For the first time in its history, the University of North Carolina chancellor, Carol L. Folt has apologized for the university’s participation in the practice of slavery.
Folt apologized during the University Day ceremony on Friday acknowledging the university’s complicated past with slavery.
“As chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I offer our University’s deepest apology for the profound injustices of slavery, our full acknowledgment of the strength of enslaved peoples in the face of their suffering, and our respect and indebtedness to them,” Folt said.
“I reaffirm our University’s commitment to facing squarely and working to right the wrongs of history so they are never again inflicted.”
She called for the reconciliation of university’s past with its future and called for purposeful action as it moves forward. “Our unique legacy demands that we continue to reconcile our past with our present and future and be the diverse and just community that is fitting for America’s first public university,” she said.
“Our apology must lead to purposeful action and it has to build upon the great efforts and sacrifices of so many across the years who fought so hard for much of what we value about Carolina today.”
Folt further announced acknowledging the indigenous people whose descendants contributed to the growth of the university. The university will also repair and renovate the Unsung Founders Memorial site on campus.