About The Office of the Dean of Student Life
Functions | Programs | Staff | Location
Functions of the Office of the Dean of Student Life:
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Coordinating the SMU Crisis Management Team for situations involving students.
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Tracking of students who are identified by faculty and staff through the confidential Dean of Students' Caring Community Connections submission form in order to provide these students with appropriate information, support, and advise for remaining a successful student at SMU.
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Maintaining student conduct records and collect fine payments assessed as a result of violations of the SMU Student Code of Conduct
(For more information, see the Student Conduct and Community Standards page and the SMU Student Handbook) -
Coordinating Honor Council and Conduct Board activities.
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Printing of the SMU Personal Security Tips Booklet for distribution each Fall to students.
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Assisting with small, short-term emergency student loans.
- Providing notary services (Room 302 of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center)
Programs:
New Student Orientation and Student Support
The Office of New Student Orientation and Student Support provides on-going programs and services that support new students and families in transition to SMU. This office is responsible for SMU’s Two-Step Orientation Process, which includes AARO (Academic Advising Registration and Orientation) and Mustang Corral, a three-day, two night retreat for incoming students. They also plan the Encore Series, a sequence of activities throughout the school year aimed at helping new students stay connected.
Parent and Family Programs
Parent and family involvement plays a key role in college choice and in the academic success of students during their college years. The Parent and Family Programs Office works with the SMU Mothers’ and Dads’ Clubs as well as individual parents in creating, maintaining, and promoting parental involvement in appropriate aspects of University life. Through the support of the Parent and Family Programs Office, SMU remains committed to establishing and maintaining a sound relationship with parents and families throughout their student’s time on campus and beyond.
Services for Students with Disabilities
SMU's Office of Services for Students with Disabilities is the primary contact for all students with disabilities, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, eating disorders, and others. The Office assists students with disabilities to effectively utilize resources they may need and helps them work with professors and staff in obtaining appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Student Conduct and Community Standards Office
The Student Conduct and Community Standards Office assists students in their personal development by providing a fair conduct review process that issues consistent sanctions for behavior that is incongruent with the University’s expectations for students. The Office addresses academic and non-academic behavior.
Honor Council
This council uses the SMU Honor Code to oversee the academic conduct of all undergraduate and graduate students with the exception of those SMU students enrolled in the Schools of Law and Theology. Advised by the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
University Conduct Council
This council is comprised of two SMU staff members, two faculty members, three students and two student alternates. The council serves as a board of final appeal for cases originating from disciplinary proceedings by University Conduct Boards and Conduct Hearings as a result of an alleged violation of the SMU Code of Conduct.