Third World Center new name approved

University trustees approved a recommendation last weekend to change the name of the Third World Center to the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding, effective July 1.

"Some students on the governance board felt that the term 'Third World Center' didn't appropriately explain its function," said Nia Garner '02, the TWC governance board recording secretary .

The new name honors Fields, a former Princeton dean who was the first African American to hold such a high-ranking post at an Ivy League school.

Fields, who died in 1998, pioneered policies to increase the enrollment and retention of African-American and other minority students.

Students on the TWC board initiated the name change. The name search was a formal process, involving outreach to alumni, campus-wide surveys and governance board meetings with Kathleen Deignan, dean of undergraduate students.

"Students had the ultimate say," TWC chair Taufiq Rahim '04 said of the name-changing decision.

However, Garner said students did not offer as much input as she had expected.

"Students did have input or at least the opportunity for input," she said. "I felt that students had a lot of opinions but they didn't really voice them."

Some students have been offended by the current name and have said that as long as the building is named TWC, they will not frequent it. Students have also said the name did not apply to its function.

The purpose of the TWC is a meeting place and an alternative to other social options, Garner said.

"It's a breather from the 'Street,' " she said, and a place to discuss and address issues such as discrimination.

The original name was given when TWC was founded in 1971 after an organization of minority students named the Third World Coalition organized a sit-in in Firestone Library to rally against the University's indifferent policy regarding the resources available to disadvantaged students.

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"It meant something clear to the people of that generation," Deignan said. "It's out of date. It's an issue that's been talked about for a number of years."

Nowadays, many have faulted it as a confusing name, especially to outsiders and people who consider attending the University.

However, there was also a proposal to keep the name.

"The name represents the struggles and social inequalities that still exist on this campus and serves as a link to people of color all around the world," Garner said.

Initially, several black alumni groups reacted negatively to the name change.

"They didn't want the center to fight its history," Rahim said.

Other options, such as the Liberation Center and the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Enlightenment, were suggested."But there was a very strong preference," Deignan said. "Fields was a wonderful man whose legacy we are delighted to honor. He's someone who made a tremendous impact."

Heddye Ducree, director of the center, echoed Deignan's sentiments.

"Dr. Fields' name provides a significant link to the past and the struggles of Princeton's minority students," Ducree said in a statement released by the University. "It is with great pride and respect that we remember the courage and sacrifices of alumni who gave unselfishly of themselves to ensure a place and space for students of color."