No matter how one feels

Just today, I received the following letter from the President of my alma mater. I am conflicted, and a bit devastated, that my school has chosen to connect itself with the Institute. In a previous post, I stated my personal opinions alongside those of certain members of the faculty senate. How disappointing then, that we have opted to welcome such a political machine into our academic midst. Yet another disappointment.

Dear member of the SMU family:

Although undoubtedly you have heard news reports on this topic, I wanted you to hear directly from me that SMU has been chosen as the site of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Museum and Institute, after a competition with seven other institutions. The entire complex of library, museum, institute and conference facilities will be known as the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The announcement was made February 22 by the Bush Foundation on behalf of President Bush.

Only a handful of cities and universities host presidential libraries. For Texas to have three of them gives our state a unique triumvirate of resources for studying presidential history during pivotal times. The Presidential Center is another way in which SMU can serve our community, the nation and the world.

The three-part Presidential Center will consist of the presidential library, containing documents and artifacts of the Bush Administration; a museum with permanent and traveling exhibits; and an independent public policy institute. Focusing on topics of interest to the President, the George W. Bush Institute will host officials, scholars and others as fellows for research and symposia. While the Presidential Library and Museum will be operated by the National Records and Archives Administration, the George W. Bush Institute will be operated independently of SMU by the Bush Foundation and will be identified accordingly. The agreement between SMU and the Foundation stipulates that the relationship between the two “will not interfere with SMU’s commitment to open inquiry and academic freedom within the University.”

At the same time, guidelines have been developed for appropriate interactions between SMU and the Institute. These include procedures for concurrent appointments if an institute fellow qualifies to teach at SMU, or if an SMU faculty member wishes to serve as an institute fellow.

No matter how one feels about a particular administration, a presidential library preserves the history of the Office of the President and of our nation during a particular era, and the documents and artifacts making up a presidential library are a tremendous resource for research. As you know, the era covered by the George W. Bush Presidential Center encompasses events such as the tragic attacks on 9-11, efforts to combat terrorism, the current war in Iraq, natural disasters such as Katrina, and a changing economy.

In addition, as an educational asset for students, faculty, visiting scholars, schoolchildren, and tourists from throughout the world, the Presidential Center will enable thousands of people to gain an appreciation of SMU who otherwise might not hear about our University. We should feel pride that SMU has been selected as a repository of historical documents, a purpose that transcends current politics, enabling scholars and others to study this presidency over the long term.

Fund-raising for the Presidential Center will be conducted by the George W. Bush Foundation. Although we will certainly cooperate with that effort, SMU’s main fund-raising focus will continue to be our upcoming major gifts campaign for endowments supporting students, faculty, academic programs and our unique campus experience. At the same time, SMU’s selection as the site of the Presidential Center will introduce us to new audiences who otherwise would not know about SMU’s strengths and potential. Either way, SMU’s momentum is strong and growing.

Our alumni and parents are a major source of that strength, enhancing our reputation through your daily achievements as well as support. We will keep you apprised as more details develop. In the meantime, further information about SMU as the home of the George W. Bush Presidential Center is available at smu.edu, including a webcast of the related news conference on February 22.

I appreciate your interest and support.

Sincerely,

R. Gerald Turner
SMU President

I would like to lift out a paragraph buried in the letter, which speaks however eloquently and sadly of the state of where we are on the Dallas hill:

No matter how one feels about a particular administration, a presidential library preserves the history of the Office of the President and of our nation during a particular era, and the documents and artifacts making up a presidential library are a tremendous resource for research. As you know, the era covered by the George W. Bush Presidential Center encompasses events such as the tragic attacks on 9-11, efforts to combat terrorism, the current war in Iraq, natural disasters such as Katrina, and a changing economy.

Yes, indeed, as a citizen of this lovely, liberated, democratic nation, and as an alumna of the school with this massive presidential library, I will be able to reminisce and reflect upon the "great era" of our current president -- an era marked by war, death, terrorism, and a failing economy. Is this the legacy that we want to protect, cherish, and remember? Yes, indeed, this is the legacy that we can never forget -- if only to build a better nation and never reach this point again.