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Bush library committee selects SMU
School and committee to enter into exclusive negotiations
Mark Norris, Editor in Chief, mnorris@smu.edu
Issue date: 12/22/06 Section: News
If the race for the George W. Bush Presidential Library was the Tour de France, SMU would be Lance Armstrong during the final stage - not past the finish line yet, but cruising towards it sipping champagne.
The committee in charge of selecting a site for the library said Thursday it is entering into exclusive negotiations with SMU.
SMU President R. Gerald Turner spoke at an afternoon press conference, where he came as close to saying the school had gotten the library without actually saying so.
"We're not announcing that it's coming to SMU. But, this is as good of an announcement as we could give you on this occasion," Turner said. "I can't say we have got it until (Search Committee Chair) Don Evans says we've got it, and he has not."
Representatives from Baylor University and the University of Dallas were told privately Thursday that their respective schools have been eliminated from contention. The only way the two could be back in the race is if SMU and the committee failed to reach an agreement.
The negotiation process involves the library committee evaluating the different plans submitted by SMU in Nov. 2005. The two sides must come to an agreement on what the library complex will look like, where it will be and what programs will be a part of it.
The likely site involves the land currently occupied by the University Gardens condominium complex and Binkley Apartments. Other available land includes the former Mrs. Baird's Factory and the Park Cities Plaza shopping center.
The Daily Campus was the first to report in August that local businessman and Board of Trustee member Ray Hunt gave SMU $35 million to buy the shopping center in Nov. 2005.
Also at stake is the funding of the project. SMU could be expected to raise as much as $200 million for the complex. The committee needs to be sure the school could raise such an amount in a certain timeframe. Turner said that fundraising for the library would be nationwide, not solely focused on the deep-pocketed Park Cities neighborhoods.
The committee in charge of selecting a site for the library said Thursday it is entering into exclusive negotiations with SMU.
SMU President R. Gerald Turner spoke at an afternoon press conference, where he came as close to saying the school had gotten the library without actually saying so.
"We're not announcing that it's coming to SMU. But, this is as good of an announcement as we could give you on this occasion," Turner said. "I can't say we have got it until (Search Committee Chair) Don Evans says we've got it, and he has not."
Representatives from Baylor University and the University of Dallas were told privately Thursday that their respective schools have been eliminated from contention. The only way the two could be back in the race is if SMU and the committee failed to reach an agreement.
The negotiation process involves the library committee evaluating the different plans submitted by SMU in Nov. 2005. The two sides must come to an agreement on what the library complex will look like, where it will be and what programs will be a part of it.
The likely site involves the land currently occupied by the University Gardens condominium complex and Binkley Apartments. Other available land includes the former Mrs. Baird's Factory and the Park Cities Plaza shopping center.
The Daily Campus was the first to report in August that local businessman and Board of Trustee member Ray Hunt gave SMU $35 million to buy the shopping center in Nov. 2005.
Also at stake is the funding of the project. SMU could be expected to raise as much as $200 million for the complex. The committee needs to be sure the school could raise such an amount in a certain timeframe. Turner said that fundraising for the library would be nationwide, not solely focused on the deep-pocketed Park Cities neighborhoods.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 54
John
posted 12/21/06 @ 2:23 PM CST
wow, this is really sad,
way to go SMU!! on mounting a library to the worst president in the history of the United States.
I am ashamed to be a student of Southern Methodist University, so much that I am now looking to transer out. (Continued…)
Anthony P. James
posted 12/21/06 @ 2:27 PM CST
way to go ignorant rednecks!!! you finally brought your good ol boy back to your ranch!!
kris norvet
posted 12/21/06 @ 3:32 PM CST
Dear President Turner,
As a former student, I find it disappointing that the University has not considered the impact this presidential library may have on recruiting - this move may very well do more to re-inforce the homogonization of the student body than any other move in recent history. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 12/21/06 @ 4:05 PM CST
Six years ago President George W. Bush was one of the most popular Presidents in the history of the United States. No other President has had to endure an attack on our Country such as 911 and hopefully no other will. (Continued…)
Scott Rewak
posted 12/21/06 @ 4:07 PM CST
I agree with the previous comments. I am ashamed of this decision. My hope is that the deal falls apart in further planning. SMU will be known for this library, as well as the ultra conservative right wing educational think tank that will be attached to it. (Continued…)
Michael Correll
posted 12/21/06 @ 4:31 PM CST
Congratulations SMU! While I may dramatically disagree with some of the policy choices of President Bush, I defintely believe the presence of a presidential library on our beautiful campus will only serve to afford our students amazing opportunities for even greater scholarship. (Continued…)
Scott Rewak
Scott Rewak
posted 12/21/06 @ 4:34 PM CST
SMU should also be prepared to endure protests and backlash, not just from alumni or students, but from many sources.
Rick Dunlop
posted 12/21/06 @ 6:25 PM CST
All of these blasts on GWB himself are out of line. The Presidential Library will house many important documents from the Bush Administration that are invaluable to this country's history. (Continued…)
Mary
posted 12/21/06 @ 8:26 PM CST
Hopefully these comments are not from alum or students of SMU. I would hate to think people that small minded and ignorant to what a presidential library is really about would have graduated from this fine university. (Continued…)
Stan King
posted 12/21/06 @ 10:58 PM CST
The hate against our president is childish, and applying it to SMU's desire to host a presidential library is petty and short-sighted.
More to the point, to quote Stan from South Park: "America may have some problems, but it's our home, our team. (Continued…)
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