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A couple of months ago, SoylentNews covered the debate on whether to rename historical buildings, monuments, and other landmarks, specifically centered on the case of Calhoun College at Yale.
YaleNews now reports that a decision has been made to rename the college after Grace Hopper, a computer scientist who also served as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, and who was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.
Yale President Peter Salovey announced today that the university would rename Calhoun College, one of 12 undergraduate residential colleges, to honor one of Yale's most distinguished graduates, Grace Murray Hopper '30 M.A., '34 Ph.D., by renaming the college for her.
Salovey made the decision with the university's board of trustees — the Yale Corporation — at its most recent meeting. "The decision to change a college's name is not one we take lightly, but John C. Calhoun's legacy as a white supremacist and a national leader who passionately promoted slavery as a 'positive good' fundamentally conflicts with Yale's mission and values," Salovey said. [...]
This decision overrides Salovey's announcement in April of last year that the name of Calhoun College would remain. "At that time, as now, I was committed to confronting, not erasing, our history. I was concerned about inviting a series of name changes that would obscure Yale's past," said Salovey. "These concerns remain paramount, but we have since established an enduring set of principles that address them. The principles establish a strong presumption against renaming buildings, ensure respect for our past, and enable thoughtful review of any future requests for change." [...]
In August, Salovey asked John Witt '94 B.A., '99 J.D., '00 Ph.D., the Allen H. Duffy Class of 1960 Professor of Law and professor of history, to chair a Committee to Establish Principles on Renaming. [...] The Witt committee outlines four principles that should guide any consideration of renaming: (1) whether the namesake's principal legacy fundamentally conflicts with the university's mission; (2) whether that principal legacy was contested during the namesake's lifetime; (3) the reasons the university honored that person; and (4) whether the building so named plays a substantial role in forming community at Yale. In considering these principles, it became clear that Calhoun College presents an exceptionally strong case — perhaps uniquely strong — that allows it to overcome the powerful presumption against renaming articulated in the report, said the president.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @06:45PM
ERMAGERDHEILTTRUMPARGLEBARGLE
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @06:56PM
Yup, way to show your age and/or intellect. Change must be stopped, everything was fine as it was in my younger days, all these new fangled gadgets are morally bankrupting our minds. THEY TURK 'ER JERBS! Blah blah blah.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @08:30PM
I read this and thought it was a preemptive sarcastic jab at people who would be offended by this change. Hope I'm right...
I think its great, we should start renaming lots of stuff to honor the people that actually deserve it. Sadly *cough cough gladly* we would also need to rename that SF hospital!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @09:27PM
What I find telling about this situation is that they found someone who can stand on their own two feet in greatness without needing to be held up. My town is considering renaming a building after the "first african-american to live in the town". Has nothing to do with the persons ability or being known for something. Here is a fine example that if a place is looking to rename something that there are plenty of great examples to use without needing to bullshit an excuse.
Article could have left out the entire reason for changing the name and it would not have made a difference.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @09:41PM
My town is considering renaming a building after the "first african-american to live in the town". Has nothing to do with the persons ability or being known for something.
In most towns being first or even just first-adjacent was enough to get streets, buildings and parks named after you if you were white. Being the first black guy is not really much of a change in qualifications.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 13 2017, @09:43PM
Geraldo rage-quit over it. [thehill.com]
Always thought he was a douche.
(Score: 2) by Sulla on Tuesday February 14 2017, @02:55AM
Never thought I would come to the defence of Geraldo, but he is extremely critical of conservatives and trump in particular. But he really dislikes forced political correctness.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 14 2017, @07:50AM
Hey now, Geraldo Rivera has a long history of drawing a line in the sand.
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Tuesday February 14 2017, @04:25PM
SJW? I don't understand what right wingers have against JUSTICE. WTF is wrong with you? Mom was an alcoholic when she was pregnant with you?
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