Southern Methodist University will continue to be...

Southern Methodist University will continue to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church, a church committee decided, but the panel deplored SMU officials’ “arrogance of power” that brought unprecedented scandal and embarrassment to the school.

“This is a sad tale of misplaced loyalty and an arrogance of power among a few who emphasized a superficial and inappropriate image for the university and a mentality of ‘win at all costs,’ ” the committee said.

It said the school will be carefully monitored for some time to come.

Earlier this year, the NCAA banned SMU from playing football in 1987 and limited the 1988 season to seven road games, citing payments made to several players from a school slush fund. School officials later decided not to field a football team in 1988 as well.