GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Even if college was 40 years ago, you probably remember at least one of the names of the buildings. For most University of Minnesota alumni, Coffman Memorial Union is hard to forget.
Future generations of students might not be as familiar. The university is considering changing the building's name.
"A Campus Divided," a physical and digital exhibit, sparked the push for change. The exhibit provides research exposing discrimination by former university leaders, including Lotus Coffman.
Coffman was university president from 1920-1938. According to the exhibit, he removed a black student from the first men's dormitory and "asserted that segregated housing was essential to the University of Minnesota and did not constitute discrimination."
Thursday, President Eric Kaler released a message to the community saying he and Provost Karen Hanson asked a university task force to "examine the names" of four buildings and to recommend actions by December 17.
The buildings are Coffman, Coffey Hall, Middlebrook Hall and Nicholson Hall.
University leaders also invite the public to provide input online. However, as of Friday morning, the link leads to a page that says permission is needed to view the form. KARE 11 asked the university if there are plans to fix the link and will update this story once the university responds.