UNC Board of Trustees discusses ways to bring all students back to campus for fall semester

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz spoke Thursday at a meeting for UNC's Board of Trustees.

He reaffirmed his love of the university by telling the story of his first visit to Chapel Hill and how it was love at first sight.

Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting comes just hours after a faculty group met and passed a resolution in support of Guskiewicz, who has come under fire for a few controversies surrounding the school in recent days.

That resolution was in response to reports from our newsgathering partners at The News & Observer that there were potential efforts to remove the chancellor from his position.

"I remain committed to continue working alongside the diversity equity and inclusion council, the Carolina black caucus and the black student movement and others to address the concerns that have been raise around racial inequities," Guskiewicz said Thursday. "While we are making progress in many areas there is still much work ahead."

Student Body President Lamar Richards, the lone voice on the board selected by UNC students, spoke at the start of Thursday's meeting about the racial controversies UNC has endured over the past weeks, and in fact years.

"I often think about the fact that the institution, our institution, the university of North Carolina Chapel Hill was not built for people that look like me; rather it was built by people that look like me, my family and my peers. It is clear now more than ever that as a community we must continue to hold leadership across our state accountable," Richards said.

The bulk of Thursday's UNC Board of Trustees meeting focused on leadership's desire to bring all students back to campus full time starting in the fall.

Trustee David L. Boliek Jr. said he planned to have all students on campus for classes and in full attendance at sporting events in the coming months. Speakers during the meeting discussed how the university could accomplish that goal while still keeping all students and faculty safe.

One likely rule discussed was requiring masks in all common areas for everybody, regardless of vaccination status.