Steve Kohtz stood brazenly outside Parks Library, brandishing his blue plaid suit patched with recycling emblems all across his jacket and pants. Known by many on campus as “Recycling Steve,” Kohtz serves as the recycling and special events coordinator for Iowa State. His mission Wednesday was to make students aware of the nationally recognized day.
Thirty-two months later, the committee reviewing history, context and public comments about Carrie Chapman Catt concluded the Central Campus building bearing the suffragist’s name will keep its name. The committee received 311 public comments regarding the name change and announced the committee’s final decision Thursday. University naming policies, established shortly before the Catt committee was.
Iowa State University’s Catt Hall honoring the women’s suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, accused by some of holding racistviews will permanently retain its name after an ISU name-removal committee voted 11-4 to keep it.
A 60-day period to share thoughts, comments and concerns about the name of the building home to the headquarters of the College of Liberal Arts closes Sunday. The Review Committee for Consideration for Removal of Names from University Property was formed in March 2021 and will conclude its work with a second and final vote.