Resolution 22-17: RENAMING WOOLF HALL
| Number | 22-17 |
| Description | This resolution asks that The University of Texas at Arlington establish a committee to recommend whether 'Jack R. Woolf's name be removed from the Engineering building. |
| Authored by |
Mark Napieralski, Progressive Student Union |
| Sponsored by |
Sam Mathew |
| Date Submitted | Tuesday, October 4, 2022 |
| Date Considered | Saturday, February 11, 2023 |
| General Body Vote | Tuesday, February 14, 2023 |
| Committee | Student Affairs |
| Result | Passed By Legislative Branch |
| Remarks | |
| Whereas | Jack Royce Woolf was President of Arlington State College, later The University of Texas at Arlington, from 1958 to 1968; and |
| Whereas | Jack R. Woolf continued the policy of segregation despite the Supreme Court decisions of Sweatt v Painter (1950) and Brown v Board of Education (1954) until July 10,th 1962 when forced under legal threat to desegregate the institution, and subsequently told racist white segregationists that the desegregation was done with “much regret” on part of the college and Texas A&M Board of Directors and meant to “leave us the greatest freedom of control over students of all races”; and |
| Whereas | Jack R. Woolf flatly refused to desegregate the faculty and staff his entire presidency, and the first black faculty member, Reby Cary, was only hired after Woolf’s presidency; and |
| Whereas | Jack R. Woolf’s administration established and directly oversaw the ‘Old South Day Celebrations’ where administrators, faculty and students were encouraged via official organs of the school to cosplay as Confederates and engross themselves in supporting Confederate Ideology between 1961 to 1968, officially sanctioned mock-slave auctions and minstrel show skits as part of the ‘Old South Day Celebrations’ that had to be approved of by the Dean of Women, and continued these events following the integration of the school despite complaints and protests by black students; and |
| Be It Further Resolved That | The University of Texas at Arlington establish a committee to recommend whether 'Jack R. Woolf's name be removed from the Engineering building that is named in his honor. Putting him on a platform is antithetical to an institution that promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, |
| Be It Further Resolved That | This committee established by UTA President be composed of 50% students to further have the student voice in this regard. |