Dear UM faculty, staff and students,
We have committed to be transparent about the monument and its relocation. Last Monday (October 7), I received confirmation from our Facilities Planning Department that Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) has the monument slated to be on its December agenda.Read More
Dear students, faculty and staff,
As we begin the academic year, it is important for you to know about the progress that has been made to relocate the Confederate monument to the cemetery on campus, which is a more suitable location. The steps to relocate the monument are as follows.Read More
The university administration and its students, faculty, and staff are deeply concerned by the offensive and hurtful image captured in the photo at the Emmett Till historical marker. Given that we first learned about this incident in March, the university launched an internal review last week of our handling of the incident report about the photo, and we discovered a breakdown in communications between units on our campus. Our ongoing review has updated our understanding of some key facts in this process, and we are committed to keeping you informed.
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In the last 24 hours, national and regional media outlets have reported on an image depicting three young men holding guns in front of a bullet-riddled sign that commemorates the place in the Mississippi Delta where Emmett Till’s body was found. In 1955, Emmett Till was abducted, tortured, and brutally killed at the age of 14 after being accused of offending a white woman in a grocery store. His death was a major catalyst of the civil rights movement. Based on what the photo implies and the pleasure these men seem to take in the denigration of this commemorative sign, this image is offensive and hurtful.
Earlier today, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department announced an arrest in the murder of University of Mississippi student Alexandria “Ally” Kostial. Charges have been filed against Brandon Theesfeld, a UM student who has been suspended by the university.
Shortly before spring break, the Associated Student Body, Graduate Student Council, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and other campus constituents carefully considered the Confederate monument and its location on our campus. The recommendations made by these University entities, and sent to us by other internal and external groups, indicate that the most suitable campus location for this monument is not its current site on University Circle.
The shared governance process has demonstrated that our campus constituents are in alignment, and we agree that the monument should be relocated to a more suitable location. University leaders have consulted with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the staff of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, and we have a clear understanding of the steps and approvals necessary for relocation.
The university has submitted a notice of intent to the Department of Archives and History. The process to secure the necessary approvals for this relocation will require some time.
We will work diligently toward this goal by respecting and abiding by state rules, regulations, and policies that govern the process of relocation, and by continuing to provide updates to the university community as the process moves forward.
This is an important decision for our university. The monument, its meaning, and its location have been a point of discussion and debate for many years. Thank you for the thoughtful and diligent consideration of this matter and your recommendations.
Sincerely,
Larry D. Sparks
Interim Chancellor