Student Affairs
(2010 Catalog)
The vice president for Student Affairs oversees programs, services and activities for students that complement their academic pursuits and promote student development,
success and cocurricular learning. The Division of Student Affairs includes the departments of Student Programs and Development, Residence Life and Student Housing, the Memorial Health Center and Counseling Center, the Hegi Family Career Development Center, the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, the Office of the Chaplain, and the Dean of Student Life.
The mission of the Division of Student Affairs (
www.smu.edu/studentaffairs) is to develop, with others in the University, opportunities for students to become productive
citizens through the creation of challenging environments that contribute to students’ intellectual, spiritual, physical, social, cultural, moral and emotional growth, and, in so doing, engage them with the widest range of persons within the University and beyond. Throughout the Division of Student Affairs, students will encounter caring professionals who are trained and skilled in their own specialties and are professional educators dedicated to assisting students in developing their full potential. The focus of Student Affairs is one of education and guidance, not merely problem-solving. The role of the staff is, along with the faculty, to assist the student in reaching true maturity and to prepare the student to take a useful place in society.
Concern for and realization of the full development of each student in and out of the classroom constitutes one of the major goals of the University. Consequently, SMU’s Student Affairs programs are designed to support and supplement SMU’s formal academic work. Many departments exist to provide services for the benefit and convenience of SMU students. The Division of Student Affairs encompasses a broad range of programs and services dealing with housing and residential matters, physical and mental wellness, personal and career counseling and testing, recreational sports and intramurals, religious affairs, multicultural student programs, as well as student conduct and community standard matters, new student orientation, leadership programs, volunteer opportunities and women’s programs.
Student Life
Student Life departments educate students and the SMU community by providing purposeful opportunities for learning, personal growth, clarifying values and developing
skills that promote responsible citizenship. The Office of the Dean of Student Life (
www.smu.edu/studentlife), located in Hughes-Trigg Student Center, is a resource for students to consult when they want general information and assistance or simply do not know where to ask a question. The dean serves as a primary liaison for students and parents who have concerns about any aspect of their SMU experience.
Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct
The Honor Code of Southern Methodist University
Intellectual integrity and academic honesty are fundamental to the processes of learning and of evaluating academic performance, and maintaining them is the responsibility of all members of an educational institution. The inculcation of personal standards of honesty and integrity is a goal of education in all the disciplines of the University.
The faculty has the responsibility of encouraging and maintaining an atmosphere of academic honesty by being certain that students are aware of the value of it, that they understand the regulations defining it, and that they know the penalties for departing from it. The faculty should, as far as is reasonably possible, assist students in avoiding the temptation to cheat. Faculty members must be aware that permitting dishonesty is not open to personal choice. A professor or instructor who is unwilling
to act upon offenses is an accessory with the student offender in deteriorating the integrity of the University.
Students must share the responsibility for creating and maintaining an atmosphere of honesty and integrity. Students should be aware that personal experience in completing assigned work is essential to learning. Permitting others to prepare their work, using published or unpublished summaries as a substitute for studying required material, or giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in the preparation of work to be submitted are directly contrary to the honest process of learning. Students who are aware that others in a course are cheating or otherwise acting dishonestly have the responsibility to inform the professor and/or bring an accusation
to the Honor Council.
Students and faculty members must share the knowledge that any dishonest practices permitted will make it more difficult for the honest students to be evaluated
and graded fairly and will damage the integrity of the whole University. Students should recognize that both their own interest, and their integrity as individuals,
will suffer if they condone dishonesty in others.
The Honor System
All undergraduate students at SMU are subject to the jurisdiction of the Honor Code and as such will be required to sign a pledge to uphold the Honor Code (www.smu.edu/studentlife). In support of the Honor Code, the Honor Council has the responsibility to maintain and promote academic integrity. The Honor Council is composed of a minimum of 27 members selected through an application and interview process organized by the Honor Council Executive Board. Five faculty members, nominated by the Faculty Senate, also serve on the Honor Council.
Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating, academic sabotage, facilitating
academic dishonesty and fabrication. Plagiarism is prohibited in all papers, projects, take-home exams or any other assignments in which the student submits another’s work as being his or her own. Cheating is defined as intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise. Academic sabotage is defined as intentionally taking any action that negatively affects the academic work of another student. Facilitating academic dishonesty is defined as intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of the Honor Code. Fabrication is defined as intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation
in an academic exercise.
Suspected cases of academic dishonesty may be handled administratively by the appropriate faculty member in whose class the alleged infraction occurred or referred to the Honor Council for resolution. Suspected violations reported to the Honor Council by a student or by an instructor will be investigated and, if the evidence warrants, a hearing will be held by a board composed of a quorum of four members of the Honor Council.
Any appeal of an action taken by the Honor Council shall be submitted to the University Conduct Council in writing no later than four calendar days (excluding school holidays) after notification of the Honor Council’s decision.
Code of Conduct
The following are University procedures and standards with which every student must become familiar. The University considers matriculation at SMU an implicit covenant and a declaration of acceptance on the part of the student of all University regulations. The Student Conduct and Community Standards Office (www.smu.edu/studentconduct), part of the Office of the Dean of Student Life, assists students
in their personal development by providing a fair conduct process that issues consistent sanctions for behavior that is incongruent with the University’s expectations
for students.
Conduct. Standards of conduct are established through faculty, student and administrative efforts and are under continuous evaluation by the entire University community in order to assure reasonable and fair limits. At SMU, the student is assumed to have a high degree of loyalty and responsibility to the University and its well-being, as well as to himself or herself in personal, social and intellectual pursuits; the student’s behavior both on and off campus is evidence of this.
Students at SMU will discover that they are encouraged to exercise a great amount of personal freedom as well as accompanying responsibilities. Through their personal capacities for intelligent thought and action, mature students understand
that there are situations in which certain behavior must be modified for the benefit of others. The University stands firm in its commitments to the rights and freedoms of students, expecting in return the same respect and concern.
The University expects all students to be responsible citizens and to abide by all federal, state and local laws. Personal irresponsibility – including, but not limited to, that evidenced by dishonesty, gambling, hazing, irresponsible conduct and the misuse of drugs and alcohol – renders a student subject to disciplinary action. Although most specific regulations pertain to a student’s behavior while on campus, a lack of personal responsibility and integrity is always considered grounds for discipline no matter where it occurs. Due respect for the entire University community,
faculty, staff and one’s fellow students is always expected.
Students are required to identify themselves when asked by a properly identified faculty or staff member, or by another student serving as a University staff member. Persons who are not members of the University community and without business on campus may be asked to leave.
Disciplinary Action. Clear disciplinary procedures are an important part of the mission of SMU as an educational institution. The intent of the system of due process at SMU is to be educational and not merely punitive for students. The goal continues to be to produce quality citizens. It is pertinent to the purpose of discipline
to remember that self-discipline is part of the entire educational process, whereby students become more fully aware of the importance of responsibility for themselves and others. Anytime a student displays irresponsible behavior, that student will be subject to discipline.
Depending on the degree of misconduct, a student may be subject to sanctions ranging from a conduct reprimand to expulsion from the University. Should a student be asked to leave the University, he or she should do so in an expeditious and peaceful manner. The student should remain off campus until he or she receives written permission from the Dean of Student Life Office to return to campus. In the event of such separation, a student is still responsible for University financial obligations.
The University believes in student representation on all disciplinary bodies. To ensure fairness and due process for all students in the conduct process, the student is granted an impartial hearing and the right to appeal to the University Conduct Council. A student who is appealing a sanction may remain in school until the decision and penalty are reviewed, unless considered harmful to the University, to any individual or to himself or herself. All actions by the Council are subject to presidential review.
Having voluntarily enrolled as students at Southern Methodist University and assumed a place in the University community, all students are presumed to be knowledgeable of, and have agreed to abide by, the rules and regulations set forth in the Student Code of Conduct, as outlined in the SMU Student Handbook. This book is available from the Dean of Student Life Office, third floor, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, or online at
www.smu.edu/studentlife.
Loss of Personal Property. The University is not responsible for the loss of personal property belonging to students in any building or on any grounds owned by the University, whether the loss results from theft, fire or unknown cause.
New Student Orientation and Student Support
The Office of New Student Orientation and Student Support (
www.smu.edu/newstudent) provides on-going programs and services that support new students and families in transition to SMU. Academic Advising, Registration and Orientation takes place in May, July, August and January for all incoming students. In addition to AARO, the office also coordinates Mustang Corral, a three-day, off-campus orientation retreat.
Student Activities and Multicultural Student Affairs
Involvement outside the classroom is a tradition at SMU. Research shows that students who get involved outside the classroom tend to be more successful during their college experience. The Department of Student Activities and Multicultural Student Affairs provides over 160 extracurricular opportunities for SMU students through organizations and clubs. SAMSA has 37 academic and professional associations,
five campus programming councils, eight community service coalitions, 29 fraternities and sororities, eight governing boards, eight honor societies, 13 multicultural
societies, three political organizations, 20 recreational athletic clubs, 34 religious organizations and 14 special-interest groups. SAMSA can also assist students in forming a new organization. The staff is ready to assist and guide students in their experiences outside the classroom. Higher education professionals advise and support specific areas of involvement, including diversity, programming and governance and are available to answer student’s day-to-day questions about getting involved. SAMSA’s mission is to advise students in their development through educational,
cultural and fun co-curricular experiences.
The Student Activities and Multicultural Student Affairs Center Office
The SAMSA office is located on the third floor of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and is the hub of activity for SMU student organizations. Permanent office space is provided for major campus-wide student groups. More than 160 campus organizations have their activities coordinated through this area. Many out-of-class programs planned and implemented by students are considered cocurricular in that they are designed to complement a student’s educational experience. The major groups sponsoring campus-wide programs are the Asian Council, Association of Black Students, College Hispanic American Students, Program Council and Student Foundation. These groups and their committees provide ample opportunity for students to become involved as leaders or participants.
Student Government
Through SMU’s system of representative governance, students participate with faculty and administration in the University’s decision-making process. The primary
voice of students in this process is the student-elected Student Senate. The Student Code of Conduct in the SMU Student Handbook is reviewed and updated annually in conjunction with the Student Senate and contains the student code of rights and responsibilities.
Eligibility Requirements
Campus activities and organizations are an integral part of the developmental experience for SMU students. Leadership skills and interpersonal, social and cultural enhancement are but some of the benefits associated with out-of-class participation. Accordingly, students who hold office in a student organization or represent the University as a member of a sponsored campus group (Mustang Band, University Choir, etc.) must be matriculated in a University degree-granting program
and may not be on academic probation.
Housing
The Department of Residence Life and Student Housing seeks to advance the goals and objectives of the University by creating residential communities that empower residents to value learning, citizenship and leadership. RLSH is responsible
for the campus residential community, including all residence halls, SMU-owned apartments, and SMU-owned Greek chapter houses. This responsibility includes maintaining facilities that are well-cared for and safe and that enhance opportunities for students to grow personally and excel academically.
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Fraternities and sororities exist to develop an individual’s potential through leadership opportunities and group effort. These groups are a social network for students at Southern Methodist University. Fraternities and sororities were among the first organizations at SMU and one of SMU’s longest standing traditions. There are 14 national fraternities and 14 national sororities on campus. The governing bodies for these groups are the Interfraternity Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Panhellenic Council. Students must meet the requirements as indicated in the SMU Student Handbook – Student Code of Conduct section 5.2(b) – to join a fraternity or sorority. More details on fraternity and sorority programming and recruitment are available from the Fraternity
and Sorority Life Office or at
www.smu.edu/fsl.
Student Center
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
Hughes-Trigg Student Center (
www.smu.edu/htrigg) is the hub of student life at SMU, bringing together members of the University community with emphasis on the pursuit of educational programs, student activities and services. The center is fully wheelchair-accessible and features important services and resources to meet the daily needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors. These include a 500-seat theatre, a multipurpose ballroom, a 100-seat high-tech forum, 18 meeting rooms and the offices of various organizations and departments. In addition, the facility houses an art gallery, a 24-hour computer lab, a commuter lounge and several retail operations.
Students may study in comfortable public lounge areas, snack or dine in the Mane Course, conduct small or large meetings, send faxes, practice the piano or get the latest information on special events. Open from early morning until late evening, the center provides cultural, social and educational programs and resources to foster personal growth and enrich cultural, social, educational and recreational experiences. More than a building, Hughes-Trigg is “the center of the SMU community.”
Student Media
The student newspaper,
The Daily Campus (
www.smudailycampus.com), and the student yearbook,
Rotunda (
www.smurotunda.com), are produced by SMU students under the auspices of Student Media Company Inc., a nonprofit educational corporation legally and financially independent of SMU. The print edition of
The Daily Campus is published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms and monthly during the summer, and the
Rotunda yearbook delivers in mid-fall. The company also publishes The Directory of Students, Staff and Faculty.
Leadership and Service Programs
eadership and Community Involvement (
www.smu.edu/lci) creates responsible civic leaders and active citizens through community engagement and initiatives that develop the individual student. Leadership programs include workshops, conferences and courses. Community engagement resources, training and opportunities are offered which enable students, faculty and staff to work with community agencies in community outreach activities and experiential education. The office maintains a current listing of volunteer and service-learning opportunities and serves as a resource for student service organizations. Students gain leadership experience through SPARC (Students Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Citizenship), which coordinates Community Service Day, Alternative Spring Break and Habitat for Humanity, and through LEAD (Leadership, Education, Activities and Development),
which coordinates the Emerging Leaders program, the Crain Leadership Conference and the Leadership Certificate program.
Women's Center
The Women’s Center for Gender and Pride Initiatives of Southern Methodist University empowers students within the University to increase awareness and understanding of gender equity issues. The Women’s Center, which provides a voice for women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, aims to eliminate barriers, diminish prejudices, and create a supportive climate and space for all. Through advocacy, information, referral services and leadership experiences, the Women’s Center provides a safe haven for students struggling with issues of injustice and oppression. Student organizations advised here include the Women’s Interest Network; Campus YWCA; Women in Science and Engineering; and
Spectrum, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally organization. Also housed in the Women’s Center is the SMU Women’s Symposium (
www.smu.edu/womsym), which is part of The Education of Women for Social and Political Leadership series, established in 1966. The center provides an informal, homelike atmosphere where members of the SMU community can meet.
Office of the Chaplain and University Ministries
The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life (
www.smu.edu/chaplain) engages all aspects of the campus community life. It is responsible for the administration of religious life on campus. Chaplain Steve Rankin is the pastor and minister to the University community and typically leads all-university services of worship during the year including the University Service of Memory, the Ash Wednesday Service, and memorial services for members of the University community. The staff is available
for personal counseling with students, faculty and staff during office hours. There are over thirty active religious life organizations for students. The Quiet Place, a setting
for meditation, prayer and reflection for all faiths, is open daily and is adjacent to the Office of the Chaplain in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. The Office of the Chaplain directs the Resident Community Chaplain’s program and the annual SMU Civil Rights Pilgrimage, presents the Robert O. Cooper Peace and Justice Fellowship Award and Lecture, as well as sponsors and co-sponsors other lectures.
Hegi Family Career Development Center
Services. The Hegi Family Career Development Center guides and encourages students and alumni in the development of skills necessary for lifelong career management
in the evolving world of work. The Career Center provides a comprehensive set of services to assist each individual in the development of career plans and specific strategies leading to the desired employment goal.
Career Counseling. Lifetime services are offered to current students and all SMU alumni. Counselors work with students at all stages of their career development process – from choosing a major to evaluating a job offer. Counseling may include career assessments, focusing career goals, developing effective resume and cover letters, graduate school research, and job search strategies.
Workshops. The career counseling staff conducts topical and timely workshops for students, as well as targeted presentations for student organizations, Residence Life and Student Housing, and academic classes. Sample topics include Major and Career Decision-Making, Working Abroad, Applying to Graduate School, Resume and Cover Letter Prep, Salary Negotiation 101, Interview for Success, Job Search Strategies and Overview of Hegi Career Center Services.
MustangTrak. The Hegi Career Center manages MustangTrak, a password-protected,
Web-accessible job posting service that is available to all students and alumni worldwide. The online database includes full-time jobs, part-time jobs and internships
for all majors. More than 60 new jobs and internships are added weekly and include listings from more than 45 industries. Students must first complete the online orientation at www.smusaddleup.com to register for MustangTrak.
On-Campus Interviewing. In the 2007–2008 school year, over 100 employers visited the campus to recruit more than 400 students seeking entry-level and internship positions through the on-campus interviewing program. To interview with these organizations, students must be registered on MustangTrak, where they will also find an updated list of employer interview schedules and information sessions.
Career Events. The Career Center sponsors two Annual Career and Internship Fairs typically featuring more than 80 employers and attracting more than 600
students. Dozens of other specialized recruitment and networking events also take place throughout the year, such as the “Careers In…” Brown Bag Series, Speed Networking and Resumania.
Contact Information. Appointments can be made with career counselors from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment, call 214-768-2266 or visit Hughes-Trigg, Suite 200. More information about career services, MustangTrak and career events is available at
www.smu.edu/career.
Health Services
SMU Memorial Health Center
The University’s health facilities are located in the SMU Memorial Health Center, 6211 Bishop Boulevard. An outpatient primary care clinic, specialty clinics, pharmacy,
and lab/X-ray facilities occupy the first floor. Counseling and Psychiatric Services, and the Office for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention are located on the second floor. The Health Center (
www.smu.edu/healthcenter) is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc.
Outpatient Medical Services. SMU provides a convenient, economical medical clinic for diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, as well as for immunizations and continuation of treatment such as allergy injections. The clinic is staffed by physicians,
physician’s assistants, registered nurses, medical assistants, and lab and X-ray technologists. Physicians are available by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For Saturday clinics and extended hours, see the Health Center website (
www.smu.edu/healthcenter). For appointments and health information,
call 214-768-2141. After hours and during holidays, a nurse advice line is available
at 214-768-2141.
Patient Observation. When ordered by a staff physician, a student may be held in observation between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Observation is available for most types of non-major medical treatment. When necessary, students are referred to medical or surgical specialists in Dallas. The patient will be responsible for the costs of these services.
Acute/After Hours Care. For emergency care after clinic hours, it is recommended that students call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room. Refer to the Health Center website (
www.smu.edu/healthcenter) for hospital information and location of an urgent care facility.
Costs. Undergraduate and graduate students paying the full fee (which includes a health service fee) receive fully covered primary care physician services at the Health Center for that term. Appointments with the gynecologist or dermatologist, lab, X-ray, pharmacy, and supplies will be charged at reasonable rates. Graduate students not paying full fees have the option to pay the health center fee of $140 per term or $50 per visit not to exceed $140 per term.
Mandatory Health Insurance Policy. To ensure that students have appropriate health care coverage, SMU requires all domestic students, both undergraduate and graduate, taking nine or more credit hours to have health insurance through either an individual/family plan or the University-offered plan. All international students taking one or more credit hours must enroll in the University-offered plan unless they have a special waiver personally granted by the Health Center staff.
SMU’s mandatory policy requires those students with the enrollment status mentioned
above to provide documentation of current insurance coverage or to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan by the drop/add date each term. Students can enroll in SHIP, after they have enrolled for classes, by selecting the “Health Insurance” button on the “Student Center” component of Access.SMU. A domestic student
who already has private health insurance coverage must waive SHIP coverage to avoid automatic enrollment into the plan and thereby have a premium charge of $699 per term applied to his/her University account. Changes will not be permitted 30 days after the first day of the term. For more information and instructions on how to waive or elect SHIP coverage, visit
www.smu.edu/healthinsurance.
Health insurance is separate from the student Health Center fees and is paid for independently.
Pharmacy. A complete pharmacy with registered pharmacists is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many prescription plans are accepted.
X-
ray and Laboratory Services. X-ray and laboratory tests are available for nominal fees. All X-rays are interpreted by a radiologist.
Immunizations. All students are required to have an SMU medical history form on file in the SMU Health Center before registration. To comply with SMU policy, all students must provide proof of immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola (red, or regular, measles), rubella (German, or three-day, measles) and tuberculosis (a negative skin test or chest X-ray within the past year). These immunizations must be documented by a physician, public health record, or school health record. Students will not be allowed to register without compliance.
Students are encouraged to check their Access.SMU account for health forms and immunization status. Immunizations are available at the Health Center.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2010, new students living on or planning to live on college campuses in Texas must provide proof of meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to moving into campus housing. See Residence Life/Student Housing for more details.
Class Absence Due to Illness. Students should schedule appointments with physicians at times when classes will not be missed. The Health Center does not issue excuses from classes for illness. Refer to the Health Center website (www.smu.edu/healthcenter) for the Class Absence Policy.
Notification of Parents. Students are encouraged to call one or both parents when ill. Parents or guardians will be notified in cases of life-threatening illnesses. The Health Center staff may not speak to parents without the student’s permission.
Health Service Records. All health service records are confidential. A copy of medical records may be released to a physician only with a written release by the student. Records are not made available to parents, SMU administrators, faculty or staff without the student’s written consent.
Counseling and Testing Services
Counseling and Psychiatric Services. CAPS provides psychiatric evaluation, crisis intervention and group/individual/couples psychotherapy for students. All interviews are conducted on a voluntary and confidential basis. There is no charge to students who have paid the University health fee. Students can seek confidential help for concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, career/life planning, learning
disabilities, sexual identity, eating/body image concerns and sexual assault/sexual harassment matters. Any laboratory tests or pharmaceuticals ordered will be charged to the student. For more information regarding scheduling appointments, call 214-768-2277 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or go to
www.smu.edu/counseling.
Testing Services. Testing Services offers testing to the Dallas-area community. These services include on-campus administration of national testing programs such as the SAT, LSAT, GRE Subject and PRAXIS. Other testing offered includes CLEP tests and correspondence examinations for other universities. For additional information,
call the center at 214-768-2269.
Office for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. This office provides a free and confidential source of help and information to the SMU community on issues related to substance abuse and addiction. Appointments for counseling or assessment can be made between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 214-768-4021. For more information visit
www.smu.edu/liveresponsibly.
Office of Health Education and Promotion. This office serves as a resource for health information on campus. It promotes programs and activities that focus attention on health-related issues affecting college students. Students can get involved with health education on campus through the Peer Advising Network. For more information, visit
www.smu.edu/healthcenter/healtheducation or call 214-768-2393.
Recreational Sports
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports (
www.smu.edu/recsports) is a facility designed for recreational sports and wellness. A 170,000-square-foot expansion and renovation was completed in 2006. The center provides racquetball courts; aerobic studios; an indoor running track; basketball courts; indoor and outdoor sand volleyball courts; climbing wall; bouldering wall; 25-meter, five-lane recreational pool; 15,000 square feet of fitness and weight equipment; lobby; and café. Various fitness classes are offered. These facilities are open to SMU students, faculty, staff and members.
Intramurals
Many opportunities for team and individual competition are available through intramurals. Various leagues provide year-round opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities. The five major sports are football, volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. Other sports and activities offered are bowling, golf, racquetball, tennis, track, swimming and game-room activities. Additional leadership opportunities are available for those interested in officiating or supervising various activities.
Sport Clubs
Sport clubs offer an opportunity for students interested in concentrated training and participation in a sport but who do not want to train and devote the practice time required for NCAA competition. These student-sanctioned clubs, funded by the Student Senate, offer competition with other university/college club teams in baseball, badminton, cricket, crew, cycling, ice hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, sailing, soccer, triathlon, volleyball and wakeboarding.
Aquatics
SMU Aquatics features a five-lane, indoor recreational pool and an outdoor, zero-depth entry fountain pool known as “The Falls.” Students have opportunities to participate year-round in recreational swimming, sunbathing and competitive water sports such as water basketball, volleyball and polo. Classes offered include water fitness, adult and child swimming lessons, children’s group lessons, and American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor certifications. Both pools also are available for student group reservations.
Fitness
SMU Fitness offers group exercise classes, personal training sessions and massage therapy. The group exercise (Group X) classes are offered throughout the day to accommodate early birds, night owls and everyone in between. A plethora of different
types of cardio, strength and flexibility classes are available. Experienced and knowledgeable trainers offer sessions to train clients, either one-on-one or in groups, to meet their personal fitness goals. Licensed massage therapists offer chair or full-body massages. All SMU Fitness programs have a fee for participation.
Outdoor Adventures
SMU Outdoor Adventures is the campus source for outdoor recreation and adventure offering fun and challenging recreational adventure activities, community-building programs, and student leadership and personal growth opportunities. The Outdoor Adventure Center, located on the bottom floor of the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, is the place to rent outdoor recreation and picnic equipment and sign up for SMU OA trips offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor adventure pursuits such as backpacking, rock climbing, skydiving and canoeing. SMU OA also manages the SMU Climbing Center, the indoor climbing and bouldering facility, and the Portable Challenge and Team Development course.
Mustang Band
Founded in 1917, the Mustang Band was named the “Best College Marching Band” in Texas in Kirk Dooley’s Book of Texas Bests. Long known as “the hub of SMU spirit,” the band represents the University at football and basketball games, produces the Pigskin Revue during Homecoming and performs at special University- and community-related events. Membership is open to all SMU students by audition, regardless of major, and scholarships based on need and ability are available.
Spirit Squads
The Mustang Cheerleaders, Mustang Pom-Pom Squad and Peruna mascot are integral parts of SMU’s spirit tradition and are national award winners, having participated in the NCA/NDA Collegiate National Championships. Along with the Mustang Band, they make SMU’s spirit contingent an outstanding one.
Intercollegiate Athletics
SMU is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Division I-A) and participates in Conference USA. Men and women student-athletes compete in basketball, cross country/track and field (women only), swimming and diving, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball (women only), crew (women only), equestrian (women only), and football (men only).
Other Recreational Facilities
The Perkins Natatorium, the Barr Outdoor Pool, the Morrison-Bell Track, Moody Coliseum, outdoor tennis courts and open recreational fields combine to provide students with a full range of leisure possibilities.
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