How Should Jefferson University Handle the Controversial Past of Its Namesake

Roxboro House Roundtables

In 2017, Jefferson University, previously known as Philadelphia University, merged with Thomas Jefferson University. With the renaming of the University, the issue of how to properly deal with the complicated legacy of one our Nations’ founding fathers arose. In is accepted that Jefferson, a slave-owner to his dying day, fathered children with Sally Hemings, a much younger slave. Many believe that any sexual relations with a slave would amount to rape. For several years prior to the merger, one of PhilaU’s academic buildings featured a statue of Jefferson on a bench writing the Declaration of Independence. After the merger, several students raised the issue that the presence of Jefferson, in light of his history, was distressing to students of color on the campus. As a result, based upon the decision of then President Stephen Spinelli, the statue was quickly removed without discussion. The issue at this roundtable was how should Jefferson University, as a learning institution, best deal with the legacy of a man who while accomplishing great deeds, also practiced personally many behaviors that could be considered morally repugnant today. Listen to Professor Evan Laine, Law & Society student Co-Host Dontresse Hazelett and the panel of Jefferson University students as they discuss this controversial issue and suggest possible solutions.