The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees approved tenure for acclaimed journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones on Wednesday, ending a month-long saga that has outraged students, faculty and journalists across the country.
In a public vote, the board approved Hannah-Jones’s tenure application 9-4 after a closed session of nearly three hours.
Voting “no” were members Haywood Cochrane, Allie Rae McCullen, John Preyer and David Boliek.
Hannah-Jones issued a written statement shortly after the vote, leaving it unclear if she would accept the position.
“I want to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of support I have received from students, faculty, colleagues, and the general public over the last month – including the young people who showed up today at the Board of Trustees meeting, putting themselves at physical risk,” Hannah-Jones wrote. “I am honored and grateful for and inspired by you all. I know that this vote would not have occurred without you.”