The 'Committee of Hourly Contracted Professors at the Lebanese University' issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, warning of the risks posed by the continued delay in addressing the status of contracted faculty. The committee cautions that keeping the matter off the Cabinet's agenda jeopardizes the university and its professors.
The committee addressed Salam, emphasizing, 'The decision about the contracted professors at the Lebanese University is now in your hands. This decision can restore administrative and academic order to the university, provide justice to professors who have served for many years, and protect thousands of students from strikes and instability.'
The committee highlighted Salam’s promise to resolve the issue, expressing hope in his commitment to fairness and institutional stability.
The body expressed surprise at the exclusion of the contract issue from the upcoming Cabinet meeting agenda, noting, 'We were taken aback by the absence of this critical issue from Thursday's agenda, raising legitimate concerns since the matter is in your jurisdiction; we hoped the promise of resolution was moving towards implementation.'
The committee warned about the ramifications of continued delays, stressing that the issue affects not just the professors’ conditions, but the stability of the Lebanese University, its academic year, and the futures of its students.
'By delaying, the university, its professors, and students remain uncertain, possibly returning to the cycle of strikes and disruptions we have sought to avoid.'
The committee recalled the assurances from President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Salam, stating they served as guarantees for closing the matter. 'Your promise, alongside President Aoun’s, assured us this issue would conclude successfully.'
The committee called on Salam to prioritize the issue at the Cabinet meeting, either by adding it via a supplement or during the session itself. 'We expect you, with your authority and responsibility, to prioritize this decision as promised to the professors and the university.'
The letter concluded, 'Prime Minister, we rely on your promise and your responsibility during this critical time. We await a definitive step that will restore confidence to professors and stability to the university and its students. Our trust in you is significant, and we hope your decision aligns with this national and academic responsibility.'
The status of the hourly contracted professors at the Lebanese University has been a long-standing issue, involving their transition to full-time roles, which would provide more stable employment and secure an engaged educational staff for the university.
This topic is critical due to the university’s heavy reliance on hourly professors to meet its instructional needs, especially as Lebanon's recent financial and administrative crises have directly impacted faculty conditions and the university's ability to maintain academic stability.
Recent years have seen strikes and protests by professors demanding better conditions and the settlement of full-time employment and financial rights, which disrupted classes and exams, leaving thousands of students uncertain.
Addressing the contract issue is considered vital for realigning the university’s teaching staff, but it has been burdened with administrative, financial, and academic negotiations, as well as the need to adhere to approved standards and actual departmental requirements.
With the issue unaddressed in Thursday’s meeting agenda, the problem returns to the spotlight, with professors demanding that promises be turned into government decisions, warning that continued delays could thrust the Lebanese University back into a phase of strikes and disruptions.