Wildermuth name change decision will take more time

The Wildermuth name change decision will not be resolved until at least Oct. 27, said Terry Clapacs, head of the All University Committee on Names and IU’s vice president and chief administrative officer. That is, unless committee members need more time to do research or think about the issue, he said.

In an interview Oct. 8, Clapacs said the decision would come within two weeks – or by this Wednesday.

The committee will decide whether to recommend that the Ora L. Wildermuth Intramural Center be renamed. The building is named for Wildermuth, a founding citizen of Gary, judge and president of the IU Board of Trustees from 1938 to 1949, who also was a segregationist.

The building’s name came under fire in April 2007 after an Indiana Daily Student columnist criticized the University for naming the building after the segregationist.

Former IDS columnist Andrew Shaffer brought to light separate letters between Wildermuth and former IU President Herman B Wells as well as former IU comptroller Ward G. Biddle.

In an interview two weeks ago Clapacs said it’s not easy to change a name.

There’s concern that once one building name is changed, it will create a dangerous precedent in which other buildings will come into question – politicizing and covering IU’s traditions and history, he said.

Therefore, Clapacs said, committee members need to take time to think about the issue and do research before making such a big decision.