The University of Mississippi

Office of the Chancellor

Statements

Update from Chancellor Boyce on Monument Relocation

Statements

Today marks an important moment for our university as the confederate monument has been moved from the Circle at the center of campus to the cemetery near Tad Smith Coliseum. I want to thank and commend the students, faculty, staff and administration, as well as alumni and university foundation boards, who provided valuable input and support for the relocation effort. Your commitment to bring about what’s best for our university made all the difference.

In addition, I’d like to thank the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning for giving us the necessary support to move the monument to a more suitable location.

Since my June 22 update to the university community, we have revisited aspects of the project and I would like to provide an important update. Last month, we requested a ground penetrating radar survey inside the cemetery walls to determine the depth of cover material over the buried remains. The results of this survey were received in two parts on June 26 and June 29. The survey concluded that in some places minimal ground cover could create a high probability of disturbing the graves. Consequently, and after many conversations and serious consideration, I feel excavating within the walls of the cemetery presents a significant risk of disturbing remains. This is a risk I am not prepared nor willing to take.

This has been an important issue for our university, and today’s relocation is a meaningful change for our community. I’m inspired by our ongoing commitment to strengthen our campus as a positive, productive and welcoming educational environment for all.

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

 

Statement on the Mississippi flag

Statements

Today is a triumphant day in Mississippi as we move toward more fully embracing the rich diversity of our state. We appreciate the tremendous leadership and advocacy demonstrated across the state — including our state leaders and all the members of our legislature who supported this change — on this important and common cause to move away from a divisive flag. I look forward to the day very soon when we will unfurl a new flag that unites all Mississippians.

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

Joint statement on the Mississippi flag

Statements

The University of Mississippi community concluded years ago that the Confederate battle flag did not represent many of our core values, such as the civility and respect for others. In 2015, the university stopped flying the state flag over our campus. Mississippi needs a flag that represents the qualities about our state that unite us, not those that still divide us. We support the SEC’s position for changing the Mississippi state flag to an image that is more welcoming and inclusive for all people.

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

Keith Carter

Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

Update on Monument Relocation Plan

Statements

Dear UM students, faculty and staff,

This message is part of our continuing commitment to keep you apprised on the process to relocate the Confederate monument to a more suitable location on campus.

Since I last wrote you on Jan. 16, 2020, we have been working diligently on the progress report requested by the IHL Board regarding the recommendations of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on History and Contextualization (CACHC), which included recommendations specific to the cemetery next to Tad Smith Coliseum. Once complete, we will provide the board with this report, which is required before we can re-submit our relocation proposal for future consideration. We’re committed to working with the board to accomplish our goal of relocating the monument.

On a related note, I want to express my personal sadness about the death of our colleague and friend, Dr. John Neff, Associate Professor of History and Director of The Center for Civil War Research. His sudden passing on Jan. 30 marks a tremendous loss to the university. He played an integral role in the work of the CACHC and the ongoing efforts involving the cemetery and our plan to relocate the monument. His loss will require some adjustments to maintain progress, but we remain committed to continuing this work in no small part to ensure that we honor his memory and dedication to this important matter for our university.

We pledge to keep you informed and provide further updates as this process continues.

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

Update on Monument Relocation Plan

Statements

Dear UM students, faculty and staff,

Today, the board of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) pulled from its January meeting agenda the university’s proposal to relocate the monument to the cemetery, a more suitable location on our campus.  Read More

Update on Monument Relocation Plan

Statements

Dear UM students, faculty and staff,

This message is an update on the process to relocate the Confederate monument on campus.

Today, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) notified the university that its board unanimously approved the proposed relocation plan. This plan included descriptions of the administrative, architectural and engineering specifications required for work on historical structures. We appreciate the work to develop the required documentation for this submission and ensure that the plan abides by state rules, regulations, and policies governing construction projects on our campus. We also appreciate MDAH for its review and approval of our proposed plan.Read More