The media group which owns the student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina and the UNC System Board of Governors on Wednesday.

DTH Media Corporation filed the lawsuit, alleging the settlement between the Board of Governors and the pro-Confederate group the Sons of Confederate Veterans over a Confederate monument violated North Carolina’s open meeting laws. In it, the media company points to the negotiation and approval in secrecy by the board as grounds to null and void its settlement, which was made official in November.

Durham attorney Greg Doucette shared the official complaint in the lawsuit on his Twitter page.

After being toppled by protesters in 2018, university leadership debated over the future of the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam. UNC students, faculty and community members voiced their opposition for any return of the monument to campus, while others said it ought to be reinstalled to avoid violation of the state’s ‘objects of remembrance’ law.

On November 27, the Sons of Confederate Veterans sued the UNC System over not returning the monument to campus. The system reached a consent judgement the same day, creating a $2.5 million trust for the statue’s preservation and display and cedeing its possession to the pro-Confederate group. Court documents originally accessed by WRAL reporter Sarah Krueger, however, show UNC System Interim President Bill Roper signed the consent judgement for the settlement on November 26, with chair of the Board of Governors Randy Ramsey signing November 22.

According to a North Carolina statute, each official meeting of a public body should be open to the public and available for anyone to attend. The UNC System Board of Governors qualifies as a public body since it is appointed by elected officials. The statute also defines an official meeting as one made up of a majority of the members of a public body for the purpose of participating in deliberations or transacting the public business within its jurisdiction.

The settlement led to protests by UNC students and faculty in December, who said the decision supported the ideology of white supremacy. UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who served in the interim role at the time, wrote a letter to the UNC System Board of Governors expressing concern the trust may be used to fund other actions by the Sons of Confederate Veterans not regarding the monument.

A civil rights group filed a lawsuit against the UNC System in December, alleging UNC students should be part of the original lawsuit in an effort to reject the settlement. The superior court judge ruled the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to enter into the case.

 

Related Stories
‹
UNC, Durham Tech Leaders Discuss Measuring Higher Ed Success
For many years, publications have ranked and rated higher education institutions, saying the goal is to better inform people about the value of their education. But after several schools began declining to participate in the latest round of law school rankings by the U.S. News & World Report, more people began questioning their […]
Former N.C. House Representative Dr. Kristin Baker Appointed to UNC Board of Trustees
The UNC System's Board of Governors approved Dr. Kristin Baker of Cabarrus County during its meeting on May 21, selecting the psychiatrist to fill the seat left by John Preyer's resignation.
Local Higher Ed Leaders Discuss Adjusting to Workforce 'Uncertainties' Created by Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence was a common thread through 97.9 The Hill's Forum On The Hill panels with local collegiate leaders, as they discussed how to best marry the traditional role of education with preparing college students to potentially be met with AI as they enter the workforce.
'Making an Impact in the Community': Durham Tech President JB Buxton
Durham Tech president JB Buxton discusses rising enrollment, budget concerns, new programs, and a recent $1.5 million arts endowment.
Meyer: Vouchers Back on Agenda in Raleigh, But Budget Crisis Looms
State Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) discusses lawmakers' return to session in Raleigh to tackle vouchers and other funding matters.
UNC Chancellor, Faculty Share Concerns Over 'Disastrous' State Proposal to Eliminate Tenure
The UNC Faculty Council held its final meeting of the academic year, welcoming in a new chair and asking questions of university leaders.
Court OKs Dismissing UNC Student Suit Seeking Virus Refunds
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A trial judge was correct to dismiss a lawsuit filed by then-University of North Carolina students seeking tuition, housing and fee refunds when in-person instruction was canceled during the 2020 spring semester as the coronavirus pandemic began, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. Several students at UNC system campuses and […]
On Air Today: Mimi Chapman with the Coalition for Carolina
The Coalition for Carolina is hosting a webinar on university governance at UNC next week, which includes two former UNC chancellors providing their insights. Mimi Chapman, leader of the organization and Chair of the UNC Faculty, joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell to discuss the panel and the coalition’s goals.
UNC Receives Millions in State Funding to Continue COVID-19 Research
UNC will allocate $29 million of state funding for advancing COVID-19 research, testing and the development of a vaccine. The university will receive the funding as part of the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on Saturday and signed by Governor Roy Cooper on Monday. According to the legislation, the […]
Daily Tar Heel Ownership Files Lawsuit Against UNC, Board of Governors Over Silent Sam Deals
The media group which owns the student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina and the UNC System Board of Governors on Wednesday. DTH Media Corporation filed the lawsuit, alleging the settlement between the Board of Governors and the pro-Confederate group the Sons of Confederate Veterans over a […]
›