some of the people who have been involved in the effort to establish a
moratorium on the SMU Veterans Memorial. Following her e-mail is an
announcement sent to the Saint Mary's University campus by Michael Meagher,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Brother Louis DeThomasis, Chancellor.
Friends,
For those who haven't heard, there is news from the Board of Trustees regarding the Veterans Memorial project. I will let you read the official email sent out (below), but did want to also let you know how things went with the Board. The group that represented us included: Mary Gleich, Glenna I-have-too-many-consanants-in-my-last-name, Mike Leutgeb Munson, Joe Morse, and Eileen Daily. The report from the group was that the presentation went well, was fairly well received, though quite emotional and full of anxiety (for all but Mary Gleich who could keep her cool with a house burning down around her!). The group seemed confident and well prepared and walked into an incredibly difficult situation with their heads high! Their message was a reflection of the months of discussions, letters, polls, and prayers we have all had together and alone about this project. They chose as a group to not offer any concrete ideas to the Board about what the memorial should look like, stating as their reason that one of the main problems with the project is that it was decided and designed by a select few people and thus does not encompass the desires of the majority- they did not feel that as five people they could fairly represent the diverse ideas of faculty, staff, students and alums regarding this project.
On a personal note, I would like to personally thank and congratulate all of you (and please share this email with those not on the list that have been a part of this!). In my mind, we have already been successful, whatever the final outcome. Our success, in my mind at least, has nothing to do with the decision of the Board of Trustees or the concessions of the Board of Alumni, but instead in embodied in the dialogue that we have engaged in with one another and with the university. The process that we have been a part of as a group has been a beautiful lesson in non-violence and conflict resolution for me, and I have learned a great deal from each of you. Thank you for contributing your strengths to the work that we have done together and for taking risks for the sake of your conscience.
I believe that we are meeting again after SMU gets back from break (the 22nd??). I look forward to seeing you all then, enjoy the rest of your break!
in peace,
diane leutgeb munson
February 12, 2008
Faculty, staff and students of Saint Mary's University,
The Veterans Memorial project at the Winona campus was reviewed and discussed at the February 9 meeting of the Saint Mary's University Board of Trustees. We thank the faculty, students and alumni who joined us at our Executive Session, and who so eloquently conveyed their support for or concerns about the project's design and intention. It is gratifying to note that even though there are strong differences of opinion about this project, everyone has treated each other with respect.
We are realistic and fully realize that no decision will be totally agreeable to all of the community. However, we are confident that most will be understanding of a memorial to Saint Mary's veterans, with an appreciation of our history, and with "service" and "peace" as key messages.
Therefore, the Board of Trustees requested that the Alumni Board of Directors consider a redesign of the memorial to more clearly and better reflect the intention of the project. We authorized the revised project to proceed in a timely manner toward its original dedication date.
The Alumni Board of Directors, which also met on February 9, supported the Board of Trustees' request. A new design will be developed and placed on the university website, and the community will be notified when it is available for viewing.
In addition, both the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Board of Directors indicated support for scholarship aid for veterans and their families. Both boards will discuss the topic at future meetings.
We want to publicly thank the Alumni Board of Directors for the time, energy and good intentions it has invested in the Veterans Memorial project. We also thank the Alumni Board for showing great flexibility in reconsidering an initiative that is now more than three years in process.
Be assured that the thoughtful comments we have received and the discussions we have had will result in a final design of the memorial that is appropriate and complementary to the campus of a Catholic, Lasallian university.
Michael Meagher, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Brother Louis DeThomasis, Chancellor
