While SMU students hit the slopes or soaked up the sun over spring break, the school increased its chances in winning the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

The 10-city West Texas Coalition, led by Texas Tech University, was cut from the running on March 16.

Texas Tech University System Interim Chancellor Dr. Donald R. Haragan said, “We are obviously disappointed by the decision of the selection committee, but we are very supportive of its efforts and are proud of the work done by the West Texas Coalition.”

In a letter from Don Evans, one of the search committee members, he said, “This was a difficult decision for the committee. Your team has brought to light many important ideas, and it is our hope that the final selection and site will make you and the institutions you represent proud.”

The Coalition proposed spending as much as $500 million on the project and would have included a public-policy institute at Texas Tech and the Laura Bush literacy center in Midland.

“There is no question that we put our best foot forward and had an outstanding proposal on the table. I believe that an objective look at our proposal will show there is nothing else we could have done,” Haragan said.

The two remaining schools vying for the library are Baylor University and the University of Dallas.

SMU Vice President of External Affairs Brad Cheeves said SMU is “honored to be among the finalists and we look forward to the next step in the process.”

Last week’s announcement reinforced that the library selection process is not on a specific timeline. Cheeves said the only contact SMU has with the search committee is through periodic follow-up phone calls regarding the university’s proposal. Cheeves did say SMU is ready to respond to any actions requested by the committee.

“We submitted a proposal that highlights the strengths of SMU and we stand ready to respond.”