Consider the plight of Kozlowski’s alma mater, Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. In 1997 the Catholic college named the building housing its business school Kozlowski Hall after the now-indicted Tyco chief pledged $5 million toward its construction. Some students and faculty want to strip Kozlowski’s name from the 30-classroom facility. “I don’t think he’s the kind of person that should be held out as a role model for our business students,” says one professor. (Kozlowski is fighting all the charges.)
Following Kozlowski’s June indictment on tax evasion charges, Seton Hall’s chancellor asked the school’s board of regents to amend its policy on naming buildings to include provisions for renaming them. “Current events have led us to realize that our policies are not as clear as they should be and that we do need these additional criteria,” says college spokeswoman Robina Schepp. “We hope to have an approved policy in place following the September board meeting.”
Of course, the board might have considered this problem before: In 1987 it dedicated the Robert E. Brennan Recreation Center. Brennan is the penny-stock salesman who headed now-defunct First Jersey Securities. In 1998 he was barred from the securities industry for life and is currently appealing another conviction. Through it all, the rec center has kept his name.
