On Nov. 1, Carleton’s President Roseann Runte made the announcement that the River Building was being renamed Richcraft Hall.
Following this, a false chaos ensued. Multiple Facebook groups and even a candlelight vigil were created in commemoration of the building, and the group Students United for River Building Awareness was accredited by Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) Hub.
Most students don’t seem to care about the name change and see the whole situation as a bit of a joke. However, as ridiculous as the cause may be, students’ frustration over this change reflects the disconnect between Carleton’s officials and the students.
The building was renamed due to a $3 million donation by the Singhal family and their company, Richcraft Homes, but students heard nothing of the process for the donation. Was this discussed in a Board of Governors meeting? Did Runte just decide on the spot when they got the donation that the building would be renamed?
It seemed like such a spur-of-the-moment decision to the majority of Carleton, and that’s because students weren’t consulted until after the fact.
Now a name of a building really isn’t a big deal, but the lack of communication between those who govern and those who attend has become a large issue at Carleton.
Academics have threatened to blacklist Carleton over lack of openness and transparency with its Board of Governors. This was based on a policy which banned anyone on the board from speaking publicly on what had been discussed at board meetings. Professors at Carleton are also complaining about this issue.
Renaming the River Building isn’t the problem, but it’s indicative of a larger issue. The reaction has been entertaining, but it’s eye opening at the same time.
Yes, the renaming of a building is a mild annoyance, but it’s common practice at university campuses and not the end of the world. The real issue is the lack of dialogue between students and campus officials. It’s the same reason some students were upset with the draft sexual violence policy, and the mental health framework. Whether it be an issue large or small, there is a serious lack of communication on Carleton’s campus.
And even though it isn’t a big deal, if the governors can’t discuss something as small as a building name change, what else are they going to change with zero warning?
The River Building (now Richcraft Hall) is home to Carleton’s journalism and communications program, and where students from a variety of programs attend classes, study, and hang out. Even with the new name, the way we use the space isn’t going to change—after all, it is the home of “River Tims.”
Students who are genuinely worked up about the new name need to take a breath and understand there are bigger issues to become passionate about, and that bigger issue is right under their noses.
