"You don’t want to erase the past, but you want to acknowledge it… and explain why it’s important that we are changing this," he said, according to the student newspaper.
The task force has worked to identify a replacement name aligned with the college’s current priorities, including increasing diversity and choosing someone with direct ties to the institution.
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"It turns out individuals are really complicated," task force chair Cat Norris told The Phoenix, noting the difficulty of vetting potential names.
Trotter, who taught for more than 30 years around the turn of the 20th century, has also drawn criticism for writings described as "scientific racism," including claims that Native Americans underutilized land later farmed by Europeans.
The college has also launched a broader review of its collections and handling of human remains, including new ethical standards for acquisition and repatriation, The Phoenix reported.
A final decision on the building’s new name is expected later this year.
Fox News Digital reached out to the school for comment.
