UNC chancellor's response

I understand that the Library staff made the decision not to put up a Christmas tree this year after giving it a lot of thought. The university administration doesn’t get involved in decisions like that. Departments can choose to put up a tree or not. And if you take a walk across campus, I think you’ll see that. The façade of Memorial Hall, our major performing venue, is fully decorated for the holiday, and The Nutcracker is its major December attraction. Student Stores is like any retailer this time of year. They have a tree decorated with Carolina ornaments in the window and, in the store, there is a mantle decorated with Carolina stockings. The Student Activities Fund Office has a Christmas tree in its window. There’s a big Christmas wreath with a Carolina-blue ribbon on it in the Student Union. Our own Carolina Inn is again featuring its Twelve Days of Christmas displays throughout the hotel. And just as we have for the last 59 years, our Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is featuring The Star of Bethlehem.

So Christmas is recognized on this campus.

Thanks for your interest in Carolina, and have a joyous Christmas season.

Holden Thorp

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My personal oppinion is that just because other ethnic groups have come to our country does not mean that we need to change our traditional customs because they have different beliefs. It is not like we are asking you to get on your knees and sing silent night to Jesus Christ. We put up CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. You need to get over it. Another thing, if we went to Asia or whatever country those of you complaining are from and complained about your religious decorations, would you move them off campus for us? no. Why should we for you?

misqueenbeauty10
December 5, 2008 5:24 p.m.

Sorry...but if the chancellor actually wrote this himself....it was poorly written.

findoutthefacts
December 5, 2008 3:59 p.m.

The other Christmas things must be up because no one has complained about it yet. Wait...when someone does complain about the rest of the symbols that remind them anything of Christianity, then what? Do you dispose of it all?