Nancy vetoes 'Reagan U'

2004-04-30 11:55

Denver - Former US first lady Nancy Reagan is just saying no to the idea of a Ronald Reagan University in Colorado.

Organizers wanted to name a proposed 10 000-student university after the former president, but his wife issued a statement Thursday effectively killing the idea.

"We do not support the creation of a separate university," she said.

Federal law gives former presidents or their spouses final say over the use of the president's name as long as either is alive, said Terry Walker, the founding president of the university.

The rejection was a shock, Walker said.

"I'm just sitting here watching Fox News and recovering with a scotch in my hand. When I wake up tomorrow, maybe I'll think about it some more," he said.

Walker had begun raising money for the university, which he envisioned with schools of medicine, law and public policy on a 200-acre campus northeast of Denver.

Nancy Reagan said she appreciated the founders' intentions but suggested that Reagan supporters focus on the education program at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Colorado Springs businessman Steve Schuck had offered to donate land for the university, but said on Thursday he didn't know whether his offer would stand without the Reagan name.

Walker said he forwarded a formal proposal to Nancy Reagan last week. His request for a meeting was turned down. He said he had spent five months searching for a family representative.

Ronald Reagan, 93, has remained in seclusion since disclosing nearly a decade ago that he has Alzheimer's disease.

- AP