{"id":8716,"date":"2020-09-09T13:07:45","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T17:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=8716"},"modified":"2021-02-12T08:18:11","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T13:18:11","slug":"mascot-committee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/mascot-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"Mascot Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/a> Committee<\/a> Forums<\/a> Your feedback<\/a><\/p>\n

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As part of important conversations about racism and the way it manifests itself in society\u2014and specifically at Boston University\u2014President Robert A. Brown has appointed a committee to reflect upon on whether or not BU\u2019s mascot nickname, \u201cRhett,\u201d should be retired.<\/p>\n

While some may question the importance of addressing this issue, the name \u201cRhett\u201d pay\u2019s tribute to a fictional character from the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind<\/em> and the 1939 film of the same name and is associated with the Confederacy, slavery, and sexual assault.\u00a0 The cultural, ethnic, religious, ability, sexual orientation, and gender diversity of our campus community is critical to the excellence of Boston University.\u00a0 For both academic success and social vibrancy, our identity\u2014mascots included\u2014should be a reflection of those values.<\/p>\n

Comprised of alumni, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and coaches and student athletes, the committee will evaluate the historical, cultural, and societal implications of our mascot’s nickname and its connection to Gone with the Wind<\/em>.\u00a0 Its recommendations will be delivered to President Brown by mid-October.<\/p>\n

The committee’s work includes research of both the mascot’s nickname origins and a cultural understanding of why, at a university founded by abolitionists, we have a mascot nickname associated with a book and film whose racist depictions are at odds with our own traditions. Find research about the BU mascot naming history here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We also want to hear from BU community members. We hope you will register for one of the two discussions planned for September 24 and 25, 2020.\u00a0 Or, please share your thoughts with the committee via the input form below.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

Harvey Young, Ph.D., Co-Chair
\nDean of the College of Fine Arts<\/p>\n

Steven Hall, Co-Chair
\nVice President for Alumni Relations<\/p>\n

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Harvey Young, Ph.D.<\/strong>
\n(Co-Chair) Dean of the College of Fine Arts<\/p>\n

Steven Hall<\/strong>
\n(Co-Chair) Vice President for Alumni Relations<\/p>\n

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Charles Chang, Ph.D.<\/strong>
\nAssociate Professor, Department of Linguistics<\/p>\n

David Hollowell (ENG\u201969,\u201972, Questrom\u201974)<\/strong>
\nMember of the University Advisory Board<\/p>\n

Lauren Morton (CAS’08)<\/strong>
\nHead Coach, BU Women\u2019s Lacrosse<\/p>\n

Lesley Ryan-Miller (CGS’94, Wheelock’96)<\/strong>
\nBU Alumna<\/p>\n

Lilian Burchell (Questrom’21)<\/strong>
\nUndergraduate Student Athlete & President of Student Athlete Advisory Committee<\/p>\n

Oliver Pour (CGS’20)<\/strong>
\nUndergraduate Student & President of BU Student Government<\/p>\n

Ryan Roth Gallo (LAW\u201999)<\/strong>
\nVice Chair, BU Board of Trustees<\/p>\n

Starrchild Jackson (Questrom’22)<\/strong>
\nUndergraduate Student & Director of Social Advocacy, BU Student Government<\/p>\n

Stephanie Tavares (CAS’21)<\/strong>
\nUndergraduate Student & President of Umoja<\/p>\n

Walter Whyte (CGS’19, CAS’21)<\/strong>
\nUndergraduate Student Athlete<\/p>\n

Weston Koenn (STH’21)<\/strong>
\nGraduate Student School of Theology<\/p>\n

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Committee co-chairs Harvey Young, PhD, dean of the College of Fine Arts, and Steve Hall, vice president of Alumni Relations hosted two forums in September 2020 to share the committee’s process and hear the thoughts of the BU community, including alumni, students, faculty and staff. Find research about the BU mascot naming history here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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