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Oct. 8, 2008

Task Force Recommendations Implemented

DALLAS (SMU) — More than a dozen recommendations made by the SMU Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, including policies aimed to produce a higher level of personal and peer responsibility, have been implemented by the University since April. Efforts to implement other recommendations are in progress, with a goal of implementing all 36 of the recommendations approved last spring by SMU President Gerald R. Turner.

The new initiatives are intended to strengthen the academic and student life culture, said SMU Vice President for Student Affairs Lori White. “These initiatives are helping build an academic community where achievement remains a high priority and in which students are encouraged to look out for themselves and one another. We want them to make the best use of the resources, programs and assistance this University has to offer,” she said.

Highlights of the new initiatives include:

The Dean of Students Caring Community Connections program
This extension of the Dean of Students Office is an online process for gathering and acting upon reports of students showing signs of distress gives campus officials and faculty members a central database to report concerns. The Dean of Students reviews the information for immediate follow-up on urgent matters or other appropriate action for non-urgent matters.
The Call for Help Program
Students who seek medical assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) or for another person (Good Samaritan) due to intoxication by alcohol and/or drugs will now not normally be subject to the discipline process at SMU. (Exemption from the discipline process is related only to alcohol and drug policies.) This program is designed to encourage students to obtain medical assistance when drug or alcohol abuse is life threatening.
Social Event Registration
This new protocol requires student organizations to register most on-campus and off-campus events through the University¹s Office of Student Life. For events expecting more than 100 guests, or where alcohol will be served or if buses are used for transportation the event organizers also are required to meet with the University¹s Social Event Registration Committee before the event.
Law-Enforcement Partnership
SMU has strengthened the partnership between its Police Department and the City of University Park Police Department. SMU is collaborating with University Park Police to share a police officer on the North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, which consists of area police departments and federal agencies that collect information on drug use, trafficking and trends affecting this region.
Parental Notification
A first offense for a substance-abuse or alcohol violation, will result in prompt parental notification. Previously, parental notification typically occurred only after a student was placed on disciplinary probation for an alcohol or substance-abuse violation.
Late-Night options
The University expanded the hours, services and activities of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, which now is open Sunday-Wednesday until midnight and Thursday-Saturday until 2 a.m. In addition, the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports has extended hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. A Late Night Programming Grant Fund has been established to help support evening on-campus events.
Extended Health Center Hours & Services
Beginning Oct. 2, the SMU Health Center is open overnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. These hours are in addition to the regular and new extended daytime Health Center hours. A paramedic and an emergency medical technician are at the Center during the new night hours. In addition, a mobile intensive care unit is available at the Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to provide immediate transport to area hospitals if needed.
These new hours and services apply to students seeking medical attention for any reason and are available whenever school is in session during the fall and spring semesters.
AlcoholEdu
By the second week of the fall semester, 1,293 first-year students had started a newly required online alcohol education program. The University also added a new parent/student interactive session on substance-abuse awareness to its orientation program.

Other updates include:

Revised the Student Code of Conduct, including changing the name of the Office of Judicial Affairs to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
University participation in ALOUD (Alliance on Underage Drinking), which includes representatives from the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission, the Dallas Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, local hospitals and other nonprofit agencies.
Clarified regulations related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and developed a student-parent friendly Web site for authorizing release of FERPA information.
Implemented several academic recommendations, including scheduling more Friday classes, encouraging faculty to take attendance in class and asking faculty to help identify students at risk.

White said that while wise student choices are the ultimate protection again substance abuse, SMU is committed to a proactive approach. Substance-abuse prevention information and resources will be communicated regularly through University Web sites and printed materials for students and their parents.

“We are dedicated to providing a campus environment that encourages good decision-making, responsible behavior and personal and intellectual growth,” White said. “These new programs and policies are a foundation for that growth.”

# # #

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. Read the advice or see more information for parents.




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)	Oct. 8, 2008 Task Force Recommendations Implemented DALLAS (SMU) — More than a dozen recommendations made by the SMU Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, including policies aimed to produce a higher level of personal and peer responsibility, have been implemented by the University since April. Efforts to implement other recommendations are in progress, with a goal of implementing all 36 of the recommendations approved last spring by SMU President Gerald R. Turner. The new initiatives are intended to strengthen the academic and student life culture, said SMU Vice President for Student Affairs Lori White. “These initiatives are helping build an academic community where achievement remains a high priority and in which students are encouraged to look out for themselves and one another. We want them to make the best use of the resources, programs and assistance this University has to offer,” she said. Highlights of the new initiatives include: The Dean of Students Caring Community Connections program This extension of the Dean of Students Office is an online process for gathering and acting upon reports of students showing signs of distress gives campus officials and faculty members a central database to report concerns. The Dean of Students reviews the information for immediate follow-up on urgent matters or other appropriate action for non-urgent matters. The Call for Help Program Students who seek medical assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) or for another person (Good Samaritan) due to intoxication by alcohol and/or drugs will now not normally be subject to the discipline process at SMU. (Exemption from the discipline process is related only to alcohol and drug policies.) This program is designed to encourage students to obtain medical assistance when drug or alcohol abuse is life threatening. Social Event Registration This new protocol requires student organizations to register most on-campus and off-campus events through the University¹s Office of Student Life. For events expecting more than 100 guests, or where alcohol will be served or if buses are used for transportation the event organizers also are required to meet with the University¹s Social Event Registration Committee before the event. Law-Enforcement Partnership SMU has strengthened the partnership between its Police Department and the City of University Park Police Department. SMU is collaborating with University Park Police to share a police officer on the North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, which consists of area police departments and federal agencies that collect information on drug use, trafficking and trends affecting this region. Parental Notification A first offense for a substance-abuse or alcohol violation, will result in prompt parental notification. Previously, parental notification typically occurred only after a student was placed on disciplinary probation for an alcohol or substance-abuse violation. Late-Night options The University expanded the hours, services and activities of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, which now is open Sunday-Wednesday until midnight and Thursday-Saturday until 2 a.m. In addition, the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports has extended hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. A Late Night Programming Grant Fund has been established to help support evening on-campus events. Extended Health Center Hours & Services Beginning Oct. 2, the SMU Health Center is open overnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. These hours are in addition to the regular and new extended daytime Health Center hours. A paramedic and an emergency medical technician are at the Center during the new night hours. In addition, a mobile intensive care unit is available at the Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to provide immediate transport to area hospitals if needed. These new hours and services apply to students seeking medical attention for any reason and are available whenever school is in session during the fall and spring semesters. AlcoholEdu By the second week of the fall semester, 1,293 first-year students had started a newly required online alcohol education program. The University also added a new parent/student interactive session on substance-abuse awareness to its orientation program. Other updates include: Revised the Student Code of Conduct, including changing the name of the Office of Judicial Affairs to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards University participation in ALOUD (Alliance on Underage Drinking), which includes representatives from the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission, the Dallas Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, local hospitals and other nonprofit agencies. Clarified regulations related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and developed a student-parent friendly Web site for authorizing release of FERPA information. Implemented several academic recommendations, including scheduling more Friday classes, encouraging faculty to take attendance in class and asking faculty to help identify students at risk. White said that while wise student choices are the ultimate protection again substance abuse, SMU is committed to a proactive approach. Substance-abuse prevention information and resources will be communicated regularly through University Web sites and printed materials for students and their parents. “We are dedicated to providing a campus environment that encourages good decision-making, responsible behavior and personal and intellectual growth,” White said. “These new programs and policies are a foundation for that growth.” # # #	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. Read the advice or see more information for parents.