Safety Matters - Parents News & Resources

Rick Shafer
SMU Chief of Police

SMU is committed to the safety and well being of your student. Since 9-11 and in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, SMU has intensified its emergency preparedness with in-depth planning, new equipment, campus drills and close working relationships with area cities and state and federal agencies.

Emergency Information	Call 214-SMU-PARENTS (214-768-7273) for updated campus alerts, or visit smu.edu/parents. In the event of an emergency, the Parent Info Line will convert to a staffed phone center.
Emergency Preparation	Encourage your student to become familiar with safety procedures and notifications on campus – including what to do in the event of evacuations, lockdowns and severe weather – at smu.edu/emergency.
SMU Police	The Police Department is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 214-768-3333 from an off-campus phone in the event of an emergency – or 911 from a campus phone – or visit smu.edu/pd for campus alerts and general safety information.
Parent Address Updates	Keep your contact information updated at smu.edu/parentaddress, and urge your student to do likewise in Access.SMU. Whether an emergency occurs campuswide or in the life of an individual student, it’s crucial that SMU have reliable contact information.
Personal Safety	Remind your students to be aware of their environment on campus and report suspicious activity. Read more safety tips from the SMU Police Department and Office of Student Life here.
Family Emergency Plan	This form (PDF format) for important contact information, meeting places and medical information, from the Department of Homeland Security, can help your family prepare.