Flags displaced by UC renovation, committee seeks to find new home

Officials continue searching this month for a new home for dozens of international flags displaced by University Center renovations.

Workers removed about 56 flags more than a year ago from the skylight rafters that served as the UC focus. The flags represent various members of the United Nations and the University’s international student population.

The original idea for the flag display came from Dr. George Hamm who served at University president from 1981-1998.
He said he became aware of students who had not seen much of the United States or the world and thought the flag display would initiate more concern for other nations.

“I’ve got to get people to expand their minds and think about other parts of the world,” Hamm recalled thinking.
Cameron Leger, a senator for the Student Government Association, is leading the “Save the Flags” committee formed to preserve the flags’ legacy.

“Ever since the first time I came to UT Tyler back in the spring of 2006, I was drawn to the flags and what they represented,” he said.

The flags have been in storage since the renovations began 16 months ago. “I was worried about the whereabouts of the flags,” Leger said.

He is working with Ona Tolliver, director of student life and leadership, and Gregg Lassen, vice president of student affairs, to find a new home for the flags.

Lassen said committee members agree it is important to maintain the integrity of the flags as a whole. The overall effect — United Nations — would be lost if they are displayed individually, he said.

“So we’re looking for a big space where they can be displayed all together and not be intrusive,” he said.

Committee members suggest the flags may be displayed somewhere around the Met cafeteria in the new UC expansion.
Lassen said he is excited about the committee’s mission, as are many students, faculty and administrators, particularly Dr. Robert E. Sterken Jr., assistant provost for international programs.

Sterken, who heads the University’s Global Awareness Through Education program, said flags have the ability to evoke strong emotions in people.

“The presentation of the flags from around the world would allow UT Tyler to show our appreciation and respect for nations around the world, support UT Tyler’s global awareness initiative and would have the added benefit of showing our appreciation and warm welcome to our inbound international students,” he said. “In my opinion, the flags would be a public acknowledgement of UT Tyler’s growing international diversity for all to see for years to come.”