One group is attempting to expand diversity on campus by raising awareness of the history behind the names of the University’s buildings and roads.
Renew LSU is the brainchild of a capstone class taught by Manship School of Mass Communication professor Robert Mann. Renew LSU member Savanah Dickinson describes it as a coalition aiming to unite minority groups on campus to bring better representation.
“It’s not just some class project,” Dickinson said. “We’ve gathered advocates and other groups … these students are the ones that aren’t represented as properly in the naming of buildings and streets and centers.”
Renew LSU has partnered itself with various student senators in the LSU Student Senate, minority groups like National Society of Black Engineers and others at the University that are focused on minority factors including race and gender, Dickinson said.
The group reached out to SG to create legislation symbolizing student support of the action of renaming buildings around campus to create a more diverse campus, which passed Nov. 1.
The legislation, SGR No. 15, cites the University’s diversity statement, which reads, “diversity is fundamental to LSU’s mission and the University is committed to creating and maintaining a living and learning environment that embraces individual difference.” The legislation states that the University does not meet that standard.
“We have these groups that LSU obviously cares about,” Dickinson said. “We’re not trying to point fingers, but we’re trying to point out that this is a problem … let’s work together, let’s fix it.”
To rename campus landmarks, there is a process put in place by the Office of Academic Affairs. The process begins with a form online.
The form includes questions such as the building students want to rename, the people in support of the renaming and research backing the reasoning for the renaming. The form is submitted to the Committee on Naming University Facilities and Academic Units under the Office of Academic Affairs.
If passed in the Committee, the proposal moves up to University Provost Richard Koubek and, upon his approval, then to the LSU Board of Supervisors.
“There are three buildings that are named after Confederate soldiers,” Dickinson said. “We’re hoping to get some feedback from people, because it’s not just the Confederates. We’re trying to increase diversity across the board.”
Dickinson said both Murphy J. Foster Hall and John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum have no connection to the Confederacy, but both have historically controversial pasts.
To receive feedback, Renew LSU is holding a town hall in the Acadian meeting room in the LSU Student Union on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re hoping to … have a conversation,” Dickinson said. “If you don’t think this is an issue and we’re just talking to no one right now, then come and raise your concern.”
Editor’s Note: Savanah Dickinson is a former employee of The Daily Reveille.
The John M. Parker Agricultural Museum sits on LSU Avenue on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017.
