The times are changing, and so are the names of two buildings on the UC Berkeley campus.
The names of Barrows Hall and LeConte Hall are no more, as their namesakes have dubious racist backgrounds. The changes were made following a formal review process, prompted by growing awareness of the meanings behind them within the Cal community.
The name of Barrows Hall is removed Wednesday from the UC Berkeley campus.Jim Taylor/KCBS Radio
Chancellor Carol Christ requested and was given permission to make the change from new UC President Michael Drake.
"The legacy of a building’s namesake should be in alignment with the values and mission of the university...That was clearly not the case for either of these buildings," Christ wrote in a message Wednesday to the campus community.
LeConte Hall was named after brothers John and Joseph LeConte, slave traders who fought for the Confederacy. The latter of whom espoused racist ideas through scientific language. This isn't the first time the LeConte name has been called into question, as it has been removed from other buildings in the state.
Barrows Hall was named after David Prescott Barrows, past president of the school from 1919 to 1923. Barrows was also a faculty member from 1910 to 1942. He believed the white race was better than all other races.
"The decisions reflect a new urgency being felt by U.S. civic and higher education leaders to remove building names and monuments that memorialize individuals who expressed racist and dehumanizing views," Christ said.
Officials said they have not yet chosen new names for the buildings.
Last January, Boalt Hall at Cal's School of Law lost its name because of the racist writings of its namesake, John Henry Boalt. It is currently called The Law Building.
