I remember when I first looked at SMU, people mentioned that the school might receive the George W. Bush Presidential Library partly because his wife, Laura Bush, attended the school. My parents also said that it would be a big deal for SMU to receive the library, but I guess I didn’t really realize how much of an impact this process was going to have on our school. Now, after SMU has entered serious talks with the Site Selection Committee, numerous debates have surfaced either for or against the University receiving the library.
Sixty-eight university professors have collectively voiced their opinions about having the library at SMU. They argue that Bush’s unpopularity as president and his political views would compromise the school’s academic because it would be as if the university is endorsing the unpopular political views that the president held while in office. Another aspect of the library debate that has been raised over the past month deals with Methodist groups in the United States. Some Methodist ministers have started a national petition, which can be found on the website protectsmu.org, against the library. Their argument is that they believe that “the linking of his presidency with a university bearing the Methodist name is utterly inappropriate.” While both of these groups have their rights to say what they feel, the other side of the debate is more compelling. Those in support of the Bush Institute claim that library would enhance the university by encouraging scholars and students from all over to come to SMU because the library would offer numerous resources. Before my high school college counselor told me about SMU, I had never heard of it. And when I tell many of my friends from back home where I go to school, they nod their head saying, “oh yeah, Southern Methodist University” but in actuality they have never heard of SMU either. If the university does receive the Presidential Library, then more people would have heard of what a great school SMU is.
Who is to say whether or not SMU even receives the library because there are still two other schools in the running for the Bush library: Baylor University in Waco and the University of Dallas. But without even receiving the library yet, SMU has gotten tons of publicity stemming from this debate including a segment on the Colbert Report and an aired story on ABC World News, along with numerous articles in newspapers. The Colbert Report segment and the ABC World News report ultimately voiced that this Library should be at SMU because it will enhance the university and bring worldwide recognition to SMU. It is time to put political and religious issues aside and think about what is best for the university
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I think we should receive the Presidential Library. It will be difficult to find adequate space on campus with out taking down something important, but the Presidential Library is a unique opportunity that few unversities get to experience. Do we deserve it? Yes I think we do, SMU is a prestigious university that grows by the day, and there are few honors these days that are better than an opportunity to hold a Presidential Library.
Of course there has been some debate between the surrounding area and the school, because the surrounding area is afraid that tourist will ruin the quiet neighborhood feel that Highland and University Park currently enjoy. It is an interesting debate, and I am excited to see the outcome.
Shootthetrey03 is right that there isn't space for the librry--well, there is but some old people had to be moved out of their University Gardens condos, no matter. SMU had this deal in the bag long ago, I signed the letter objecting tothe Bush Institute since I don't think we should have a partisan institute on our campus. No other school except Stanford has one, and it has caused conficts there. But the Library itself will add to SMU's fame, regardless of Bush's current unpopularity. Universities cannot ignore reality, and reality is that the Bush Library will bring money to the school, and a university would be crzy to turn down money.
Post a Comment