Comments from May '04 Alumni Survey Respondents

1.
In my 4 years, I noticed a definite voluntary segregation. I always found it interesting that in light of generations spent fighting segregation we chose to separate ourselves at an institution which was supposedly above that.

2.
While I am not shocked to learn of Yale's slave connections and certainly feel it needs to be addressed on some level, I am far more concenred w/real world issues involving Yale. Financial aid to minority students, matriculation issues, diverse faculty issues arguably are more salient and in need of improvement. It's important to decide where as a group we can have the most meaningful and powerful impact on people's lives today.

3.
In the question which asked about my experience as a black student, I stated that it was more bitter than sweet, but I have to say that resulted largely from other black students questioning my ethnicity. I often felt invisible and ostracized for not being "black enough." In the big picture of what it seems you are trying to do with this survey, that type of in-fighting isn't of overwhelming importance, but I believe it represents an important piece of the puzzle nonetheless.

4.
YBAN should concerns themselves more with the here and now race issues at Yale instead of worrying about the non-issue of what buildings are named after long-dead slave owners. Recruit more faculty of color, encourage matriculation of Black students, assist the residents of New Haven that offer services to the school but do not reap many of the benefits it offers. Do something real instead of something politically correct.

5.
Re-naming buildings only further obscures the past. If the colleges retain the names of their slaveowning namesakes, there is at least the chance that someone will do some research and learn something about history. Without the names there isn't enough of a smoking gun. The names represent an opportunity to educate people; changing them just paves over the school's (and the nation's) racist history and makes it obscure to the people who need to know about it the most. Personally, I was very happy to know that John C. Calhoun was spinning in his grave to have plenty of negroes in the college that bore his name.

6.
I had a wonderful time as a Black student at Yale. Today however, the times are far different, i.e. Affirmative Action is gone and race relations at yale and society at large are far more hostile //

7.
Yale's involvement with slavery is a matter of history. That can not be erased. I think it is better to keep the physical reminders as an acknowledgment of the past and let the University’s actions demonstrate it’s current commitment.

8.
Yale does it's best to avoid discussion the issue of race, which does nothing for students of color whose everyday experiences (sometimes)include race. The institution makes certain socioeconomic, cultural and racial presumptions about students and their families which sometimes make those who do not fit such a mold feel inadequate (ie the typical Yalie has wealthy, college educated, white parents and can afford to pay hundreds of dollars to join the polo team). It also reinforces subtlely racist notions held by its students. On the other hand, the campaign to address Yale's racist past should focus more on an effort to make the university more committed to diversity, racial and otherwise. It should not be as acrimonious as it is now. It seems that there is a desire to attack and deride the insitution. Even if it does deserve it, this isnt a pragmatic option. At best, White America just gets defensive and/ non-responsive when the issue of slavery is addressed. At worst they charge all African Americans with playing the victim. It should be made clear that this isnt about being victims but rather about the country as a whole, not condoning or overlooking it's racist past, but rather condemiing it and pledging to address the slew of ramifications.

9.
The buildings that hold the names of former slave masters can no more define Yale than a single day can define a whole year. -Ibrahim

10.
Far too long Not all opinions represented

11.
It would be easier to navigate the survey if one could go backward and recheck or change answers. The 10 question likert scale was difficult to see in totality on my screen. Breaking it down into 5 and 5 would have been easier to answer. Although I feel that having residential colleges named after ardent pro-slave men is to some degree offensive, it also was reality that Yale affiliates and alumn made money off the slave trade and gave that money to the college and other institutions. I am not sure that changing the name will change the attitudes behind the naming process. However, perhaps recognition of the past and acknowleging it is the beginning of local and global change regarding racial relations. I think the stained class images (esp in Calhoun) are more disturbing than the names of colleges given that many do not know about the connection between the college names and the slave trade.

12.
I think it very unlikely that any buildings will be renamed, and it doesn't seem worth the fight. If we judge everyone by future moral values, no-one would stand up to the test. At this point I'd be happy to see future buildings named after people of whom we can still be proud, and leave it at that. In the mean time there are other things to concentrate on like the future of students of color and the support they can find to benefit from the education at Yale.

13.
Although such naming may be deemed offensive according to our current social sensibilites, I do not believe that the residential colleges named for slave owners/pro-slavery advocates should be renamed. Their presence is a historical record of a shameful period in American history and as such should serve as a reminder that we are responsible for insuring the liberty and inclusion of all Americans in the pursuit of higher education.

14.
If yale does have buildings named after individuals who were slave owners or who benefited directly from the slave trade, then such dedications should also underscore the instution's history to the slave trade itself and how Yale benefited as a result. I am not an advocate for a re-naming of buildings and thus, a re-writing of this history. To re-name any such buildings would be to mythologize and thus obscure this historical fact, epecially for future generations. Yale's entire involvement in this regard should be brought to light rather than giving in to an impulse which would serve only to produce a collective amnesia and sanitized version of Yale's past.

15.
A follow-up plan of action should be developed based on the results of this survey to ensure that the voice of Black alum group is heard regarding racial/economic issues at Yale/in New Haven.

16.
In my honest opinion, I think that we as Black alumni need to more concerned about the graduation rates of Black students rather than matriculation rates. It doesn't make much of a difference that Black students matriculate if they do not graduate. Also, I think that we as Black alumni need to be more concerned with other issues of social justice in the community than changing the names of campus buildings who are named after slave owners. I took particular pleasure in being a black student at Yale and knowing that some ardent slave holders and segregationists were proved wrong by our presence at the University. Changing the names of buildings is revisionist history, we cannot escape the connection between Yale and slavery (or America and slavery for that matter). What I think we should be more concerned about and what we should act upon is raising awareness of these connections so that we can celebrate in our progress and achievement as Black Yale graduates.

17.
When new acqaintances discover that I attended Yale, they usually ask me, "How was it?" Implied is, "How was it being black at Yale?" I respond honestly, and tell her or him that, "I am in recovery." This response is one that I and a many other fellow Yale graduates of color share. However, I want to be clear that it was not just being black. It was mainly the trauma of being a working-class student on financial aid. On top of all that, dealing with racism from white students, and homophobia from all circles. I am ashamed that professors of color have to beg for tenure crumbs. And the drop-out rate for women of color is deplorable, and is tangible evidence of "who Yale is for." Not us. Yale is always touting the "Yale experience." Props to YBAN for doing this survey; for looking to make structural and institutional changes at Yale that will improve the experience for ALL students. I'll include my contact info because I'm willing to help in any way to improve the survey, get the word out, brainstorm how it can be used, whatever! Feel free to re-publish my comments. You can email me at [email protected]. Erica Waples, MC03

18.
I'M NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION" TO GET INTO YALE IN 1971.THERE'S A WHOLE GENERATION OF US OUT HERE NOW,BUT IT IS STILL NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER.LET'S NOT LET THE UNIVERSITY SLIDE WITH THE TIDE OF ROLLING BACK ON WHAT WE KNOW IS RIGHT. LET'S NOT FALL FOR BOGUS ARGUMENTS LIKE REVERSE DISCRIMINATION,OR DE-VALUEING OUR ADMISSIONS. WE HAVE TO GET IN THE GAME TO PLAY AND WIN....WE NEED AS MANY PLAYERS AS WE CAN GET. ALUMNI SONS+DAUGHTERS,ATHELETES,ETC AREN'T STIGMATIZED...WE SHOULDN'T BE...LET'S STAND STRONG TO KEEP THE DOOR OF OPPURTUNITY OPEN AND RESIST THOSE WHO WOULD CLOSE IT RIGHT ON OUR FEET. KEVIN ALLEN/TD75

19.
This survey form made it difficult to express my true thoughts. In a nutshell, I feel that you can't reverse history. If slaveowners were recognized by Yale in the past, it is a piece of history that represents Yale's position. However, I would expect Yale to be more thoughtful in its future selection of honorees. (These are my thoughts prior to reading the report.)

20.
I am rather displeased with the content of this survey. Its focus on slavery and its reaction to the Yale and slavery publication is disappointing. While I agree that Yale's connection to slavery, the slave trade, and its proponents should give us pause and that these relationships are worthy of attention, I disagree with a concentrated focus on this aspect of race relations at Yale. It would be more fruitful to focus on the ways in which Yale currently serves as a vehicle of black oppression and its affiliation with those who do the same. Our focus should be on eliminating current suffering while acknowledging past offenses rather than erasing the evidence of what already has been; for example, creating an environment friendly to black students (less racial profiling, fair treatment of employees, accessible faculty of color, a New Haven in which blacks are not "automatically suspect", buildings and fellowships named after non-oppressive people) in the midst of publicity about Yale's part in black oppression (including but not limited to slavery) rather than changing the names of buildings.

21.
SLavery was,of course a horrible situation. But I am concerned that, as black people, we continue to spend too much time looking back, and not enough looking forward. Taken to the extreme, there is little food, energy, or clothing one can purchase today that did not at some point have the taint of slavery, and no one is rushing to rename streets and highways. In my opinion current actions speak louder than past words. What is more important that the cosmetics of name change are the concrete actions Yale takes to increase the matriculation of black students who *choose* to attend - after all, we all had a choice of not going to Yale.

22.
Slavery was not enforced by a few men. It was the norm; the entire society participated. We CAN honor the men and women who made contributions to Yale and/or society without supporting every opinion they ever held. Solution: a plaque outside each building highlighting the positive contributions of the honoree as well as any controversial causes they supported

23.
All aspects of the Yale Black life need to be unearthed and explored; so, I don't mind your pointed involvement in "the next thing" called the benefits of slavery. And as the heritages of slavery are still with us, I can also understand the emotionality. I'm just not that upset about how or who the colleges were named after 100 years ago. RLC

24.
Some of the questions were badly written with "I don't believe, etc." Double negative questions obscure the results.

25.
I wholeheartedly support YBAN's efforts cocnerning slavery and its relationship to Yale University. Throughout my four years at the instiution, I was forced to knowingly turn the other cheek as prominent former slaveowners were revered at the university. I do think there is room for compromise and room for change.

26.
I feel that focusing this much attention on Yale's historic ties to slavery, given the dearth of black students and multicultural/female faculty, is misguided. This issue is rhetorical, both in the sense of an self-evident rhetorical question, and in the sense of being too concerned with the rhetoric of a "message." If the university agrees to it, re-naming buildings won't make Yale a better place for minority students, it will simply be a "token" gesture towards minority groups. Sure, publish the information, let everyone know about it. And then, can we talk about some real issues, such as the apathy of most black students towards the black dining hall workers? Or perhaps address the fact that of the thirty-six courses I took at Yale, only three were taught by black professors (one of whom left), and only four by female professors?

27.
I think names on buildings are really the least of our problems.

28.
I am not sure that changing the names of the residential colleges is the best way to address the legacy, impact or historical reality of the existence of slavery, or the fact that large numbers of white males who were memebers of the economic, political or ruling class of the era were either slaveowners, supporters of slavery, or complicit by their silence. I believe that like all "great men" or institutions (like the army, the president, the white house, Yale itslf) that we "honored" or revere in our society, we must also be critically aware of the full realities of their political ideologies, actions, or working. Overemphasis on re-naming buildings to me threatens to slide into very a tokenistic means of addressing persistant structural inequality, which disproportionately affects black Americans in New Haven's immediate neighborhoods. I believe that YBAN and black alumni who want to unite around racially progressive causes in the Yale/New Haven area should *primarily* focus their energies elsewhere, but never try to erase or deny the past. And cease to give to "majority" America the impression that we believe that justice may be achieved through measures that may be largely symbolic. Enid Lynette Logan, JE 94 Predoctoral Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota

29.
On the survey, there was no room for an answer that permitted someone to be friends with 50 percent white / 50 percent students of color. Also no mention of mixed race, which throws additional variables into the mix. The black community is more diverse than the survey allows (immigrants, etc. are in a different "boat.")

30.
Why all the fuss about whose name adorns a residential college? What is important is the education gotten at that college.

31.
I believe that this survey provides a valuable and much needed forum for YBAs to articulate their concerns on a range of important issues. I look forward to seeing the results of this survey, and would hope that such results will constitute the basis of an important ongoing conversation, both between YBAs and the Yale administration.

32.
I would be shocked--SHOCKED--if Yale ever conceded the slaveowner-named-whatever point and changed said names. It would be beyond comprehension for far too many non-minority alums to tamper so much with tradition at a university renowned for its age and tradition as much as, if not more than, its actual integrity and quality of education. Honestly, I'm not sure Yale should. I think an informative/commemorative plaque would be more appropriate. If I were more concerned with the source of a university's wealth than its reputation, I would have chosen an HBCU. That said, I think the situation is a problem, one that will likely be more divisive as time passes. I suggest we, as students and alumnae of color, spend more time raising funds and working toward getting buildings named after notable contributors and leaders of color in future, rather than establishing committees likely to be ignored. For as we have all seen, time and again, Yale is very good at ignoring the plight of its poorer, darker students and employees; the only color of ours that will be recognized, promptly, is green.

33.
I honestly feel that focusing on triva such as the history of names of residential colleges is a waste of time. Yes, these people were slaveowners, support slavery and what not. The greatest testimony is the fact that I, a descendant of a slave, attended their alma mater or an institution they obviously treasured. I have proven that I can be as good as them and even better. To me, it shows how far we have progressed. I personally think we should focus our efforts in sustaining our successes and make even more progress by looking forward, not backwards.

34.
I think it is excellent to survey black alums of Yale. This is the first survey I've received. I was unclear on some of the slavery/ownership questions. I don't take great pride in the fact and probably most others won't but most black alums have ancestors who served in the Confederate army or supported slavery, as most blacks are descended in part from Anglos and other non black Africans. Many of us had mixed ancestors who were slaveowners themselves. Is it a legacy I'm proud of? No. I guess I'd be very careful about renaming any monument. Should the Jefferson Memorial be renamed? I think that Dr. James Comer of Yale would be very interested in how this study proceeds. I think that the circulation of this study is in itself a statement of how much we can project the unresolved feelings and anger we have at an institution that was shameful. Part of me wants to treat slavery just like the Holocaust (eliminate all pro slavery namesakes, just as no no major Nazi supporter will find there names on institutions in German...never forget); another wants to let go without ignoring it (move on and adopt a sound policy in the future...make widely circulated, permanent notations on campus of the misdeeds of the college namesakes, etc.). In the end I think that greater participation as alums (by giving and by assimilating into alum and leadership functions) will have the mots impact. To the extent this survey provides that, I am hopeful that many of those next steps will take place. Thank you for the time you took to put this together.

35.
My experience at Yale was wonderful. Although my main social circle was comprised of caucasian friends, I also had many african-american friends. The support of the african-american cultural center was invaluable. Certainly there is still racial tension at Yale, but such tension mirrors the tension which remains across the country.

36.
I beleive it is of the utmost importance for Yale to focus on diversifying it's approach to scholarship. To me, that means that diversifying the faculty is absolutely essential. And, diversifying its faculty begins with developing undergraduate students whose world view is not belittled or dismissed, but is nurtured in such a way that their future involvement in higher education is increasingly possible, in a variety of academic fields. My increasing complaint with Yale is the its very limited view of what can constitute a liberal education. Look at the course offerings and see what the major requirements are for such disciplines as English, Music, and Humanities. What is sorely missing is any perspective on modern and post modern life. . .outside the social sciences, and African American studies (which is a step child, clearly, to other types of area studies). I remember with such fondness a white professor who gave spirited African art lectures in the vernacular. He actually excited students about the subject, rather than hoarding all the intellectual credibility for himself and his faculty colleagues. A university serves many purposes in society, but one of them must be the nurturing of the next generation of scholars--including black and poor scholars--who must be allowed to make their unique contribution to the body of human thought, having their world views not just accepted, but respected.

37.
I understand the Yale has ties to the slave trade; but I also know that the same is true for nearly every Ivy League institution. The Brown family (Brown University) owned slaves and bootlegged alcohol. Dartmouth is sited on land that was illegally taken from Native Americans. America's strong ties to slavery and oppression need to be brought to light, but I strongly believe that renaming buildings and scholarships is not the answer. It will not erase Yale's history. It will not erase America's history. Part of the draw to Yale - for me - was the opportunity to receive an outstanding education in the company of outstanding peers. There are many things that Yale can do to improve this process for both white and non-white students - more financial aid, more female faculty and faculty of color, more diverse curriculum. The list goes on... But the focus on namesakes, who are undeniabely part of our university's history, is, in my opinion misplaced. Jefferson and many other politicians/"founding fathers" owned slaves - are we going to push to have their names removed from the Constitution? No. Instead, we are going to work to end discrimination, to build better ties between communities and to unify our society. I wholeheartedly agree that Yale should have buildings and scholarships that honor the myriad of contributions made by non-white Alums and leaders; but this does not have to come at the expense of erasing Yale's past.

38.
I think there are two different type of black students on Yale campus. I played football while at Yale and I had many friends of different races who were also athletes. I was also friends with the other blacks in my class but I hung out with a much more diverse crowd then they did simply because the people who I practiced and spent most of my time with were all different. I think athletes at Yale have many different issues then non athletes because of this.

39.
i ranked the topics of importanc eincorectly. I thought ten was prioorty, please not. Couldn't go back.

40.
As a collective we need to come together and speak with a unified, strong voice. We have been consistently fragmented and as a result have never been truly taken seriously by the administration, faculty & corporation. It's time for us to step up and work together.

41.
A campaign to re-name buildings and such seems to be a waste of the considerable resources that black alums of Yale have. I feel that alums should be more actively monitoring the university's policies on issues like diversity and affirmative action, as well as providing a network for undergraduates who may need mentors. I realize that names have symbolic importance, but really, I bear the last name of a slave-holder, and so do many of us. I feel that we would do well to focus on the racism that is the enduring legacy of slavery -- it has much more impact on our lives than the name of any residential college.

42.
The most important thing is for more Black students to have all the opportunities to benefit form a Yale education. By improving the multi-cultural education for all students and, making students of color fully comfortable socially, everyone should gain the crucial networking and leadership potential as alumni. This is key to improving the life chances of minorities in the US and across the world.

43.
A good deal of this survey is focused on the naming of Yale buildings, colleges, and scholarships after slaveholders or those who benefitted directly from slavery. While I feel that this is unfortunate, it is far from a rallying cause for me. I would rather that YBAN, and Yale in general, focus on the matriculation of Yale students of color and their feeling of inclusion in Yale curriculum and campus than on whom buildings were named for. If all the buildings and colleges were renamed tomorrow, I believe that it would not have any significant impact on the everyday Yale experience for black students, would ignite racial differences on campus, and would do damage to traditions which, while rooted in slavery, do have positive aspects to their more recent history.

44.
This is shameful. There is not even an attempt to conceal the bitterness and hatred of our alma mater that some seem to harbor. The answers are heavily skewed towards finding Yale guilty and forcing her to pay reparations of some sort to New Haven at large. Again, I find it difficult to believe that this survey was not sponsored (and it's interesting that the disclaimer says the survey was not "funded") by an outside group that is merely trying to get its desired result (BLACK ALUMS THINK COLLEGES SHOULD BE RENAMED!!) and publicize it as gospel truth. I, for one, ain't falling for it.

45.
I think the renaming issue should be used as a teaching moment. Tour guides, orientation materials, building plaques, etc. should all address this issue and the controversy surrounding it. This is the history of the United States. Simply renaming the buildings does not get the story out.

46.
I feel that renaming building bearing offensive names would be a futile attempt to somehow erase Yale's connections to slavery. Instead, i feel that those ties should be exposed and discussed so that Yale students and affiliates can understand how the naming was allowed to happen in the past so that such an offensive act will not happen again.

47.
I do not support renaming the residential colleges. To do so would erase the historical significance and impact each of those individuals had on the institution at the time. What can and should be done is to provide the proper context of their complicity in the slave trade to all who reside in and visit the colleges. This is not a clean world. Holocaust memorials and prison camps are still standing for a reason. Eliminating examples of the University's not-so-great-past removes opportunities to educate people about the pervasiveness of institutional oppression.

48.
Many of these questions assume a base of knowledge and familiarity with current Yale issues.

49.
Thank you for sponsoring this survey. Unfortunately, there were a lot of leading questions but I understand that you may have been trying to allude to the emotional and controversial nature of this issue. I always found it ironic that the people who knew the most or at least talked the most about Yale's tarnished and shameful history were New Haven community members rather than the student's themselves. I wish I had recieved more of an education about this through the Af-Am Cultural Center for instance. I don't think it is hipocritical for students of color to be a part of an institution with such a history. What is hipocritical is that we remain ignorant and uncritical of that history. Thanks again.

50.
Some of the questions that listed options simply didn't give all the options I would have chosen. For example, the question on the composition of my group of friends presupposes that it contained a majority of some kind. I would say my group of friends was maybe half students of colour and half white, but even that is a rough guess. It would have been nice to have more write-in options.

51.
Some of your questions are constructed in manner that requires support of a "dubious" proposition in order to answer the question. You cannot re-write history, you can only put it in context. I have always assumed that colleges were named after financial contributors or former university officials without regard to whether they did or did not own slaves. As for a fund for New Haven, considering the costs of college these days if Yale has extra money to throw around I would rather it be added to student financial aid. My Yale education would have benefitted if I had not had to work 20 hours or more a week to get by. I assume that would be true for students today also.

52.
Yale was founded in the 1700's, and therefore it is to be expected that wealthy white people of the time were often slaveowners or accepting of slavery. To expect most whites to be abolitionists during that time is unrealistic. Whites (and many free blacks) were accepting of slavery during that time. It amounts to strange reasoning to expect societies of the past to think like societies of today. For example, did you know that many black men, whose names appear on the buildings of many black schools, did not believe women (including black women) should have the right to vote prior to the 19th Amendement? Did you know that many black Africans were proslavery (in regards to their own countries and in discussions of America)? Did you know that many free black Americans were either proslavery or indifferent? Did you know that some owned slaves? Did you know that black soldiers fought with the confederacy? I am proud of those independent-minded individuals who changed the minds of the majority over time, which helped create the society we have now. But we have further to go. I believe we should put our efforts toward making things better for the future, and not renaming buildings which honored men who were important to Yale's history. We must know the history, not erase it.

53.
I think that focus our attention on renaming colleges are a waste of time. More efforts should be spent on improving the recruitment and matriculation of black students. Also, I would rather use our political capital on recruiting a more diverse falculty in all subjects offered at Yale (Not just the Af-Am department). In terms of Yale's relationship with New Haven perhaps more payment in lieu of taxes agreements should be negotiated. Perhaps, Yale should offer class credit for volunteer efforts. Also, perhaps Yale could sponsor charter schools in the city as well.

54.
This survey is a step in the right direction, i.e, of raising conscioussness and elevating the public discourse regarding these matters. Hopefully, it will not be the last such step.

55.
I did not clearly understand what Question #19 was asking because of the wording, so interpret my responses to that question accordingly. I personally find it disturbing having a college named after an active advocate for slavery or a former slave owner. The money they contributed to college is directly linked to the irreparable debt he owes people that he enslaved. As this is a part of who he is and his history, it arguably should be a part of any plaque or description colleges the people they are named after. However, to point out an obvious issue I haven't yet resolved regarding college names, why single out people who owned slaves from anyone else, especially as any person living in the U.S. today utilizes/benefits in some way from the technological and industrial prowess of the country and, hence, from the efforts and ideas of individuals who were slaves?

56.
I am glad that this survey provided options to display an array of viewpoints. Sometimes, I felt that many of the responses to the same question properly reflected my opinion and struggled hard to select the most accurate. I believe that Yale has taken a positive step by admitting and distributing proof of the extent of its role in slavery. And I cannot necessarily condemn the names of the buildings as they reflected the time period. Plus, many of us have formed alliances to our colleges, despite the historic significance of the namesake. I believe that changing the current names would be unreasonable, divisive, and expensive. But the survey suggested many reasonable options that would minimize the impact of the names without confirming the stereotype that we are angry militants. In the grand scheme of things, there are many other areas of concern that deserve more attention to improve race relations across the board. In addition, if so many vestiges of slavery remain today, such as building names, street names, schools, that it just seems counterproductive to focus our efforts on changing the names without taking the opportunity to explain why the names are hurtful and using the opportunity to teach future generations.

57.
Although it was very offensive that buildings on campus were named after slaveowners, these actions took place when there wasn't such a stigma attached to slavery. Now, they are apart of the the history of Yale. Therefore, I do not support the re-naming but would be appalled if such an occurrence took place now or in the future. Yale was a very segregated campus but I never felt any hostility when I attempted to integrate. The vast majority of white students were curious about the black experience and really wanted to learn from me. Many of my own friends had never had black friends. I would say that the majority of students that attend Yale respect other cultures and have an intellectual drive to learn more about them. I think that the problem stemmed from a difference in the black students approach to whites. Many had come from high schools where the population was predominantly black and they had little to no experience interacting with whites. They were very distrustful of "white" college culture and actively chose to segregate themselves. Many blacks looked down on me for electing to become friends with whites and even date them. In light of perceived hostility from my own community, I chose, in certain situations, to limit my own exposure to other students of color. I stopped attending BSAY meetings and had little to do with the Af-am House. Frankly, I didn't feel welcomed. In retrospect, I have regrets. Now, I am in medical school and to my own surprise and the surprise of my friends from college, am co-president of my school's Black and Latino Association. I felt more of a connection to the minorities here since they created an accepting and welcoming environment. I only wish that this existed at Yale because I am certain that I missed out on bonding with other black students on campus. I know that I was not the only person who felt this hostility from the black community. The integraters and I were conflicted about attending our Black Graduation ceremony in 2003. I think that the Af-am House needs to work on reaching out to all students of color by demonstrating more of an open arm policy. Also, once the black community itself is strengthened, perhaps more students of color will feel empowered to reach out to the non-black students on campus. Many of my friends have told me that my frank discussion of race enhanced their college experience.

58.
More involved (ie money, money, and time) will tend to make these problems go away.

59.
While there can be no debate concerning the evils of slavery, the question is whether the individuals who participated in that institution should now be stripped of the honors that have been bestowed upon them up until now. Is it proper to honor George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or any of the other slaveholders who helped establish this nation? Is it offensive to have the face of Washington on our currency? Was Washington's legacy redeemed merely because on his deathbed, when he had no more to profit from slavery, he decided it was time to free his slaves? It bears reminder that even Abraham Lincoln was prepared to allow slavery to continue if that would have allowed him to avoid a civil war. I believe we can recognize the shortcomings in even the nation's most revered figures without suggesting that those shortcomings should act to bar them from recognition. I suggest that we do not need to rename the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial. Similarly, I do not feel that Yale needs to rename its colleges and buildings. What is needed is a commitment to address the current issues regarding race. All of the renaming in the world, without addressing the present situation, is completely pointless. In fact, if it took such action as renaming buildings, the University could argue that it is addressing this matter, when such action would have no meaningful impact on present and future students. I do not mean to imply that slavery is a thing completely of the past. Its legacy remains with us today and all of us are impacted by that legacy. However the focus on addressing that impact should be with the present and we should not allow that focus to be lost to the issue of various 18th and 19th century figures and their right to have their names appear over an archway.

60.
I think that re-naming building without any discussion as to why.... iw ould rather see the names stay the same and keep the traditions but maybe with more knowledge and explanantion about what these people were about the good the bad and the ugly of it all. Why hide from history?

61.
I do not believe that Yale as a private institution owes the City of New Haven anything above and beyond what any other business, corporation, or other educational institution would owe its place of location. The notion that Yale "owes" New Haven something is ridiculous. New Haven is its own entity; it has it's own government and is part of its own state. The people charged with the care of New Haven's citizens--namely its elected officials, the state of Connecticut, and in a much broader sense, the U.S. as a country--is responsible for New Haven's citizens by willing to implement the educational and policy reforms necessary to help the disadvantaged.

62.
Our nation had hsitorical amnesia. Let the names stand, but publicly acknowledge Yale's involvement in the slave trade. Educate all current Yale students and alums about this shmeful legacy. We are still living the results of slavery as seen in the inequities in our society, schools that are just as segregated as in 1953 in some cities, and a growing divide between rich and poor. Only be calling out slavery and institutional racism, can we begin to effect real and lasting change. It first begins in the minds of those who enjoy economic and educational privilege, who will then go out into the porfessions and public office, and thereby be mepowered to begin national dialogue and be proponents for new policies.

63.
While I found it offensive that several of the colleges were named after slavery proponents, I wouldn't want a blanket solution proposed that could then be turned around and used for such purposes as, for instance, banning radical African-American thinkers from having buildings or institutions named after them. And while it can be argued that no African-Americans had enough power to weild such destruction as that wrought by slavery, it is still a precarious idea to begin eroding the laws of free speech and free expression.

64.
The terrible state of race relations at Yale deserves far more attention than the renaming of buildings. While I support attention to this matter, the fact remains that if we were to start renaming things, many of us would have to change our last names. The past is a powerful indicator of the wicked side of human nature. We need monuments and plagues and memorials as reminders, but the real attention needs to be on improving the future and creating such a vast difference between our current actions and the past ones that we can be proud of our own growth. Yale in my opinion has never been a Truth Sayer or a pioneer when it comes to race and oppression, providing liberal but not liberated arts. I knew this when I decided to attend and know it now. I would faint from joy if strong action were to be taken on behalf of people of color, or in the name of progress and equity but in truth I do not expect it. I will lend my help in whatever way I can.

65.
I'm pleased to be able to contribute my thoughts to this survey. However, I do think there should be significant emphasis placed on ensuring that our Black students matriculate and graduate from Yale since we are losing more and more daily. As our numbers grow, so too will our ability to incite positive change that contributes to all ethnicities and cultures.

66.
While I support the renaming of the colleges, I think that this will never happen. Yale's argument is that it is a private institution where a student of color can choose to attend or not attend. In this survey, I recognize the importance of the slave-owner names but I also support more practical efforts/actions such as getting more students of color into the institution and getting the alumni of color involved. In that way, we build a large network that gives us strength in numbers. Only then can we begin to successfully attack the institution’s symbols.

67.
Yale needs to be encouraaged in developing sincere current positive policies fostering genuine respect for all of its students faculty and staff without racial distinction. It must continuously demonstrate that it has truly outgrown the vestiges of its racist history.

68.
I think that the renaming of building at Yale is a waste of time and energy. It was history and one can't change the fact of slavery with a building name change. We would have to rename Washington DC because George Washington was a slave owner. I believe that the economic conditions in New Haven should be addressed. I always thought that the people of the city were treated appallingly. I would support more scholarships for people of color at Yale as a jesture of goodwill from those who benefitted from the legacy of slavery

69.
Some of the survey was difficult to answer because it did not permit selecting two choices at the same level of concern or agreement. There were others were all possible combinations were not available. In many respects it was frustrating to complete this survey

70.
I did not like the design of this survey, as a high priority has to be set on students, faculty and curriculum. They go together. Furthermore, one question on the hypothetical question of a future 13th. college did not allow for my correct answer, which is: there are no grounds for naming any future Yale residential colleges after slaveowners or slavery advocates. Enough is enough

71.
This was a silly survey

72.
I am very interested to read this report--- and I look forward to Yale's response.

73.
Prof. Rogers Smith, a tenured Professor of Political Science, who has since left Yale to join PENN, made a speech to perspective students of color during the spring of 1997. He went through each of the residential colleges and explained very plainly about the racist or biased views and lifestyles of each of the namesakes of the colleges. He said in that speech that attending Yale was the opportunity to get the education that would make one so accomplished that in one hundred years Yale would name a college after you. I came to Yale because of Prof. Smith. I became a Political Science major and took 3 of his courses. When I graduated, Calhoun rolled over in his grave. I do not want Yale or anyone else to forget the principals that they founded the school on and if we change the names of the colleges, they will forget. For some time there will be recognition but are those plaques really going to speak to our history? Yale is racist, sure. But America is racist! If we change the names do we allow Yale to forget its legacy? I think there should be an acknowledgment by the Administration of the slavery legacy of the namesakes. The plaques would be a permanent reminder but I am afraid that in 50 years Yale will spin this story as if Yale's hands were never dirty. "Oh, we have the Edward Bouche College - We are so forward thinking!" What is the plan to make sure that does not happen? I do not think that the names should be changed. A statesman is a statesman. How many people back then were thinking differently from Calhoun? I think we should prioritize having the new buildings named after our people. I think we should make Yale promote our own alums of color. Bouche should get more than that portrait in SML. We should lift up our alum's names on high so that there is juxtaposition or a spectrum to show our progress. Erasing the names lets Yale get away with

74.
We can change the names of buildings and protest all we want. But what gives me great satisfaction is knowing that I succeeded and graduated from an institution of which I was never meant to be a part. And the thought of these slaveowners turning in their graves at the sight of me and folk like me going in and out of their buildings- that's priceless.

75.
Within a set of eduicational institutions that was established on the premises of educating the male children wealthy, white male land owners (i.e. the Ivy League), Yale has always been and continues to be the most racist, sexist, and elitist of them all. The continued insensitivity not only does not surprise me, but is what I would expect from this institution. While other Ivy League schools ammend their financial aid policy to allow their poorer, and particulrly minority, students to be on level ground with their wealthy white counterparts upon graduation, Yale continues to force financial aid students to take out a slew of loans to attend a school where they are treated like second-class affrimative action babies by the faculty and administration alike. As all the talented minority and financial aid students flock to other Ivy leagues that seek to welcome them, accommodate them, and attend to their needs sensitively, Yale will soon find themselves left in the dark as the last asylum for rich whites who seek to be sheltered from any semblance of reality other than world of priviledge. Yale will be satisfied that they have finally achieved their goal of returning to the time when this institution sole purpose was to perpetuate a world of elitism and wealth to those who already fortunate.

76.
This survey and the issues that it raises concern me, particularly with regards to the deterioration of race relations at Yale. I should point out, however, that not only were race relations with White students an issue, but there were also huge issues with relations within the Black community at Yale. While I expect hostility and dismissiveness from Whites, I often encountered this same attitude with Blacks while at Yale. Thus, I sincerely hope that both issues can be addressed as YBAN makes its recommendations to President Levine (who, incidentally, I think should have resigned long ago for allowing ahost of different scandals during his tenure). YBAN should also make it explicitly clear that without Affirmative Action, a good 70-80% of the campus (including White women, who often feel they are immune) would not be present at the University. While the most visible beneficiaries of the act are people of color, it is White women and poor White students who would never have had the opportunity to attend the school who in fact benefit the most both numerically and historically. The facts about Affirmative Action need to be given, so that detractors truly understand what the act in fact does and does not do, and criticize it for what it actually is rather than emotionally attack for what they think it is.

77.
Thank you for your work.

78.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I wasn't aware that so many residential colleges bear the names of former slaveholders/proponents of slavery. I do not believe that they should be renamed, however. Instead, this fact should be made more widely known and understood; we cannot forget what this university and to a greater extent, this country, was founded upon. The names serve as a reminder of the struggles Black Americans have had to face to reach the Ivy gates, and indeed, the struggles that remain. It may help serve as motivation for those of us who lose sight of the bigger picture in the course of our years at Yale and beyond.

79.
I think the questions focusing on who(m) one's social group revolved around are a bit misleading. What if it was "your own kind" that caused most of your problems/issues? What if there were specific situations in your residential college that precipitated whatever problems a student may have experienced?

80.
I think that is has long been clear that the old money of Yale was based in part on the atrocity of American slavery. I think it would be a disservice to our African-American ancestors to pretend that this event did not happen by changing the names of the Yale colleges. It is important to bring that history to the forefront so that students of all colors know the truth about Yale's legacy. To gloss over that legacy would allow future Yalies to believe that Yale's past was built upon a liberal and morally upstanding foundation, which is not necessarily true.

81.
Buildings named after slave-owners or supporters are not necessarily objectionable and draw attention to the fact that Yale was complicit in the crime. Judge the university by its actions now and use the named buildings as a reminder of their guilt and obligations going forward.

82.
I think every effort should be made to honor those held under slavery for so long. It was the most prolonged terrorist act on American soil, but what made it so pernicious was that it continued with the support of so many people. If we do not face the truth ofslavery's effects, both social and economic, and stare them boldly in the eye, we are all accomplices.

83.
this survey did not seem to function properly. on the pages where i had to choose from 1-10 or 1-5 i was only allowed to choose a # one time. that is, if i believed my response to be a #3 to two questions, i could not choose #3 twice! oops......

84.
International students of African descent tend to fall through the cracks, being both black and foreign. Their needs should be assessed and addressed.

85.
I think as an alumni association too much energy has been placed on this building name issue. I think the focus should be on Yale partnering with the local school district on a massive scale to provide "Comer-type" initiatives to kids of all ages. I think the names of landmarks are a trivial issue. I don't think the self-esteem or success of any Yale student or faculty member has been impacted by the names of landmarks. I think there are more far reaching economic and social issues with the inner-city that could use the expertise of Law school, School of Management, and Medical School. Yale has a school in China..why not a laboratory in the Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, Little Haiti in Miami, South Central* Los Angeles. Students do not have to go half-way across the world to find challenging and dynamic issues. But, I am fundamentally opposed to the idea that an institution of learning has to "subsidize" its local community with stipulated funds beyond the resources provided by taxation. I don't htink a state of city should discriminate against schools, places of worship, or cultural institutions on the bais of esteem or wealth. The relationship should be symbiotic, not stipulated.

86.
Interesting survey; it's a useful topic and I think your attempt to shed more light on this issue is laudable.

87.
Nothing to declare.

88.
I really think that there a many issues which face our people that are of WAY greater import than the question of what building are named after who. I think that it is also unfortunate that the survey seems to presume that a single opinion/trait/practice, now considered negative, ought to be projected back to our evaluations of the past. If nothing else, one ought to be fair enough to judge the past by its own metric as much as we seek to laud how much more enlightened we are than they.

89.
This is an issue that is long overdue and Yale can set a standard for reparations that becomes a model for all of America.

90.
I really don't understand all this brouhaha about buildings named after slaveholders. What's next . . . eradicate honoring all anti-Semites, those who opposed women's rights? Fascist sympathizers? Those who fought in the Indian Wars that contributed to the conquest of the West? If you delve into the personalities, histories of most people of significance, there will be at least one major flaw in them that will offend some group! What about the bright lights of the Industrial revolution who condoned/sponsored sweatshops? Geez...

91.
I find you survey very one sided. There must be other suggestions.

92.
The fact of the matter is that Yale University was founded by the very same people who built this country--landed, wealthy aristocrats, many of whom were slave owners. Even Thomas Jefferon owned slaves, and Lincoln, whom we rightly revere as a great man, wasn't entirely comfortable being viewed as a champion of the slaves. Like America, Yale has a very complicated history, but that history can't be rewritten or erased. Changing the names of residential colleges isn't going to have any real impact in terms of effecting real political or social change. It isn't going to address the problems of black poverty, the black family, the black community's wilful silence over issues of gender and sexual orientation, crime, drugs, unplanned pregnancies, and the rise of AIDS within our community. To be sure, we mustn't pass over our university's history in wilful silence, either. Dialogue is important, and perhaps certain steps need to be taken to honor the other men and women upon whose backs this country was built--slaves and immigrants. But if we start changing the names of buildings just because they were named after slave holders, a lot more buildings (and a lot of cities and counties for that matter) will need renaming. I think our energies are more required elsewhere.

93.
I think that Yale faculty and students should be MUCH more involved in especially the education of New Haven residents. Why was it just a "community service option" to tutor NH students? Why hasn't Yale started a charter school or campus elementary school?

94.
I think the focus on Yale's connection to slavery and buildings named after slave-owners is mis-guided. Its symbolic, but there are many more relevant, immediate issues that are more deserving of our attention - for instance Yale's unwillingness to reach fair agreements with its labor unions. This would make a far more meaningful impact in the lives of people of color than renaming a couple of buildings.

95.
What is done, is done. However, going forward I would hope that the University would not be so insensitive as to continue naming buildings after slave owners/defenders. The best (and most practical/timely) thing that can be done is to erect plaques along the lines of the one in Calhoun that raises awareness about the issue. If slavery is a part of Yale's history, lets not be a part of white washing it, but rather exposing it and using this history as a means of educating students and alumni.

96.
If the goal of this group is to bring attention to Yale's ties to slavery, becoming involved in town-gown relations will only dilute this message and weaken alumni support.

97.
I think that this was a rather silly survey, and that it was not particularly articulate or well thought out. As someone who visits New Haven and Yale on a regular basis, I strongly feel that there are far more important things to worry about than the names on Yale buildings.

98.
While the issue of institutional responsibility for slavery and its continuing effects is very interesting, as a practicing civil rights lawyer, I question the focus on this issue. How is Yale respsonding to issues facing Black students and faculty TODAY?

99.
I applaud your efforts but I'm rather exhausted by this survey and all the time that went into what is really a non-issue. Why can't YBA work together on a present-day issue instead of fighting battles from the past. People who attend Yale are attracted to it by its "old boy network" reputation and elitist prestige. Yale benefited from contributions derived from the immoral exploitation of non-slave workers as well. Shouldn't we also work to rename Vanderbilt Hall or Whitney Gym? I give my time as a Yale interviewer during the admissions process. I make it really clear that Yale is an elitist institution with a racist past and, at best, indifferent multi-cultural policy in the present. If I were super rich, I'd donate money to name a building after Nelson Mandela or an abolitionist with a Yale connection. I'm sure there are just as many in Yale's past as pro-slavery alums.

100.
It is interesting. Reharding the slave owner names, a part of me ralizes that it is a painful but true part of history and is a true reflection of the contridictions and hipocracy that Yale represents. Our education in the midst of honored slave owners remind me of this "using the masters tools to take down his house." I think that the changing of names will not deconstruct the larger racial issues that afflict Yale and the time and money should be invested in real change, like black tenured faculty and not the symbolic changes of names.

101.
I do not think the re-naming of buildings is the most pressing issue regarding race relations and specifically, black race relations at Yale. I would be more concerned with statements about the necessity of affirmative action, recruitment of minorities from lower SES backgrounds, and re-framing the freshman orientation procedure so that it no longer appears that all minority students need additional help to be ready for college.

102.
I could write all day. I am EXTREMELY disappointed at the either deliberately or misguidedly vague wording of some of these questions. For example: use of terms such as "more accepted" implies that the absolute immorality of African and African-American enslavement is some issue of fleeting political will or whimsy. Further, I do not like questions which don't give me the choice of "none of the above." I cannot express in hastily written email words how strongly I feel that changing the names of buildings is misguided. Absolutely, install prominent plaques explaining origins of name perhaps. But erasing those names comes dangerously close to hiding rather than facing that history. I could go on and on. I hope that we as alumni will be invited to have a meaningful voice in this dialogue. (Rosanne Adderley PC 89)

103.
Race relations at Yale were not perfect during my time there, and there were several instances where I was treated badly specifically because of my ethnicity. But overall I was satisfied with the institutional commitment to diversity of thought, dialogue about controversial issues, and the like. In the end, however, Yale will remain an elite, white institution.

104.
This is the first time I have heard of this organization, YBAN, and that is compelling since it has been in existence for 8 years now. Although the use of slave-owners' names on Yale buildings is probably offensive to many people, at this point in my life I don't find it as offensive as I did as a student. I have come to peace with the whole racism issue and I believe that although racism and slavery are very unjust, and I would not participate in either, there are historical complexities that compelled many people to willingly participate in and benefit from the slave trade all over the Americas. This does not make it right, but it happened. I was very upset about Calhoun College being name after John C. Calhoun when I was at Yale but I also had a completely different idea about slavery, race relations and my own identity. Because of my own undergraduate feelings about it, I respect that it may be very offensive and insulting to black students now at Yale and some alumni. I believe that as a country we need to accept and acknowledge that slavery happened. It was a very horrible system and many people suffered. What was done to Africans and their descendents was unjust and inhumane, there is no question. However it is part of the history of the U.S.A. I don't believe that renaming all the buildings named after slaveowners is really the answer. It would create a lot of confusion and then the question becomes "who DO we name it after?" These slaveholding men may have been Yalies and even though their money was earned on the backs of African and African American slaves, they donated to Yale--and at the time Yale was about THEM and other whites and there is nothing that can be done to change that. However, no NEW buildings or fellowships should be named after slaveowners or people in favor of slavery. We know now (most people in this country not just black people) that slavery is and was wrong so there is no reason to honor those people from herein. They might have been heroes back then and for that reason were given statues, buildings, etc. but today that racist perspective should not be welcomed. If anything, Yale should have some kind of discussion and/or course on these alumni whose names and figures grace the campus in order to raise awareness. They are a reminder that slavery happened and today I believe most Yale students today would find their actions wrong. It could be an opportunity to raise awareness and examine some of the unpleasant Yale history. I think that there are more important issues at hand than renaming statues and buildings. The undergraduate population needs to be diverse as well as the faculty. There were very few African American faculty when I was at Yale and a few token latino and asian faculty. If Yale were to increase the diversity of the faculty, who in turn would have some voice on committees and the curriculum, some of these issues would be alleviated without the intervention of other committees. As for New Haven, I'm not to up on the situation as I was when there and things have changed. I think that Yale should have more outreach activities but I'm not in favor of a monetary fund to be disbursed to non-Yale affiliated people living in New Haven. If Yale were to straighten out its dealings with the unions and pay its workers decently that would probably take benefit a lot of people since many of the workers live in New Haven. However, I don't think it is the responsibility of Yale to take care of New Haven. It is a private university and its first responsibility is to educate its students.

105.
Regardless of what individuals affiliated with Yale have done in the past, it would be a shame to remove a beautiful part of Yale history by renaming the buildings. The United States of America as a whole was based on the enslavement and oppression of many ethnic groups, including Native Americans. No one would argue to change the names of states, cities, towns or streets which is riddled with the names of a variety of unpopular individuals. Those people who are hypersensitive or easily offended have the choice to disassociate themselves from anything that offends them.

106.
fix parts of the survey. had a hard to connecting to the site and the response categories for the 1st "priority setting" question has bugs.

107.
While I am pleasantly surprised by the outreach effort by yban (I would not have sought inclusion on the listserv), and such poll topics as increased student/facutly diversity and New Haven resident relations, I am very discouraged and annoyed by the overwhelming focus of most of this survey --the names on the buildings. Does someone need a placque to tell them owning slaves was wrong? A rhetorical question, but an assumption of this undertaking nonetheless. Do people of color feel angry when they receive a "Rhodes Scholarship" because of the namesake? This exercise is inane and loses sight of the proverbial "prize."

108.
survey takes at least 10 minutes, not 4 as promised. good survey.

109.
I wanted to note that question #16 would not allow me to select the same rank number in different questions (i.e. - if I selected 1 for the first question, I could not thereafter select 1 for any other question). Thus, my true responses to question 16 are not accurately reflected in the answers given.