CU Boulder renames Fleming building

The University of Colorado Board of Regents unanimously voted to approve the renaming of CU Boulder’s Fleming Building to honor the contributions of former faculty members Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca.

The School of Education formed a committee with alumni, faculty, staff and students that reviewed more than 40 nominations for renaming the building, according to Kathy Schultz, the dean of the School of Education.

The committee was able to narrow down their decision to about five to 10 people and, ultimately, chose Miramontes and Baca.

“We wanted to name the building after both Ophelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca because they each had made such important contributions and we really couldn’t choose one over the other. They were both just so important to so many people connected to our school,” Schultz said.

During the Regent’s meeting, CU Boulder Chancellor Phil Destefano said that the school of education’s committee followed Regent’s guidelines and criteria while selecting the new name for the building.

“The renaming of Fleming to honor two former faculty members who embodied what it means to center diversity, equity and inclusion in education aligns with the goals of the School of Education and the entire CU Boulder campus to cultivate and sustain a more inclusive and just campus community,” he said.

Miramontes and Baca “opened doors to education for many first-generation and students of color and advanced educational equity and justice,” according to a news release.

According to a CU Boulder article, Miramontes served as CU’S first associate vice chancellor for diversity and equity. “She led the creation of the CU LEAD Alliance, a set of learning communities focused on inclusiveness and student success, and the Miramontes Arts and Sciences Program, a supportive academic community for firstgeneration students, many from communities of color.”

Miramontes, who passed away in 2005, joined CU after obtaining her PH.D., according to her husband, Bill Barclay.

He shared his initial reaction to the CU’S School of Education’s recognition of Miramontes.

“We were very surprised but very excited that the faculty there at the School of Ed (honored) Ophelia in that way. It just reflects on the importance that she had in her impact at the School of Ed and the university,” he said.

Miramontes prioritized making CU more accessible to students from underrepresented groups throughout