Some Faculty Not Happy About Bush Library at Southern Methodist University

Despite many protests, it looks as if the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum will be built on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. The protests are theological, ethical and political.

The land on which the library is to be placed is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. United Methodist law requires approval for the sale by the South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ), which doesn't meet until July. The university has argued that the SCJ Mission Council has already approved the sale of the land, saying the upcoming vote on the sale is simply a technicality. Because delegates have never failed to ratify a decision made by the Mission Council, library plans have proceeded without official authorization. The College of Bishops gave the Bush Administration the go-ahead.

Obviously, not all Methodists or faculty of SMU are against the plan. The library and museum are likely to bring the school a great amount of attention, tourists, and money. However, even though the school is the alma mater of First Lady Laura Bush, and even though President Bush affiliates himself with the United Methodist church, his attitudes and policies have been distinctly un-Methodist. A church that prides itself on nonviolence, social justice, and humanitarianism seems and odd bedfellow for George. Will museum visitors, and especially the think tank, hinder the school's spirit and purpose?

Being good Methodists, some faculty of Perkins have created an online petition titled the Protect SMU Petition in which they state, "As United Methodists, we believe that the linking of his presidency with a university bearing the Methodist name is utterly inappropriate." According to Library Journal, Perkins faculty wrote a letter to R. Gerald Turner, president of the Board of Trustees, on December 16, that states:

"We count ourselves among those who would regret to see SMU enshrine attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious: degradation of habeas corpus, outright denial of global warming, flagrant disregard for international treaties, alienation of long-term U.S. allies, environmental predation, shameful disrespect for gay persons and their rights, a pre-emptive war based on false and misleading premises, and a host of other erosions of respect for the global human community."

The letter also states that the school would "financially profit on the backs of hard-working Americans who feel squashed by policies they've now rejected at the polls," and from a name and legacy that "globally is associated with suffering, death, and political bad faith."

Another online petition, titled Bush Partisan Institute, is an open letter to the university's president and board of trustees protesting the library and museum. Signed by more than one hundred faculty and staff, it is a more general protest, stating that "a partisan think tank located at any school, college, or university is contradictory to education as approached within a free and democratic society."

Presidential libraries began in the hometowns of presidents, but over the years have been placed in bigger cities, and some are affiliated with universities. For example, George Bush Sr.'s library sits on the University of Texas campus, and Bill Clinton's library is in Little Rock, Arkansas, even though he grew up in Hope and Hot Springs. Many universities bid for the George W. Bush library sight, with the selection ultimately being narrowed down to Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, University of Dallas, and Texas Tech. SMU ultimately won the bidding.

It's an odd selection by a president who openly sought and took advice from such religious figures as Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Pat Robertson, none of whom are Methodist. (All of whom are very not Methodist.) The Perkins School of Theology is not just affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it is one of thirteen United Methodist seminaries established to educate Methodist pastors. Perkins is generally considered to produce theologically and politically moderate pastors, but even "moderate" is a big swing to the left of where President Bush stands. His think tank is likely to be a bunch of conservative scholars who will be paid very well to write very nice things about the Bush legacy. President Bush is looking to raise $500 million (yes, half a billion dollars) for the project. It should be interesting to see who donates and how money is raised.

Protect SMU Petition

Bush Partisan Institute petition
United Methodist Social Principles

Angela K. Brown, "Methodist Ministers Against Bush Library," Associated Press,

Nico, "Southern Methodist University Staff Fiercely Protest Bush Presidential Library," Think Progress