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SMU offers two graduate residence halls on campus: Martin and Hawk Halls. Martin Hall, an efficiency apartment hall, houses single and married graduate students. Hawk Hall, a one-bedroom apartment facility, houses married students or students with children in one-bedroom apartments.
All residence hall apartments are furnished with bed, closet, kitchenette, bathroom and telephone. Each residence hall has a live-in staff member who serves as the hall director. Social and educational programming is offered in all halls. All residence halls have a lounge area with color TV. Laundry facilities are located in each building. Room rent includes local telephone service, voice mail, and Ethernet connections to the University’s computer system. Meal plans are available, but not required. All residence halls are air-conditioned and smoke-free.
The Housing contract is for the entire academic year (roughly mid-August to mid-May). Space for graduate students on campus is very limited. All applicants are placed on a waiting list and assignments are made during the summer. Housing for graduate students is NOT guaranteed.
In addition, SMU also owns and manages off-campus apartments, which are available to graduate students. These apartments are convenient to campus and vary in size and cost. Efficiencies and one- and two-bedroom apartments are available. Apartments are unfurnished and do not include telephone service. Pets are not allowed.
For more information, contact the Department of Residence Life and Student Housing, PO Box 750215, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0215; phone 214-768-2407; fax 214-768-4005. E-mail: housing@smu.edu. More information about residence halls is available at smu.edu/housing.
SMU provides a licensed child care center for children ages one month to five years on a space-available basis. For more information, write to the Director, SMU Child Care and Preschool Center, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750215, Dallas TX 75275-0215, or call 214-768-2278.
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. The Mental Health Service, the Counseling and Testing Center, and the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention are located on the second floor. The Health Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC).
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, registered nurses, pharmacists, lab and X-ray technologists, and other consulting physicians (gynecologist, orthopedist, dermatologist) essential to the provision of high-quality health care. Physicians are available by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The facility is closed during student holiday periods. For primary care and specialist physician consultation, call 214-768-2141 for appointments.
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 go to the emergency room of any major Dallas hospital.
Costs. Undergraduate and graduate students paying the full fee (which includes a health service fee) receive fully covered primary care physician services for that term. Specialized physician care and lab, X-ray, pharmacy, and supplies will be charged at below usual and customary rates charged by other providers. Students not paying full tuition and fees have the option of paying the health fee for Health Center privileges. The health fee is $120 per semester or a $45 per visit fee upon arrival at the Health Center for physician consultation.
Student Insurance. The University offers a Student accident and illness insurance plan that provides coverage at the SMU Health Center and at selected clinics or hospitals. Brochures are available through the graduate schools’ admissions offices and at the Health Center business office. More information may be found on the Health Center website.
Pharmacy. A complete pharmacy with registered pharmacists is open during clinic hours.
X-ray and Laboratory Services. X-ray and laboratory tests are done for nominal fees. All X-rays are interpreted by a radiologist. Gastrointestinal and certain other special X-ray procedures are referred to a specialist.
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 immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, mumps, rubeola (red, or regular, measles), rubella (German, or three-day, measles) since 1980. These immunizations must be documented by a physician, public health record, or school health record. Students will not be allowed to register without compliance. Immunizations are available at the Student Health Center after arrival at SMU.
Class Absence Due to Illness. Students should schedule appointments with physicians at times when classes will not be missed, especially when there is neither an emergency nor an acute illness. The Health Center does not issue excuses from classes for illness. This is a matter between the student and the professor.
Notification of Parents. Students are encouraged to call one or both parents when ill. Parents or guardians will be notified in cases of serious illness.
Health Service Records. All health service records are confidential. A summary or copy of medical records will be sent to another health care provider or physician only when a written release is given by the student. Records are not made available to parents, SMU administrators, faculty, or staff without the patient’s written consent. Records are available otherwise only when subject to court subpoena. It is the responsibility of the student to forward billing receipts for health services to the parent for insurance purposes. These itemized receipts, which contain confidential medical information, are given only to the patient.
Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS). This service takes a proactive position to facilitate healthy student development and maintain and enhance students’ psychological and emotional well-being. While many students cope quite well with law school, others experience difficulties that interfere with their academic performance and /or social interactions. Confidential evaluations, psychotherapy, personal, educational, group counseling, consultation and medication management are available as well as psychological services for women, gender issues, crisis intervention and learning disability/ADHD testing.
Most services are free for currently enrolled SMU students and are available on an individual, couple or group basis. Spouses will be seen with students for couple’s counseling. CAPS is located on the second floor of the SMU Memorial Health Center, 6211 Bishop Boulevard. Staff includes one full time and one half-time board certified psychiatrists, four full time psychologist/counselors, two part-time psychologists/counselors, and various psychology trainees. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit the Health Center website.
24 Hour Emergency Services: 214-768- CAPS (2277)
If unable to reach, please call the SMU Police at 214-768-3333
Testing Services. CAPS also offers testing to the Dallas-area community. The center offers on-campus administration of national testing programs such as the SAT, LSAT, GRE Subject, PRAXIS, CFA, and TASP. Other testing offered includes CLEP tests and correspondence examinations for other universities. For additional information, call the center at 214-768-2269.
Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. The center 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.
The Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports is a facility designed for recreational sports, Wellness, and intramural activities, which recently underwent a $25 million expansion. Recreational facilities include a state-of-the-art weight room/fitness facility featuring individual flat screen televisions; racquetball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and sand volleyball courts; exercise studios; indoor soccer area; 25 meter indoor pool; outdoor fountain pool; indoor jogging track; and climbing center with rock-climbing wall. A snack bar and computer center are also located inside the Dedman Center. The facilities are open to SMU students, faculty, and staff and serve as the base of operation for the University’s Wellness program.
Many opportunities for team and individual competition are available through intramurals. Leagues offer year-long competition, and other leagues and tournaments cater to those interested in seasonal participation. The five major sports are football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball. Other sports and activities offered are bowling, golf, racquetball, tennis, track, swimming, weight lifting, and game-room activities. Additional leadership opportunities are available for those interested in officiating or supervising various activities.
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 crew, cycling, ice hockey, lacrosse, fencing, racquetball, rugby, graduate rugby, sailing, judo, rock climbing, badminton, cricket, soccer, and volleyball.
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, triathlon training, adult swimming lessons, and American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor certifications. Both pools also are available for student group reservations and private parties.
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.
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.
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.
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 NCAA Collegiate National Championships. Along with the Mustang Band, they make SMU’s spirit contingent a superb one.
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