before we leave the institution.”
Although he acknowledged that certain decisions cannot be reversed, Johnson said his administration is working to prevent future graduating classes from experiencing similar exclusion.
Institutional Representation and Reform
Johnson also criticized what he termed a cultural practice of allowing the undergraduate school to name the graduating class, calling it disrespectful to graduate and professional students. He disclosed that his leadership is building support to change the practice. “I am glad that Dr. Maparyan, the President of the University of Liberia is giving a listening ear to these issues,” he noted. He further called on the administration to resolve grade-related challenges that prevented some qualified students from graduating with the 105th class.
Administrative Context and Achievements
Secretary General Matthew Fannayon said the university justified its decision by noting that undergraduate leadership was inducted in June, while graduate leadership took office in November, and that a vendor had already agreed to pre-finance graduation-related costs. Despite the controversy, Johnson highlighted what he described as key achievements under his leadership, including facilitating three board and faculty sittings — which he said had not previously occurred — and actively engaging university offices to expedite student clearances.
“The administration had had three board/faculty sittings, a move that engineered by my instrumentality and it has never happened before,” Johnson said. “I remember two to three times I was on the campus and those OES guys working on student clearances and the professors we needed to meet, we were reaching them.”
Seeking Support for Stranded Graduates
Johnson also disclosed that his leadership has formally written to the university’s Visitor, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and other national stakeholders seeking financial assistance for more than 100 graduate students who remain unable to pay graduation fees. “I believe the president and others will see the significant need to help,” Johnson said. “We met with the Speaker of the House, Richard Nagbe Koon, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and many other leaders, with the hope that they will help us.”
For the 105th Graduating Class leadership, the moment represents more than a ceremony — it reflects a broader push for fairness, transparency, and institutional respect within Liberia’s premier public university.
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