UNC’s 222nd University Day was interrupted by Silent Sam protestors on Monday.

As the procession of faculty and students entered Memorial Hall for the University Day celebrations, students began chanting.

They chanted “tear it down, or we shut you down” and “that racist statue has got to go” – referring to Silent Sam – before exiting the building.

Chancellor Carol Folt addressed the protest before moving on with the ceremony.

“I think all of you feel like I do,” she said, “that universities are places where our students and our communities speak with real heart and voice. And I’m really glad they felt comfortable to come and we were all able to listen and hear their very important message.”

MORE: Protesters from the Real Silent Sam Coalition gathered in front of the Confederate monument on Monday morning. Listen below to a report from WCHL’s Blake Hodge:

 

The ceremony continued with remarks from UNC system president Tom Ross, who graduated from UNC in 1975, along with members from the board of trustees and the faculty.

“This marks my last University Day as president of the UNC system,” he said. “But you’ll be glad to know I didn’t come here to take a trip down memory lane or to talk about all that we’ve accomplished together in the last five years. More than anything I can here today to say thank you.”

Ross praised Folt, saying that her hiring was the decision he was most proud of during his tenure as president.

A number of current and former students and faculty were also recognized, including 2015 Nobel Laureate Aziz Sancar.

Perhaps the largest ovation was given to Chair of the Faculty Bruce Cairns, who suffered a heart attack on September 18. Cairns was treated at UNC hospital.

“Like countless others across this state,” he said, “I literally have this university to thank for my life.”