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All About AARO

AARO Resource Expo

SMU welcomes new students and parents each summer with Academic Advising, Registration and Orientation (AARO for short) – an informative introduction to the University's wide array of programs and services for new and transfer students. The Office of New Student Programs has put together a brochure that includes activity schedules, travel and housing information and a welcome letter from Parent Liaison Deanie Kepler. Download a copy in PDF format for an advance look, and make plans to attend.

Send-off to Success

SMU send-off party in the Park Cities, August 2007

Summer send-off parties in or near your hometown are a great place for you to meet fellow SMU parents and for your student to make new friends before the school year begins.

Here is a schedule of locations and dates this summer. If you would like more information about any of the parties, contact Christi Contreras, director of Parent Giving, 214-768-4746.

Access to Education Records

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the release of student education records by a college or university to a third party, including parents, is generally prohibited without the student’s written permission.

Many students want to give parents or family members access to these records so that they can work in partnership in advancing the student’s well-being and academic progress. To facilitate the sharing of information, SMU offers an easy method for students to grant permission and for parents to access education records online at Access.SMU.

Letter about FERPA from SMU’s Vice President for Student Affairs
More information about FERPA for parents

What is Mustang Corral?

Mustang Corral 2007

Mustang Corral is a retreat in the Texas Hill Country for entering first-year students. It's a great place to connect with new classmates, along with faculty, staff and student leaders, who will teach SMU's traditions. This year's Corral is August 21-23.

Learn more about Mustang Corral.
Watch a video from a recent Mustang Corral. video

Student Adventures

Interning in Poland, learning surgery in Houston and digging for ancient artifacts in Italy are just a few of the adventures SMU students are having worldwide this summer. 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

SMU at No. 13 in New University Rankings

Forbes coverForbes Magazine's May 19, 2008 edition features the Center for College Affordability & Productivity (CCAP) rankings. Among national universities, SMU ranks 13th, ahead of such schools as Duke, MIT and Rice.

CCAP uses several factors in determining its rankings that include student evaluations, college graduation rates and the percentage of students winning awards such as Fulbright grants or Rhodes scholarships.

Read more from SMU News.
See coverage of the story by NBC 5 News video

SMU Magazine: New Issue Now Online

SMU Magazine Spring/Summer 2008When alumni are asked to recall their fondest memories of SMU, a favorite faculty member always comes to mind. As they probe and provoke, demand and debate, SMU professors make an impact in their own special ways.

Learn more about how SMU’s faculty – and students – shape the learning community in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of SMU Magazine, now online.

SMU Magazine homepage

 

Family Weekend

Family Weekend 2007

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.

Ask Deanie

Deanie!From the archives: The first year of college is over! It's time to celebrate the achievement – and to check out Deanie's advice on helping your scholar prepare for next year. Read more.

Career Learning

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.

Mustang Sports

If you're ready for some Mustang football, SMU Athletics can help. Football season tickets are available now. For more information, or for season ticket renewals, call 214-768-4263 (214-SMU-GAME).

2008 football schedule
2008 football season tickets
All-sports schedule for 2008-09

Tate Lecture Series

Scientists, journalists, diplomats and the most Grammy-nominated artist in history are among the leaders coming to campus as part of SMU's 2008-09 Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series. The line-up, announced at presidential historian Douglas Brinkley's lecture May 6, includes legendary producer and musician Quincy Jones, former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III, U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China Clark T. Randt Jr. and Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. Read more from the Tate Series website.

Taos Cultural Institute

Santuario de Chimayo, TaosRegistration 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.)

Important Dates

Health Matters

Student Health 101

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: May 2008
• Parents edition: May 2008
General Health Guide

MOTHERS' AND DADS' CLUBS

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. Learn more at their website.

BUSH LIBRARY NEWS

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