Many memes, a Facebook page, and a demonstration have been organized by Carleton students in response to last week’s name change of the River Building to Richcraft Hall.
Sasha Chuchin, a second-year student and co-creator of Students United for River Building Awareness, said he helped start the satirical group in response to the building’s name change.
“We felt that some things are too funny to be true so we started this as a joke protest, because it’s just too funny to be true,” he said.
The River Building was renamed Richcraft Hall on Nov. 1 after a $3 million donation from the Singhal family, owners of local real estate company Richcraft Homes, to the university. The lecture theatre on the second floor of the building has also been renamed to the Singhal Family Theatre.
Carleton president Roseann Runte said the university always planned to change the name of the River Building after a donor was found.
“We thought Richcraft Hall has kind of a nice ring to it,” she said.
Chuchin said in addition to the River Building’s name change, the group was also started because he felt there are issues on Carleton’s Board of Governors.
“The commodification of education, the fact that there was no consultations, the fact that it was the family that donated the funds but it was the company’s name that was used for the building, all of these are significant issues that occur on campus,” he said.
Beth Gorham, manager of public affairs at Carleton, said donations are a necessary part of post-secondary institutions in Canada.
“Carleton University encourages philanthropic contributions to achieve its academic mission and enhance student experience. University policy allows for recognition of a benefactor’s commitment and exceptional generosity,” Gorham said.
Chuchin said the group is organizing a demonstration at Richcraft Hall on Nov. 16. The event was originally jokingly referred to as a vigil, but the name was changed to a protest.
“Now it’s a candlelit protest, so it’s a little more romantic, so if you ever wanted to date a building now’s your lucky chance,” he said.
Ashley Courchene, Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) vice-president (student services), said he supports the sentiment of the group, but said he took issue with the protest being referred to as a vigil.
“Vigils are for remembrance of people and so to call a gathering for whatever reason over a building name change, kind of erases those people who have been taken,” Courchene said. “It kind of minimizes what vigils actually are when you’re applying it to a building name change.”
Courchene said he thinks part of the reason students have reacted to Richcraft Hall is because they were not taken into consideration with the new name.
“I think that students are concerned and hopefully in the future then students will be taken into consideration when these decisions are being made,” he said.
Mackenzie Mumby, a first-year public affairs and policy management student, said he first heard about the protest over Facebook and said he agrees with the sentiments of the organizers.
“I think that if the public were consulted beforehand I think there would be a great rejection,” Mumby said. “I think a lot of people associate themselves with the River Building – it has great lighting for professional photos for LinkedIn, and a lot of cultural events are held in the atrium.”
He said he is frustrated the university has received a $3 million donation, but tuition fees are still going up.
However, according to Gorham, the money from the donation will go towards the general endowment fund, which is used for student awards and scholarships.
Courchene said he hopes the student response to Richcraft Hall’s name will compel the university to consult with students in the future.
“I hope that in the future the administration takes students’ concerns into account as valid criticism of the system they’re currently in,” he said.
— With files from Meagan Casalino
