Protesters gather before installation of UNC Chancellor Roberts, who lays out vision for the campus

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts was inaugurated during the school's annual University Day ceremony Friday.

"There is a deep unbreakable covenant between UNC-Chapel Hill and the state of North Carolina, You can't have one without the other," said Roberts.

The 13th chancellor in the university's history, Roberts spoke for about 10 minutes, where he laid out his vision for the school.

"We need to augment key programs like engineering, data science, and AI so that Carolina leads the way in providing capable experts to tackle the demands of a rapidly changing world. We'll break ground on new infrastructure and continue work on repair and renovation needs. Carolina North offers incredible potential for the needs of our campus and the whole Triangle region. For Carolina to grow, we need to have labs, classrooms and affordable housing," said Roberts.

Inside, freshman roommates Felix Castro and Luke Coker listened closely.

"I like that he talked a lot about moving forward and he seemed like he had pretty specific policy plans, which was nice to see," said Coker.

Castro added: "Something that struck me was when he said that the university represents all the state. I think it does. Growing up here in North Carolina, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has always been something we aspire to, something that is like a logo for our state."

A former budget director under Gov. Pat McCrory, Roberts has a mix of public and private sector experience. He assumed the role on an interim basis in January, after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz departed to serve as President of Michigan State University.

Previously a member of the UNC Board of Governors, Roberts is overseeing a period of transition, including changes implemented by the UNC System regarding DEI policies. Twenty positions at the school were cut and 27 others were re-assigned, with UNC System officials stating the savings will go towards recruitment and scholarships.

"Chancellor Roberts has been willing and respectful to people who don't always agree with him, willing to engage in that dialog. And that's something that I appreciate. So I look forward to working with him for as long as he's here, and I think he has a lot of work to do and he recognizes that," said freshman Devin Duncan.

Duncan acknowledges several topics have drawn questions and feedback from students while stressing the importance of open lines of communication.

"He has some answers that he needs to provide to the student body. And a part of that will be being collaborative and transparent, whether that's using the undergraduate student body government as a liaison being accessible to students yourself as chancellor or having other university administrators represent some of the changes that are happening here and have them accessible. I think that the university does need to do that, and I think that they are taking steps to do that," said Duncan.

Before Roberts' speech, about 20 protesters stood up silently and held up their hands and signs in protest of Israel's military activity in Gaza, which comes as a response to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

"They can ask whichever companies manage their funds who have a fiduciary duty. They can say, 'We want you to divest today based on these guidelines,'" said graduate student Hashem Amireh, who was part of a larger group of demonstrators outside.

Amireh wants the university to divest from any Israeli company, American companies listed on Israeli stock exchanges, or companies that do business with the Israeli government or military.

Most protesters wore masks during the protest, with one student telling ABC 11 off-camera that they were concerned about being identified by the university.

Some were heard chanting things such as "There is only one solution, intifada revolution" and "globalize intifada."

Prior demonstrations at UNC included arrests and vandalism, and have drawn national attention. A group of law enforcement observed demonstrators from a distance Friday, as protesters held signs and chanted for about a half hour before dispersing without incident.

This year's University Day also marks UNC's 231st birthday.