Continuing a series of delays, the UNC System Board of Governors will not discuss the future of the Confederate monument on the UNC – Chapel Hill campus known as Silent Sam at the board’s May meeting.

Board chair Harry Smith made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

“In early March, we set the May meeting of the UNC Board of Governors as a tentative reporting date to consider possible solutions for the confederate monument at UNC-Chapel Hill, commonly known as Silent Sam. A small group of Board members is prepared to review and discuss options at an appropriate time. However, our Board and the universities have also been focused on a number of other issues, including the legislative session, and there is nothing to report at this time. Therefore, the monument issue will not be on our agenda for the May meeting.”

This is another in a series of delays to discuss the future of the monument since it was toppled by protesters last August. An initial November deadline was pushed back to December. The UNC – Chapel Hill administration then presented its proposal for a new facility to be built to house the monument and offer teaching and exhibit space. The System Board of Governors then rejected that plan and set a deadline for a new plan for mid-March.

Then-chancellor Carol Folt instead ordered the removal of the statue’s remaining base in mid-January while also announcing her intention to resign at the end of the academic year. The Board of Governors then moved that resignation date up to January 31.

As the March deadline approached, the governors once again pushed the deadline back. There is now no firm timeline on when a decision could be made on the monument’s future.

Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz has repeatedly said he does not believe the statue should be returned to the campus.

“There’s a more appropriate place for that monument than on our campus,” Guskiewicz said in a recent interview.

Five members of the Board of Governors were assigned to work with the campus in developing a solution for the future of the monument.

“I’m glad that we’ve been able to engage our faculty and students in the conversations with the five-member Board of Governors committee,” Guskiewicz said. “So, I think they know where everybody stands from this end.”

Related Stories
‹
UNC Police Identify Additional Individuals Arrested Amid Ongoing Silent Sam Rallies
UNC officials have identified the three individuals who were arrested during opposing rallies Thursday night around where the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam was pulled down last week. A heavy police presence attempted to keep the two groups separated on Thursday night. After the group organizing a “twilight service” honoring Silent Sam left the […]
Chapel Hill Police Entering Review of Policing at Silent Sam Rallies
The Chapel Hill Town Council held its first meeting of the fall on Wednesday night, coming nearly one week after a third rally around the remains of the Confederate monument on the UNC – Chapel Hill campus known as Silent Sam. Protesters pulled the statue from its pedestal on August 20. Two rallies then followed […]
3 Charged in Silent Sam Rally, Investigation Ongoing
Three additional individuals have been charged following Monday night’s protest where the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam was pulled from its pedestal on the UNC – Chapel Hill campus. UNC Chancellor Carol Folt said she could not provide an update on the investigation in a conference call on Thursday afternoon. UNC Police spokesperson Randy […]
UNC Police Identify Davie Poplar Fire Suspect
UNC Police have identified the suspect in the “detonation of a small device” at McCorkle Place on the Chapel Hill campus as 24-year-old Joshua Daniel Edwards. The fire was started at the famous Davie Poplar tree near the Old Well. Police say that a “potential charge” is listed as arson but that other charges may […]
3 Face Charges at UNC Confederate Statue Protest
Three people are facing charges after a demonstration against a Confederate statue at the University of North Carolina. Hundreds joined the protest Tuesday night against the bronze Confederate soldier known as “Silent Sam” on the Chapel Hill campus. A Chapel Hill Police Department report shows 19-year-old Claude Wilson was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. The […]
UNC Police Investigating Holiday Crimes
UNC Police are investigating a series of incidents in a residence hall over the university’s winter break. Authorities say they are investigating a report of a break-in at one room in Spencer Residence Hall and the attempted break-ins at six additional rooms. Police say they were alerted that suspects tried to gain access to the […]
New UNC Police Chief Aims to 'Make Campus Proud' of Department 
With students coming back to campus and the first week of classes commencing, newly hired UNC chief of police Brian James says he is excited to build community trust and keep the school safe this semester.
Chapel Hill Police Make Arrest in Sexual Assault Case
Chapel Hill Police arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred earlier this month in the parking deck of an apartment complex. Authorities said Vernon Lamont Reed was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and kidnapping. […]
Silent Sam Decision Looms Over UNC, Search for Police Chief
Jeff McCracken’s retirement as UNC Police chief, which was announced earlier this year, is effective Monday, and the university has named Thomas Younce as his interim replacement. UNC – Chapel Hill Board of Trustees chair Haywood Cochrane said after a special meeting of the board last Thursday that the national search for a permanent police […]
UNC Governors Will Not Discuss Silent Sam at May Meeting
Continuing a series of delays, the UNC System Board of Governors will not discuss the future of the Confederate monument on the UNC – Chapel Hill campus known as Silent Sam at the board’s May meeting. Board chair Harry Smith made the announcement Tuesday afternoon. “In early March, we set the May meeting of the […]
›