Committee Members
Jennifer Gunter and Valinda Littlefield, co-chairs; Jessica Allison, Christian Anderson,
Melissa DeVelvis, Myisha Eatmon, Mercedes Lopez-Rodriguez, Todd Shaw, Harry Singleton,
Elizabeth West, Hannah White
Charge
The University History subcommittee was charged with: 1) conducting preliminary research
on holdings and publications on the University’s history, especially with respect
to disenfranchised and marginalized individuals and communities, and identifying such
gaps; 2) conducting preliminary research on names of buildings and monuments on the
Columbia campus; 3) working with Communications and Education subcommittee to identify
ways to promote a more diverse story of the University through research and dissemination
of information; 4) providing recommended naming criteria and a list of naming suggestions
with a brief biography and argument for the individual recommendation.
Statement of Comprehensive Work
The committee initially focused its efforts on developing procedures for addressing
the charges given by President Caslen. Information from other higher education institutions
doing similar work was gathered (UNC-Chapel, Hill, University of Virginia, University
of Alabama, Georgetown University, Brown University, University of Georgia, University
of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign). Melissa DeVelvis spearheaded the research initiative
on holdings and publications on University of South Carolina history and worked with
the committee to design the template for expanded history on underrepresented groups
(Appendix 2). The committee worked with students, faculty, staff and community members to collect
name recommendations. Committee members agreed on 16 names (Robert G. Anderson, Luther
J. Battiste III, James E. Clyburn, Matilda A. Evans, Ernest A. Finney Jr., Willie
Lloyd Harriford Jr., Henrie Monteith, Edna Smith Primus, the Rollin sisters, Celia
Dial Saxon, Robert Smalls, James L. Solomon Jr., T. McCants Stewart, Alonzo Townsend,
Harry Walker, William James Whipper) to recommended for naming opportunities and wrote
brief biographies on each (Appendix 3). DeVelvis spearheaded the research on buildings and monument names and completed
a listing of 76 with brief information on history and brief biographical information
on individuals (Appendix 4). The Committee developed proposed criteria for naming buildings/rooms (Appendix 5). The Committee worked with the Communications and Education subcommittee to propose
ideas for continued work (see Recommendations), and prepared a spreadsheet of all
suggested names (Appendix 6).
Meeting Reports and Agendas
There are reports to the full commission for each commission meeting. Some reports covered more than one meeting since the subcommittee met more often than the full commission. Reports were given on the following dates: 8/21/20; 9/14/20; 10/14/20; 11/02/20; 1/12/21; 2/18/21; 3/15/21; 4/6/21; 5/2/21; 6/2/21 (Appendix 7).
Subcommittee meetings were held on the following dates: 8/17/20; 9/2/20; 10/2/20;
11/11/20; 1/20/21; 2/2/21; 2/17/21; 3/3/21; 3/17/21; 3/31/21; 4/28/21. There are minutes
on each meeting (Appendix 7). Co-chairs met prior to each meeting and on three occasions with guest presenters.
Accomplishments
- Developed a template for expanded history on underrepresented groups and their contributions to the University, to be housed on University history website and updated as new information is collected
- Worked with Communications and Education subcommittee to develop a proposal suggesting ways to promote the collection and dissemination of experiences of underrepresented groups/individuals
- Developed proposed criteria for renaming buildings/rooms
- Provided 16 recommendations and brief biographies of African Americans to be considered for naming opportunities
- Developed a spreadsheet with potential naming list from community, faculty, staff and student input