Monrovia, Liberia – The University of Liberia (UL) has taken decisive action following a four-month investigation into alleged academic fraud and misconduct, most notably the widely publicized Dorr Cooper fake graduation incident. In a statement released today, the University announced the dismissal of seven individuals and the suspension of the Associate Vice President & Registrar. Simultaneously, two other staff members who were initially implicated have been reinstated.
The individuals dismissed from their positions include prominent figures within the Public Administration Department and the Office of Enrollment Services (OES). Mr. Arthur B. Sharpe, Chairman of the Public Administration Department, is among those terminated. Also dismissed from the Public Administration Department are Mr. Thurston Lewis, an Instructor and Clearing Officer, and Mr. Goffa K. Suah, the Coordinator and Teaching Assistant who also served as the Dean’s Representative on the Clearing Team.
The Office of Enrollment Services has also seen significant personnel changes. Mr. W. Remsee Deranamie, Deputy Registrar, OES; Mr. Shadrach K. H. Pah, Assistant Dean of Records & Registration, OES; and Mr. Foday Jaleiba, Office Assistant to the Dean of Records, OES, have all been dismissed. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has also been affected, with the dismissal of Mr. Jonathan Kangar, a Support Specialist.
Adding to the shake-up within the University’s administration, Mr. Aaron B. Sengbe II, Associate Vice President & Registrar within the OES, has been suspended. The duration and terms of his suspension were not immediately clear.
However, the investigation also led to the reinstatement of two staff members. Ms. Mercy Koquoi, an OES Data Entry Clerk at the Business College, and Mr. Augustine Z. Garpi, an OES Coordinator also at the Business College, have been allowed to return to their duties. The University’s statement indicates that the investigation exonerated them from any significant involvement in the alleged fraudulent activities.
The University’s official statement emphasized that “the decision comes after a four-month investigation of facts related to several instances of alleged academic fraud and misconduct at the University of Liberia, including the case that has been referred to as the Dorr Cooper Incident, as well as other cases.” This suggests that the dismissals and suspensions are a result of a broader pattern of academic integrity issues that the University has been investigating.
The Dorr Cooper incident, which gained significant public attention, involved allegations of a fraudulent graduation ceremony. While the University’s statement does not provide specific details of the individuals’ involvement in this or other cases, the disciplinary actions signal a firm stance against academic dishonesty and a commitment to upholding the integrity of the institution.
These actions represent a significant step by the University of Liberia to address the alleged academic fraud that has plagued the institution. The dismissal and suspension of key personnel indicate the seriousness with which the University is treating these allegations and its determination to restore public trust in its academic processes and credentials. The reinstatement of the two staff members suggests a thorough and nuanced investigation that differentiated levels of involvement.
The University is expected to release further details regarding the findings of the investigation and any additional measures being taken to prevent future incidents of academic fraud. The academic community and the public will be closely watching how these developments impact the University’s reputation and its efforts to ensure the credibility of its academic programs.
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