RENAMING FOR INCLUSIVITY “Questions about diversity, equity and inclusion are hard and thorny,” Townsend-Bell said. “They will remain so, because people have to be willing to engage in the discomfort that comes from raising these questions. That is part of the challenge. An additional part of what this moment brings is some real energy and investment in doing that work. I’m excited for the center to be a part of it, within the local community, regionally, nationally and internationally. These conversations flow out in a variety of ways that we can’t foresee. I’m honored to be chosen and I’m looking forward to working with a wide variety of people.” The university took a much more visible step in promoting inclusion by changing the names of Murray Hall and North Murray in June. The buildings were named for Oklahoma’s ninth governor, William H. Murray, who had no ties to OSU and was openly racist. He called for segregation, supported Jim Crow laws and advocated for Jewish people to be relocated to Madagascar. Both buildings exclusively house CAS departments, but changing their names required a vote by the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. President Burns Hargis presented the recommendation to the board, which unanimously approved it. “We have reached this important point thanks to the commitment and concern of many, including our Student Government Association, faculty, staff, alumni and Board of Regents,” Hargis said. “To remove the name, the university followed a thorough, deliberate process that began last March. I want to thank all those involved in that work. Oklahoma State is committed to removing systemic racism and embracing our responsibility as an institution of learning and finding solutions to inequality and injustice. Removing the Murray name is one such step.” He added that OSU wants “to totally eliminate any racism on this campus, actual or symbolic.” Krutz said he was “extremely proud of OSU for making this happen. It was unanimous at all levels, and it was the right thing to do. Especially for folks who are Black or Jewish, it was hurtful to be in that building. He said they were inferior. There is an anger and sadness to that.” Loeffert added, “I’m thankful that they did it, and that it was unopposed. There was widespread support for this change in the end.” The former Murray Hall is being called the Social Sciences and Humanities Building, and North Murray is the Psychology Building for now. OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 11
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