The University of Austin — Attraction in Austin

If there’s any decency left, I trust you will either promptly return my books—redirecting them to the institution I named in my last email—or, if you intend to keep them, issue a public statement affirming that you will retain them in perpetuity and under proper rare-book conservation standards. This is something we have already agreed upon, and you know it.

Because you have refused to communicate even a single word about any misunderstanding, I am left to speculate what might have gone wrong. One possibility is that, being new to this process, I did not anticipate that an import charge could arise—even though the parcel was sent as a gift.

The shipment came from China at considerable personal expense, and, anticipating possible duties, I paid a substantial deposit in advance to cover them. Even in the worst-case scenario, those costs should already be covered, leaving nothing for either of us to fret over. Yet—granting you the benefit of the doubt—if some balance did remain and you found it onerous, common courtesy would dictate that you tell me so we could settle it properly. Instead, you chose to ghost me, nurtured unfounded suspicions, and continued to assume the worst even after I repeatedly and patiently explained the misunderstanding. An astonishing strategy, to say the least.

If the university was unwilling or unable to advance any charges, the proper course would have been to notify me so we could decide together how to proceed. Apart from this matter and one other isolated misunderstanding, I have never asked you for a single cent—yet your continued silence implies you believe I am trying to extract money. To this day I have no idea where things stand, and your refusal to respond is frankly bewildering.

The other misunderstanding—if you, Ben, are reading this—I have already repeatedly explained: I was simply sharing what might excite you about items I could also donate in the coming months. You think these things sit on a shelf, ready for anyone to grab? I don’t blame you for not knowing, but basic humility, please. Again, this would come from my own pocket, not a cent from you, yet you still interpret this naive kindness as an attempt to solicit money. Speechless, really. You’re business people—I get it, everything is an exchange, and I’ve been there. But for someone with only a few months left, it’s possible to think differently; words can come out oddly in your eyes.

Good luck with the “money-can-buy-everything” attitude. Just a small tip: not all serious material shows up on the public market, even at auctions—mostly junk, frankly. See another point I make below, and do your own homework.

Yet after I donated items of great personal significance—saving you paperwork, waiving a formal contract, and extending you the benefit of the doubt—you ignored me, broke your promises, and disappeared without a word. Such behavior is unbecoming of any institution that claims scholarly values.

Most, if not all, special collections in universities and colleges are built on what were once private collections. If this is how you treat the very people who make that possible, so be it: let this serve as a cautionary tale to others who might consider contributing here.

No other private collector would donate books to a fledgling university that does not even have a proper library; I overlooked this fact to help you, and this is how you repay the favor. My bad for being kind and, seriously, overly considerate of concerns that are already rather ridiculous.

After covering the private details about me inside the exchange records, I will soon upload our entire email correspondence so you may review the exchange yourself. I remain astonished that a simple misunderstanding could be handled with such dismissiveness and unprofessionalism.

Where’s the basic decency? Your integrity is seriously concerning.

These people are purely transactional; don’t take their words at face value—get...

My daughter is an Ivy League graduate who attended the UATX inaugural summer program and it was the most incredible learning experience of her life. She said it’s the way she always wished college would be. Incredible professors and students, of all stripes, who came together to stretch their minds and to engage in true critical thinking and free inquiry. The UATX founders are exceeding their goals and actualizing their mission! It is brilliant to behold. Given today’s climate of suppression of debate on college campuses, coupled with the intimidation towards people with non-conformative perspectives, I would be hard-pressed send my kid to college anywhere other than UATX or a religious school. Regular campuses have devolved so low, and even elite students are so ignorant today…. Thank God for the leaders of UATX who are making moves to advance society and...

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The clear walls in the classrooms will take a lot to get used to though, as I get distracted by people walking by. Minor things in the grand...