TOWOSN, Md. — Towson University has formed a committee that will consider changing the names of two residence halls located in the West Village.
The Student Government Association made a formal request and was granted permission by university President Kim Schatzel, to review the names of Paca House and Carroll Hall.
Both are named after signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Paca and Charles Carroll. Each of the men also reportedly owned slaves.
The halls were given their names in 2008 and 2015 respectively, prior to Schatzel's hiring.
"It is important to note that the intent of TU’s naming policy is to ensure that Towson University facilities, buildings, and programs are named consistently with the University’s principles, ideals, and values," Schatzel said in a letter to students, staff, and faculty.
The review committee will include representatives of Academic Senate, Staff Senate, the Student Government Association, and the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity.
Schatzel promised the review process would "be inclusive and transparent, and that the recommendation of the committee will be made public when completed."
