Dear UA Community,
Many of you have recently heard of the petition that advocates for the renaming of buildings on The University of Alabama’s campus that hold the names of racist figures in this country’s history. Multiple buildings are targeted, including the College of Education’s own Bibb Graves Hall. As College of Education Ambassadors, we want to make it clear to our peers and faculty that we stand in support of this petition. Furthermore, we have chosen to create our own specifically requesting that the University of Alabama rename Bibb Graves Hall to Autherine Lucy Hall. We strongly urge the University of Alabama to listen to the requests of its students and community.
Included in the College of Education’s overarching ideals, we state our “Commitment to Diversity [and the] Ideals of Fairness and Equity.” The College’s vision is to “facilitate [the] visibility and voice of education leaders beyond the classroom in support of democracy and social justice for all learners in our global society.” Furthermore, the larger University’s Capstone Creed challenges us to “act with fairness, integrity, and respect; promote equity and inclusion; [and] foster… civic responsibility.” Yet, these values are taught inside buildings named after leaders and participants of overtly racist organizations.
The values we are asked to uphold should be embodied in current life on campus, not just stated as a hope for the future. As student representatives of the College of Education, and as individuals who walk the halls of Graves daily, we expect all aspects of our college, including who our buildings are named after, to reflect these ideals.
In 1956, the College of Education demonstrated these ideals by admitting the first African American student to UA, Autherine Lucy Foster. Today is another opportunity for The College of Education to once again take the initiative and lead our peers.
For these reasons, we find it only right to join the College of Education’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s position to change the name of Bibb Graves Hall to Autherine Lucy Hall.
We hope that by publicly acknowledging our stance on the current issues affecting our students, many other college Ambassador groups and student organizations will join us. Together, we can make a difference here at the University of Alabama.
Together in support,
Lauren Upton - President, College of Education Ambassadors lkupton@crimson.ua.edu
Sidney Sheppard - Secretary, College of Education Ambassadors sjsheppard@crimson.ua.edu
Faryn Fryer - Parliamentarian, College of Education Ambassadors flfryer@crimson.ua.edu
Along with Alexandra Svenson, Amanda Ferrito, Anna Tucker, Brynn Murray, Caroline Kellogg, Danit Silberman, Elizabeth Aguirre, Emma Grace Jones, Katie Jo Dickey, and Lindsay Pugh: College of Education Ambassadors.