We hold that the Board of Trustees, as a governing body, take an intentional stance supporting:  

a) The renaming of all buildings on our university campus named after individuals with racist backgrounds. This includes but is not limited to having direct involvement with the ownership of slaves, hate speech and/or identity-centered violence. While we affirm the creation of the Presidential Commission on University History, the buildings we, as current students of the university, believe must be immediately renamed are: J. Marion Sims Women’s Residence Hall, Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center and the Thomas Cooper Library.

b) The continued work of the Presidential Commission on University History to publicly address and disseminate historically accurate information related to the university's expansion. This work should begin with addressing the historic Ward One District. In addition, we hold an increase of funding to the Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the formulation of a collaborative relationship between the center and commission.  

Strategies/Action Plan

• The creation of the Presidential Commission on University History to examine and address historic context at the university, from evaluating and re-naming university buildings to broadening acknowledgement of key groups and individuals that have contributed to the university over time.
• On Aug. 20, 2020, President Caslen updated the charge of the Commission to include a more specific timeline/deliverables.
• The Presidential Commission on University History’s webpage contains all relevant information about the ongoing and continued work including their interim report detailing their work thus far.