On Monday, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt announced that she would resign from her position at the end of the academic year.

In her letter of resignation, Folt also announced that she had authorized the removal of the remainder of the monument which once held Silent Sam at McCorkle Place on UNC’s campus.

The reaction on social media was swift.

“You can’t choose your history, but you can choose the history you honor,” wrote Congressman David Price on Twitter. “Silent Sam has been a vestige of hate and a source of animus on UNC’s campus for far too long. I commend @ChancellorFolt for her leadership in doing what’s right for UNC & the Chapel Hill community.”

“I appreciate the Chancellor’s actions to keep students and the public safe,” wrote North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “North Carolina is welcoming to all, and our public university should reflect that. – RC”

The news of Folt’s resignation came as a surprise to many people. “wow. i did not expect this,” wrote John Schena, echoing the thoughts of many who were shocked at Folt’s announcement.

Former UNC basketball player Brice Johnson was among the people to speak out on social media, saying, “Now that’s a way to step down! Thank you @ChancellorFolt.”

For others, Folt’s resignation was a sign of victory after years of protests surrounding Silent Sam’s presence on campus.

“Direct action did this,” wrote Annette Rodriquez, whose Twitter bio describes her as a postdoc at UNC. “Tremendous gratitude for the UNC students who have worked so tirelessly and who have sacrificed so much for our collective well-bring to remove the structure and architecture of white supremacy at UNC. #SilentSam”

One user who chimed in on the situation was Ezra Baeli-Wang, a former UNC fencer who organized a letter containing more than 200 signatures from current and former UNC athletes calling for Silent Sam’s removal from campus.

“A brave move today by @Chancellor Folt recognizing the “clear, unequivocal, non-negotiable” responsibility of those beholden to @UNC and its people to remove symbols of hate from places of learning and growth. Many thanks to the ~300 #studentathletes supporting #Strikedown Sam.”

Related Stories
‹
Top Stories of 2019: Carol Folt Steps Down as UNC Chancellor
Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted our community in 2019. These were stories that affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our local area. In January, UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor Carol Folt announced that she would step down from her position with the university. Folt also authorized the removal of the base […]
Hometown Hero: Carol Folt
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Subaru Southpoint, is former UNC – Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt. “Stepping down as the chancellor of this great university and wonderful community feels much like parting from a gathering of family, friends and neighbors,” Folt wrote in a farewell letter to the university on her final day. “I love […]
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Mayors Discuss Former UNC Chancellor Carol Folt's Impact
January 31 marked Carol Folt’s last day as chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, bringing an end to her tenure which lasted for nearly six years for the state’s flagship public university. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger attended Folt’s goodbye party Wednesday night where Folt was honored for all her accomplishments with the university, but Hemminger said […]
Q&A with UNC Chancellor Carol Folt
WCHL news director Blake Hodge spoke with UNC Chancellor Carol Folt on Tuesday about her decision to step down, the current state of campus security and the impact that she made on the community during her time in Chapel Hill. Q: You made the announcement, two announcements, on Monday that you would be stepping down […]
UNC Board of Governors Accepts Chancellor Carol Folt's Resignation, Effective January 31
The UNC-System Board of Governors has accepted the resignation of UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt, effective January 31. She had previously planned to stay through the end of the academic term in May. UNC-System interim president Bill Roper will be authorized to name an interim chancellor following Folt’s departure. This comes a day after Folt’s […]
Roy Williams on Carol Folt's Resignation: 'She's Just Done an Admirable Job'
On Monday, UNC Chancellor Carol Folt announced her resignation in a letter to the student body of the university. In the letter, she said it was the “privilege of [her] life to serve as chancellor of this great university” and authorized UNC to remove the remainder of the Silent Sam monument at McCorkle Place. Speaking […]
UNC Graduate Selected for Elite Schwarzman Scholars Program
A 2015 UNC graduate who majored in health policy and management and mathematical decision sciences, Min Yang, is one of 142 recipients worldwide for the Schwarzman Scholars program. The Schwarzman Scholars program, founded by Blackstone co-founder and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, is an elite China-based scholarship modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship and given to support […]
Multiple UNC Football Players Facing Reckless Driving Charges
Several UNC football players are facing charges of reckless driving, speeding and other violations. An investigation by WRAL, originally published Monday afternoon, reported that “nearly 20 percent” of UNC’s 101-man roster has been cited for speeding since October of 2024. The investigation named three specific players: linebacker Khmori House, safety Gavin Gibson and cornerback Thaddeus […]
Parking, Parties and Team History: What to Know Ahead of Mexico vs. Türkiye Soccer in Chapel Hill
The men's national soccer teams of Mexico and Türkiye will meet in Chapel Hill Tuesday for a friendly. Here's what to know before you go.
Police: UNC Student Victim of Carjacking in W. Franklin Street Parking Deck
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the carjacking of a UNC student that took place early Saturday morning. No injuries are reported.
›