EVENT: Public forums to gather comment on the renaming of Simkins Residence Hall, sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin Student Government and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.
WHEN: June 22, 4-6 p.m.; June 28, noon-2 p.m.
WHERE: June 22: Main Building, Room 212; June 28: San Jacinto Hall Multipurpose Room (Room 207).
BACKGROUND: There has been recent publicity around Simkins Residence Hall, which was named for William Stewart Simkins in 1954. Simkins was a University of Texas law professor from 1899 until his death in 1929 and played a role in the Ku Klux Klan before his tenure at the university. President William Powers Jr. has asked Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement, to convene an advisory group and make recommendations on whether the residence hall should be renamed.
All persons who wish to speak at the forum will be asked to sign up beginning 30 minutes before the forum gets underway. Sign-up for the June 22 forum will be from 3:30-4 p.m.; for the June 28 forum, 11:30-noon. If there is time after all who have signed up have had a chance to speak, the floor will be opened to others.
For updates about the public forums, visit www.utexas.edu/diversity/campus/simkins.php. People unable to attend the forum, but who wish to provide input, may e-mail vpddce@austin.utexas.edu.
