SUNY New Paltz Agrees to Rename Buildings Named After Slave Owners
NEW PALTZ, NY — As of Feb. 21, the SUNY New Paltz College Council agreed to change the names of six buildings in their Hasbrouck complex, as the names were linked to members of the New Paltz community who were slave owners.
The issue had been brought to the table in early November of 2018, but the decision to vote on the change was postponed for a later date.
For the present, the names will remain on the building until new ones have been chosen. The college sent out a campus-wide email surveying students on suggestions for new building names. Roughly 3,000 students participated in a campus wide survey.
Students of the New Paltz community felt that working in and referencing buildings whose names are linked to a time where slavery in America was commonplace, was not helping the college move toward a more inclusive and multicultural student body. The issue was originally brought to the President of the college, Donald P. Christian, in the fall 2018 semester, and despite his immediate agreement to change the names of the buildings, he had to follow the college’s protocol and bring it to the College Council to be approved by vote.
The six buildings that are going to be renamed are as follows: Bevier Hall, Crispell Hall, Deyo Hall, Dubois Hall, Hasbrouck Dining Hall and LeFevre Hall. Senior student, Courtney Stuber feels this decision sends a reaffirming message to the student body about the college’s feeling on diversity and inclusion.
“It sends a strong message that we don’t want SUNY New Paltz to represent any hateful or exclusive elements,” Stuber said. “If it makes students and faculty more comfortable and included then it should be a simple decision; change the names.”
The decision was not easily won, though. The council came to a 4–3 vote. While it was still a victory for many, resulting in a resounding applause from attendees, it was not a unanimous decision. The naysayers defended the history and legacy of those names and the families they are named after to preserve the rich history of the Village of New Paltz. The president of the college, however, voiced that his main concern was putting the students’ best interest first and foremost.
Some students feel indifferent toward the name change, expressing they never really thought about the history behind the names of the buildings and how that affects daily campus affairs. One senior, who wishes to remain anonymous because of her potentially polarizing opinion, feels there are other more pressing issues that should be addressed at these council meetings, and does not understand why this one takes priority.
“I was shocked the council agreed to change the names because they are a part of the college’s history,” she said. “However, if renaming the buildings makes members of the community feel more included, I say go for it.”
Most students were unaware of the history attached to these names. It was only brought to the attention of the student body when the first concern was expressed by the Diversity and Inclusion Council during the 2017–2018 academic school year. Since then, more students have expressed their concern with potentially celebrating an era where owning enslaved people was normal and common.
The College Council will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, March 6, and the renaming of the six buildings is currently listed on the agenda.
