On Monday, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt announced that she will resign at the end of this academic year in May 2019, right after spring graduation.

The university will also remove the base and commemorative plaques from the Confederate Monument site in McCorkle Place, also known as Silent Sam, according to Folt’s statement.

According to The Charlotte Observer, the UNC Board of Governors called an emergency conference call Monday afternoon to discuss “personnel and legal matters.”

Folt announced her resignation while the meeting was still underway. 

In a message from the Chancellor that was emailed and distributed to all UNC-Chapel Hill students and staff, Folt stated that she was proud and driven by the dedication and care of Chapel Hill’s staff and faculty, the advancing curricula and the $500 million raised for scholarships in aid. 

“As I have reflected on all of [these factors], I’ve decided this is the right time for me to pass the leadership of our outstanding university, with all its momentum, to the next chancellor,” Folt said.

However, for the rest of her term as Chancellor, Folt stated that she will continue to focus on the university’s core mission and the removal of the controversial confederate statute, Silent Sam.

“As a chancellor, the safety of the UNC-Chapel Hill community is my clear, unequivocal and non-negotiable responsibility.” Folt said. “The presence of the remaining parts of the monument on campus poses a continuing threat both to the personal safety and well-being of our community and to our ability to provide a stable, productive educational environment.” 

Folt stated that she is aware that many people may not agree with her decision to remove the Confederate statute’s base and plaques, but that it is best for the community of UNC-Chapel Hill as a whole.

“I believe Carolina’s next chancellor will be well placed to build on our momentum,” Folt said via email. “And with [students’] help and energy we will make this another semester filled with Tar Hell energy, creativity and action.”

The Board of Trustees released a statement on Folt’s decision, stating that they support her decision to remove the base of the Confederate Monument and her resignation.

“We thank Chancellor Folt for working tirelessly to elevate our University each and every day to serve the people of North Carolina and beyond,” the Board said via email.