Although university officials made the decision to stand behind the naming of Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, controversy still surrounds the issue.

In recent developments, 14 branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have announced their support for the September 29th Movement, which is still campaigning to bring about a change in the name of the building.

Those branches joining the Ames NAACP in supporting a name change are Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marshalltown, Waterloo and Sioux City, as well as those in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dean Elizabeth Hoffman of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences said the new opposition will not influence the university to reconsider changing the building’s name. Hoffman said that a few bricks were covered up toward the end of the semester, but since then there have been no new developments on the issue.

John Anderson, University Relations, said the university “welcomes input” on the issue, “but has no plans at the present time to recommend a name change.”

Many continue to support the current name of the building.

“People come up to me at various events and express their support for keeping the name of Carrie Chapman Catt Hall,” Hoffman said.

According to Anderson, the university continues to maintain contact with other departments, alumni and friends, and most generally support keeping the name.

The structure, formerly called Botany Hall, was recently renovated and renamed. Iowa State officials named the building after Carrie Chapman Catt to recognize her accomplishments concerning women’s suffrage. The building also houses the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.

However, the name has been a subject of protest since it was made public that Catt had made xenophobic and racist comments during her lifetime.

The September 29th Movement, a faculty and student group, has been working to effect a name change since the discovery concerning Catt’s comments was made.

The university announced last semester that it would not change the name of the building, because the name had been chosen to reflect Catt’s work toward women’s rights.