The mural, on display at one of the university's dorms, includes newspaper clippings and photographs from 1961 when Charlayne Hunter enrolled at the school. Under one photo of Hunter pushing her way through a mob outside Myers Hall — where Hunter lived and where the mural presently resides — is a highlighted quote: ``Make way for the nigger.''
About three dozen students attended a campus NAACP meeting Thursday night to discuss the mural, which was unveiled Jan. 19. Most students agreed with the mural's concept, but said they objected to the unattributed quote.
``It's a beautiful memorial. We don't want to knock that,'' said second-year student Erica Tindall. ``It is offensive. It is a very derogatory word.''
Rick Gibson, the university's director of housing, oversaw the display's creation, but said he is getting a cost estimate for modifying the glass exhibit. He said he will discuss any change with students and school administrators first.
Gibson, who is black, said he wanted the mural to accurately depict the hatred that Hunter felt when she arrived on campus.
``It was never intended to have the kind of shock value I'm hearing it's having,'' Gibson said.
Not all students at the meeting were opposed to the wording. Erin Mahone said the words could help educate people about desegregation and black history.
UGA President Michael Adams said Thursday that he had not seen the tribute, but he will defer to other administrators to decide what is best
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