TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Monday, Florida State University's president John Thrasher assembled an advisory panel meeting to discuss the naming of statues on campus.
A 15 member panel convened by Thrasher, met to review the university's policies on naming buildings, statues, and other recognitions. The committee was created in August, after national attention erupted over confederate designations in public areas.
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, the FSU Students for a Democratic Society, presented their views supporting the removal of the statue of Francis Eppes.
"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 ought to be about," said Thrasher. "Those are some of the core values of FSU."
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.
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.
