After a series of diversity and equality protests from Pepperdine University undergraduate students, the Christopher Columbus statue that for years appeared on the Malibu campus is set to be relocated to the university’s Florence, Italy campus. According to the Pepperdine Graphic, controversy surrounding the statue began approximately two years ago, with students protesting to have it removed because, students said, it was a symbol of genocide and racial oppression.
Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton made the announcement last week in a press release, praising the students for their diligence and respectfulness regarding the issue.
“I appreciate the input from the community on all sides of the issue,” Benton said in the prepared statement. “If I had to choose a word to describe the process, it would be the word ‘respect.’ I respect those who made the original gift and, of course, I respect students and others who have expressed themselves articulately with different views.”
A timeline for the statue’s removal has yet to be determined. However, Benton said he plans to hold a community forum this month to keep conversations about campus diversity going.