In its latest effort to appease protesters, Iowa State officials have decided to remove the honorary bricks of Blue Maas and Phyllis Harris from the Plaza of Heroines at Carrie Chapman Catt Hall.

“We are taking this action because we understand the deeply held views of those who believe the name of the building should be changed and who feel it is no longer an honor to have their names included in the Plaza of Heroines. We respect their views and admire them for their stance,” Murray Blackwelder, vice president for external affairs, said in a press release.

“However, our position on the building name remains unchanged,” Blackwelder said. “While we agree that some of Catt’s comments were regrettable, we believe her contributions to women’s suffrage and world peace warrant having a building named after her.”

“This is an effort on the university’s part to be responsive to people who have expressed concern about having their names associated with Carrie Chapman Catt Hall,” said John Anderson, director of university relations.

The university was prompted to make the decision in response to the controversy surrounding the covering of the bricks in the plaza.

Much of the controversy has been generated by an individual or group who has been removing the coverings after they have been placed by Harris, Maas or representatives of the September 29th Movement.

Anderson said the university was aware of only two individuals who want their bricks removed.

In an attempt to resolve the situation, Blackwelder sent letters to the two women who had repeatedly covered their bricks and asked for their advice on how to best deal with the situation. One option was to remove the bricks at their request.

Yesterday, Blackwelder talked to both Harris and Maas and they said they would like the bricks removed.

Despite the controversy surrounding Catt Hall and the Plaza of Heroines, new orders are still being received from people wanting to purchase bricks bearing their names. “Twenty-two bricks were just installed,” Anderson said, “and there is a back-log of 10 to 15 more [to be installed].”

Although the university is making an effort to respond to current protests, Anderson does not expect this to end all protests to the naming of Catt Hall. “The issue of the name of the building is still out there,” he said.

While this may be looked at as a victory for the September 29th Movement, no one from that organization was available for comment by press time.