Post a comment to share your wisdom and good wishes with our graduating seniors as they leave the Hilltop to make their way in the world. For more information on graduation, visit the Class of 2007 Web site.

All of us in higher education share the grief of the Virginia Tech family and send our heartfelt condolences to all those touched by this tragedy. SMU students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday at the Hughes-Trigg Student Center for a prayer service for Virginia Tech. Watch a report from WFAA-TV.

In view of this tragedy, SMU is providing the campus community with some general information related to emergency procedures. We are constantly monitoring and updating our procedures as we continue to learn from each other in the higher education community and from the security and law enforcement professions.

• The campus police department is on duty 24-7, and senior command-level officers are experienced former military officers with emergency training. All officers are licensed and certified by the State of Texas and have full police authority.
• SMU also works closely with surrounding local and regional police and fire departments, including University Park, Highland Park, Dallas County, City of Dallas, Texas Department of Public Safety, and various federal agencies.
• SMU has conducted training and has procedures for active shooter scenarios, among others.
• SMU has created a new position of Director of Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning, dedicated to preparing SMU for emergencies and the recovery from them, while maintaining campus operations. The new director is a seasoned professional from a similar office for Dallas County.
• The University maintains a fully equipped Emergency Operations Center with trained staff members who routinely participate in drills with local, state and federal agencies. Its data base supporting emergency operations includes occupant listings for all buildings.
• To aid surveillance, SMU has a closed-circuit TV system.
• Communication technology used in case of emergency would be website, bulk e-mail and voicemail to communicate en mass to the campus community. A hot line is maintained at 214-768-4636 (SMU-INFO) to provide current information on emergencies. SMU also has designated call centers that would be activated to answer parent and community questions and to provide immediate alerts and instructions to the campus community if needed.
• Each building has a designated manager who is trained in emergency procedures to be shared with building occupants.
• Regular building evacuation drills are conducted to ensure familiarity with procedures.
• SMU has designated triage and quarantine facilities under its Emergency Operations Plan. SMU has conducted large casualty training involving multiple jurisdictions, including Dallas County Health.
• To augment security measures, SMU personnel educate students on safety precautions such as keeping doors locked in residence halls and being aware of their surroundings. Training includes discussions in residences, posting of campus alerts, publications and web resources.
  

There is only so much an institution can do to protect against the type of tragedy that occurred, but those of us in higher education are focused on remaining as vigilant as possible, continually adding to our knowledge and updating our procedures.

SMU began a series of spring alumni gatherings with a reception in New York City. View photos from that event, and learn more about upcoming events in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

Singer Sheryl Crow began a bus tour of U.S. colleges to raise awareness about global warming on Monday, one of several high-profile celebrities to take up the cause of climate change.

Crow, a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, will speak about the issue and sing at the college stops.

"I am here because the more I learn about global warming the more I feel compelled to do something in my own way whatever that is," she told reporters at SMU in Dallas as the tour began.

Accompanied by global warming activist Laurie David, Crow is traveling in a biodiesel-powered bus to university campuses with a final stop in Washington for Earth Day on April 22.

- From Reuters wire report

Watch video clips from news coverage, the press conference and concert.

Plan ahead to make your summer getaway memorable: The SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute has a limited number of spaces available for its popular weekend "education vacations," with classes taught by SMU's distinguished faculty and local experts to adults from all over the country.

Spots are available in these classes July 12-15:

• "Breath of Clay: Exploring the World of Traditional Micaceous Pottery," taught by Sunday Eiselt, visiting professor of anthropology, and master potter Felipe Ortega
• "Digital Photography in the Land of Enchantment," taught by University photographer Hillsman Jackson
• "Digging Up the Past: Archaeological Field Study," taught by Ron Wetherington, professor of anthropology
• "Fly Fishing in Northern New Mexico," taught by David Lott, alumnus and professional fly fishing guide
• "Seminar on Taos Artists: From Fechin to O'Keeffe," taught by Randall Griffin, associate professor and chair of art history
  

And, during this year's new second weekend, July 19-22:

• "Fire and Ice: A Window Into the Geologic History of Northern New Mexico," taught by Bob Laury, professor emeritus of geological sciences
• "D.H. Lawrence and New Mexico," taught by Ross Murfin, professor of English
• "Latino Politics in the Southwest" taught by Harold Stanley, Geurin-Pettus Distinguished Chair in American Politics and Political Economy
• "Ancestral Images: Petroglyphs of the Northern Rio Grande," taught by Sunday Eiselt, visiting professor of anthropology
• "The Fine Art of Photography: Beyond the Basics," taught by Debora Hunter, associate professor of photography
• "A Taste of Wine in the Land of Enchantment," taught by Kathy Lovin, professional chef and wine connoisseur
• "From Kivas to Cathedrals: Religious Art and Architecture of New Mexico," taught by Adam Herring, associate professor of art history
  

"World travelers have remarked that these Cultural Institute weekends have been among the most memorable trips of their lives," says Program Director Jana Rentzel. "They have made lasting connections with interesting people of all ages."

The registration fee, ranging from $650 to $750 per course, covers tuition, designated meals and field trip entrance fees. Class size is limited to allow for in-depth discussion and individual attention. Transportation and lodging are the responsibility of the student.

To learn more and become a part of this unique weekend experience, go to smu.edu/culturalinstitute or contact Jana Rentzel at 214-768-1303 or jrentzel@smu.edu.

By Justin Farmer
WFAA-TV

Is quiet the new loud?

From this year's Super Bowl coaches to the leaders of top companies, the understated, smiling boss has apparently taken over for the crushing commander.

Does your boss resemble legendary Texas Tech basketball coach (and hothead) Bob Knight? If so, he or she is apparently among a dying breed of "command-and-control" leaders.

"When you get to Generation X and now Generation Y, that's not how we want to be treated, and frankly they have less tolerance for it," said Mel Fugate of the SMU Cox School of Business.

You don't have to look far to find proof. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, often voted among the best companies to work for, has bosses who highlight the virtues of listening.

"They're here every meeting and offering up lots of good information," said Southwest revenue management employee Autumn Bogado. "You feel their sincerity."

Southwest's chief operating officer Mike Van de Ven explained that screaming and claiming to have all the right answers isn't the way to connect with workers. "We do that by really listening to them and getting their input," he said.

And while it seems so simple, a recent Columbia University study estimates that 90 percent of American workers feel bullied by their bosses.

A Gallup Poll found that half of all workers would fire their current bosses. Quality workers will change jobs if they can to find a better boss.

"It's a genuine trend," Fugate said. "It's something that has grown over years, and it's continuing to grow and catch genuine momentum."

Look no further than the head coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy. You'll never see him screaming at his team. His quarterback dedicated the world championship win to his coach.

So the next time your boss loses his/her head and starts spewing orders, take a small bit of pleasure in knowing that person may soon find company with the dodo bird: extinct.

Watch the video on the WFAA Web site.