The first public meeting dealing with the name "Forrest Hall" at MTSU was held Tuesday night (12/1/2015) night in the Parliamentary Room on the second floor of the Student Union Building. It appeared that those favoring a name change mainly appeared to be students, while those in favor of leaving the name were predominantly alumni and members of the community.

There were moments of heated exchange and shouting, as both sides of the issue were represented by persons with passionate feelings. One in attendance told WGNS that cussing was even heard during the event as tempers flared.

The room gave the appearance of being full, however the massive desk on each row with theatre seating behind it was not conducive to large numbers.

This is not the first time the issue to change the name of the ROTC building has come-up. Mostly students have risen the question about each generation for almost fifty-years.

A proposed change in the way the State of Tennessee governs its five state colleges was announced by Governor Haslam about six hours prior to the Forrest Hall' public meeting. Instead of being governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, each school will have its own governing board and be able to set tuition and be more in charge of its destiny. That goes before the General Assembly that convenes next month.

It's not known if this will have any impact on the Forrest Hall issue, because MTSU President Sidney McPhee has charged the task force to reach their conclusion and make their report by April, 2016.

When the Forrest Hall Task Force was created the Tennessee Board of Regents was the group that made the ultimate decision. The Tennessee Board of Regents would have to approve any recommended name change and the university is also researching whether other state authorities would have to give approval as well. At this time, the rules may be changing as well, and that could impact the decision.

Break-Down of Task Force Members

2015 MTSU Forrest Hall Task Force

MTSU faculty (all are voting members)

1. Chair: Dr. Derek Frisby, a faculty member in the Global Studies and Cultural Geography department
2. Mark Doyle, a faculty representative and an associate professor of history
3. Tricia Farwell, president of the MTSU Faculty Senate and faculty regent at the Tennessee Board of Regents
4. David Otts, a faculty representative and professor in the University College
5. Barbara Turnage, a professor of social work

1. Leonard Brown, a student representative and a political science junior
2. Grant Marshall, a student representative and a freshman majoring in organizational communication
3. Erynn Murray, a student representative and vice president of the MTSU Graduate Student Association
4. Lindsay Pierce, a student representative and president of the MTSU Student Government Association

Community (all are voting members)

1. State Senator Bill Ketron
2. Brig. Gen. R. David Ogg Jr.
3. Tony Beard, an alumni representative and president of the MTSU Alumni Association
4. Tom Clark, a community representative
5. Mike Liles, a community representative
6. Rev. James McCarroll, a community representative
7. Brian Walsh, an alumni representative

All of the above can VOTE on the issue, including the chairman. However, traditionally the chairman's vote is not cast unless there is a tie that needs to be broken.

There is only one non-voting member. It is Co-Chair Dr. Carroll Van West, who is the State Historian and an MTSU Professor.