Headlines
Sparks Reiterates Intent to Relocate Confederate Statue
By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com
Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks released a statement Wednesday to the university community regarding the relocation of the Confederate statue which currently resides in the heart of the Ole Miss campus.
His initial statement gave the community a clear indication the statue would be moving.
“As we begin the academic year, it is important for you to know about the progress that has been made to relocate the Confederate monument to the cemetery on campus, which is a more suitable location,” Sparks stated.
According to Sparks, here are the steps the university has completed for its relocation:
- Submit a letter of intent to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) – Completed March 20, 2019
- Review meeting with MDAH – Completed April 2, 2019
- Contract with a firm to develop necessary plans – Completed June 3, 2019
- Develop the relocation and placement plans and drawings, and conduct site work to the required administrative, architectural, and engineering specifications – Completed August 27, 2019
- Submit relocation and reinstallation plans to MDAH for consideration – Completed August 27, 2019
You can review the drawings and specifications for the proposed plan.
- Remaining steps – consideration and decision by MDAH; if approved by MDAH, submission of the agenda item to Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) that includes MDAH approval; hire a contractor to perform the work.
Sparks’ statement comes on the heels of many questions from those in the university community about why the statue had not yet been relocated by the start of the fall semester.
When students arrived back to campus Monday, it had been 172 days since the Associated Student Body voted unanimously on March 5 to relocate the Confederate statue at the edge of the Circle to the Confederate cemetery on campus. The ASB was one of four governing bodies to unanimously vote on the statue’s relocation. The Graduate Student Council, Faculty Senate and Staff Council were the other three in agreement with the ASB’s decision to relocate the statue.
Photo courtesy of Students Against Social Injustice.
In Wednesday’s statement, Sparks said, “I am pleased that the plan and necessary drawings are complete, and I appreciate all of the work to develop the required documentation for submission.”
Sparks said as the university continues this “important change,” administration officials will also continue to abide by “the state rules and laws and IHL policies that govern all construction projects on our campus.”
Students Against Social Injustice, or commonly known as SASI, led last year’s first opposition against the statue. SASI is the local chapter of the national student-led organization United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS).
On Nov. 28, 2018, SASI and faculty members marched from Lamar Hall to the statue followed by a protest on the steps of the Lyceum.
Protest organizer and SASI secretary Em Gill led by standing on the embankment outside Lamar Hall to educate the crowd of the demands SASI wants UM administration to make:
1) “The University of Mississippi administration must remove the Confederate statue from campus.
2) The administration must implement a publicized hate speech policy to protect students from the racist violence experienced on campus.
3) Regardless of who is in the Chancellor’s position, the administration will meet with us next semester to discuss these demands.”
Concluding his statement to the Ole Miss community, Sparks noted that the university is following the steps that are necessary for a successful relocation; he also stated that the university will continue to maintain steady and committed progress to complete the relocation.
“I reiterate that this will place the monument in a more suitable location, one that is commensurate with the purpose that is etched on its side,” he said.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | 11:00 AM ABC or ESPN |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ESPN or ABC |
Will Allen
August 28, 2019 at 3:05 pm
This is just another attempt to destroy the legacy, history and traditions that are Ole Miss. In other words the tail wagging the dog and refusal to listen to Alumni and others in the community who don’t want this.
Absolutely shameful!
Jimmy Johns
August 28, 2019 at 3:13 pm
The true racists and hate filled radicals can be found on the left. The simple minded falling propaganda to push their liberal, socialists ideals. Individual expression and free thought want to be destroyed by these radicals. Remind you of anyone (# Hitler, # Stalin….).
E. Scott Yoste Jr., '82
August 28, 2019 at 4:59 pm
Mr. Speakes, your announcement and the enthusiasm with which your words are delivered is extremely dissappointing. The movement of the statue is not just a box on the “To Do list” to be checked off. There are many thousands of Ok le Miss alumni who fervently disagree with your assessment about the appropriate place for the statue to reside.
I urge you to reconsider the decision to relocate the statue to appear the few.
Holice G
August 28, 2019 at 6:04 pm
The most suitable location for the monument is where the ladies of Oxford placed it over 100 years ago. Lafayette County lost at least 432 men in the war, that is 25% of all the men who went to the war from Lafayette, County. There are 10 University Greys from Lafayette County, who died in the War, and 10 University Alumni from Lafayette County, who died in the war. The monument was done by a total of 45 Lafayette County women, and it took these ladies over 14 years of fundraising to have enough money to place the monument in its present location. This group of women included, 9 UM Professors wives, 1 Female teacher at UM, and 3 UM Trustees wives. After 14 years of hard work, by these 45 ladies the monument was erected in 1906. This information was researched by an historian who knows more about the history of Ole Miss, and I believe more than any other living person: Mr. Starke Miller. Most people who want to move this monument do not even understand what this monument means to Ole Miss and the people of Oxford. If you do not understand or know this history, you don’t understand the monument.
Joe Gauvin
August 28, 2019 at 6:44 pm
It’s time for the Make Ole Miss Great Again group to file the action with the appropriate court immediately. It’s an unlawful action by Sparks and his Minions
Michelle G
August 28, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Thank you SASI and students for doing whats right!
John D Williams
August 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm
I AM DONE!
Jason C.
August 29, 2019 at 3:05 am
Thank you for moving forward with this. A monument valorizing men who fought for slavery and white supremacy does not deserve a place of honor on campus.
Rob Mikell
August 29, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Shame on you Sparky, you dishonor Ole Miss and her history.
Jeff Davis
August 30, 2019 at 4:37 am
I vote to remove the statue of John F. Kennedy’s black student Meredith. Perhaps people will learn how he (jfk) forced this negro on campus using the Mississippi national guard to implement his plan. Jfk was on the phone that day getting a play by play and laughing the whole time it was happening. His actions at the White House were recorded (televised) as he sat with his feet on the desk & laughing on the phone. And who paid for Meredith’s tuition? That’s a rhetorical question of course. Where is the statue of the 1st Japanese student to go to Ole Miss? Or the 1st Indian? Why are other races not heralded? Hey JFK, I’m laughing at you now, bet it’s hot where you are, lol.
Mark Rabideau
September 3, 2019 at 11:25 am
I have been totally against the move of this statue since it was first brought up. As said above it is just another way those on the left intend on ridding Ole Miss and Oxford of it’s heritage. This is history, and history should be left alone. The more my beloved university continues to make these decisions, the less I will be contributing, attending school functions, and encouraging young people to attend Ole Miss.