The next step in the relocation of the Confederate statue on the University of Mississippi’s campus will take place before the end of the year.

In a letter sent to the university community on Tuesday, Provost Noel Wilkin provided an update on where the process stands. Wilkin stated University officials received confirmation from their Facilities Planning Department that the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) has the monument item scheduled for their Dec. 6 quarterly meeting agenda.

The letter states that the University initially anticipated to have the statue discussed during the MDAH’s October meeting, but they were informed that “with the complexity of the move, both the development and the review of the specs have taken longer than we had anticipated,” according to the MDAH.

The MDAH indicated to the University that they are “on track for December.”

On Aug. 28, the University announced their relocation plan for the statue. The monument currently resides on the Lyceum Circle but, if approved, will be moved behind C.M. ‘Tad’ Smith Coliseum and in front of the confederate cemetery.

If the MDAH approves the plan, they will then submit it for the Institutions of Higher Learning’s approve. The item will be added to a future IHL Board of Trustees meeting agenda.

The relocation process is scheduled to take up to 90 consecutive days from when the project begins.