President Turner Announces Task Force Decisions

SMU President R. Gerald Turner has accepted 36 of the 38 recommendations recently made by the University's Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention on programs, policies and issues related to alcohol and drug use. Some recommendations have been accepted partially or with modifications, limitations or reservations; or will be considered with more study. Two recommendations have not been accepted.

"As the Task Force has wisely stated, no one policy or program alone can guarantee wise decision-making on the part of students encountering new freedoms at college or those entering with existing drug and alcohol problems," Turner said in his report. "It is our hope, however, that the many recommendations we will implement will strengthen a culture of personal responsibility and academic achievement, a community in which students make the best use of resources, programs and assistance." Read more from the announcement.

• President Turner's decision
• Executive summary of the decision
• The Task Force's recommendations

SMU Honors Excellence at Spring Awards Ceremonies

SMU faculty, staff, administrators and students were recognized with teaching awards, service honors and the University's highest commendation, the "M" Award, at the 2008 Awards Extravaganza April 21. On the same day, the University honored its best students at the 2008 Honors Day Convocation. The address was delivered by Willard Spiegelman, Duwain E. Hughes Jr. Distinguished Professor of English in SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

More than 550 students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and above were recognized March 30 during the 18th annual Minority Academic Awards. And three SMU faculty members were honored April 10 for their graciousness and sensitivity to students with learning differences. Judy Newell, Mathematical Sciences, Pauline Newton, English, and Stuart Robinson, Psychology, received the first Extra Mile Awards from members of Students for New Learning, a student organization that promotes awareness of learning differences and provides tips and strategies to fellow students.

• See the Awards Extravaganza 2008 winners list.
• Find a list of Honors Convocation awards.
• View an Honors Day slide show.
• See a Minority Academic Awards slide show.
• More on the instructors who went the Extra Mile.

Family Weekend 2008: SMU Safari

For more than 30 years, SMU moms, dads, students and siblings have participated in the University's Family Weekend, celebrating longstanding traditions and launching new ones.

Set this fall for September 19-21, the weekend will include a luncheon co-sponsored by the Mothers' Club, barbecue co-sponsored by the Dads' Club, departmental open houses, student talent show and tailgating on the Boulevard before kickoff against TCU.

The Family Weekend registration book, containing a full schedule, will be mailed to parents in June. More information also will be posted on the Student Foundation Web site.

Learning What It Takes to Lead

Beverly Ince, a first-year advertising major, had gained leadership experience at her San Antonio high school as swim team captain and class officer, and wanted to continue growing her skills at SMU. Sophomore Chitresh Gupta, a math and mechanical engineering major, hadn’t held leadership roles in his hometown of New Delhi, India, and hoped to learn the basics.

Both students were among the 30 last fall who participated in SMU’s new Leadership Certificate Program – open and free to all SMU students and offered through the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement. “All students have leadership potential, but like athletes, leaders need instruction and lots of practice,” says Earl Shaw (’02), a graduate assistant in the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement who developed the program. Read more.

New This Summer:
The Minor in Business

SMU’s Cox School of Business is introducing a new Minor in Business for non-Cox undergraduates at SMU, with classes starting in Summer 2008.

Designed to provide a strong foundation in business basics such as finance, management, marketing and accounting, the Minor in Business will take two summers to complete. Students will take four courses “full time” during their first summer, and two courses “part time” during the second summer, allowing for time for a summer internship.

Learn more about the new program at www.cox.smu.edu/undergrad/mib.

Studying economics in London, building an Internet music business in Dallas and working to restore a school in Nepal are just a few of the adventures SMU students are having worldwide. Follow Student Adventures as our correspondents meet challenges that go far beyond the classroom. Read more.

• Cox BBA students discuss their summer internships
• Hilltop Ambassadors blog about life at SMU

Dr. Allen Weinstein (right), the noted historian who oversees the nation's presidential libraries, will speak at SMU's 93rd Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m. May 17 in Moody Coliseum. The University expects to award nearly 2,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in the University-wide ceremony.

Start planning your trip to Dallas now at the University Registrar’s Commencement 2008 site. The site is packed with links for seniors and their families, including information on tickets, regalia, announcements, invitations, class rings, campus maps, transportation and local accommodations.

Some important dates at a glance:

• May 16: Baccalaureate
• May 16: Rotunda Recessional
• May 17: All-University Commencement and School Diploma Ceremonies

Read more about the 2008 Commencement speaker from SMU News.

Registration is now open for the 2008 SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute, scheduled for July 17-20 at SMU's Fort Burgwin campus in northern New Mexico. The weekend courses include history, anthropology, art and art history, botany, earth sciences, digital photography and mountain sports. For more information, contact Allison Curran, 8-8267 (8-TAOS). (Top right, Taos' Santuario de Chimayo.)

From the archives: Your students will be taking finals soon – what else should they do before they leave campus? Deanie's tips will help make the transition to summer a bit easier. Read more.

In the current job market, it’s important to negotiate for more than just salary. Troy Behrens advises students to negotiate their career development and growth, as well. Read more.

• May 3-9
  Final exams
• May 10
  Residence halls close
• May 16
  Baccalaureate
• May 17
  Commencement
• May 26
  University holiday – Memorial Day
• May 29-June 27
  First Summer Session
• July 1-31
  Second Summer Session
• August 24
  Opening Convocation
• August 25
  First day of classes for Fall 2008
• September 19-21
  Family Weekend
• November 8
  Homecoming Game

SMU subscribes to Student Health 101, offering tips on living healthier lifestyles through college and beyond. In addition, SH101 publishes an annual health guide for students and parents. Read and print them online at the following links:

• Student edition: April 2008
• Parents edition: April 2008
• General Health Guide

When parents stay connected, students achieve more. The SMU Mothers' and Dads' Clubs help their members provide key support for students – and for each other. Read more.

Every year, the SMU Parent Fund helps support all areas of University life – from student scholarships and faculty research to new technology. And every year, it’s the charge of the Parent Leadership Council, or PLC, to help grow the SMU Parent Fund. This year’s chairs are Lisa and Chuck Noski, parents of junior Michelle and residents of Palos Verdes Estates, California, who also served on the PLC last year.    

“The fund is a great way for every parent to be involved, and every gift makes a difference in the very year it’s given,” says Mrs. Noski, who adds that she’s looking forward this year to building a strong parent network in support of students’ education. Because tuition covers only 75 percent of the cost of educating each SMU student, the Parent Fund is key to closing that gap.

To learn more about the SMU Parent Fund, contact Christi Contreras, director of parent giving, at 214-768-4746, or e-mail cshelton@smu.edu.

Keep up with news regarding SMU and the George W. Bush presidential library complex at the University home page.