The new diversity advisor to the president’s cabinet has called on faculty and administration members to join in the movement to change the name of Catt Hall.

Derrick Rollins, a professor of engineering and chairman of the African American studies program, had been relatively quiet about the issue. He is now supporting a change in the building’s name.

In a memo to the president’s cabinet members, all deans and department chairs he wrote: “I am writing this letter to share with you why I feel the only humane thing to do is to commit one’s self to the renaming of Catt Hall.”

The memo is an eloquent, two-page argument in support of a new name. The memo is single-spaced and dated Sept. 15. In it, Rollins describes how he came to his decision and explains why keeping the Catt Hall name is a slap in the face to minority students.

“We have a great opportunity to be known as the school so committed to eliminating climates “inhibiting freedom, self-respect, self-esteem and achievement” that it renamed a building of one of its most famous graduates,” Rollins says.

Milton McGriff, a student member of the September 29th Movement who has read the memo, praised Rollins.

“It was a very powerful and courageous thing to do. I stand shoulder to shoulder with him about it,” he said.

McGriff said he does not imagine Iowa State President Martin Jischke is pleased, but he hopes the administration will not take “negative actions towards him [Rollins].”

Excitement about changing Catt Hall’s name, “is crossing racial lines. It’s not about race; it’s about the right thing,” McGriff said.

But the administration has given no sign that it will have a change of heart. President Jischke has said repeatedly that he will not support a name change.

And as of Wednesday evening, Jischke had not read the memo.

“I just got it today. I’m looking forward to visiting with Dr. Rollins about it and to hear what led him to write it,” Jischke said.

Jischke said he did not know the memo was coming.

Rollins, who could not be reached for comment about the memo as of press time, said in an earlier interview that the ISU community must do a better job of making minority students feel appreciated at home.

“Minority students are constantly fighting with being significant,” he said. “Given the historical reputation of Catt, it’s hard for people to understand the placement of programs like the African-American, Latino-American and Native American studies in the building with someone whose name carries with it such a controversial context when it comes to racism.”

Rollins encouraged the dissemination of his memo to other faculty members within the departments. In some departments, however, it didn’t get very far. Faculty members Jane Peterson, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, Wally Niebauer, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, and James Peake, associate professor of mathematics did not receive the memo.

And many faculty members reached Wednesday night would not comment on the memo.

George McJimsey, professor and chairman of the history department, said, “I’d just as soon not comment on that.” He did say he thinks “Dr. Rollins is entitled to his own opinion.”

Patricia Swan, vice provost for research and advanced studies and dean of the graduate college, said, “I don’t have any opinion on it. None at all.”

James Werbel, associate professor and chairman of transportation and logistics, said he got it, read it and has “no comment.”

William Goudy, professor and chairman of sociology, refused to comment, but said he was surprised that many others would not comment.

Thomas Melsa, dean of the college of engineering, said, “My feeling is that [Rollins’ decision] is a personal judgment of his. I really don’t have the facts to repute his judgment or opinion. He certainly is a person with great integrity and knowledge.”

Other faculty members said they found the memo inspiring. “I was very impressed. I saw it as an act of bravery,” said Stephen Pett, associate professor of English. “It was a sensible perspective on the whole issue.”

Pett said he is in favor of changing the name of Catt Hall, but like Rollins, was slow to come to that conclusion.

Blue Maas, secretary for the graduate college, said she was disappointed that Rollins did not have or voice this opinion earlier. Maas’ brick in the Plaza of Heroines was removed at her request over the summer.

She does not know how Rollins, if educated about the history of Catt, could be neutral as of last Friday. “I don’t understand how anyone white, black, pink or green could be neutral on this issue,” Maas said.

But, Maas said, “better late than never.”

John Anderson, interim director of university relations, said there will be a cabinet meeting next week and it’s likely the memo will be discussed.

Discussion, Niebauer said, is the key.

“If you can’t have this debate on a major university campus, you have a real problem.

“Is [the debate] comfortable? Of course not. But if you can’t do it here, we have a real problem.”