About 30 students with the September 29th Movement, some wearing shirts saying, “Change the name of Catt Hall,” marched into Iowa State President Martin Jischke’s open breakfast in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union yesterday morning.

The students were led into the room by Allan Nosworthy, a graduate student and a member the Movement’s central committee. They stood silently along the walls as Jischke discussed issues with those sitting at the table.

Jischke asked Nosworthy if he would like to say something.

“We’re OK for now, thanks,” Nosworthy replied.

Jischke said, “If you’d like to say something, please do.” Nosworthy repeated his previous statement.

After 25 minutes of waiting, Nosworthy asked if Jischke would recommend changing the name of Catt Hall because of the 225 letters he has received and the recent memo from Derrick Rollins, diversity adviser to the president’s cabinet.

“I don’t plan on recommending a change in the name,” Jischke said. He added that any decisions for changing the name would come from the Board of Regents.

Jischke said he spoke with Rollins about the memo, which recommended changing the name of Catt Hall, although he is not finished speaking with him about the issue.

“I have a very high regard for him. I think I understand what he is saying. At this point we have different views, a better understanding, but different views.”

He is pleased that Rollins has taken on the responsibility of diversity adviser, but, Jischke said, “To hold someone in high regard does not mean you necessarily agree with them.”

Catt Hall is named for Carrie Chapman Catt, who made racist remarks while working to earn the right to vote for women. Some argue the remarks were necessary evils in the struggle to get women the vote.

The breakfast began at 7:30 a.m. At 8:00 the members of the Movement left the room, leaving Nosworthy to stand alone. He then asked Jischke about the unsigned agreement between the Black Cultural Center and the university.

Jischke said, “I think we have an agreement in principle, but it has not been signed.”

Just before leaving, Nosworthy apologized for not notifying the president’s office ahead of time about the numerous people who came to the breakfast. He said, “We don’t think our voices are being heard clearly.” He then walked out of the room.

Jischke told those still in attendance that it was fine to come without notifying his office. “People often show up here without making reservations.”

Afterward, Jischke said the administration has considered a name change for Catt Hall but decided against it. Still, he encouraged discussion on the issue.

“Should there be discussion? Absolutely. I have tried very hard to make sure people have the opportunity to express their voices,” he said. He said this does not mean people will agree. “Listening is not necessarily agreement.”

On Tuesday, two more members of the Iowa State community — Carlie Tartakov, an assistant professor of curriculum, and the other is Muhammad Abdullah, a program coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — requested the removal of four bricks in the Plaza of Heroines.

John Anderson, interim director of University Relations, said the bricks will be removed after requests by the donors are sent to the ISU Foundation, the organization which places the bricks in the plaza.

“When we receive a written request, we will remove those bricks,” Anderson said.

He added that 30 bricks had gone into the plaza over the summer and currently six new bricks have been ordered for installation. The university usually installs the bricks in groups, rather than one at a time.

Prior to the Movement’s arrival, there were about 15 in attendance for the breakfast. The only student present was Ilissa McClelland, a freshman in computer science and psychology. After the protesters came in, she continued her conversation with Jischke about the lack of office space for adult student organizations at the Memorial Union.

The tension in the room lightened when one protester who stood along the wall behind Jischke fell asleep and fell over, nearly hitting her head on the chair next to Jischke. He offered her the chair. She accepted. He said jokingly, “You won’t be the first student to fall asleep while I’m talking.”

For a moment, the president and members of the Movement shared in laughter.