SMU Health & Safety Information - Task Force become Commission

Task Force Evolves into Permanent
Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention

SMU is committed to providing its students with an educational environment in which healthy lifestyle choices can be made. Toward this end, for several years the University has had in place numerous programs, policies and resources aimed at substance abuse education and prevention.

The president has appointed the Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention, an outgrowth of the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, as a permanent, ongoing organization to implement and evaluate the task force's recommendations. The Commission's role is to report annually to the president on the status of the recommendations and to identify new or emerging issues of concern.

In spring 2007, in response to the tragedy of three student deaths in the 2006-07 academic year related to substance abuse, SMU’s President appointed a Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention to spend several months reviewing existing programs and policies, with the goal of enhancing and updating them.

SMU has adopted more than 30 of the recommendations, and SMU’s programs are now monitored by the permanent University Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention. In addition, SMU offers such resources as educational programs and counseling for students coping with eating disorders, sexual assault and depression.

Examples of new initiatives resulting from the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention:

Health and Medical Services

SMU’s Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention has expanded training of students and staff and established a student-led AA meeting.
Memorial Health Center has expanded hours for medical services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings during fall and spring terms. The center provides a 24-hour medical and mental health line.

Enforcement

A medical amnesty program was established to encourage students to call for emergency help for themselves or friends due to substance abuse, without being subject to the disciplinary process. To receive amnesty, students agree to be evaluated at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention.
SMU is working with area bar owners on steps they can take to help prevent under-age drinking. One nearby Dallas bar has installed a fake ID scanner, and three others are considering it.
“A Caring Community Connections” online program has been established for faculty and staff to register concerns about students who may be in distress, for follow-up by the Office of Student Life; there have been 185 submissions to date.
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.
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.
SMU also operates an anonymous tips line: 214-768-2TIP

Academic Life

Several academic recommendations are intended to strengthen academic rigor.

SMU now schedules more classes on Friday to extend the week of classroom work.
More faculty now monitor class attendance.
Also being evaluated are new policies on dropping classes and providing earlier grade reports during a semester.

Social Life

Several actions have been taken to increase student activity on campus as the center for social life:

A web-based calendar of student activities helps to promote events.
Hughes-Trigg Student Center hours have been extended, and two staff members have been added to supervise late-night hours.
During the 2008-09 school year, Hughes-Trigg hosted 328 events with a total of 16,522 participants.
The M Lounge opened in Hughes-Trigg for students to play video games, watch TV or movies, and relax.
Giddy-Up campus ride service was extended to seven nights a week from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Communications

The “Live Responsibly” web site provides a summary of services, resources, programs and policies with regard to substance abuse prevention.
Articles reminding students, parents and alumni about substance abuse prevention resources are included in every communications piece going to those audiences.

Parent Partnerships

Orientation includes updated programs on substance abuse for both new students and their parents.
Other orientation programs and a web site are educating parents and students about the need for students to authorize release of educational records to their parents by signing FERPA release forms. In 2008, 82.6% of first-year students granted permission. This enables SMU to speak with parents about their students’ behavior or academic problems and to partner with parents on solutions.

###

Quick Links

If you are the victim of a crime or see something suspicious, contact the police:

• Call 911 from a campus phone

  • Call 214-768-3333 from a cell
     phone (note: calling 911 on a
     cell phone on campus will
     connect you with surrounding
     police stations but not SMU
     Police)

• Pick up a blue-light campus
phone

  • If you are off campus, call 911
     to reach police in your area or
     214-768-3333 to reach SMU
     Police.

  • Report information
     anonymously to SMU’s
     Silent Witness Program by
     calling 214-SMU-2TIP or
     online at www.smu.edu/2tip

Getting Help

SMU urges anyone who has been sexually assaulted to obtain medical care and alert police as soon as it is safe to do so . . . More.

Reporting an Assault

Campus officials, police and counselors can help, including with pursuing criminal and SMU disciplinary options . . . More.

Amnesty Policy

Students who seek medical assistance for themselves or another due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs . . . More.

Support Services

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

Caring Community

Faculty and staff can provide students with appropriate information, support and advice for success. Sign in with your SMU ID and password.

Binge Drinking

SMU is part of a team researching new and innovative ways to fight binge drinking . . . More.



Live Responsibly Home Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures Getting help after a sexual assault Reporting a sexual assault Criminal and disciplinary options Sexual assault resources What is Title IX How You Can Help Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Prescription Drug Abuse Substance Abuse Resources Counseling & Psychiatric Services Ask the Experts For Students For Parents Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention Safety Tips Recognizing Students In Distress Releasing Your Records Student Code of Conduct Contact Us	Task Force Evolves into Permanent Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention SMU is committed to providing its students with an educational environment in which healthy lifestyle choices can be made. Toward this end, for several years the University has had in place numerous programs, policies and resources aimed at substance abuse education and prevention. The president has appointed the Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention, an outgrowth of the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, as a permanent, ongoing organization to implement and evaluate the task force's recommendations. The Commission's role is to report annually to the president on the status of the recommendations and to identify new or emerging issues of concern. In spring 2007, in response to the tragedy of three student deaths in the 2006-07 academic year related to substance abuse, SMU’s President appointed a Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention to spend several months reviewing existing programs and policies, with the goal of enhancing and updating them. SMU has adopted more than 30 of the recommendations, and SMU’s programs are now monitored by the permanent University Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention. In addition, SMU offers such resources as educational programs and counseling for students coping with eating disorders, sexual assault and depression. Examples of new initiatives resulting from the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention: Health and Medical Services SMU’s Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention has expanded training of students and staff and established a student-led AA meeting. Memorial Health Center has expanded hours for medical services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings during fall and spring terms. The center provides a 24-hour medical and mental health line. Enforcement A medical amnesty program was established to encourage students to call for emergency help for themselves or friends due to substance abuse, without being subject to the disciplinary process. To receive amnesty, students agree to be evaluated at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. SMU is working with area bar owners on steps they can take to help prevent under-age drinking. One nearby Dallas bar has installed a fake ID scanner, and three others are considering it. “A Caring Community Connections” online program has been established for faculty and staff to register concerns about students who may be in distress, for follow-up by the Office of Student Life; there have been 185 submissions to date. 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. 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. SMU also operates an anonymous tips line: 214-768-2TIP Academic Life Several academic recommendations are intended to strengthen academic rigor. SMU now schedules more classes on Friday to extend the week of classroom work. More faculty now monitor class attendance. Also being evaluated are new policies on dropping classes and providing earlier grade reports during a semester. Social Life Several actions have been taken to increase student activity on campus as the center for social life: A web-based calendar of student activities helps to promote events. Hughes-Trigg Student Center hours have been extended, and two staff members have been added to supervise late-night hours. During the 2008-09 school year, Hughes-Trigg hosted 328 events with a total of 16,522 participants. The M Lounge opened in Hughes-Trigg for students to play video games, watch TV or movies, and relax. Giddy-Up campus ride service was extended to seven nights a week from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Communications The “Live Responsibly” web site provides a summary of services, resources, programs and policies with regard to substance abuse prevention. Articles reminding students, parents and alumni about substance abuse prevention resources are included in every communications piece going to those audiences. Parent Partnerships Orientation includes updated programs on substance abuse for both new students and their parents. Other orientation programs and a web site are educating parents and students about the need for students to authorize release of educational records to their parents by signing FERPA release forms. In 2008, 82.6% of first-year students granted permission. This enables SMU to speak with parents about their students’ behavior or academic problems and to partner with parents on solutions. ###	Quick Links If you are the victim of a crime or see something suspicious, contact the police: • Call 911 from a campus phone • Call 214-768-3333 from a cell phone (note: calling 911 on a cell phone on campus will connect you with surrounding police stations but not SMU Police) • Pick up a blue-light campus phone • If you are off campus, call 911 to reach police in your area or 214-768-3333 to reach SMU Police. • Report information anonymously to SMU’s Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP or online at www.smu.edu/2tip Getting Help SMU urges anyone who has been sexually assaulted to obtain medical care and alert police as soon as it is safe to do so . . . More. Reporting an Assault Campus officials, police and counselors can help, including with pursuing criminal and SMU disciplinary options . . . More. Amnesty Policy Students who seek medical assistance for themselves or another due to intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs . . . More. Support Services Trying to quit? You're not alone. If you’re ready to take back your life, SMU programs offer free and confidential help. . . More. Caring Community Faculty and staff can provide students with appropriate information, support and advice for success. Sign in with your SMU ID and password. Binge Drinking SMU is part of a team researching new and innovative ways to fight binge drinking . . . More.

Task Force Evolves into PermanentCommission on Substance Abuse Prevention