Former Gov. Clements Gives $4M for SMU-in-Taos Dorm

MrMustang1965 · Post by **MrMustang1965** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:18 pm

Looking like some kind of ski lodge, Southern Methodist University's new student housing facility in northern New Mexico had its groundbreaking today.

The resemblance may not be accidental. Aside from the fact that it's located in shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, the new adobe-style casitas will allow SMU-in-Taos to expand its study programs into the winter months. (The SMU-in-Taos program currently operates only during summer.)

The construction of the new housing has been made possible by a $4 million gift to SMU from former Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr. (SMU '39) and his wife, Rita.

The goal is to accommodate 70 students for a fall semester, in addition to spring and summer terms, starting in 2009.

There will also be an upgrade performed on existing facilities, including infrastructure improvements to include internet access, cell phone service and other technology upgrades.

"SMU-in-Taos is a unique facility for teaching and research that draws from the diverse natural resources and cultures of Northern New Mexico," said Paul W. Ludden, SMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "By offering a fall semester, we can now make this resource accessible to more SMU students, especially those who cannot enroll in summer programs because of the need for employment during those months."

The SMU-in-Taos facility exists on the site of Fort Burgwin, established in 1852 as a regional headquarters for U.S. military operations.

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/ju ... residence/

FroggieFever · Post by **FroggieFever** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:24 pm

Exciting...looks great!

Water Pony · Post by **Water Pony** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:02 pm

Thanks, Bill,

Still disappointed about your role in the DP

CalallenStang · Post by **CalallenStang** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:39 am

Our campus in Taos is something to be proud of. I encourage everyone to stop by the campus anytime you find yourself in the northern New Mexico area.

NavyCrimson · Post by **NavyCrimson** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:12 am

Thanks, Bill, Still disappointed about your role in the DP

This is over & done. The biggest crime of all is the martyrdom that the school has clinged to for 20+ years. If we had built the football program back, the way it should have been built, in a speedy manner, this would have been nothing more than a blurb on the radar screen. Oh no???!!! They wanted to play martyrs for 20 years. This could have easily been averted - much like Miami in the Pell Grant scandal which was far worse. Still, no DP, but still very disastrous for the program. Like Turner said when they were hiring JJ, which really shows the ineptness, lazy & competent so many administrators truly are these days & I'm paraphrasing now, it's now time to start winning again. Yes folks, losing has been a grand design so "we", the contributors, could subsidize the administrations incompentence in managing our athletics dept.

RednBlue11 · Post by **RednBlue11** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:31 am

still buying his way into the good graces of SMU huh?

expony18 · Post by **expony18** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:22 am

Taos was one of the best times i had in college

Mustang98 · Post by **Mustang98** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:57 am

NavyCrimson wrote:
Thanks, Bill, Still disappointed about your role in the DP

This is over & done. The biggest crime of all is the martyrdom that the school has clinged to for 20+ years. If we had built the football program back, the way it should have been built, in a speedy manner, this would have been nothing more than a blurb on the radar screen. Oh no???!!! They wanted to play martyrs for 20 years. This could have easily been averted - much like Miami in the Pell Grant scandal which was far worse. Still, no DP, but still very disastrous for the program. Like Turner said when they were hiring JJ, which really shows the ineptness, lazy & competent so many administrators truly are these days & I'm paraphrasing now, it's now time to start winning again. Yes folks, losing has been a grand design so "we", the contributors, could subsidize the administrations incompentence in managing our athletics dept.

Our administration from 1987-2004 did an unbelievable job of "flogging" themselves to prove a ridiculous point. I know the faculty was embarassed from the scandal, but SMU overreacted big time. I can understand the over correction, but I think we did it for too long and incurred sustained long term damage that quite frankly may be tough to overcome. If June Jones can make us an annual bowl team, then I think we could say that we have gotten over the "self flogging". We'll see what happens in the next few years.