On Friday, Dec. 14, the UNC Board of Governors rejected the proposal made by the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees that would construct a new building on the Chapel Hill campus. The building was intended to house the Silent Sam confederate monument toppled earlier this year.

The center proposed through the plan would cost $5.3 million initially, and would add $800,000 to annual operating costs. This plan was heavily criticized by student groups on the campus, including some teaching assistants and instructors that protested by holding final exam grades.

In an earlier conference, the UNC-System Board of Governors Chairman Harry Smith said that student concerns surrounding the decision were very serious.

“When you hear the students speak about fear and safety and concern, it’s pretty real,” Smith said. “There’s so much sensationalism on this, but when you get to hear students actually speak from their own hearts, it’ll make you draw pause.”

UNC’s Chancellor Carol Folt hosted a conference call about the decision on Friday to make a statement and answer a few questions.

“We have a responsibility to make wonderful things happen on our campus, to enrich the life and prosperity, the health and well-being of the people of our state, but even more so to be a place where the students, the staff and faculty who power the University, can thrive and feel safe,” Folt said.

Folt indicated that other options exist, but did not mention specifics. The Board appointed a committee with five Board of Governors members to work with UNC officials to create an alternative plan by Friday, March 15.