NEW PALTZ – When students return to the campus of SUNY New Paltz shortly, they will see the same buildings, but new names on a half-dozen of them.
The five residence halls and dining hall in the Peregrine complex were renamed after two years of discussion that pointed out that many of the original Huguenot settlers of New Paltz, for whom the buildings were named, had been slave owners.
Following discussion initiated by College President Donald Christian and led by the Diversity and Inclusion Council, the names were changed.
- Hasbrouck Dining Hall is now Peregrine Dining Hall
- Bevier Hall is now Minnewaska Hall
- Crispell Hall is now Ashokan Hall
- Deyo Hall is now Awosting Hall
- Dubois Hall is now Mohonk Hall
- Lefevre Hall is now Shawangunk Hall
Consistent with the college’s mission as an academic institution, a contemplative space will be created on campus in the fall of 2020 to present a more complete history of the college. That includes the history and lasting impacts of slavery, especially northern slavery, the contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendents, the history and legacy of indigenous people before and after European settlement, and the many positive contributions of Huguenot descendants to civil and educational life in New Paltz and beyond.
For more information about the renaming of Peregrine complex buildings, visit https://www.newpaltz.edu/renaming
