The UNC System Board of Governors decided to push back the deadline for when a decision needs to be made on the controversial Silent Sam statue that was pulled down in August. 

The plan for the Confederate soldier statue, which was torn down by protestors Aug. 20, was originally supposed to be proposed by this Thursday. Last Friday, UNC-Chapel Hill officials asked the Board of Governors for an extension, which was granted. 

According to WRAL, Board of Governors Chair Harry Smith said that the deadline will be before the next Board of Governors meeting on Dec. 14. Smith said that the plan would not have been discussed until the Dec. 14 meeting, so the extension will not affect the process timeline.

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt and the school’s Board of Trustees were instructed by the Board of Governors to come up with the plan for the statue on Aug. 28, which caused debate within the university, local and state communities.

The statue has been in storage since the protest.