The University of Georgia is planning a memorial at a location on campus where it found the remains of several people who were most likely slaves or former slaves.
UGA officials in late 2015 temporarily halted the expansion of Baldwin Hall after the first remains were discovered by its construction crew. The grave sites are from Old Athens Cemetery, also known as Jackson Street Cemetery, which is next to the north of Baldwin Hall.
UGA on Thursday announced an 18-member task force to determine the location and design of a memorial.
Some faculty in recent months have complained the university hasn’t adequately engaged community leaders about the site nor properly discussed slavery’s impact on UGA.
The task force includes civic and religious leaders, UGA administrators, faculty, an alumni leader and a federal court judge.
“We have abided by one guiding principle throughout this entire process: to treat the remains of those buried on the Baldwin Hall site with dignity and respect,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “This memorial will demonstrate our commitment to further honor their lives in a very public and visible way. I am grateful to the members of the community, faculty, staff and student body who will now advise us on how best to proceed.”
The $8 million expansion project includes construction of a 10,800-square-foot annex and renovations to the existing building.
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