Dedman School of Law - General Information
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1. The Vision of Southern Metthodist University
To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.
2. The Mission of Southern Metthodist University
Southern Methodist University’s mission is to be a leading private institution of higher learning that expands knowledge through research and teaching. Among its faculty, students and staff, the University develops skills and cultivates principled thought and wisdom. The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage.
To fulfill its mission the University strives for quality, innovation and continuous improvement as it pursues the following goals:
- To enhance the academic quality and competitiveness of the University.
- To improve teaching and learning.
- To strengthen scholarly research and creative achievement.
- To support and sustain student development and quality of life.
- To broaden global perspectives.
- To advance the University through select, strategic alliances.
3. Southern Metthodist University
As a private, comprehensive university enriched by its United Methodist heritage and its partnership with the Dallas Metroplex, Southern Methodist University seeks to enhance the intellectual, cultural, technical, ethical and social development of a diverse student body. SMU offers undergraduate programs centered on the liberal arts; excellent graduate, professional and continuing education programs; and abundant opportunities for access to faculty in small classes, research experience, international study, leadership development and off-campus service and internships, with the goal of preparing students to be contributing citizens and leaders for our state, the nation and the world.
SMU comprises seven degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Meadows School of the Arts, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, Dedman School of Law and Perkins School of Theology.
Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, SMU is nonsectarian
in its teaching and is committed to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry.
The University has 104 buildings, a total enrollment that has averaged more than 10,000 the past 10 years, a full-time faculty of 656 and assets of $2.26 billion – including an endowment of $1,36 billion (market value, June 30, 2008).
Offering only a handful of degree programs at its 1915 opening, the University presently awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 80 programs through five undergraduate schools and a wide variety of graduate and professional degrees through those and professional schools.
Of the 10,965 students enrolled for the 2008 fall term, 6,240 were undergraduates
and 4,725 were graduate and professional students. The full-time equivalent enrollment was 6,073 for undergraduates and 3,121 for graduate and professional students.
Nearly all the students in SMU’s first class came from Dallas County, but now 47 percent of the University’s undergraduate student body comes from outside Texas. In a typical school year, students come to SMU from every state, from 92 foreign countries and from all races, religions and economic levels.
Undergraduate enrollment is 54 percent female. Graduate and professional enrollment is 44 percent female.
A majority of SMU undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2008–09, 77 percent of first-year students received some form of financial aid, and 25 percent of first-year students received need-based financial aid.
Management of the University is vested in a Board of Trustees of civic, business and religious leaders – Methodist and non-Methodist. The founders’ first charge to SMU was that it become not necessarily a great
Methodist university, but a great
university.
Academic Accreditation
Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, Master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southern Methodist University.
Individual academic programs are accredited by the appropriate national professional
associations. The Edwin L. Cox School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. The Dedman School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association. Perkins School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society. In the Meadows School of the Arts, the Dance Division is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, the Music Division by the National Association of Schools of Music and the Theatre Division by the National Association of Schools of Theater.
The Lyle School of Engineering undergraduate programs in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission
of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc.: 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore MD 21202-4012; telephone 410-347-7700. The undergraduate computer science program that awards the B.S. degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate
computer science program that awards the B.A. degree is not accredited by a commission of ABET. ABET does not provide accreditation for the disciplines of environmental science and management science.
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1. Programs and Instruction
J.D. Degree
The Juris Doctor is the first law degree normally obtained in three years (full-time) or four years (part-time) of study. The primary purpose of the J.D. program is preparation for the practice of law, private or public. The curriculum combines training in the science and method of law, knowledge of the substance and procedure
of law, understanding of the role of law in society and practical experience in handling professional problems. It also explores the responsibility of lawyers and their relations to other segments of society. See Section III, The Juris Doctor Program, and Section VIII, The Curriculum, for detailed discussion of the J.D. program and its unusually rich variety of courses.
Most courses are national or international in scope, although emphasis on Texas law is available for those who plan to practice in Texas. In addition to traditional academic study, the school sponsors several clinical programs that provide students with an opportunity to earn academic credit while engaging in the actual practice of law. For this work, the school provides administrative assistants and offices conveniently
located on the Law School campus. All clinical programs are under the supervision of full-time faculty members and a part-time staff of practicing attorneys. The clinics serve clients from Dallas County in civil, child advocacy, consumer advocacy, criminal, small business and tax cases. Students interview clients, prepare pleadings and present cases in court with the assistance of the clinic faculty and staff attorneys. Clinic students also attend classes dealing with techniques of the practice of law. This work is open to upper-division students. See Section VIII, The Curriculum,
for individual descriptions and requirements for each clinic.
Many graduates choose to practice in the Southwest, but more than 12,000 SMU Dedman School of Law graduates are found in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and in more than 77 foreign countries. Similarly, although most students come from the Southwest, students are enrolled from all parts of the country.
J.D./M.B.A. Program
The School of Law and the Graduate Division of the SMU Cox School of Business
offer a joint program leading to the J.D. and the M.B.A. in four years of full-time study or in five years (including summers) of part-time study. Students must be admitted to both programs as joint J.D./M.B.A. or part-time J.D./Professional M.B.A. students. The joint program is designed to prepare students for law practice with a business emphasis or for business careers with a legal emphasis. See Section IV, Combined J.D./M.B.A. Program, for a detailed description.
J.D./M.A. in Economics Program
This program allows for joint study in law and economics following the first year of required legal study. Students must be admitted to both programs separately. See Section V, Combined J.D./M.A. in Economics Program, for a detailed description.
Advanced Degrees
The Master of Laws (taxation) and general LLLL.M. degrees for U.S.-trained law graduates, the LLLL.M. degree for foreign law school graduates and the Doctor of the Science of Law advanced research degree for both U.S. and foreign law school graduates are described in Section VI, Graduate Legal Studies. Approximately 50 full-time and 20 part-time students are enrolled in these graduate programs.
Nondegree Enrollment and Auditing
Attorneys holding valid U.S. law licenses or graduates from American Bar Asso- ciation-approved law schools may enroll in or audit courses offered at the Law School on a space available basis. See Section III D for more information.
2. The Law School Quadrangle
The Law School Quadrangle, a four-building complex, occupies six acres on the northwest corner of the SMU campus. Storey Hall houses administrative, faculty, law review and student organization offices and a clinical facility. Florence Hall contains class and seminar rooms and a state-of-the-art trial courtroom. Carr P. Collins, Jr. Hall contains a dining facility, career services offices, admissions offices, financial aid office, public service and academic support offices, student lounges and seminar rooms. Underwood Law Library contains open stacks for its collection, computer facilities, carrels and comfortable seating for all students. Two large lecture halls, including one that serves as a magnificent grand appellate courtroom, are also located on the main floor of Underwood. Consistent with the entire SMU campus, the buildings are modified Georgian architecture. The Law School Quadrangle is served by a wireless network. Student housing is available on campus in areas close to the quadrangle. (See Section II F, University Services.)
The Underwood Law Library
Participation in the legal profession requires knowledge and skill in the discovery and manipulation of information. Familiarity with the materials and services of a law library is essential to effective performance as a law student and as an attorney.
The Underwood Law Library contains more than 640,000 volumes and access to numerous legal databases and is one of the major legal information resources in the United States. American legal materials, federal and state, include constitutions, legislative compilations, administrative regulations and the reported court decisions of all jurisdictions. The treatise holdings cover all areas of the law with special strength in corporate, securities and tax matters. Periodical titles, Texas and United States government documents, appellate papers for cases in the Texas Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States and related digests, encyclopedias and indices round out a comprehensive current information resource.
The collection includes primary source material, treatises and journals from Great Britain, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and selected jurisdictions from Western Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.
International law materials are a strong resource that includes documentation from the United Nations and relevant publications from a number of other international
organizations.
The library also houses a student computer lab and classroom with access to word processing, the Internet, electronic mail and programmed legal exercises. The library has a wireless network throughout the building.
4. Student Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves as prospective members of the legal profession. A Student Code of Professional Responsibility (located in Section IX) that was drafted by a student/faculty committee, approved by the faculty and ratified
by the student body is in effect. By enrolling in the school, students are deemed to have notice of the code’s contents and therefore should familiarize themselves with its standards and disciplinary procedures. In addition, students are expected to comply with the policies and procedures established by the administrative offices at the School of Law and the University. Matriculation in the University constitutes a declaration of compliance with all University rules and regulations.
Full-time students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the academic
year. Violation of this American Bar Association standard may subject a student to penalties under the Student Code of Professional Responsibility.
Students are not permitted, without the written consent of the dean, either individually
or collectively to use the name of the University or of the School of Law in any activity outside the regular work of the school.
5. Policy on Discrimination
Southern Methodist University will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The director of Institutional Access and Equity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies.
This nondiscrimination policy applies to the activities of the Law School in admission, placement, housing, facilities, scholarships, grants and all other academic
and nonacademic opportunities, including those that are honorary. Further, the Office of Career Services is available only to employers who sign a statement of compliance with nondiscriminatory practices in hiring as defined by the Association
of American Law Schools.
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6. Confidentialitity of Ededucation Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that grants to students the right to inspect, to obtain copies, to challenge and, to a degree, to control the release of information contained in his or her education records. The act and regulations are very lengthy, and, for that reason, SMU has issued guidelines that are available at the University registrar’s FERPA website at smu.edu/ferpa. Policy 1.18 of the University Policy Manual, accessible at smu.edu/policy, also discusses this law.
In general, no personally identifiable information from a student’s education record will be disclosed to any third party without written consent from the student. Several exceptions exist including these selected examples: (1) Information defined by SMU as directory information may be released unless the student requests through Access.SMU Self-Service that it be withheld. (2) Information authorized by the student through Access.SMU Self-Service may be released to those individuals
designated by the student. And, (3) Information may be released to a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially dependent upon the parent or guardian as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit smu.edu/ferpa/.
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A catalog supplement, Financial Information: Southern Methodist University, is issued each year. It provides the general authority and reference for SMU financial regulations and obligations, as well as detailed information concerning tuition, fees and living expenses.
The catalog supplement is available on the Bursar website at smu.edu/bursar. For more information, call 214-768-3417.
Students registering in Continuing Student Enrollment must ensure that payment is received in the Division of Enrollment Services by the due date (published on the Bursar website). No confirmation of receipt of payment will be sent. Invoice notifications are e-mailed to the student’s SMU e-mail address after registration for the student to view on the Web. If notification has not been received two weeks prior to the due date, Enrollment Services should be contacted. The registration of a student whose account remains unpaid after the due date may be canceled at the discretion of the University. Students registering in New Student Enrollment and Late Enrollment must pay at the time of registration.
Students are individually responsible for their financial obligations to the University.
All refunds will be made to the student, with the exception of federal parent PLUS loans and the SMU Monthly Payment Plan. If the refund is issued by check, the student may request, in writing, that the refund be sent to another party. A student whose University account is overdue or who is in any manner indebted to the University will be denied the recording and certification services of the Office of the Registrar, including the issuance of a transcript or diploma, and may be denied readmission until all obligations are fulfilled. The Division of Enrollment Services may stop the registration, or may cancel the completed registration, of a student who has a delinquent account or debt and may assess all attorney’s fees and other reasonable collection costs (up to 50 percent) and charges necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when due. Matriculation in the University constitutes an agreement by the student to comply with all University rules, regulations
and policies.
Arrangements for financial assistance from Southern Methodist University must be made in advance of enrollment in accordance with the application schedule established by the Division of Enrollment Services – Financial Aid. A student should not expect such assistance to settle delinquent accounts.
Students who elect to register for courses outside of their school of record will pay the tuition rate of their school of record.
Refefunds for Withdrawal from the University
A student who wishes to withdraw (resign) from the University before the end of a term or session must initiate a Student Petition for Withdrawal form, obtain approval from his or her academic dean and submit the form to the Division of Enrollment Services – University Registrar. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date on which the Student Petition for Withdrawal is processed in the Registrar’s
Office. Discontinuance of class attendance or notification to the instructors of intention to withdraw does not constitute an official withdrawal. Students who reside in University housing must obtain clearance from the Office of Residence Life and Student Housing.
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1. SCHOLARSHIPS
A limited number of awards of full and partial tuition and fees are made annually to entering first-year students. The Financial Aid Committee endeavors to use the available funds to attract students who will enhance the School of Law with their academic achievement and potential (relying primarily on undergraduate grade point averages and Law School Admission Test scores) and life experiences. Unless otherwise
specified in the award letter, these grants are renewed for subsequent years provided the student remains in good standing. Scholarships are applied to courses taken during fall and spring terms at the Dedman School of Law.
James Elliott Bower Memorial Scholarships
Mrs. Ann Knight Bower has established the James Elliott Bower Memorial Scholarship
Fund. Selection of James Elliott Bower Memorial Scholars shall be made on the basis of academic proficiency, extracurricular achievement and financial need.
Charles and Peggy Galvin Endowment Fund
The Charles and Peggy Galvin Endowment Fund provides support for one full-tuition scholarship. The Charles and Peggy Galvin scholar must rank in the top one-third of his or her law school class.
Haynes and Boone Minority Scholarship and Clerkship
The Haynes and Boone Minority Scholarship Program, funded by the law firm of Haynes and Boone, LLP, provides two exceptional minority students an opportunity
to work as a summer associate in either the Dallas or Houston office of Haynes and Boone as well as a fixed monthly stipend during their first year to help with school expenses. Applicants must complete a separate scholarship application and be accepted for admission to the School of Law.
The Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Law Fellowship
The Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Law Fellowship was established by the Dallas Bar Foundation to enable men and women from minority groups to obtain a legal education at the School of Law and subsequently enter the legal profession. The Dallas Bar Foundation funds several full-tuition scholarships annually. The fellowship
is awarded initially to entering students for one year and is renewable for the second and third years of study as long as the student remains in good standing. Applicants must complete a separate scholarship application and be accepted for admission to the School of Law by the regular decision deadline.
Hutchison Scholarship Program
William L. Hutchison has established the Hutchison Scholarship Program with the following objectives: (1) to foster and encourage excellence in legal study so that students selected by the school for an award from the endowment income may become competent, able and respected members of the legal profession and/or the business community and (2) the development in such students of the highest sense of duty to our community and our nation in accordance with the Constitution of the United States. To accomplish these objectives, the school shall employ the following criteria in making scholarship awards: (1) Entering students selected as Hutchison Scholars shall have a superior undergraduate academic record and shall have a high sense of duty and commitment to the community and the nation. (2) A Hutchison Scholar must be a full-time student of the Law School each term and must maintain a cumulative average in the upper 25 percent of his or her SMU Law School class. (3) A Hutchison Scholar shall attend classes regularly, abide by the rules and procedures of the school and maintain a cooperative, friendly attitude and relationship with school administrators, professors and other students.
Cary Maguire Ethics Scholarship
Cary Maguire has established the Cary Maguire Ethics Scholarship for first-year law students who have demonstrated concern and interest in ethical behavior in law. The recipient of the Maguire scholarship must write a paper on a topic related to ethical issues in the legal profession during his or her second year.
The Rupert and Lillian Radford Scholarship Fund
The Rupert Radford Estate has established The Rupert and Lillian Radford Scholarship Fund to aid worthy and needy full-time students of the SMU Dedman School of Law.
Robert Hickman Smellage, Sr. Memorial Fund
The family of Robert Hickman Smellage, Sr., has established the Robert Hickman Smellage, Sr. Memorial Fund for worthy students at SMU Dedman School of Law or for students who have graduated from a law school and who are enrolled in a postgraduate law program or course of study at SMU Dedman School of Law.
The Helmut Sohmen Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Sohmen Foundation and is awarded to up to four graduate students who are from China and who are accepted to the Master of Laws program for foreign law school graduates. The scholarship includes full tuition and a supplemental living stipend. Recipients of this scholarship must have outstanding academic records and demonstrate strong potential for success in the LL.M. program.
Robert Gerald Storey Scholarship
This prestigious scholarship is given each year to an outstanding foreign graduate law student who undertakes an intensive course of study in comparative and international
law. Candidates for the scholarship must be admitted to the Master of Laws program for foreign law school graduates by April 1. The scholarship amount varies from year to year, but is usually around $10,000. The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation established the Storey Scholarship in 1981 in honor of the memory of Dean Storey, dean of the Law School from 1947 to 1959.
Hatton W. Sumners Scholarships
Hatton W. Sumners Scholarships, which cover the cost of full tuition and fees and books, plus a living stipend, are awarded each year to qualified entering students
who are residents of or who attended colleges or universities in Texas, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska or Missouri. Applicants must complete a separate scholarship application and be accepted for admission to the School of Law by the regular decision deadline. Scholars are selected by a committee of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation.
J. Cleo Thompson Scholarships
James Cleo Thompson, Sr., has established the Thompson Scholarship fund for deserving students from the first, second and third year classes.
2. Endowed Scholarships
In addition, the School of Law awards varying amounts of tuition and fee support
from the following endowed scholarships that are established through gifts or bequests from graduates and other supporters:
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1. English as a Second Program
John E. Wheeler, Director
Students whose first language is not English may encounter special challenges as they strive to function efficiently in the unfamiliar culture of an American university setting. The Office of General Education offers the following ESL resources to students from all schools and departments of SMU.
Conversation Buddy Program
Once at the beginning of each term, all students are notified via campus e-mail of this opportunity to practice their language skills in an informal, one-on-one setting outside the classroom for one to two hours a week. Every effort is made to match native speakers of English with a native speaker of a language or culture in which they may have an interest. In this way, both the ESL student and the native English speaker benefit from a two-way language exchange. Participation in this program is an option available for students enrolled in a Choices II Wellness class to partially fulfill the out-of-class corequirements of the class; students should talk to their Choices II instructor for details. To apply for a Conversation Buddy, send an e-mail to smithjr@smu.edu.
ESL Self-Study Lab
A collection of audio- and videotapes plus computer software is available for self-study use at the Fondren Library Information Commons. Students will find materials to help them improve their pronunciation, listening, vocabulary and grammar skills.
International Organizations
The International Office sponsors Global Connections and collaborates with the International Friendship Program. Visit smu.edu/international/orgs.asp to learn more about each of these organizations.
2. Graduate Residence Accommodations
The Department of Residence Life and Student Housing operates three apartment
residence halls designated primarily for graduate students.
Moore Hall is designated for sophomores and above, including graduate students, and consists of two-person efficiency apartments. Each apartment has a kitchen/sleeping area and a bathroom. The kitchen area contains an electric stove, refrigerator,
sink, garbage disposal and dishwasher, as well as built-in cabinets, table and two chairs. The bedroom area contains two single beds, two desks and chairs, two dressers, two closets, and a bookcase.
Martin Hall, an efficiency apartment hall, houses single and married graduate students, and married undergraduate students.
Hawk Hall, a one-bedroom-apartment facility, houses married students (graduate and undergraduate) with families. Families with no more than two children may be housed in Hawk Hall.
Special Housing Needs
Students having special housing needs because of a disability should contact the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing prior to submitting the housing application. Whenever possible, the housing staff will work with that student in adapting the facility to meet special needs.
General Housing Information
Each room or apartment is equipped with a telephone, local telephone service and voicemail system, and Ethernet and wireless connections to the University’s computer system. Renovated halls also have in-room cable television programming. All residence halls are air-conditioned and rooms have individual climate-control. Washing machines and dryers are located in all residence halls. Meal plans are not required in graduate halls.
Applications for Residence
New graduate students should submit the completed application and contract to the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing with a check or money order of $100 to cover the Advance Housing Deposit to RLSH after acceptance into their graduate school program.
Priority of assignment is based on the date on which applications are received by the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing.
Notification of assignment will be made by RLSH. Rooms are contracted for the full academic year (fall and spring terms). Rent for the fall term will be billed and is payable in advance for students who register before August 1, and rent for the spring term will be billed and is payable in advance for students who register before December 1. Students who register after these dates must pay at time of registration. Rent for the full academic year will be due and payable should a student move from the residence hall at any time during the school year. Accommodations for shorter periods are available only by special arrangement with the director of RLSH before acceptance of the housing contract. It is important that applicants become familiar with the housing contract since it is a legally binding contract.
For more information, please visit the website at smu.edu/housing or contact the SMU Department of Residence Life and Student Housing: PO Box 750215, Dallas TX 75275-0215; telephone 214-768-2407; fax 214-768-4005; housing@smu.edu.
3. Health and Counseling Service
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 (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 (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 nonmajor 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 (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. In order to ensure that students have appropriate
health care coverage, SMU requires its students to maintain insurance as a condition of enrollment. All International students enrolled in one or more credit hours are required not only to maintain coverage, but their coverage must be in the SMU Student Insurance Plan. International students may apply for a waiver if A) the student is covered by a comparable Embassy plan or B) a student can provide documented evidence of comparable health insurance coverage by a U.S. employer, including medical evacuation and repatriation. All domestic students taking at least nine credit hours are required to provide proof of comparable U. S. health coverage or to enroll in the SMU Student Insurance Plan. All students may view the plan benefits and waive or enroll online at ahpcare.com/smu, or call Academic Health Plans at 888-308-7320 for further details. A student must be enrolled in at least one credit hour to qualify for the SMU Student Health Plan. Insurance packets are also available at the Health Center. Domestic students who have other insurance will be provided an itemized receipt upon request at the time of service. This receipt is adequate to file with insurance companies for reimbursement.
Health insurance is separate from the student Health Center fees and is paid for independently.
Pharmacy. A complete pharmacy with registered pharmacists is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The pharmacy accepts many prescription plans.
X-ray and Laboratory Services. X-ray and laboratory tests are done 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 measles, rubeola (red or regular measles), and rubella (German or three day measles). 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 Student Health Center.
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 (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 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. Appointments may be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 214-768-2877.
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 smu.edu/liveresponsibly.
Office of Health Education and Promotion. This office serves as a resource for health information on campus. The office 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 smu.edu/healthcenter/healtheducation or call 214-768-2393.
4. Child Care
SMU provides a licensed childcare center for children ages one month to five years on a space-available basis. For more information, write to the Director, SMU Preschool and Child Care Center, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750215, Dallas TX 75275-0215, or call 214-768-2278.
5. Recreational Sports
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports (smu.edu/recsports) is a facility designed for recreational sports and wellness. The new 170,000-square-foot expansion and renovation was completed in 2006. The center provides new racquetball courts, aerobic studios, an indoor running track, basketball, 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 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. Outdoor Adventures comprises Outdoor Recreation (outdoor
trips), The Rental Shop (renting outdoor equipment), SMU Climbing Center (climbing wall and bouldering wall), and Challenge and Team-Building Activities (incorporating a portable challenge course). SMU OA offers fun and challenging outdoor recreation activities, community-building programs and leadership opportunities
through backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and more.
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 Cheerleading Squad, Pom-Pom Squads 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 a superb 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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Students have the opportunity to receive academic credit for and participate in the publication of five law reviews – the SMU Law Review, the Journal of Air Law and Commerce, The International Lawyer, the Law and Business Review of the Americas and in the State Bar of Texas’ SMU Science and Technology Law Review. The SMU Law Review and the Journal of Air Law and Commerce are published by the SMU Law Review Association. The International Lawyer and Law & Business
Review of the Americas are published by the International Law Review Association of SMU. The law reviews select their editorial staffs on the basis of academic performance and a writing competition. The writing competition is open to students who have completed all first-year required courses (see Section VIII B1) and generally is held during the summer.
The operation and management of each publication is vested in an elected board of editors. The board is selected from those students who have served at least one year on the staff of the law review and who have exhibited a strong ability in legal research and writing. The work of students on the school’s publications has produced periodicals of permanent value to the legal profession.
The SMU Law Review, formerly the Southwestern Law Journal, is published four times each year and reaches law schools, attorneys and judges throughout the United States and abroad. Each issue includes articles by prominent legal scholars and practitioners dealing with significant questions of local, national and international
law. In addition, articles by students analyze recent cases, statutes and developments in the law. Each year one issue of the SMU Law Review is devoted to an annual survey of Texas law and contains articles by attorneys, law professors and judges concerning current developments in the law of Texas. All editing is done by student members of the board of editors and the staff. Members of the SMU Law Review receive academic credit for their work. The SMU Law Review also sponsors the annual SMU Corporate Counsel Symposium on current developments
in corporate law. Selected papers from the symposium may be published in one of its issues. The symposium attracts corporate practitioners from throughout the United States.
The Journal of Air Law and Commerce, a quarterly publication of the School of Law, was founded at Northwestern University in 1930 and moved to SMU in 1961. The oldest scholarly periodical in the English language devoted primarily to the legal and economic problems affecting aviation and space, it has a worldwide circulation of more than 2,300 subscribers in some 54 countries. Articles by distinguished
lawyers, economists, government officials and scholars deal with domestic and international problems of the airline industry, private aviation and outer space, as well as general legal topics that have a significant impact on the area of aviation. Also included are student commentaries on a variety of topical issues, case notes on recent decisions, book reviews and editorial comments. The Journal of Air Law and Commerce sponsors an annual symposium on selected problems in aviation law and publishes selected papers from that symposium in one of its issues. More than 500 aviation lawyers and industry representatives annually attend.
The International Lawyer is the quarterly publication of the Section of International
Law and Practice of the American Bar Association. The ABA published the inaugural issue in 1966, and SMU has been the proud home of this prestigious journal since 1986. With a worldwide circulation in excess of 13,000 in 75 countries, The International Lawyer is the most widely distributed U.S. international law review in the world. The International Lawyer focuses primarily on practical issues facing lawyers engaged in international practice. Addressing issues such as international
trade, licensing, finance, taxation, litigation and dispute resolution, it has become an authoritative reference for practitioners, judges and scholars concerned with current legal developments throughout the world. The dean of the Law School and another member of the faculty serve as co-editors-in-chief of The International Lawyer. The student editorial board is drawn from highly qualified law student members of the International Law Review Association of SMU. In addition to editing The International Lawyer, student editors prepare comments on relevant international business law topics. The International Lawyer also sponsors an annual international symposium.
The Law and Business Review of the Americas (formerly NAFTA: The Law and Business Review of the Americas) is an interdisciplinary publication addressing the legal, business, economic, political and social dimensions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, its implementation, its evolution and expansion, and its overall impact on doing business in the Americas. This journal is a quarterly publication produced by the SMU Dedman School of Law (and its Law Institute of the Americas) in association with the Section of International Law and Practice of the American Bar Association, the SMU Cox School of Business, the SMU Department of Economics and Political Science, and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London). A group of highly qualified and committed law student members of the International Law Review Association assist a group of faculty and outside experts in editing the journal. The students also prepare comments on relevant topics.
The SMU Science and Technology Law Review, formerly the Computer Law Review and Technology Journal, is SMU’s newest scholarly publication. This journal is published three times a year. The journal is also published on the Internet, allowing worldwide access to its articles. Students from the SMU Dedman School of Law serve as the editorial board and staff members. The journal focuses on national and international technology-based legal issues, including the legal use and limits of hardware and software and patent, copyright and intellectual property law.
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Students are encouraged to involve themselves in the life of the Law School community through participation in activities and organizations. The following activities and organizations are currently active at the Law School:
SMU Student Bar Association. The SBA is composed of all students in the School of Law. Officers and upper-division class representatives are elected in the spring term of each academic year. Class representatives for first-year students are elected approximately one month after the fall term has commenced. The primary function of the SBA is to represent the concerns and interests of the Law School student body. The SBA sponsors a variety of extracurricular events. All students are urged to serve on one or more of the SBA committees.
Barristers. The Barristers is a general service organization of 15 law students elected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, achievement and personality.
Board of Advocates. The SMU Board of Advocates is the umbrella student organization that oversees advocacy programs at the School of Law. It also coordinates
with faculty SMU’s participation in national and international advocacy competitions. The Board of Advocates’ administrative committee promotes development
of the Law School’s advocacy programs, and publicizes and coordinates the various intraschool competitions. Its Interscholastic Competition Board has coordinated participation in a number of mock trial and moot court competitions in which SMU law students compete against students from other law schools across the country.
Inn of Court. The William M. “Maci” Taylor, Jr. Inn of Court is a chapter of the American Inns of Court, in which federal and state judges, senior and junior lawyers,
and law students participate. Members of the inn meet monthly for dinner and an educational program dealing with an issue of practice and professional responsibility.
Legal Fraternities. The school has two legal fraternities – the Roger Brooke Taney Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta and the Monteith Inn of Phi Delta Phi. Legal fraternities are open to men and women.
Moot Court Board. This student organization administers a program to instruct first-year students in oral advocacy. The board, which is sponsored by Jackson Walker LLP, Dallas, organizes a moot court competition that is mandatory for all first-year students.
Oxford Program. Approximately 30 students spend six weeks in the summer studying law in Oxford, England. Students earn five hours of credit by taking one course from an SMU professor and one Oxford-style tutorial from an Oxford tutor. Participants live and take their meals in historic University College, Oxford. The program also includes visits with English lawyers and a trip to the Royal Courts of Justice.
Student Bar Association Mentor Program. This is a peer-mentor program available
to all first-year law students. First-year students are paired with upper-class peers who meet with them throughout the academic year to discuss issues of general interest to first-year students.
Other Student Organizations. In addition to those listed above, the following law student organizations are currently active on the SMU campus: Aggie Law Students, Asian-American Law Students Association, Association of Public Interest Law, Black Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society, Corporate Law Association,
Criminal Law Association, Energy Law Association, Environmental Law Society, Family Law Association, Federalist Society, Health Law Association, Hispanic American Law Students Association, Intellectual Property Organization, International Law Society, J. Reuben Clark Society, Jewish Law Students Association,
Muslim Law Students Association, National Lawyers Guild, OutLaw (Lesbian and Gay Law Students), OWLS (Older and Wiser Law Students), Second Amendment
Society, Sports and Entertainment Law Group, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
and Women in Law.
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