TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Today, Florida State University's President John Thrasher assembled an advisory panel meeting to discuss the naming of statues on campus. The committee was created in August, after national attention erupted over confederate designations in public areas. Students, faculty, alumni and staff discussed the future of such statues on Florida State's campus.
A 15 member panel convened by President Thrasher, met to review the University's policies on building names, statues and other recognitions. Thrasher hopes the panel will compile feedback from the entire Florida State community. He believes a conversation needs to be held, weighing the opinions of both sides, for the panel to make the right decision.
One group, Students for a Democratic Society, presented their views today supporting the removal of the statue of Francis Eppes. Eppes is considered one of the founders of the University and is controversial as a slave owner and confederate supporter. Last fall, 72% of students voted against the statue's removal.
President John Thrasher says, "A University is a place where ideas come together and we focus on the ability of students and faculty and everybody else here to have a free expression of their ideas. That's what a University should be about. Those are some of the core values of F.S.U." The panel will continue to gather information and community input, striving to settle on future naming policies that are balanced and sensitive to a multi-ethnic student body.
