AP: Texas

03/14/2007

By ANGELA K. BROWN  / Associated Press

A Methodist council on Wednesday gave approval for Southern Methodist University to lease land for George W. Bush's presidential library.

The South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church voted 10-4, with one member abstaining. The group must approve leasing any land already in use by the school, and the proposed 36-acre site on the southeast side of campus contains some dorms and a parking lot.

In his presentation to the council at a Dallas hotel, SMU President R. Gerald Turner said the library, museum and Bush institute may be built on one of two sites in the area. He said plans are not finalized, so "that's why we're not asking for one or the other (parcel)."

The group deliberated behind closed doors about 40 minutes after listening to SMU's proposal and hearing from supporters and opponents.

Before deliberating, one member, Gil Hanke of Nacogdoches, asked if SMU's accreditation would be hurt by its association with the partisan institute that will be run by a private foundation. Turner said no.

Another council member, the Rev. Eddie Allsup of Lubbock, asked if Turner had considered some professors' suggestions to sever the institute from SMU by removing it from campus or if the library and museum complex had to include the institute.

"It's a package deal," Turner said. "It's enormously valuable."

William McElvaney, a retired professor in SMU's Perkins School of Theology, had urged the church council to reject the request based on some faculty members' opposition the Bush institute, a partisan think tank that would further his administration's views.

"The future of SMU's soul is at stake," McElvaney said.

McElvaney also told the council about the online petition against building the library at SMU, an effort organized by Methodist ministers that has garnered about 10,500 signatures since it was launched two months ago.

SMU became the apparent winner in the library competition in December when the site selection committee said it was entering into further talks with the 11,000-student private university, which is first lady Laura Bush's alma mater. Bush has said he is leaning toward SMU.

A final decision is expected after Bush receives a recommendation from the committee, which started detailed discussions with SMU's president last month.

The project will be financed with a private fund drive aimed at raising at least $200 million, and some estimate that the cost could soar to $500 million.

If negotiations with SMU fail, the other remaining finalist is Baylor University in Waco, near the Bushes' Crawford ranch. The University of Dallas withdrew its bid in January.