Indiana University's intramural complex name a source of controversy - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News

Bloomington - For the first time in its history, Indiana University is giving consideration to removing a name from a building complex.

This history of Indiana University goes back to 1820 when the legislature decided to establish a "state seminary." The name was changed to Indiana College in 1828. In 1838 the name became Indiana University.

The practice of naming campus buildings in honor of individuals goes back to the last quarter of nineteenth century. Wylie Hall is named in honor of the university's first president. Ernie Pyle Hall was named in 1954 in honor of an alumnus and World War II correspondent who died in action.

Some investigation done by a student journalist last year brought to light some facts that caused the university to review the decision to name the intramural complex on campus after Indiana Judge Ora Wildermuth.

Terry Clapacs, with the university Committee on Names says " I must say that it's a very serious matter to this committee."

The judge, who sat on the university board of trustees more than 60 years ago, authored letters in which he said he believed whites were superior to blacks, that he didn't want the university integrated.

Reid Billiew, a freshman, thinks the name should go."You don't want that on your record for the school," he said, "and don't want to be associated with that."

Sophomore Ohnja Walker doesn't see it that way. "It's really history so they should just leave the same that it is. Don't change something that's in the past."

Clapacs points out that in the 1940's just about everything in the country was segregated to some extent. "It's difficult to judge that (Wildermuth's letters) against today's standards. If you read those letters today, in the year 2008, of course it's entirely unacceptable."

How acceptable would it be to keep Wildermuth's name on the intramural complex ? That remains the question still to be answered. An answer the committee hopes to make its suggestion on in the next two weeks.