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University of Texas, Simkins Hall Name Change To Creekside Dorm?

by NowPublic Staff | July 14, 2010 at 03:15 pm

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Simkins Hall To Get New Name? Dormitory Named After Klu Klux Klansman, William Simkins, May Be Renamed To Creekside Dormitory

The president of the University of Texas, William Powers Jr. has asked the the board of regents to change the name of Simkins Hall. The dormitory was named after William Simkins, a law professor and avid KKK member.

Simkins Hall, a two-story brick dorm built in the 1950s, is named after William Simkins, who was a popular law school professor in the early part of the 20th century but one with a dubious past. He served as a Confederate fighter and early organizer of the Ku Klux Klan in Florida, promoting the Klan and bragging about efforts to terrorize and harass "darkey" in campus speeches and publications.

The University of Texas held two public hearings and advisor panel investigated the Simkins Hall name change proposal. The Board of Regents will decide if Simkins Hall should be renamed on Thursday.

Keeping Simkins' name on the building "compromises public trust and the university's reputation," said Gregory Vincent, Texas vice president for diversity and engagement.

"By his own admission, Simkins engaged in violent behavior against African Americans. These were actions taken outside of the law," Vincent said.

Simkins Hall is closed for renovation, the dormitory can house 190 students. The dormitory was given the name Simkins Hall in 1954

According to NBC in Austin if Simkins Halls does renamed (see video) it will called Creekside dormitory.

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Drew G (not verified)

at 07:25 on September 27th, 2010

I lived in Simkins and never knew anything about the person for whom it was named - and didn't really care. I'd suspect most people were in the same boat until somebody got bored enough to look up his background. the world won't change if UT renames the building (or doesn't). As with Mr. Simkins, the dorm's naming origin will simply fade to the realm of trivia.