John Pryer, chairman of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, finally has explained why the board delayed voting on 33 faculty tenure applications for months before hurriedly approving them this week with an email vote between its regular meetings.

“Deferring the tenure vote was the responsible thing to do given the lack of clarity at that time on the state budget,” Preyer said in a statement to The News & Observer on Friday. “Our concern was to wait and see what amount of money is coming from the state of North Carolina before we act on tenure, and it would be reasonable and responsible to get that information. The board will always try to be a good steward of state dollars provided to the University.”

The explanation is unlikely to reassure faculty. Many were alarmed by the board’

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