DURHAM, N.C. — N.C. Central University is looking into renaming one of its residential halls named after a North Carolina governor in the 1920s who is seen as supporting racist education policies.

The school released a statement this week saying it's taking a series of steps before taking it to the board of trustees.

NCCU student Manuhe Abebe started a petition to change the name of McLean Residence Hall after doing research on former Gov. Angus McLean. He and other students say McLean has a documented racist past, including disproportionally funding white public colleges and universities.

The petition states that keeping McLean's name on a residence hall at NCCU honors a man whose values support white supremacy and racial segregation. Abebe says he started the petition because student tuition goes to keep these buildings renovated, and they should have a say in what their money is contributing to.

“If we can all come together and express our views and opinions, I think changes can be made. Changes can’t always happen overnight — it takes time. As long as we have the support with everyone in the community, I think changes can be made,” Abebe said.

U.S. History Professor Jerry Gershenhorn helped get another building's name changed at NCCU in 2019.

He says that when the McLean building was constructed in the 1930s, NCCU's president went to the state legislature to get funding. By naming the building after a governor, he was able to get support from legislators. 

“We want our students to know the history and be involved and to have informed opinions about a variety of topics related to public policy,” Gershenhorn said. 

Abebe says he has not heard of any recommendations for a new names for the residence hall.