Getting Started at SMU

Welcome to SMU! We are excited that you have accepted SMU's offer and will be joining the SMU community as a new faculty member. The information on this onboarding portal is intended to guide you through the first steps in your SMU onboarding after formally accepting your letter

New Faculty Agreement Letter

Your official employment agreement consist of the terms outlined in your new faculty agreement letter. It is important that you follow all the instructions outlined in your new faculty agreement including returning your signed agreement by the deadline listed and requesting any required transcripts/credentials to the appropriate school representative as instructed within your faculty agreement. Please refer to your offer letter for the following information:

  • Your SMU start date (Fall semester start dates are August 1st and Spring semester start date are January 1st)
  • Your assignment duration and end date
  • Your new faculty rank and who you will report to in your new position
  • Your annualized salary and pay frequency 
  • Your tenured-track eligibility or tenured status
  • Your teaching, research, and/or administrative responsibilities
  • If your offer includes funding for relocation, housing, technology, research, travel or other support

If you have questions about the terms of your faculty agreement, please contact  or need assistance with fulfilling any contingencies within your offer letter, please contact the Dean's Office or other designee named in your offer letter.  The next steps in your SMU onboarding are listed below. Some tasks will need to be completed prior to your start date while others will need to be completed during your first week at SMU.

Onboarding Portal

Completion of your Post Offer Paperwork is essential to getting you set-up prior to your start date. After accepting your official offer letter, you will be given access to your new employee onboarding portal where you will complete your new hire paperwork electronically. It is essential for new employees to complete the onboarding portal prior to their first day.

Personal Data Information   This form will provide the accurate personal information that is required to create your new employment record and allow you to enroll in your new employee benefits on your first day. 
Form I-9
You will complete section 1 of the Form I-9 electronically in your on-boarding portal. You will bring your required Form I-9 Documentation to complete section 2 on your first day.
New Employee Statement of Understanding
You will sign and return this form during New Employee Orientation after completion of the New Staff Orientation Tutorial. 

New Employee Orientation

You will be scheduled to attend New Employee Orientation on your start date or shortly afterwards. Your orientation date and time will be included in the official offer letter.

Orientation will consist of the following:

  • Submission of your new employment paperwork
  • Presentation of your Form I-9 documents
  • Benefits presentation & enrollment instructions
  • Review of Staff New Hire Checklist and Tasks for your First 90-Days