I love SMU... have no problem with Bush.. but....

[planoponyfan]

At the outset let me say that I'm happy for SMU in winning the right to host a presidential library. It's a very prestigious thing and will be good for this entire area. I love SMU and want to see good things happen to the school.

However, it is clear to me that SMU's bid was inferior to the one submitted by the University of Dallas. The Bush Library Selection Committee made a mistake in selecting the SMU site. Here's why:

1. UD was offering 200+ acres of land for a library, museum and policy institute. SMU is going to try to shoe-horn in the whole project on about a dozen acres of land. UD's plans were for a grand gathering place that could have easily accomodated many visitors and events. SMU's plans are small scale and will blend in with the campus in general. It will be anything but "grand."

2. SMU has had to fight tooth and nail to get this land, UD already owns most of their land and the city of Dallas owned another small portion of land that they indicated they would have been happy to donate to the project. Until that lawsuit with Mr. Voidika (sp?) is over this will continue to be an embarrassment to the project and school.

3. UD's administration and faculty were fully behind the project and excited about it. SMU's administration has fought the faculty and some in the Methodist church over this project. Again, this will continue to be an embarrassment to the project. I am very surprised that the committee would want to give this library to a school that had so much vocal opposition to it.

4. SMU could have joined forces with UD to solve this problem, but chose not to do so. (you'll have to trust me on this one) In fact, when Texas Tech saw what UD was offering, they tried to do just that. There's no reason why the policy intitute and museum couldn't be in Irving while the actual library with all the papers resides on the campus of SMU. (or some other combination)

So why did this happen? It's very simple: many of the folks who said they would put up big money for this project said that money was contingent on the library being built at SMU. That's sad. They genuinely support this president, but have created a situation that will make his library not nearly the kind of beacon for his legacy that it should be.

[Samurai Stang]

Perhaps we should simply merge our institutions as well.

[mrydel]

Better yet, let Dallas absorb Plano.

[BigSkyMustang]

SMU is a major university. UD isn't. The site at SMU is 2-3 miles north of downtown making it easy access for tourists. The site is right next to Dart Rail once again giving it easy access for tourists. And the site is within a mile of a half dozen nice hotels, making it a good site for conferences. And last of all, you can build up. Why does it need to a sprawling complex over 200 acres, when it can be in the center of burgeoning dense zone in Dallas.

[couch 'em]

At the outset let me say that I'm happy for SMU in winning the right to host a presidential library. It's a very prestigious thing and will be good for this entire area. I love SMU and want to see good things happen to the school.

However, it is clear to me that SMU's bid was inferior to the one submitted by the University of Dallas. The Bush Library Selection Committee made a mistake in selecting the SMU site. Here's why:

1. UD was offering 200+ acres of land for a library, museum and policy institute. SMU is going to try to shoe-horn in the whole project on about a dozen acres of land. UD's plans were for a grand gathering place that could have easily accomodated many visitors and events. SMU's plans are small scale and will blend in with the campus in general. It will be anything but "grand."

2. SMU has had to fight tooth and nail to get this land, UD already owns most of their land and the city of Dallas owned another small portion of land that they indicated they would have been happy to donate to the project. Until that lawsuit with Mr. Voidika (sp?) is over this will continue to be an embarrassment to the project and school.

3. UD's administration and faculty were fully behind the project and excited about it. SMU's administration has fought the faculty and some in the Methodist church over this project. Again, this will continue to be an embarrassment to the project. I am very surprised that the committee would want to give this library to a school that had so much vocal opposition to it.

4. SMU could have joined forces with UD to solve this problem, but chose not to do so. (you'll have to trust me on this one) In fact, when Texas Tech saw what UD was offering, they tried to do just that. There's no reason why the policy intitute and museum couldn't be in Irving while the actual library with all the papers resides on the campus of SMU. (or some other combination)

So why did this happen? It's very simple: many of the folks who said they would put up big money for this project said that money was contingent on the library being built at SMU. That's sad. They genuinely support this president, but have created a situation that will make his library not nearly the kind of beacon for his legacy that it should be.

You have to be kidding me. You would rather SMU water down the benefits of getting a Presidential Library (on campus no less) by sharing it with a 3rd rate school in Irving (that's just humiliating) and having it located NOT on campus? That's just...... wow.......

Would you also have us form joint ventures with NTSU, Paul Quinn, and Dallas Baptist? When you lay with swine......

[ponyfan84]

and can Richland Community College get in on this action? Seriously though I understand what you're saying but nobody knows about or cares about the University of Dallas. One poster was right saying look how accessible SMU is. Off 75, in HP, DART is a block away, same with nice hotels and it's in Dallas, not Irving.

[htownponyfan]

So why did this happen?

1. SMU is a prestigious university, unlike the other schools in the DFW area.

2. The first lady went to SMU

3. SMU is located in the heart of Dallas.

It's not just about land.

[Paladin]

Mr. Vodicka, thanks for offering your opinions on the matter. All are welcome here !!

[planoponyfan]

I'd like to thank everyone for providing exactly the kind of responses I thought I would get.

My opinion has not changed.

I sincerely hope this library, museum and policy institute are a big success.

[couch 'em]

I'd like to thank everyone for providing exactly the kind of responses I thought I would get.

If you knew people were going to give well thought-out, rational, reasonable responses to your ridiculous, treasonous assertions, why did you post them?

[Samurai Stang]

My opinion has not changed.

A wise man changes his mind.
-Japanese Proverb

[couch 'em]

A wise man changes his mind.
-Japanese Proverb

Did the wise man who penned this proverb change his mind after he wrote it?

[OC Mustang]

My opinion has not changed.

A wise man changes his mind.
-Japanese Proverb

I'm going to point that out to you again once of these days...just to razz you....

That one ranks up there with "The meek shall inherit the earth."
Yeah? Izzat so? Guess how meek they'll be when they do?

[dcpony]

They genuinely support this president, but have created a situation that will make his library not nearly the kind of beacon for his legacy that it should be.

Legacy? LOL

[Junior]

So why did this happen?

1. SMU is a prestigious university, unlike the other schools in the DFW area.

2. The first lady went to SMU

3. SMU is located in the heart of Dallas.

It's not just about land.

Word. UD can't carry SMU's jock.