Move Comes as Sub-Committee on Naming Cannot Agree on Alternatives
The UC Berkeley Building Name Review Committee is tasked with reviewing proposals submitted by our campus community regarding whether the name of an existing campus building should be removed. Over the past year, the committee has stripped four buildings of their name Krober Hall, LeConte Hall, Barrows Hall and Bolt Hall.
The committee chair noted, “It’s fairly clear by now what we don’t want, and that has led to the cancellation of four names.” However, deciding on a replacement name is another matter. The Name Review Committee is not charged with considering new names for buildings. That task falls under the auspices of the Space Assignments and Capital Improvements Committee’s Subcommittee on Naming. The University has articulated seven principles for the naming of facilities.
The committee may “name properties, including public spaces and roadways, programs and facilities to honor members of the University’s academic community who have rendered distinguished and exceptional service to the University community; or individual who have contributed in a truly exceptional ways to the welfare of the University or society or have achieved such unique distinction as to warrant such recognition.” After hours of deliberation, the committee could not decide on alternatives. At one point, the chair suggested UC Berkeley adopt the city’s Real-time Cancellation Policy so names could be changed on a rotating basis. This proposal was dismissed as there were concerns it would sow confusion.
The subcommittee was concerned about leaving buildings unnamed over fear they would be named after a gift by a rich donor or corporation
Subcommittee on Space Assignments
The subcommittee was concerned about leaving buildings unnamed over fear they would be named after a gift by a rich donor or corporation. Individual or corporate naming opportunities are handled differently under university policy. One subcommittee member summed up the sentiment this way, “look if we don’t come to a decision all the corporations and 0.0001% are going to own our campus.”
Ultimately, the subcommittee decided that naming the building after its geocoordinates was the best option. “Look with a string of numbers we should feel assured that none of the names will be contrary to the UC’s values.” The subcommittee did check that no campus properties fall into geocodes 666. The move brings UC Berkeley one step closer to MIT which also numbers all of its buildings. It is unclear if MIT will file another patent claim against UC Berkeley. As a result, students returning to the building formerly known as Krober Hall will be greeted with signage indicating. 37.869, – 122.255 Hall.
Students returning to the building formerly known as Krober Hall will be greeted with signage indicating. 37.869, – 122.255 Hall.