Should SMU sever ties with the Methodist Church?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

If they change the name everyone will have to learn new words to Varsity and Pony Battle Cry!

[RGV Pony]

How about The University of Dallas? Following OSU lead.

We'd just need to acquire the existing U of D

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[PonySnob]

It’s happening.........




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[ThisIsOurTime]

Yes. We haven’t been a church school for generations. It’s silly for the Methodist church to try to hang onto this. Let us go and be officially what we have been for 50 years,

But how would you reimburse them or the donors who thought they were supporting a Methodist school? Seems like a lot is owed to those folks.

And why couldn't the alternative be that those who want to abandon ties with the Methodist Church simply leave and start their own school? Don't forget the Methodist Church did start the school. The atheist faction would still be the interlopers even if they have become entrenched in recent years. How would this not be stealing? You going to make a claim of adverse possession? Why couldn't the Methodist Church put pressure to clean house and kick the proverbial squatters out?

And if you did run off the Methodist Church, what about the name of the school, you going to change it to Southern Atheist University to reflect its godless identity?

I agree that you are confusing "atheist" with "secular."

I think y'all are naive and don't see where that path leads.

[gostangs]

We are not a religious school. Perkins is the smallest school at the university and also is the least productive to the whole. (Less donations, prestigege, students and alumni then any other school at SMU). It worked out ok for Duke and USC to separate from the church - we need to do the same. Let the church be the church and SMU be a university.

[untitled]

I think y'all are naive and don't see where that path leads.

Help me with my naiveté, please. Where does that path lead?

[SMU Pom Mom]

I think y'all are naive and don't see where that path leads.

Help me with my naiveté, please. Where does that path lead?

In Vanderbilt's case, a top 20 ranking and reputation as a world class university.

[EastStang]

So, what would the new name be, if Methodist is removed from the name? There's already a Southern University. Do we sell the naming rights? For $1 Billion we'll name the University after you for 100 years. Imagining Apple University? Exxon University? Just be careful. Balitmore Ravens sold their stadium naming rights to PSI NET which went bankrupt and the naming rights were an asset in the bankruptcy for several years. Or do we find a middle name that starts with "M", so we can keep our initials?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Or do we find a middle name that starts with "M", so we can keep our initials?

Millionaires.

[SMU Pom Mom]

I think the "Southern" refers to the "Southern Methodist Church," not the region. Nevertheless, there are lots of important M people: Moody, Miller, Meadows...

[dalpony]

Southwestern Miller University lol

[friarwolf]

You just continue to emphasize SMU and let southern methodist university drift away.

[ThisIsOurTime]

You just continue to emphasize SMU and let southern methodist university drift away.

That would be pretty disrespectful to all the Methodists who started and supported the school.

[ThisIsOurTime]

We are not a religious school. Perkins is the smallest school at the university and also is the least productive to the whole. (Less donations, prestigege, students and alumni then any other school at SMU). It worked out ok for Duke and USC to separate from the church - we need to do the same. Let the church be the church and SMU be a university.

What is your faith? Why do you think the Methodists founded the school?

[gostangs]

We are not a religious school. Perkins is the smallest school at the university and also is the least productive to the whole. (Less donations, prestigege, students and alumni then any other school at SMU). It worked out ok for Duke and USC to separate from the church - we need to do the same. Let the church be the church and SMU be a university.

What is your faith? Why do you think the Methodists founded the school?

Not sure the reason the Methodist founded the school is relevant at this point. Theology is not a sustainable academic path for a university today - unless it is a total focus such as Dallas Baptist. Also not relevant - but my faith is active Presbyterian.

We all just need to admit this has been in name only for well over 50 years. Probably more. Separating is only acknowledging the reality. The Methodist church has no control over SMU, the Bishops on the board are figure heads and there is very little religious academic activity going on at SMU.

And the M can be for Middle. Or just leave it as Methodist but refer to us as just SMU (like TCU does now). That is not insulting to anyone - it just acknowledges that things change over time.