USG’s resolution passes to rename Bricker Hall after Black woman

Bricker Hall, The Ohio State University.

By: Ezekiel Acheampong

On Wednesday, Undergraduate Student Government’s Justice and Equity committee resolved to tear down systemic racism brick by brick.

Currently named after John W. Bricker, a former Ohio governor and senator with anti-black policies, the J&E committee submitted and passed legislation that Bricker Hall’s name be changed to honor trailblazer Doris Weaver, a Black woman who was prevented from receiving a degree from Ohio State in 1932.

After taking her case before the Ohio Supreme Court, Attorney General John Bricker ended up denying her claim. 

Nuurah Parsons, a fourth-year in social work and vice chair of the J&E committee, said that taking the chance to rename university buildings offers minority students hope. 

“It is important and imperative that the university makes action towards anti-racist efforts, and the renaming of Bricker Hall would be just one step into making tangible progress for marginalized students and creating equity for all students that attend Ohio State,” Parsons said. 

Parsons also said that as one of the largest institutions in the United States,  taking accountability for past harm is a crucial part of owning up to Ohio State’s history.  

Many students also voiced their opinion, and emphasized that the legal measures Weaver took to defend herself, was groundbreaking for her time. 

“I think the fact that Doris Weaver took legal action against the University allowed for her voice to be centered,”  John Fuller, a second-year in nursing said.  “She represents a voice that has been ignored and suppressed for far too long.”

Now that the resolution has passed, the bill will move to the University Senate for support from USG. Then, the Senate will vote, and If it passes there, the final decision will be given to the Board of Trustees, Fuller said. 

While everyone who shared their opinion during the meeting commented about injustice, it was the students, particularly minority students, who showed commitment and dedication to this historic cause. 

“Our justice system and university failed her, and we are here to acknowledge her trailblazing,” Fuller said. “We are here because of her.”