[Bgs-list] Clemson Trustees approve Honors College name change; request authority to restore original name of Tillman Hall

Fri Jun 12 11:29:26 EDT 2020

The renaming of Tillman is one that the board can publicly support while privately lobbying their friends in the legislature to stand pat. I am ok with the building being “Old Main”. However what I am disappointed in is the renaming of the honors college, taking one slave owners name off of the honors college and replaying it with the original slave owner is a slap in the face of the people who requested the name. The renaming of the honors college was to disconnect honor and education from slavery and slave holders. that is where they really had a chance to make a statement they could have and should have named it after a Black person. That would send a strong signal about the commitment of the university to make sure that all of it’s students recognize how much they believe in equity. We are beyond just accepting diversity and or inclusion in 2020 we want equity. Those two gestures while nice on the surface do not get us anywhere near an equitable position. Also in light of their new enlightenment,  I believe it is time for the President to offer the “Clemson 5” an apology. It’s like the NFL and a Colin Kaepernick. Their can be no reconciliation without acknowledgement. 

Also let’s be clear this is about optics. The only reason we are having this moment is because the football team was about to become the next Mizzou. Two NFL players made some very bold statements about their university and they were not going to stop. The Dabo controversy has caused a lot of negative attention to the brand and this was becoming a national issue which was going to impact their recruiting. I want to make sure those young men’s contributions to this fight don’t get swept under the rug. Smoke and mirrors gentlemen smoke and mirrors.

Bryant K. Smith
Author, Speaker, Human Potential Specialist
www.Smithcan.com

> On Jun 12, 2020, at 11:02 AM, Kenneth Robinson <krbnsn at clemson.edu> wrote:
> 
> 
> Point well taken Max.  How best can concerned Clemson staff and alumni “lobby” and work together with other like-minded interests to move this forward?  What is the procedural process?  I recall watching the floor debate and vote in the general assembly when the Confederate flag was removed from the State House dome – there was considerable opposition. 
>  
> Ken
>  
> From: bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu <bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu> On Behalf Of Maxwell Allen
> Sent: Friday, June 12, 2020 10:40 AM
> To: Oliver Jermaine Myers <omyers at clemson.edu>
> Cc: bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu
> Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Clemson Trustees approve Honors College name change; request authority to restore original name of Tillman Hall
>  
> One step at a time. This will be a heavy lift with the General
> assembly.  Will need to lobby them
> at the right time. That is the only way that building name is changed.
>  
> Max
>  
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> 
> On Jun 12, 2020, at 10:35 AM, Oliver Jermaine Myers <omyers at clemson.edu> wrote:
> 
> This is a step in the right direction.  Abel I agree with you.  Now lets work on the head and heart knowledge.  Changing the building name is one thing.  Changing understanding is another.
>  
> SEMPER FI!!!!
>  
> OLIVER J. MYERS, PhD
> Associate Professor/Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence for Undergraduate Studies
> Clemson University
> College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
> Department of Mechanical Engineering
> 244 Fluor Daniel EIB
> Clemson, SC 29631-0921
> (office) 864-656-2336
> (fax) 864-656-4435
> omyers at clemson.edu
> 
> 
> <academiclogo-email.jpg>
> 
> 
> On Jun 12, 2020, at 10:33 AM, Abel Bartley <abartly at clemson.edu> wrote:
>  
> Window dressing. They need to rename the building after an African American. I would suggest Robert Smalls.
>  
> From: <bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu> on behalf of Jeff Anthony <jantho3 at clemson.edu>
> Date: Friday, June 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM
> To: "bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu" <bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>
> Subject: [Bgs-list] Clemson Trustees approve Honors College name change; request authority to restore original name of Tillman Hall
>  
> Read below
> 
> Jeff Anthony 
> Industrial Hygiene & Safety Officer
> Occupational and Environmental Safety
> VP of Finance and Operations
> Clemson University
> jantho3 at clemson.edu
> (864) 656-9508
> clemson.edu/research/safety
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Michael Atkins <atkins2 at clemson.edu>
> Date: June 12, 2020 at 10:16:17 EDT
> To: "STAFF_SENATE_POLICY-L at LISTS.CLEMSON.EDU" <STAFF_SENATE_POLICY-L at LISTS.CLEMSON.EDU>
> Subject: Check your email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Reply-To: Staff Senate Policy and Welfare Committee <STAFF_SENATE_POLICY-L at LISTS.CLEMSON.EDU>
> 
> Clemson Trustees approve Honors College name change; request authority to restore original name of Tillman Hall
>  
> CLEMSON, S.C. — The Clemson University Board of Trustees today approved changing the name of the University’s Honors College to the Clemson University Honors College, effective immediately. The college has been named the Calhoun Honors College since 1982.
> 
> The trustees also approved a resolution respectfully requesting authority from the South Carolina General Assembly to restore Tillman Hall to its original name of the Main Building, commonly called “Old Main.”
> 
> “Clemson University has a long-celebrated history of tradition and excellence, but we must recognize there are central figures in Clemson’s history whose ideals, beliefs and actions do not represent the university’s core values of respect and diversity,” said Chairman Smyth McKissick. “Today’s action by the Board acknowledges that now is the time to move forward together as a more unified Clemson Family in order to make our university stronger today and into the future.”
> 
> In 2018, the Board asked Provost Robert Jones to lead a task force to study and make recommendations on ways to enhance the quality and relevance of the honors college. The Board approved the recommendations from the Provost, endorsed by President Jim Clements, which include setting the goal of becoming  a nationally ranked, top-tier honors college; creating a dean position to oversee the college; creating a strategic plan for the college; and renaming the college to Clemson University Honors College.
> 
> The Board also adopted a resolution respectfully requesting the South Carolina General Assembly make a one-time exception to the state’s Heritage Act during the 2021 legislative session. This exception would give limited authority to the Board to restore Tillman Hall to its original name of the Main Building. The resolution further affirms that the Board will not be seeking any further exceptions from the Heritage Act beyond this request.
> 
> The actions today were consistent with a deliberative process set in motion by the Board in 2015 when it established a history task force to tell the full and complete history of Clemson. During the past few years, the task force has taken several actions including erecting historical markers, documenting Clemson founders’ biographies, and updating historical signage to better reflect the complete history. The Board actions today were in keeping with its values including integrity, respect, diversity, patriotism, excellence, and self-reliance.
> 
> “Our Trustees’ leadership today sends a clear message that Clemson University intends to be a place where all our students, employees and guests feel welcome,” said President Clements. “Our work in this area is far from finished, but we are committed to building on the progress we have made in the areas of diversity and inclusivity as we strive to serve our entire state and the nation.”
>  
> Issued by University Relations
>  
>  
> Michael A Atkins
> Regulatory and Public Service Programs
> Agricultural Service Laboratory
> 171 Old Cherry Road
> Clemson,SC 29634
> 864.710.5563
>  
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