Delta State removes MS flag from campus

By Jacob Gallant | November 3, 2016 at 10:49 PM CDT - Updated August 12 at 9:50 PM

Cleveland, MS (WMC) - Delta State University will no longer fly the Mississippi state flag.

The school announced Thursday that it has lowered the flag and will not be bringing it back. Instead, the flag will be retired to the University Archives.

School president William LaForge released a statement on the flag. In part, it reads:

"I wish to make it clear that this university is making an institutional decision on this issue because the state government has declined to change the flag. This is a painful decision in many respects because this is a highly charged emotional issue for many people. The University finds itself in the untenable position of making a decision that will disappoint some, no matter the outcome. But in the absence of state action, we are making a decision that I believe is right and just on all levels."

The flag has become a divisive topic in recent years. It is the only state flag to include the Confederate Battle Flag within it.

Last year, Ole Miss removed the state flag to much resistance. Earlier this year, Mississippi State University also took down the flag. Delta State was the final public university in the state to still fly the flag.