New Employee Orientation Checklist for Faculty

Please note that all completed forms mentioned in the Checklist should be returned to the Department of Human Resources via one of the following:

Mail to:
Southern Methodist University
Department of Human Resources - New Faculty P.O. Box 750232
Dallas TX 75275-0232

Scan and email to: NewFaculty@smu.edu|
Fax: 214-768-2295 Attn: New Faculty

Before the first day of the month in which contract begins:

 HR will send instructions for completing new hire paperwork prior to arriving on campus and registration instructions for New Employee Orientation (HR/Benefits Orientation) to attend upon arriving to campus.

On the first day of employment:

Federal law requires your completion of the Form I-9. Please bring your original, unexpired documents to Human Resources to complete the Form I-9 by your first day of employment. You are not eligible to begin work until the Form I-9 has been completed. Please make arrangements to complete your I-9 in person at:

Expressway Tower
6116 Central Expressway
Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75206
Business Hours: 8:30 am-5:00 pm, Monday-Friday
(214) 768-3311

Before the end of the first week of the month in which contract begins:

  • Faculty Statement: acknowledging the employee has been provided with certain information pertinent to employment

Within 31 days of the first day of the month in which contract begins:


Benefits:  Required Participation (see age restrictions)

  • 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan (Age 36 or older)
  • Emeriti Health Savings Account (Age 40 or older mandatory pre-tax contribution, under age 40 optional post tax contribution)

Benefits:  Optional Participation

  • If enrolling dependents, please review the Dependent Eligibility requirements.
  • Benefits elections for the following benefits are made through my.SMU.edu> Self Service> Benefits> Benefits Enrollment.    
  • Long-Term Care Insurance:  If you wish to purchase Long-Term Care Insurance, choose the Long-Term Care tab and follow the instructions to apply for coverage.
  • Wellpower Wellness Program (benefit eligible faculty/staff):  create your personal profile - start earning credits!

Within 90 days of the first day of the month in which contract begins:

New Faculty will be notified by email from Lawroom when the following training tutorials are assigned and ready to be accessed:  

FAQ for LawRoom

Tools for Faculty Managers

  • TIMEaccess Training for those who will manage non-exempt (hourly) employees
  • New Manager Orientation:  New Managers may participate in this optional orientation series to learn the tools and resources available to them in their new role. 

Questions may be directed to the following:

Email Us Recruitment: recruitu@smu.edu

Email Us Benefits-Total Compensation: BenefitsU@smu.edu

Email Us Orientation-Professional Development: DevelopU@smu.edu