SMU has been chosen as the favorite to house the George W. Bush Presidential Library, but the campus opinion is far from unified.
“Having the presidential library at SMU will attract people from all over the world to come to the school and examine the documents of the Bush administration. It will bring worldwide recognition to the university,” said SMU alumnus Ryan Kenter.
The controversy over the library is one in a series of controversies during the Bush presidency: the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina and the Alberto Gonzales firings, just to name a few.
Despite the fact that Dallas is largely Republican, many residents don’t want Bush’s legacy affiliated with their city.
“SMU is taking a political stance and risking their future for the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Having the library at SMU will show the school’s support for Bush’s actions and the war,” said Dallas local Jenna Smith.
Gary Vodicka, owner and former resident of the University Gardens apartment complex on the southeastern edge of campus, thinks SMU has been unfair in the actions it has taken to acquire land for potential library sites. “They are taking my home,” he said in an interview with the New York Sun. He says University Gardens is the site SMU wants to offer for the library and is suing the university to stop the destruction of his condominium units.
Some argue that the library would be a major tourist attraction, much like The Sixth Floor Museum that exhibits the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Sixth Floor Museum alone averages more than 450,000 visitors every year. The library, they say, will only add to that number.
Many are excited about the possibility of the Bush library coming to the school regardless of their political views. Sophomore Kate Martinez said, “Although I don’t agree with the actions of the president, the library would bring international attention that would benefit the school in many different aspects.”
But Kristin Schutz, a sophomore at SMU, says, “Regardless of Bush politics, I don’t think the university should consider a library that will polarize the campus.” She also says that the connection with the Bush administration would give the impression that SMU is in agreement with the decisions President Bush has made while in office.
Others on campus don’t have opinions quite that strong.
Abbie Jordan, a sophomore CCPA major, said, “People are making a bigger deal about the library than it is. SMU is an excellent institution of higher learning, and people are not going to dislike the school just because it is associated with a president they don’t agree with.”
Sophomore Kari Ondash said she is “torn between the pros and cons of each side,” therefore considering herself indifferent on the matter.
The opinions of SMU alumni appear just as divided concerning the presidential library. Several have expressed opposition to the library and are pleased with the scrutiny the issue has come under, while others strongly believe it will be an extreme asset to the university. Dr. Donald Steinberg graduated from SMU in 1969 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration.
When asked about his feelings concerning the library, he said, “The George W. Bush Presidential Library will be a chronicle of history for future generations to learn both the mistakes as well as the contributions of the Bush administration. History is invaluable.”
Dr. Steinberg does not necessarily consider himself a Bush supporter.
With approval ratings at less than 30 percent, George W. Bush has been one of the least popular American presidents in recent history.
But many say that is not a reason to oppose the library.
“Every president is an extremely historical figure, regardless of their reputation during their time in office. Any place chosen to hold all the records and documents of that presidency is fortunate because it will attract people to come study the impact that president had on our nation,” said Dr. Ed Mullally, father of a sophomore SMU student.
Mullally says no matter a person’s political stance, Bush will be one of the most significant presidents in our nation’s history and the events of the past several years have changed the world forever.
Perhaps the strongest resistance to the library has come from the professors in the SMU theology department. In December, a letter written to SMU President R. Gerald Turner from “Faculty, Administrators and Staff” of the Perkins School of Theology stated: “We count ourselves among those who would regret to see SMU enshrine attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious.”
A copy of the letter was posted online by Texas Monthly.
Along with the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, located at The University of Texas at Austin, came the LBJ School of Public Affairs, which is a graduate component of the university that offers professional training for graduate students pursuing careers in government. Several other presidents have opened similar graduate schools alongside their presidential libraries as well. Thus far, there are no plans for George W. Bush to establish a like school at SMU.
