Dear Tulane Community:
The Presidential Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion continues to advance Tulane’s EDI work throughout every dimension of the university including campus climate, student life, academic programming, staff initiatives, public outreach and more. Creating a university that welcomes and supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff has been one of President Fitts’ top priorities since he arrived at Tulane.
We write today in our capacity as two co-chairs of the Presidential Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to seek nominations of individuals you would like to see honored through the naming of spaces within Hébert Hall. This effort joins ongoing measures such as the Tulane Trailblazers program to provide recognition of the contributions of numerous individuals from underrepresented communities who have played prominent roles in Tulane’s history.
Please send your nominations to redicommission@tulane.edu between now and Nov. 23. We will gather these submissions and hold meetings and listening sessions with Tulane students, faculty and staff to get feedback and seek consensus regarding these nominees. We will also meet with student leadership, including Tulane Undergraduate Assembly and the Graduate and Professional Student Association as well as the Multicultural Council and those who work in the building for their input and perspectives.
The naming of spaces within the building will be followed by the addition of context regarding the history of the building’s naming. This contextualization will be prominently featured both within the hall and at the F. Edward Hébert Center in Belle Chasse, home to the Tulane Biodiversity Research Institute. This process, which will begin this spring, is an action that the Building Naming Task Force suggested if negotiations with the Hébert family to remove the Hébert name failed.
Last year, the Building Naming Task Force, which was made up of students, faculty, staff and alumni, recommended removing the Hébert name as the designation of the hall, if legally possible. Based on this, the Board of Tulane unanimously voted to authorize Tulane leadership to begin negotiations with the Hébert family as representatives of the F. Edward Hébert Foundation. However, following such discussions, Tulane was unable to reach an agreement to modify the legal requirement that Hébert’s name remain on the building.
We urge your participation in this vital undertaking and look forward to receiving your nominations. Your efforts will help honor those who have been so crucial to Tulane’s history and whose legacy guides us on our continued journey to build a better, more equitable, diverse and welcoming Tulane.
Michael Cunningham Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research
Kelly Grant Senior Associate Dean, Retention and Strategic Initiatives, Newcomb-Tulane College
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