Board of Trustees

Robert H. Dedman Chair	R. Gerald Turner President

Veritas Liberabit Vos:
“The truth will make you free.”
Southern Methodist University Motto

The Board of Trustees is the principal governance authority of Southern Methodist University. It governs the University by establishing policy and exercising fiduciary responsibility for the long-term well-being of the educational institution.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the election of the President and oversees and aligns the University’s strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations with its charitable mission.  The Trustees dedicate their expertise and resources to the advancement of SMU and play an integral role in the implementation of the mission and strategic plan of the University.

The Board of Trustees meets four times a year (in February, May, September, and December).

Board Composition

• The Board is composed of 42 Trustees.
  
  
• With the exception of the Ex Officio Trustees, Trustees serve four-year terms.
  
  
• Under the Bylaws’ Nomination of Methodist Trustees provision, 7 of the Trustees shall be members of the United Methodist Church, including 1 Bishop of the United Methodist Church, recommended by the College of Bishops of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church.
  
  
• The Board has 4 Ex Officio Trustees: (i) The President of the University, (ii) a representative of the University Faculty Senate, (iii) a representative of the University Student’s Association, and (iv) a representative of the University Alumni Association.The Ex Officio Trustees hold their respective trusteeship by virtue of their position at the University.
  

Inquiries

Inquiries concerning the SMU Board of Trustees may be directed to the Office of the Secretary.

We appreciate your interest in Southern Methodist University.