Friday, August 10, 2001 about 2:00 pm


Marie Ann O'Hara
Bolivar, MO

Dr. Jim Hill,
Executive Director
of the Missouri Baptist Convention
Baptist Building
Jefferson City, Missouri

Dear Dr. Jim Hill:

I have been hearing from several sources that the Southwest Baptist
University Trustees will now act earnestly to address my claims --
without my having to resort to the intervention of the Executive
Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

If, as I am told, the Trustees and Regents of Southwest Baptist University
will agree to cooperate in addressing my claims in timely, forthright,
just, and godly manner, I will not burden the MBC Executive Board
at this time.

Instead, in the interest of peace and in the service of the Prince of Peace,
I request that you deliver to each of the current Trustees and Regents
of Southwest Baptist University the following enclosed document
entitled, The Hearing Hearts Offer.

I look forward to bringing this arduous matter to a successful closure.

Even today, I have been preoccupied with preparations for moving
from Bolivar, transferring to my new university, obtaining effective
treatment, and participating in the life-affirming hope of a new
community with my family and friends.

I am grateful your reconciling intercession in concluding this matter.


Sincerely and Respectfully,



Marie Ann O'Hara

In the interest of peace and in the service of the Prince of Peace,
I, Marie Ann O'Hara,
present for the consideration of the
Trustees and Regents of Southwest Baptist University
The Hearing Hearts Offer.


The Hearing Hearts Offer

    A Signed Letter

   Dr. Hill, though you have received this initial letter as a faxed copy,
   I am preparing a signed copy of this letter which will be left [ ... ]
   [at] my home [ ... ] tomorrow morning (Saturday, August 11)
   between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 am (CST).

Sending the Messenger to Retrieve the Letter

   If it be that the Trustees and Regents of Southwest Baptist University
   will, in fact, agree to hear my claims, I ask that one of the local
   Southwest Baptist University Trustees, Regents, or administration
   send a messenger to my home tomorrow to retrieve this signed letter.

   Please instruct the messenger to refrain from knocking on the door,
   lingering on the property, or leaving any documents or other items.

Affirming the Commitment to Hear

   By sending the messenger to retrieve this signed letter, the Trustees
   and Regents of Southwest Baptist University affirm their full
   commitment and intention to hear my claims and act on my petition
   immediately and provide whatever relief, remedy, or responsible
   resolution may be agreed upon among all parties.

   Once this signed letter has been retrieved from my home, I will
   arrange for the delivery of my petition and claims to your office
   [Dr. Jim Hill] in Jefferson City, Missouri by 10:00 am (CST) or
   soon thereafter) on Monday, August 13, 2001.

   My representatives and I will then make arrangements to communicate
   with the Trustees and Regents of Southwest Baptist University
   via fax, e-mail, and/or telephone.

   I would like you, Dr. Hill, and several others bear witness to these
   transactions.

Objectives for Negotiations

  I have five (5) general objectives for these negotiations:

     1.  The securing of a mutual "hold harmless" release and/or
          a mutual "covenant not to sue."

     2.  The securing of financial compensation for injuries, losses,
          and damages.

      3.  The securing of my Southwest Baptist University transcripts
          and records so that I may transfer immediately.

          Specifically, I request the revision of inaccurate or erroneous
          grades and records, and the provision of some form of custodial
          and confidentiality agreement for my transcripts and records.

      4. The dispensation of any remaining charges, debts, or loans 
         related to my academic career at Southwest Baptist University
         (including my National Direct Student Loan).

     5.  The dispensation of my accounts with Empire District Electric
          Company.

Stipulation and Reservation of Right

   Even so, I must stipulate that by Monday, August 13, 2001 at 6:00 pm,
   if the Trustees and Regents of Southwest Baptist University have
   not taken measures to hear my claims or have neglected to act in good
   faith by working toward a trustworthy remedy and resolution to the
   situation, I reserve the right to immediately forward my petition and
   claims to the full Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

Intervention of the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention

   Conversely, if the messenger has not retrieved this signed letter
   from my home by 10:00 am tomorrow morning (Saturday, August 11),
   I will assume that the full Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist
   Convention has determined to intervene in this situation.

   If this be the case, I will then send my petition and claims to you,
   Dr. Hill, and request that you deliver them to each member of the
   MBC Executive Board as quickly as possible.

The Hearing Hearts Offer
Signed on Friday, August 10, 2001:

                Marie Ann O'Hara