It's a process that has driven people apart, with passion on both sides of the debate to keep or change the name of Forrest Hall.
"I'm in favor of changing the name because I believe for the students of this campus it's the most unifying decision this panel can make," said student and Forrest Hall task force member Grant Marshall.
Tuesday was the final of five meetings. The 16 panel members made their opinions known.
"I would also like to formally vote to retire the name of Forrest Hall on MTSU's campus because of the progress and strides we continuously make toward inclusion and celebrating diversity," said student government president and task force member Lindsay Pierce.
Only a couple members spoke against a name change.
"I believe that discussion should be associated with keeping the name but adding historical perspective," said task force member and alum Brig. Gen. (Ret) David Ogg, Jr.
After five months, the panel's path forward was clear for the first time.
"The consensus of the committee with notable opposition would be to recommend a name change," said Chairman Dr. Derek Frisby.
"It's a victory," said student organizer Brandon Woodruff. "(It's) a war that we're fighting but it's just a battle."
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate General and had early ties to the KKK.
"The building that has such derogatory and brutal meanings associated with it," Woodruff said.
Many around Murfreesboro said Forrest's military record makes the ROTC building appropriately named.
"Nathan Bedford Forrest is revered in this community. His raid on Murfreesboro saved the heir of one of MTSU's founders," said task force member and community representative Mike Liles.
Plus the state's historical laws make any change to the name difficult.
"The best case scenario before anything could happen you're looking at Spring 2018," said Chairman Frisby, who noted that 2018 would only be the end date without opposition along the way.
After a divisive few months with protests and students sending a list of demands to MTSU President Sidney McPhee, folks on campus hope this decision offers a chance to bring everyone back together.
Frisby explained the process at the start of the meeting. If President McPhee makes the same recommendation, the Tennessee Board of Regents has to approve it as well as the Historical Commission.
Each has allotted time to review the measure and hear dissenting voices or entertain injunctions from those against a name change.
