chapel hill unc tours

Tour the Campus of UNC-Chapel Hill

You are invited to explore the heart of campus and feel the history, vibrancy and charm of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Along with its beauty, Carolina has a reputation as a place where science, research and the arts of all kinds thrive. Our history, a living, breathing presence on campus, connects our contemporary community to a legacy as old as the United States. Visit the website for details on tour stops.

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• Parking Information: Pay parking is available within close proximity

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• Description: Visitor Center is open Mon thru Fri, 9 am - 5 pm

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Coker Arboretum

Plan your visit.

Serene walking paths take you past wildflowers and trees in this 5-acre gem on the UNC campus. Rest on one of several open lawns, or take a seat on a shady bench. Coker Arboretum changes with the seasons: from spring blooms to summer greenery and fall color to winter trees, there’s always something to see.

Coker Arboretum is open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.

Leashed pets are welcome (please pick up after them).

Directions & Parking

Coker Arboretum is located on the corner of Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Street in Chapel Hill. Click here for Google Maps directions . Metered parking is available nearby and around downtown Chapel Hill.

Coker Arboretum paths are mostly flat and either smooth grit or brick. They are wheelchair accessible.

Arbor Renovation in Progress

Support the arboretum, arboretum guide.

Take a tour of Coker Arboretum!

$9 ($8 NCBG Members) Led by an experienced guide, this tour provides a relaxed, informative introduction to this jewel in the heart of Chapel Hill. This walking tour will explore the 5-acres that make up the Arboretum, allowing time for observation and discussion. Each tour differs as the gardens change through the seasons.

10 Things To Do In Chapel Hill: Complete Guide To A Historic & Academic Haven

C hapel Hill is only one of North Carolina’s many beautiful towns . And it has so much to offer. The main attraction for most is the University of North Carolina (Go Tar Heels!). And no wonder why! World-renowned for its sports programs, both men and women dominate everything from basketball to swimming to field hockey and soccer. Aside from sports, the university also offers historic buildings, gardens, and great photo ops near the Bell Tower and the Old Well.

But whether you’re a Tar Heel fan or not, Chapel Hill is an ideal travel destination for people of all ages. Tourists can explore Franklin Street and nearby Carrboro, dine at delicious restaurants, and explore parks and gardens.

UPDATE: 2023/05/16 14:42 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are Five More Things To Do In Chapel Hill, North Carolina!

This guide has been refreshed with five new places in Chapel Hill, as well as tips to make the vacation perfect. Whether people want to explore a botanical garden, eat lunch with kittens, or even tour the University of North Carolina campus, everything is possible in Chapel Hill!

Things To Do

There are so many things tourists can do in North Carolina , and one of them is to visit Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill offers the creativity and excitement of a college town mixed with southern culture and beautiful landscapes. Here is the ultimate travel guide to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

One of the first things to experience in Chapel Hill, NC, is the North Carolina Botanical Garden. This is a stunning garden operated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and offers visitors 700 acres of plants and wildlife to explore.

One of the standout features of this botanical garden is that it only charges a recommended ticket price of $5 in the form of a donation to the upkeep of the grounds. Members of the North Carolina Botanical Garden can enter for free, so that's another idea if someone wants to come here many times.

Coker Arboretum

Another thing to do while in Chapel Hill is check out Coker Arboretum, a serene arboretum within the North Carolina Botanical Garden on the campus of the University of North Carolina. Like many destinations in the Chapel Hill area, the University of North Carolina takes care of this property.

Notably, the park showcases a wide variety of plantings, including flowering trees and shrubs, as well as special perennial vegetation. If someone is looking to spend the morning or afternoon walking through a beautiful nature scene, this is what they should do.

The Forest Theatre

For tourists interested in architecture, heading over to The Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill is worth it. Here, people can experience a historical campus amphitheater staging theatrical & musical shows and other events throughout the year. This amphitheater is a favorite site for theatrical and musical performances and is currently booking weddings.

Cat Tales Cat Cafe

The next event to consider in Chapel Hill is Cat Tales Cat Cafe , where people can eat alongside adoptable kittens and enjoy a couple of hours with these precious animals. The idea behind the cat café was to give people a more intimate opportunity to engage with kittens, ultimately leading to them being adopted.

Of course, guests do not have to adopt to eat here, but that is a great souvenir to remember the vacation!

Kidzu Children's Museum

For families traveling to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, visiting the Kidzu Children's Museum is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Here, children can experience a private, 501 non-profit children's museum serving ages infant through tween and learn about STEM, the arts, child health, and emerging literacy.

Although this isn't quite an amusement park, it is a nice way to learn something and spend time with the younger members of the group in a safe environment.

Explore The University Of North Carolina

There are so many great places to hike in North Carolina . But for tourists looking for more of a stroll, UNC is perfect. Tourists can spend hours walking around the beautiful greenery.

Even for non-students, there's still an opportunity to learn. Anyone wishing to learn more about the campus can stop by the UNC Visitors Center for a self-guided university tour. And any trip to UNC should include a game or a trip to the North Carolina basketball museum .

Morehead Planetarium

The Morehead Planetarium is located on the University of North Carolina campus. It has impressively trained astronauts for NASA and offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at current science research through family-friendly activities.

The dome seats 240 people under a 68-foot-high ceiling. Catch a weekend star show at the Morehead Planetarium.

• Check the calendar first; tickets should be bought in advance.

While the Morehead Planetarium is entertaining for all ages, it also has many programs for kids!

• Address: 250 E Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
• Hours: Friday, 2:30 PM to 6 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 1 PM to 6 PM.

Related: 10 Fun Things To Do In Durham, North Carolina

The Old Well

Located on the University of North Carolina campus, the Old Well is legendary among students. Rumor has it that if students drink from the well, they'll receive good grades in classes.

Standing proud at the entry to McCorkle Place (a grassy quad), the Old Well’s classic columnar style is definitely worth a look. It’s been a focal point of the school since it opened in 1793.

• Address: E. Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill
• Hours: Daily, 24 hours

Carolina North Forest

The Carolina North Forest is one of many hiking trails that show off North Carolina’s beauty . Exploring 750 acres of woodlands offers a natural oasis for students, locals, and visitors to relax and recharge.

From the Crow Branch Overlook Loop to the Pumpkin Loop, there are 14 popular trails in the Carolina North Forest . Tourists can pick one best suited for their afternoon.

Stroll Franklin Street

Franklin Street is Chapel Hill’s main street. Start on the east end and take time wandering past a mix of new spots and old classics. The Carolina Coffee Shop and Sutton’s Drug Store have been on Franklin Street for over a century. It’s a great spot to stop for a bite to eat after an afternoon of shopping.

Best Time To Go To Chapel Hill

North Carolina offers four very distinct seasons. All beautiful in their own way, spring and fall are the best times of year to visit Chapel Hill.

Spring (March through May)

Springs offers lots to do, including lots of local festivals and events. Temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s to lows in the mid-50s.

Related: This North Carolina State Park Beach Is Home To A Miniature Desert

Summer (June through August)

Summers are very hot and humid, with July being the hottest month. If tourists can stand the intense heat, summer offers a relaxed trip as most college students have left the area for summer break.

Fall (September through November)

Fall days are warm, with highs ranging from 88 degrees, but days (and especially the nights) get colder as the season progresses. Students arrive back in the area, and fall sports commence. This is definitely an exciting time of year in Chapel Hill.

Winter (December through February)

The weather is too cold in winter for warm-weather travelers. Temperatures often drop below 0 degrees, and it rains or snows a fair amount. In fact, the nearby mountains see so much snow that North Carolina is able to claim some of the best ski resorts in the south .

Best Ways To Get Around Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a great walking city. Check out these free walking tours !

Chapel Hill Transit offers free bus service to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the University of North Carolina.

Chapel Hill is an excellent city for cyclists. There’s an extensive system of greenways, and the city is currently working on completing more than 28 miles of trails to allow cyclists to access nearly every part of town.

Check out Chapel Hill's bicycles and greenways map .

It’s easy to drive around Chapel Hill. The city offers more than 850 parking spots downtown. There’s even a parking map to help tourists find them easily. But that being said, parking can be difficult. Uber and Lyft are also available, and Zipcars are available on the UNC campus.

Tourists visiting on the weekend can park at the UNC campus for free.

Where To Eat In Chapel Hill

From cheap eats to fine dining, Chapel Hill offers a variety to tourists.

Merrit’s Store & Grill

Merrit’s Store & Grill started as a lunch counter at the back of a filling station. Its claim to fame is a BLT named “The Love Sandwich.”

• Address: 1009 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM; Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Related: North Carolina Is Home To The Tallest Waterfall On The East Coast

Kipos Greek Taverna

Restauranter Giorgios Bakatsias own Kipos Greek Taverna , and the menu is run by his sister, Olga.

Offering a flavor of Bakatsias, this is a must-visit lunch spot. Try the spanakopita!

• Address: 1800 East Franklin Street, #16, Chapel Hill
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 2: 30 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM (only late on Saturday until 10 PM; Monday, Closed.

Bluebird is a French Bistro offering a little piece of Paris in Chapel Hill.

• Address: 601 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill
• Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 PM to 9 PM; Sunday, 10 AM to 2 PM.

Where To Stay In Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill offers ample accommodations to suit any budget.

Whether visitors are looking for a high-end hotel, a comfortable room in an affordable spot, or a budget deal, there’s something for everyone.

The Carolina Inn

Centrally located in Chapel Hill and only five minutes from the University of North Carolina, the Carolina Inn is a beautiful and historic hotel.

• Address: 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill
• Amenities: Complimentary wired Internet access; 24-hour business center; express check-in; fitness center; bar/lounge; valet parking; restaurant; room service.

Related: 10 Things To Do In Raleigh, North Carolina

Aloft Chapel Hill

The Aloft Chapel Hill Hotel offers a one-of-a-kind stay!

• Address: 1001 South Hamilton Road, Chapel Hill
• Amenities: indoor pool; restaurant; free Wi-Fi; fitness center; bar/lounge; coffee shop; pet-friendly; ergonomic workspaces.

Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham

Located on the west side of Interstate 40 and Highway 54, The Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham is an excellent option for travelers on a budget.

• Address : 6121 Farrington Road, Chapel Hill
• Amenities: Outdoor pool; room service; coffee machine; fitness center; free Wi-Fi; flat-screen TV.

Popular Neighborhoods In Chapel Hill

The main strip is Franklin Street, but the entire downtown is quaint and charming. Eat at one of Chapel Hill’s many fine eateries, window-shop at quirky stores, and stop to people-watch from a cozy coffee shop.

Downtown gives visitors a peek at students' extracurricular life!

Related: Craggy Gardens Is A Beautiful Stop Along North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway

University of North Carolina

The 729-acre university campus is like its own neighborhood. Much of the city revolves around the school. From sports games to college culture and just students milling about, Chapel Hill's UNC is a place worth visiting. The park-like campus is the beating heart of the city.

Tourists can explore historic libraries, hear the toll of the Bell Tower, and sip water from the Old Well.

Nearby Carrboro

Carrboro is so close that it feels like an extension of Chapel Hill. It’s famous for its farmer’s market, which has been in business for over 40 years.

Carrboro is also loaded with cafés and restaurants. Just about a mile from Franklin Street, Carrboro is a great spot to dine with friends.

Tips For Staying In Chapel Hill

For anyone coming to Chapel Hill in North Carolina, there are some things to be aware of. First, the town is incredibly walkable, often surprising guests who are used to relying heavily on vehicles. According to walkscore.com, Chapel Hill scores 70/100 for walkability, so most errands can be accomplished on foot.

It's also worth noting that this is a college town, meaning that local bars, restaurants, and attractions can become rowdy on weekends and holidays. Of course, that's not to say it will be unsafe, but it is a good idea to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and try to avoid engaging with intoxicated college students.

In contrast, for those who want to be social, it's recommended to head to Franklin Street for all things entertainment and socializing. It is filled with numerous coffee shops, restaurants, museums, music stores, and bars: all things to liven up a vacation.

How To Spend The Perfect Day In Chapel Hill

Start the day with a tour of the famous UNC campus! The quad closest to Franklin Street is McCorkle Place, and it’s a great place to begin. Learn about the history of the school while walking around the picturesque grounds. Pick up a copy of The Daily Tar Heel (it dates back to 1893!) and admire the buildings (some date back to the 1700s).

Be sure to check out Davie Poplar, a beautiful tree with a bench underneath. Rumor has it that sitting on the bench beside someone special means they may marry someday!

See the Old Well and the Bell Tower, and the Beaux-Arts Wilson Library. Tourists really could spend the entire day on campus, but there’s more to see in Chapel Hill.

After exploring the university, head to Franklin Street. Grab lunch and explore the unique shops. Soak in the charming downtown before heading to the Morehead Planetarium for an evening with the stars.

After the show, head to Carrboro for dinner and linger for an after-meal coffee.

Q: Is Chapel Hill NC worth visiting?

Chapel Hill is definitely one of the beautiful towns in North Carolina worth visiting. From all the wonderful attractions at the University of North Carolina to delicious eateries, parks, and gardens, Chapel Hill is a charming college city with many things to do.

Q: What is Chapel Hill known for?

Chapel Hill is known first and foremost for the University of North Carolina and their world-renowned sports program. It regularly ranks at the top of the list for best college town and top cities to live in the U.S.

Q: Does it snow in Chapel Hill NC?

Chapel Hill sees an average of 8 inches of snow per year. Sometimes that snow comes in multiple storms, sometimes in just one or two. Some winters see no snow at all.

Nearby neighbors, however, do see a lot of snow. In fact, some of the best ski resorts in the south are in North Carolina .

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Welcome to Chapel Hill

Hussman tours for prospective students — spring 2024.

Tours are unavailable on the following dates:  Jan 15, Feb 12, Feb 13, March 8-15, March 28, March 29 and any other time that the University is closed (including inclement weather).

UNC Hussman tours are scheduled so that visitors have the option of enjoying a complete UNC campus tour led by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions either before or after a 30-minute visit to Carroll Hall.

To register for a UNC campus tour, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions . 

Prospective Students:  If you would like to connect with a current Hussman student, please email the Hussman School Ambassadors at [email protected] to set up a Zoom meeting to learn more about the Hussman student experience!

Employees and students needing a short-term/hourly parking option may park at Rams Head for up to 24 hours at a time at the hourly rate or at campus meters. Departments may reserve parking for visitors in the Morehead, Rams Head or Raleigh Road lots. Visitor spaces also are available at various locations on Rosemary Street. For updated information, please visit the UNC Transportation and Parking website .

The Carolina Inn, located near Carroll Hall, also offers hourly parking. For more information, contact the Inn at (800) 962-8519.

For help with directions and parking, call the school’s main office at (919) 962-1204.

View a larger map with driving directions and parking and lodging options.

We have extended the  enrollment deadline to May 15, 2024 . View the announcement .

Admitted Student Experiences

Join the celebration and meet your new classmates!

Congratulations, new Tar Heels! Here are some special experiences designed just for you. These events help you connect with the Carolina community and meet other new Tar Heels.

Special Info Session and Campus Tours

Explore Carolina campus and get to know students that you'll live and study alongside.

Family Chats

Your family members are invited to join these live virtual events where they'll learn how they can best support you as you get ready for Carolina!

Vehicle Tour

We hope that you enjoy visiting the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chartered in 1789 as the nation’s first public university, Carolina is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina, throughout the nation and around the world. Remember to enjoy touring our campus from the comfort of your vehicle and refrain from stopping to avoid traffic backups.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Battle Park and Forest Theatre

Jackson Hall

Memorial Hall

Hanes Art Center and Ackland Art Museum

UNC Visitors Center

McCorkle Place

LOCATION 10

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

LOCATION 11

Kenan Residence Community

LOCATION 12

Davis Library

LOCATION 13

Student Union

LOCATION 14

LOCATION 15

Kenan Football Stadium

LOCATION 16

Boshamer Stadium

LOCATION 17

Karen Shelton Stadium

LOCATION 18

Dean E. Smith Center

LOCATION 19

Manning Drive Water Tower

LOCATION 20

UNC Medical Center

LOCATION 21

Carolina Inn

Ready to explore campus.

Chartered in 1789 as the nation’s first public university, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina, throughout the nation and around the world. Explore Carolina to see what makes this campus and our students, faculty and staff so special.

Schedule Your School Group Visit!

We offer campus visits for groups of 10-80 high school students on select dates throughout the year, and these dates may accommodate several groups at a time. To register for an available information session and tour, please refer to the calendar. 

Other tour options: If you are unable to find an available date for your group, we offer the option to take a self-guided tour of campus. 

If you are interested in a self-guided tour or have any questions, please contact Isaac Bell at [email protected] .

Chapel Hill Garden Tour

With the theme "Tucked Away Treasures," the biennial garden tour showcases five beautiful private gardens and the public North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) in their spring splendor. The gardens, ranging from forested to shady to sunny, have been created by visionary gardeners with delightful points of view.

Dates & Times

100 Old Mason Farm Road Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Online advanced: $30; day of tour $40. Youth 16 & under free with a ticketed adult.

chapelhillgardenclub.net

Ends: 6/15/2024

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This is a repeating event april 28, 2024 2:00 pm

Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour

21 apr 2:00 pm 3:00 pm Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour

Event Details

Chapel Hill features many of the most visually stunning and historically compelling churches in America. From towering picturesque Gothic to the neat symmetry of the Neoclassical to the sublime Romanesque,

Chapel Hill features many of the most visually stunning and historically compelling churches in America. From towering picturesque Gothic to the neat symmetry of the Neoclassical to the sublime Romanesque, churches in Chapel Hill come in every style, from many denominations, and every era. Join Triangle Walking Tours on this guided excursions between the town’s many historic churches.

(Sunday) 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (GMT-04:00)

Rougarou (formerly Imbibe)

108 Henderson St

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Triangle Walking Tours

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• Exploring Your Creative Genius with Carl Nordgren

$1.5 million gift launches Kenan Galapagos program this fall

The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust-funded fellowships will support graduate students and post-docs.

“Conducting science in the Galapagos is, of course, the dream for any biologist,” said Esteban Agudo, who will graduate with a doctorate in marine ecology from Carolina in 2024. Agudo spent six months on San Cristobal Island working on his dissertation at the Galapagos Science Center, a research facility co-founded and co-operated by UNC-Chapel Hill and Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.  

Agudo described his stay at the center, the only university-affiliated research institution of its kind in the Galapagos archipelago, as an opportunity “to work in one of the most amazing natural laboratories in the world.”   

Now more students like Agudo will have the opportunity to study and conduct research in the Galapagos, a place that serves as a model for understanding similarly challenged environments around the world. The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust awarded $1.5 million to the UNC Center for Galapagos Studies to create the Kenan Galapagos Fellows Program, which will support three graduate students per year for three years and one post-doctoral fellow per year for two years. The first graduate fellowships will begin in fall 2024.  

“This funding provides amazing opportunities for current and incoming graduate students and post-docs to conduct cutting-edge research, apply what they are learning in the classroom and lab to real-world problems, and impact communities locally, in the state and globally,” said Amanda Thompson, director of UNC Center for Galapagos Studies and co-director of GSC.  

The grant also supports expanding research capacity in areas such as clean oceans, biodiversity, ecosystem and human health. This means more funding for Galapagos research expeditions, research equipment and infrastructure, and staff assistance to collect and disseminate critical climate data to researchers around the globe.  

“For over a decade, the Galapagos Science Center has been a hub for exceptional scientists, conducting research that deepens our understanding of fragile ecosystems and communities and solutions needed to ensure their sustainability,” said Penny Gordon-Larsen, vice chancellor for research and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill. “This work in the Galapagos is directly translatable to the fragile ecosystems on the North Carolina coast and its barrier islands, and the support from the Kenan Charitable Trust will enable us to generate even more innovative solutions and amplify the positive impact for people and places, here and across the globe.”  

Since the Galapagos Science Center was founded in 2011, faculty and students have conducted over 140 research projects and have been cited in over 300 research publications. More than 600 students have engaged with the region through study abroad, research and education programs, developing 150-plus undergraduate, master’s and doctoral theses from their studies. More than 8,000 Galapagos community members have participated in outreach programs.  

“The grant from Kenan Charitable Trust will support the center’s equipment and infrastructure, which will allow us to host more researchers, develop better research and improve local livelihoods and ecosystem conservation,” said Carlos Mena, co-director of the Galapagos Science Center and geography professor at USFQ.  

Currently, researchers at the GSC are conducting joint studies around food and water insecurity in the Galapagos; creating a biobank of samples from across the islands to help with preservation and provide new opportunities for studies; running marine expeditions to protect marine biodiversity and understand climate variables; and engaging in work to understand these islands and challenged ecosystems around the world.  

The UNC Center for Galapagos Studies is accepting applications for fellowships starting in fall of 2024 through May 3. For more information about the Kenan Galapagos Fellows Program and current research underway at the GSC, visit galapagos.unc.edu .  

Read more about the Kenan Galapagos Fellows Program .

The recipients include two housekeepers, two administrators, two academic staff members and one executive assistant.

Nursing alumnus trains with NASA

Over eight days at sea, Joey Biddix worked with astronauts and Navy specialists to prepare for a water recovery mission.

Nature is good for kids

A new study from FPG researchers suggests preschoolers living near green space have better mental health.

Washington Week introduces students to alumni diplomats

Tar Heels networked about foreign affairs careers through this UNC Global Affairs program.

Men’s golf claims first ACC title since 2006

The Tar Heels defeated Florida State in Charlotte to earn their 12th conference championship.

Library MakerSpace and Music Library to move in summer

The popular services will relocate to the Undergraduate and Davis libraries, respectively, for greater access.

CHASE Solar Hub pioneers liquid fuel conversion

At the center's Chapel Hill headquarters, more than 100 researchers work to turn sunlight into methanol.

Trash Force picks up after campus

What started as an extra credit opportunity grew into a club who has fun keeping Carolina clean.

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‘We will not be leaving’: UNC students camp out to protest Israel-Hamas war

More than a dozen tents and more than 100 people filled the middle of Polk Place, the central quad on the main part of campus. The tents were decorated with signs reading 'Gaza solidarity encampment' and 'free Palestine,' among other sayings.

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Students and others pitched tents on the campus of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Friday, calling on the university “to divest from the ongoing genocide in Gaza” and forming an encampment similar to others on college campuses nationwide.

The event, which began around 10 a.m., was organized by the UNC chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which has held protests and other events on campus this academic year to support Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas war continues.

“We emphasize that this encampment serves to show solidarity with Gaza, which now has no more universities due to Israeli massacres with U.S.-made bombs. We stand in solidarity with our comrades at Columbia and across the U.S. who have been repressed, arrested, and physically attacked,” the group said in a news release Friday morning, referencing the ongoing protests at Columbia University that have become a flashpoint of pro-Palestinian student activism in recent weeks.

“The central purpose, however, of this encampment is to meet the demands of the present moment, and to center Palestine and call attention to the university’s participation in the genocide in Gaza,” the release stated.

More than a dozen tents and more than 100 people filled the middle of Polk Place, the central quad on the main part of campus. The tents were decorated with signs reading “Gaza solidarity encampment” and “free Palestine,” among other sayings.

Friday marked the second time in a week that the group has formed a tent encampment on campus to call attention to their demands. A week earlier on April 19, the group formed a similar encampment before being told by administrators that setting up temporary structures, including tents, on university grounds is prohibited unless approved in advance. Advertisement

Students on Friday were seen speaking with university administrators Christi Hurt and Desirée Rieckenberg – interim Chancellor Lee Roberts’ chief of staff and the dean of students, respectively – throughout the afternoon, appearing to negotiate terms that would allow the group to remain protesting but to take down their tents.

Friday around 1 p.m., a student organizer announced to the encampment that they had reached an agreement with the administrators to take the tents down by 1:45. The group, which removed the poles from the tents but left the fabric remaining on the ground, planned to remain on the quad at least throughout the afternoon – but likely much longer.

“I just want to say loud and clear, that even though we take the poles out of our tents, we will remain here,” the student organizer said around 1 p.m. “We will not be leaving until the university divests.”

An evening Shabbat service, hosted by Jewish community groups in collaboration with the encampment, was planned for 7:30.

In an Instagram post Friday, UNC SJP outlined its four demands for the university: to “acknowledge the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” to provide “full transparency of UNC investments,” to divest “from companies complicit in this genocide” and to end university study abroad programs to Israel.

UNC SJP said in its news release that students have, since the war began, “asked to meet university administrators to discuss the communities’ demands for disclosing UNC investments and to demand divestment from companies that benefit from Israeli Apartheid and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.” Advertisement

Sylvie, a UNC SJP member who identified themselves as a graduate student at the university but who did not provide their last name, told The News & Observer that the group has not received such a meeting.

“We have communicated our demands, which have not changed since October, to the administration, who has met us with not only ignorance and negligence, but also, as of recently, threats, discrimination and punishment, which we see as deeply concerning, and reflective of their ideological commitment to upholding the genocidal status quo,” Sylvie said.

At committee meetings of the university Board of Trustees last month, SJP members disrupted the proceedings multiple times with pro-Palestinian chants before being told, including by trustee Dave Boliek, that additional disruptions would result in their arrest. Under state law, anyone “who willfully interrupts, disturbs or disrupts an official meeting and who, upon being directed to leave the meeting by the presiding officer, willfully refuses to leave the meeting is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.”

At the full-board meeting the next day, Roberts invited the group to nominate a representative to address the trustees and list their concerns. The group nominated Sylvie, who spoke for roughly three minutes. Later, the group again began to chant over the meeting and were escorted out by university police.

Roberts said after the meeting that he “certainly” understands and appreciates the group’s “desire to be heard.”

“Peaceful protest has a long, noble tradition on this campus, on other college campuses in our country, across Western liberal democracies,” Roberts said. Advertisement

Sylvie said Friday that they didn’t understand the administration’s “strategy” in allowing the group to speak.

“But it didn’t work,” they said. “Because we’re here now.”

The agreement reached between administrators and protesters Friday included only the decision to remove the tents, and did not result in a meeting with Roberts, Sylvie said.

Friday’s events were peaceful, with members of the encampment sharing meals, playing music and gathering for prayer. A group of about 15 to 20 counter-protesters arrived around 2:30 p.m. Several left quickly after speaking with UNC police chief Brian James, while others remained on the quad but at a distance from the encampment.

After the counter-protesters arrived, the members of the encampment began playing music and chanting phrases including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

That chant has been a common rallying cry, but the Anti-Defamation League considers it an antisemitic phrase seeking the elimination of Israel and the removal of Jewish people from the area. Advertisement

Mendy Heber, a rabbi, said he came to campus Friday to support Jewish students.

“I think the Jewish kids need support. I think they feel threatened and I think that (they) feel under siege,” Heber said.

Heber said he believes that the encampment at UNC and the similar ones at universities across the country are “a pretty organized effort to create havoc and make chaos all over,” which he believes protesters could use “as a leveraging point” to get government bodies and other agencies to meet their demands.

Sylvie said of the rally: “This is about freedom. This is about Palestine.”

“This is about humanity and people with consciences who believe that humanity deserves dignity.”

Students and others pitched tents on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill Friday, protesting Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and forming an encampment similar to others formed on college campuses nationwide.

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