NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS

FAQ's

Why are the SMU athletic teams named the Mustangs??

SMU’s mascot is the Mustang. It was first coined by the secretary to Dr. Robert S. Hyer (first President of SMU) as she watched the football team practice outside the President’s office window. Since that time all athletic teams have taken the name “Mustang.”

Who is Peruna?

Peruna is the name of the mustang mascot. Peruna is a black Shetland pony donated to the university by an SMU alumna. Peruna was named for a patent medicine popular at the turn of the 20^th century. The current Peruna is the seventh in the line of ponies to serve in this role.

How can I get information on my student’s grades?

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that grants to students the right to inspect, to obtain copies, to challenge, and to a degree, control the release of information contained in their education records. The Act and Regulations are very lengthy, and for that reason SMU has issued guidelines that are available in the Division of Enrollment Services. Policy 1.18 of the SMU policy manual, accessible through the SMU intranet, also discusses this law.

In general, no personal identifiable information from a student’s education record will be disclosed to any third party (including parents) without consent from the student. All requests for outside third parties to obtain education records and/or non-directory information about a student must be in writing and sent to the University Registrar. Release form for students to allow family members to have access to his/her records can be obtained in the Registrar’s office or on the Registrar’s website – www.smu.edu/registrar.

What can I do if my student is not doing well academically?

In addition to the Dedman College Advising Center, SMU offers several resources to help students succeed in our academically challenging degree programs. SMU's academic support services are available to all students, not only those who may be experiencing difficulty in one or more courses.

The Alshuler Learning Enhancement Center has seven full time staff members to help students become more independent, self-confident, and efficient learners. The LEC helps students respond effectively to specific academic challenges, to articulate and attain educational goals, and to succeed at any level of undergraduate curriculum. Some of the services of the A-LEC are tutoring, the writing center, workshops, academic counseling, a reading program, and services for students with learning disabilities.

What happens if my student fails a class?

A student who earns less than a 2.0 grade point average in any term, or whose cumulative SMU grade point average falls below 2.0, will be placed on academic probation for one term, not counting inter-terms or summer term. First year students who have not achieved at least a 1.7 cumulative SMU grade point average by the end of the second regular term at SMU will be suspended.

To alert a first year student of possible failing grades, academic warning reports are issued twice each term. They indicate courses in which the student’s progress is less than satisfactory (C-, D, or F), and are sent to the students campus address.

Where can my student purchase textbooks?

Barnes & Noble carries a complete line of titles that SMU faculty members require for current term courses.

How does my student choose what classes to take?

First year students enter SMU with an undeclared major. Until a student is accepted into a particular academic program (usually the sophomore year), students are advised by the Dedman Advising Center staff. The Advising Center has 11 full-time professional academic advisers who will meet with your student to assist him/her in the selection of classes each term. After a student chooses a major, academic advising is done by faculty member in the student’s school of record.

How can my student become more involved in class?

Because of SMU’s low faculty to student ratio, it is possible for a student to develop a relationship with his/her faculty members. In most classes, faculty know the student’s name. Probably the most important thing you can do is encourage your student to attend class and to get to know his/her faculty members. All faculty conduct regular office hours during which time they are available to talk with a student one-on-one. Students should talk with his/her faculty members whenever she/he is having difficulty.

Once the student chooses a major, opportunity may be available to work with a faculty member on research outside of the regular class assignments.

How are academic advisers assigned?

First year students are assigned academic advisers in the Dedman Advising Center by the Associate Dean. Advisers have an area of concentration and are often matched to the student by his/her pre-major. Once a student selects a major, the assistant or associate dean in the student school of record will assign a faculty member as the student’s academic adviser.

Who can I talk to about my student’s academic performance?

Of course, your most effective conversation will be with your student. Find out if she/he is attending class regularly. Encourage him/her to have a conference with the faculty member of the class in which she/he is having difficulty. The student can obtain a tutor or other academic support through the Learning Enhancement Center and his/her Resident Advisor may be able to help with study skills and suggestions.

What is the General Education Curriculum that my student must fulfill?

The GEC applies to all students regardless of major and consists of 41 term hours of course work and includes five interrelated components: Fundamentals, Science and Technology, Perspectives, Cultural Formations, and Wellness.

How can I change my mailing address to ensure that I receive mail from SMU?

Students who have a change in his/her address information or telephone numbers while attending SMU can update the information by going online in ACCESS.SMU. If a student cannot update the information on the Web, she/he may report the change in writing to the University Registrar.

My student wants to join a campus organization. How can I find more information about it?

One of the hallmarks of an SMU education is the combination of classroom and out of classroom experiences. We pride ourselves in preparing students not only with the tools to perform specific functions in a company or organization, but also the ability to work effectively with people.

SMU has nearly 200 officially recognized student organizations. A listing of these groups can be found on the Student Activities website.

Are there hotels near the university where I can stay when visiting my student?

SMU typically makes special arrangements for discounted rates at area hotels during special events such as Family Weekend, Homecoming, and Commencement weekend. Parents need to identify themselves as SMU visitors when they make reservations. Hotels near campus are:

Courtyard by Marriott/Northpark
10325 North Central Expressway (Meadow Road exit)
1-800-321-2211 or 214-739-2500

Doubletree Hotel at Campbell Centre
8250 North Central Expressway (Caruth Haven exit)
1-800-528-0444 or 214-691-8700

Holiday Inn Select at Love Field
3500 West Mockingbird Lane
1-800-Holiday or 214-357-8500

Radisson Hotel
6060 North Central Expressway (Mockingbird exit)
1-800-333-3333 or 214-750-6060

Hilton – Dallas Park Cities
5954 Luther Lane
214-368-0400

My student seems depressed, what types of resources does SMU provide for help?

The Counseling and Testing Center takes a proactive position to facilitate healthy student development and maintain and enhance students, psychological and emotional well-being. A comprehensive array of confidential psychological services are provided to SMU students including short-term counseling, assessment, crisis intervention, outreach, and consulting.

While many students cope quite well with college life, others experience difficulties. In both of the cases above, your student can talk with his/her Resident Assistant or go directly to the Counseling and Testing Center for advice and assistance.

My student lives off campus. Can an off campus meal plan be purchased?

SMU Dining Services has a number of meal plans available to residential and non-residential students. All meal plans are available to student living off campus. The meal plans vary according to the number of meals and the Flex Dollars available to the student.

How does a student know if she/he is eligible for financial aid?

Eligibility for financial aid is determined by many factors. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1 of each year in order to be considered for Federal, State, and SMU aid. This information is analyzed and aid eligibility determined. Students will be notified of eligibility after all required information is received and processed by SMU Financial Aid.

Where do students go to access health care when the SMU Health Center is closed?

For emergency care after SMU Health Center hours, it is recommended that students go to the emergency room of any major Dallas hospital.

What if my student becomes sick and has to come home for a semester or more?

Students desiring to withdraw from the University for any reason must initiate a Student Petition for Withdrawal/Cancellation form. The forms are available in the offices of the Academic Deans of the student's school of record and must be signed by the Dean who will then process the withdrawal. The student is not officially withdrawn from classes until the petition is received by the University Registrar. Charges are reduced and funds returned based on effective date of withdrawal.

Medical withdrawals allow a daily pro rata refund of tuition and fees. Medical withdrawals must be approved by the SMU Medical Director and student's re-enrollment is contingent upon predetermined requirements.

How can I become involved as a parent?

Information on the SMU Mother’s and Dad’s Clubs are on the Parent website. These two organizations provide many different ways to get involved at SMU while your student is on campus.

What are some of the campus programs and resources that SMU parents should know?

Again, information is on the Parent website. You can find information on many of the programs and services we offer.

Where can I park when I visit campus?

The parking garages and most public parking lots are on Airline Road between Daniel Avenue and Mockingbird Lane. Campus Map

Is SMU a safe campus for my student?

Students need to realize that SMU is in a large metropolitan area which poses the usual safety concerns. We look at safety as a partnership between your student and the University. Students should exercise good safety habits at all times, including, but not limited to adhering to all residence hall and campus safety procedures, not leaving valuables unattended in rooms or campus buildings, locking their cars, always walking with a group after dark and when off campus, and being ever cognizant of their surroundings.

How can my student find a part-time job or internship while at SMU?

Two offices on campus can help your student with internships and jobs. The Student Employment office provides listing of campus jobs as well as some paid community service jobs. The Student Employment office is part of the Division of Enrollment Services located in the Blanton Building.

The Hegi Family Career Development Center is the contact for many internship opportunities in the Dallas area. They are a member of the Internship Exchange, a national consortium which includes Princeton, Yale, and Duke. Members share access a national online database of 13,000 internships for participating schools.

Is there someone I can talk to about my student's SMU experience?

The Parent Liaison serves as a resource for all parents and families concerning the personal development and academic endeavors of your student. She can assist you or direct you to the staff who can.

Are there opportunities for my student to access exercise facilities on campus?

The Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports provides facilities and programs addressing the exercise needs of our students. It is a state of the art facility - do stop by.

How can I arrange a tour of campus?

The office of Undergraduate Admissions provides tours of campus on almost a daily basis. You can contact the Coordinator of Campus Visits and schedule a tour through the Admission website or by calling 214-768-3417.