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214-SMU-PARENTS
(214-768-7273)

Sept. 17, 2008

New Programs, Policies and Initiatives For Fall

Letter from The Vice President for Student Affairs
and
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

As you most likely recall, last spring President Turner accepted 36 of the 38 recommendations made by the University’s Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention on programs, policies and issues related to alcohol and drug use. The appointment of the Task Force is evidence of SMU’s ongoing commitment to address substance abuse prevention, an issue that is challenging colleges and universities nationwide.

Many recommendations we are implementing are intended to strengthen a culture of personal responsibility and academic achievement. In addition, our new initiatives are helping to build a community in which students are encouraged to make the best use of resources, programs and assistance. Also, some actions are intended to help the campus become a center of activity and social life for students.

During the summer of 2008, Student Affairs staff developed several new programs, policies and initiatives which might be of interest to you:

An initiative called The Dean of Students Caring Community Connections was established to give campus officials and faculty a central point to report concerns about students in distress or at risk. This service does not replace other methods of reporting concerns, but it does create a central database so that information does not remain fragmented with no means of “connecting the dots.” All reported concerns will be reviewed by the Dean of Students for immediate follow-up on urgent matters or other appropriate actions for non-urgent matters. Please log on to http://smu.edu/deanofstudentsCCC and BOOKMARK this site.

Some 1,293 first-year students have logged on to AlcoholEdu and have started the program.

A revised Student Code of Conduct is printed in the 2008-09 Student Handbook and is available through the Dean of Student Life web site at http://smu.edu/studentlife .

SMU has instituted the Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan programs, called the “Call for Help” program. Students who seek medical assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) or for another person (Good Samaritan) due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs will not normally be subject to the discipline process at SMU. (Exemption from the discipline process is related only to alcohol and drug policies.) The purpose of these programs is to encourage students to obtain medical assistance for themselves or their friends when drug or alcohol abuse is life-threatening.

The hours of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center have been expanded with new services and activities. Building hours are Sunday-Wednesday until 12 midnight and Thursday-Saturday until 2 a.m.

The Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports has extended its hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

A Late Night Programming Grant Fund has been established to help support on-campus events. The Grant Fund will be advertised and begin allocating funds beginning with the fall 2008 semester.

Once again, SMU is dedicated to providing a campus environment that encourages good decision-making, responsible behavior and personal and intellectual growth. Please help support the positive growth our Task Force has initiated to help our students Live Responsibly!

Health Center
Night Hours

Beginning Oct. 2, the SMU Health Center is open overnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. . . . More.

'Call for Help' Program

Students who seek medical assistance for themselves or others due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs will not normally be subject to the SMU discipline process. . . More.

Get Help

Trying to quit? You’re not alone. If you’re ready to take back your life, SMU programs offer free and confidential help. More.

President's Response

SMU President R. Gerald Turner has accepted 36 of the 38 recommendations made by the University’s Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention. More.

Stressed?

A useful guide for faculty and staff, this information provides tips and resources for recognizing those in need of help. More.

Message to Parents

SMU Parent Liaison Deanie Kepler offers advice on helping your student. More.




Live Responsibly Home For Students For Parents Ask the Experts Because I Care Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Counseling & Psychiatric Services Recognizing Students In Distress Important Phone Numbers FAQs Substance Abuse Resources In the News Contact Us Emergency Info Line 214-SMU-PARENTS (214-768-7273)	Sept. 17, 2008 New Programs, Policies and Initiatives For Fall Letter from The Vice President for Student Affairs and The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs As you most likely recall, last spring President Turner accepted 36 of the 38 recommendations made by the University’s Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention on programs, policies and issues related to alcohol and drug use. The appointment of the Task Force is evidence of SMU’s ongoing commitment to address substance abuse prevention, an issue that is challenging colleges and universities nationwide. Many recommendations we are implementing are intended to strengthen a culture of personal responsibility and academic achievement. In addition, our new initiatives are helping to build a community in which students are encouraged to make the best use of resources, programs and assistance. Also, some actions are intended to help the campus become a center of activity and social life for students. During the summer of 2008, Student Affairs staff developed several new programs, policies and initiatives which might be of interest to you: An initiative called The Dean of Students Caring Community Connections was established to give campus officials and faculty a central point to report concerns about students in distress or at risk. This service does not replace other methods of reporting concerns, but it does create a central database so that information does not remain fragmented with no means of “connecting the dots.” All reported concerns will be reviewed by the Dean of Students for immediate follow-up on urgent matters or other appropriate actions for non-urgent matters. Please log on to http://smu.edu/deanofstudentsCCC and BOOKMARK this site. Some 1,293 first-year students have logged on to AlcoholEdu and have started the program. A revised Student Code of Conduct is printed in the 2008-09 Student Handbook and is available through the Dean of Student Life web site at http://smu.edu/studentlife . SMU has instituted the Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan programs, called the “Call for Help” program. Students who seek medical assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) or for another person (Good Samaritan) due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs will not normally be subject to the discipline process at SMU. (Exemption from the discipline process is related only to alcohol and drug policies.) The purpose of these programs is to encourage students to obtain medical assistance for themselves or their friends when drug or alcohol abuse is life-threatening. The hours of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center have been expanded with new services and activities. Building hours are Sunday-Wednesday until 12 midnight and Thursday-Saturday until 2 a.m. The Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports has extended its hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. A Late Night Programming Grant Fund has been established to help support on-campus events. The Grant Fund will be advertised and begin allocating funds beginning with the fall 2008 semester. Once again, SMU is dedicated to providing a campus environment that encourages good decision-making, responsible behavior and personal and intellectual growth. Please help support the positive growth our Task Force has initiated to help our students Live Responsibly!	Health Center Night Hours Beginning Oct. 2, the SMU Health Center is open overnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. . . . More. 'Call for Help' Program Students who seek medical assistance for themselves or others due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs will not normally be subject to the SMU discipline process. . . More. Get Help Trying to quit? You’re not alone. If you’re ready to take back your life, SMU programs offer free and confidential help. More. President's Response SMU President R. Gerald Turner has accepted 36 of the 38 recommendations made by the University’s Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention. More. Stressed? A useful guide for faculty and staff, this information provides tips and resources for recognizing those in need of help. More. Message to Parents SMU Parent Liaison Deanie Kepler offers advice on helping your student. More.