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Not the best PR move

This sucks. Man up SMU.

How absurd

Yeah, not handled very gracefully.

Just another reason to reduce your donations to the school.

Now is the time to contact SMU with your displeasure if you do not agree with this

rlhart@smu.edu


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@SMU 1m1 minute ago
It would be SMU’s privilege to feature Victoria Smith delivering an honorary serve at the SMU volleyball game Saturday, Nov. 12.

Got a reply from Hart:


Thank you for contacting me. In short, a mistake was made. Had our process been followed, such a communication would not have occurred. I understand your outrage and we have reached out to Ms. Smith to apologize and reinforce the invitation for Victoria to participate in tomorrow's match as originally planned. It remains our intent to honor the Smith family.

Our full statement is below for reference:

The SMU Volleyball program extends its sincere apologies to the Smith family and is reaching out this morning to speak directly to Mrs. Smith to apologize and reinforce that the invitation stands. This incident does not reflect SMU values. Due to a change in staffing, there was a breakdown in communication that led to this unfortunate situation. This communication to Mrs. Smith would never have occurred if proper approval and communications procedures had been followed. The invitation was intended to help a family heal, and we very much look forward to Victoria’s first serve in the volleyball match Saturday.

SMU values the service and sacrifices of all first-responders and honored Victoria’s father, Sgt. Michael Smith, as well as Dallas Police officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, and Patrick Zamarripa, DART Officer Brent Thompson, SMU Officer Mark McCullers and University Park Fire Department Chief Bob Poynter at the annual First-Responders football game earlier this fall.

Sincerely,
Rick




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Well that was quick! I (and I'm hoping many others) emailed the office of President Turner about an hour ago expressing my concerns and why it would erode the respect I and many other Alumni have for the university. Glad they took our messages to heart.

SwimStang89 wrote:Well that was quick! I (and I'm hoping many others) emailed the office of President Turner about an hour ago expressing my concerns and why it would erode the respect I and many other Alumni have for the university. Glad they took our messages to heart.

Good thing Heidi Smith posted the message she originally got from SMU on Facebook.

Was confused how this could happen until I realized I had been inundated with posts on twitter from the SMU page assuaging the fears of students that the election was not going to change their diversity programs and rules. Have we gone so far that the school needs to repeat blanket statements to students that can't figure out...it's a private institution?!? I understand the push for diversity programs...has a reputation for not being anything close to a diverse student population. But...seriously...have we fallen that far from the tree?

Bush league communication department.

They made a stupid decision and quickly fixed it. Good for them.

Good job on the correction.