George Mason University professors are upset at their institution’s plan to rename its law school after the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, calling him divisive, suggesting he was a bigot, and complaining that the name will brand the school as conservative, among other grievances in a recently approved resolution.
What’s more, Inside Higher Ed reports that while the resolution did not formally oppose the Scalia name, such a proposal is expected to be introduced at the senate’s next meeting.
The university’s faculty senate on Wednesday voted 21-13 to approve a resolution that stated in part they have “deep concern” over the renaming plans, and that the following is “problematic”:
The celebration of a Supreme Court Justice who made numerous public offensive comments about various groups – including people of color, women, and LGBTQ individuals – which this university has appropriately gone to some lengths to embrace as valued parts of the university community;
The memorializing of a Supreme Court Justice who was a significant contributor to the polarized climate in this country that runs counter to the values of a university that celebrates civil discourse;
The reinforcement of the external branding of the university as a conservative institution rather than an unaligned body that is a comfortable home for individuals with a variety of viewpoints …
The resolution also bemoans the fact that details on the $30 million donation behind the name change have been largely kept secret, and questions how additional faculty will be paid once the funding runs out.
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