Stephen Davis (pictured) said he intended for students to reflect on the blank space and contemplate the meaning of inclusiveness and diversity

The head of Yale University's Pierson College said that he has decided to remount portraits of his white predecessors after announcing the pictures would be temporarily taken down in the name of 'diversity and inclusion in public art.'

In an email to students sent on November 1, Stephen Davis wrote that the portraits would be initially removed to make room for the University's annual Halloween event, as in previous years.

He also announced, however, that the portraits would not be immediately remounted so the walls could remain blank in order for students to reflect on the meaning of 'inclusiveness' and 'diversity', according to Fox News.

As head of Pierson College, Davis rescinded an order not to remount portraits of his white predecessors

'In the context of campus-wide conversations about diversity and inclusion in public art and representation we've decided to leave the walls empty for the time being, in the hope that the blank walls will begin to prompt conversation on what it means to create common spaces where everyone has a sense of belonging and ownership,' Davis wrote.

In his email, Davis encouraged the students at Pierson College to draw portraits of themselves and others in order 'bring your voices and artistic skills to the table as we continue our efforts to make Pierson College an ever more equitable and welcoming place.'

The original portraits, according to the Yale Daily News, would be moved to college's Fellows Lounge and noted that administrators would be 'working to develop plaques/labels for them ... to mark their historical context and significance.'

But days later, Davis rescinded the order following an article in the Yale Daily and said the portraits would be mounted in their original places 'alongside the art produced by our community members.'

Yale University Dean Marvin Chun later stated that the portraits should remain visible in order to honor the school's history

'In my recent conversations with students, fellows, and alums, it is clear to me that some misperceptions were generated by my email last week and by Monday's YDN article,' Davis wrote in a Facebook post.

'The two goals of reflecting Yale's community today and honoring its past are not mutually exclusive.'

Yale University Dean Marvin Chun later wrote in the Yale Daily News that the portraits of the former college heads should remain visible, 'both for preserving the colleges' histories and for honoring the intentions of alumni, fellows and friends who generously commissioned these portraits.'

This is not the first time Pierson College at Yale University found itself mired in controversy.

Earlier this year, Pierson's previous dean, June Chu, resigned from her position after positing derogatory comments on the review site Yelp.

In one comment, she wrote that one restaurant would be great for anyone who was 'white trash.'

'This establishment is definitely not authentic by any stretch of any imagination and perfect for those low class folks who believe this is a real night out,' Chu added.