Editorial: Silent Sam settlement gives rise to questions of UNC board's competence
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 -- If ever there was an example of the more we learn, the less we know, the settlement concerning UNC-Chapel Hill's Silent Sam and the N.C. Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is it. Far from a resolution, this is a matter ripe for investigation. It has has done nothing to settle the Silent Sam controversy. It has only highlighted the mismanagement and lack of leadership of this UNC Board of Governors and administration.
Posted — UpdatedWhile they weren’t asked a week ago, those questions about a “settlement allowing for the disposition of Silent Sam,” still must be answered.
If the idea was to avoid examination, it worked – for the short term. But that certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t important questions to be answered; facts to be known and a fully transparent airing of all the issues and decisions involved.
It looks to us like the Board of Governors agreed to settle a lawsuit before it had been filed by a group that did not own Silent Sam by paying $2.5 million in university funds. (While the order says “using exclusively non-state funds,” we guess it is non taxpayer provided. The funds will come from the University of North Carolina, which is a state institution.)
This isn’t just a matter for a journalistic examination – but more significantly a legal one by local and state authorities.
“The Board of Governors approached us through Mr. (C. Boyd) Sturges and wanted to open negotiations,” Stone said. Stone then unraveled a tale of hopeful, but eventually fruitless negotiations with legislative leaders.
Stone goes on to say that the threat of legal action was “immediately met with an offer from them to settle.”
“As part of the that settlement, what we’ve ended up with is legal possession of Silent Sam, and over $2 million in a dedicated trust (that we requested) for the perpetual care of Silent Sam and the purchase of land on which to prominently display him, to build a small museum for the public, and build a comprehensive Division headquarters for the benefit of the membership.”
Why is the state of North Carolina financing the headquarters for the N.C. Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans?
If ever there was an example of the more we learn, the less we know, this settlement is it.
Far from a resolution, this is a matter ripe for investigation.
This matter needs a thorough and transparent examination by competent legal authorities. Given the jurisdiction, the Orange County District Attorney’s office would be an appropriate place.
Further, Attorney General Josh Stein’s office should thoroughly go through the details of all this to see if the settlement meets all legal standards or if there were any civil or criminal laws violated.
Make no mistake, this settlement has done nothing to settle the Silent Sam controversy. It has only highlighted the mismanagement and lack of leadership of this UNC Board and administration.
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