Mixed emotions have poured through campus throughout the last month after a personal letter written by Warren Blumenfeld, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, concerning the removal of the large wooden cross, as well as the Star of David and a menorah on display in the Memorial Union’s chapel appeared in local newspapers.

Blumenfeld said his intentions are to spread word and understanding, not to bash the Christian religion or those who take part in it.

“My major purpose of bringing this up was to raise awareness on these issues,” he said. “I would have hoped that the issue wouldn’t have been taken as a personal attack.”

The cross, which has stood in the chapel since the early 1950s, stands at the front of the small room, nearly extending floor to ceiling. The Star of David and a menorah are also on display in the stained glass.

Blumenfeld was in opposition of the chapel’s religious symbols on the basis that there is a plethora of religions worldwide that are being excluded.

“This is promoting just one or two religions. On what basis do we decide which ones to choose for our campus?” he said.

Response to his local, televised announcement, as well as to his letters to the Des Moines Register, Ames Tribune, and the Iowa State Daily, has shown a mixture of emotions. Some responses blatantly bash Blumenfeld himself and his practices, others show praise for his efforts made on behalf of minority students.

Ashley Schmuecker, president of Karma Kagyu Study Group and freshman in child, adult and family services, feels all religions practiced by students at Iowa State should be accepted. She thought perhaps instead of taking down these symbols on display, minority students and religious groups should be able to put up their own religious symbols throughout campus.

“I think any sort of religious symbol should be able to be displayed across campus,” Schmuecker said. “There should be equal opportunity for all.”

Schmuecker also said atheists and agnostics should also be able to speak freely on campus, as well as organize and meet if they so choose.

Yan Zhao, adviser of the Chinese Christian Fellowship of Ames and assistant professor of chemistry, opposes the removal of religious symbols in the Memorial Union on the basis that removal of Christian symbols and phrases in America is overplayed. He said it is a bit extreme to take a historical artifact from the chapel at Iowa State, as well as to take other Christian symbols or phrases out of the public eye.

“If you take out your wallet and look at an American bill, it says ‘In God We Trust.’ Many things have historical background in America. To take such things out of churches, chapels, and other places is unnecessary,” Zhao said.

Blumenfeld has spoken to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, and understands that the cross and other symbols will not be removed at this time.

As far as his other personal plans to make the public aware of such issues, Blumenfeld plans to continue to teach understanding and acceptance of the change of historical meanings for a more accepting future.

“I am not the issue. If you try to silence me, some people won’t get the issue,” Blumenfeld said.