By Allieu Sahid Tunkara
Vice Chancellor and Principal (USL) of the University Of Sierra Leone Professor, Sahr Foday has debunked rumour of increase in university fees.
The USL Vice Chancellor made the statement in a meeting with the Student Union Executive. “ There had been no increase in tuition fees since 2014,” Professor Foday said.
The perceived increase in tuition and congregation fees led to uneasy calm at the campus few days back.
The threats of violence came after a press conference held few days back where students outlined welfare issues including the seeming delay in the allocation of student hostels, inadequate lecture rooms and transport facilities being problems, the students said, were dissatisfied with.
The press conference was not sanctioned by the university administration as the students failed to seek the authorities approval.
However, the DVC, during the meeting, entreated students to be law abiding, follow due process and observe administrative procedures. “ Students should be peaceful, respectful as ambassadors of the university and engage the administration to dialogue on all genuine proposals concerning their needs and aspirations without disturbing the peace and security of the campus,” the DVC advised.
Professor Foday requested the Students’ Union Executive to note their concerns and suggestions for the administration to hold further negotiation with them.
In a related development, Fourah Bay College administration has also engaged students of the law department to resolve a number of concerns they raised.
The concerns were anchored on the date for the election, the eligibility of aspirants as well as voters and the electable positions as provided in the law society’s constitution.
Professor Lawrence Kamara is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College, a constituent of USL.
In response to the issues highlighted by the law students, Prof. Kamara assured the students that the issues would be amicably resolved.