SMU says 9/11 memorial, other displays can stay on Dallas Hall Lawn

DALLAS (AP) — Southern Methodist University has reversed course and says student exhibits and displays, including a 9/11 memorial, can continue to be featured at a prominent location on the Dallas campus.

SMU officials said in a statement Wednesday that an agreement was reached with student leaders that keeps the displays on Dallas Hall Lawn.

The university announced earlier that the displays would be moved to another location so that they didn’t interfere with student activities along Dallas Hall Lawn.

The agreement reserves a dedicated space on the lawn for displays while also maintaining an area for other events.

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The earlier decision to move the displays had brought criticism from Gov. Greg Abbott and others.

SMU officials also had sought to ensure displays didn’t include “harmful or triggering” messages, but the language was later removed as inappropriate.