The Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) Board of Visitors voted Oct. 29 to move the statue of “Stonewall” Jackson on campus to an “appropriate location,” the school reported.
During the meeting, the board also announced other initiatives aimed to foster a more inclusive environment. A diversity officer will be appointed alongside a diversity as well as the establishment of a diversity and inclusion committee on the Board of Visitors, according to VMI.
Additionally, VMI will create a “diversity office, establish a building and naming committee, create diversity initiatives with a focus on gender and adopt a diversity hiring plan,” the school announced.
These initiative announcements occured after Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, superintendent of VMI, resigned earlier this week amid continued racist incidents reported on campus.
“I am proud of the commitment by the VMI family to continue fulfilling our mission,” said J. William “Bill” Boland, president of the Board of Visitors, in a statement. “VMI, like all aspects of society, must honestly address historical inequities and be intentional about creating a better future. We care deeply about the individual experiences of all of our cadets and alumni. Our mission is just as important today, and tomorrow, as it has been for 181 years.”
