EOU photo

EOU gives update on plan for bodies found under historic  Inlow Hall

La Grande, Oregon – A public forum will be held Monday, June 6 in Huber Auditorium in Badgley Hall at Eastern Oregon University. Tim Seydel, assistant vice president for University Advancement, will provide an update on the proposed solution to resolve the matter of the exposed skeletons under Inlow Hall. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.

"This is an important and sensitive issue for President Fatemi, EOU and the community."
                            -Tim Seydel

Opinions voiced during an open forum in April found the general consensus to be that the bodies should not be disturbed. Since that time EOU President Khosrow Fatemi and Seydel have been working on a solution. Finding a way to preserve the graves with a permanent covering, and possibly placing a memorial plaque attributed to the unknown dead who rest there, will be the ultimate goal.

“This is an important and sensitive issue for President Fatemi, EOU and the community,” said Seydel. “We’ve been working with multiple entities on this project, including the Commission on Historic Cemeteries, legal counsel and others to facilitate a solution.”

It has been known for years that the historic administration building, constructed in 1929, was built on the site of a hilltop cemetery dating back to the mid 1800’s. During the initial excavation process, many of the plots were relocated to the site of a mass grave at Hillcrest Cemetery. The remains discovered under the front northeast extension of Inlow Hall were among those left behind.

For more information on this issue, contact Seydel in the EOU University Advancement Office at (541) 962-3740 or send an e-mail to advancement@eou.edu.