Exploring a Vision for the Future of Campus
As part of accelerating SMU’s academic ascent, the University is exploring forward-looking conceptual plans for meeting future academic needs, long-term growth, research expansion and leadership in legal education. The plans would extend SMU’s reach and accessibility for both the legal and business communities in Dallas.
The vision includes expanding SMU’s campus east of U.S. 75 with a new, purpose-built law school designed to meet the needs of a top-20 program and evolving expectations of the legal profession – including modern classrooms, advanced technology and collaborative spaces that foster innovation. The new facility will support future demands for experiential learning, clinics and interdisciplinary programs for the next 50 to 100 years.
New graduate housing adjacent to the law school would transform the student experience, addressing a longstanding gap at SMU. Nine of SMU’s 12 peer institutions offer dedicated graduate housing, which creates a vibrant academic neighborhood that best-of-the-best graduate students crave. Plans also include an innovation district supporting entrepreneurship, applied research and industry engagement. With immediate access to U.S. 75, the east side of campus is uniquely positioned to become a highly visible gateway for partnerships with Dallas-area firms, nonprofits, courts and civic organizations.
These ideas reflect SMU’s broader strategic goals and are still in the early stages of evaluation. Dedman Law is vitally important to SMU’s continued academic ascension and our plans to better serve Dallas. How students learn, where they learn, and where they live are important. Faculty, students, staff and alumni will have meaningful opportunities to impact future design and the school’s long-term growth path.
“The Dedman School of Law is already seeing tremendous momentum, including strong employment outcomes, high bar passage, and exceptional students and faculty,” said President Jay Hartzell. “A purpose-built law school designed for the future will enhance that trajectory. This is an exciting moment – we are imagining what SMU could become in the decades ahead, and how we can support our students, our research mission and our city.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SMU exploring the relocation of Dedman School of Law?
The University is evaluating how to meet future needs related to academic space, research growth, graduate education and student experience. A purpose-built law school, additional graduate housing and long-term expansion opportunities could significantly strengthen SMU’s ability to attract top students and faculty, enhance Dedman Law, and provide opportunities for future interdisciplinary collaboration and collaborations with the public and private sectors.
What would the campus expansion plans include?
Plans include a purpose-built law school facility, graduate housing, parking, and long-term plans for technology-driven research and innovation space.
Why not renovate the current law school buildings?
The current location is landlocked and subject to stricter zoning restrictions, limiting height and footprint relative to the flexibility of building east of U.S. 75. Relocating east allows for a more efficient building, with more usable square footage as a proportion of the total project size. The project will enable better student amenities, classrooms, faculty offices, and co-location opportunities with other parts of SMU or partners from Dallas. A more flexible site also means SMU can expand as programs evolve, rather than being boxed in by geography.
Will the new facilities still feel like the SMU campus?
The new facilities will feature Georgian-inspired architectural references, including a planned quad that will reflect SMU’s heritage and have equal draw as a destination. Nostalgia and tradition do matter – we plan to honor the Hilltop aesthetic while creating spaces that feel iconic and attractive, befitting a top-20 law school.
What about the ability of faculty, staff, and students to move between the new facilities and existing portions of the SMU campus?
First, it is useful to note that the planned site is not “remote” or far from the rest of campus. As one example, it is roughly the same distance from the Cox School of Business as the current law school. That said, to mitigate issues that arise from crossing the highway, SMU will fully explore and seek solutions to make movements easier. Options such as enhanced pedestrian pathways and safe mobility alternatives – including additional shuttles and dedicated bike lanes – would improve connectivity, helping these new spaces feel more like they are part of campus rather than a separate entity.
What would happen to the current law school quad?
Moving the law school frees up the current site for undergraduate academic expansion. This means new classrooms, faculty offices, and collaborative spaces for thousands of students. Redevelopment will happen strategically over time, ensuring continuous improvement without disruption. Any decisions about existing facilities – including whether buildings remain, be renovated or be repurposed for the long term – would occur later and only after thorough planning, consultation and fundraising.
When would construction begin?
There is no construction timeline at this time. There is a lot of work to be done, including programming the building, understanding space and design needs, and raising funds for the project.
When would Dedman Law move?
With this plan, there is no need for Dedman Law’s people or operations to move until the new facility opens. This plan requires only one move, rather than two (to swing space and then into a completed facility). Thus, the timing of the move depends solely upon the timing of the completion of the construction project.
How will stakeholders be engaged?
We understand the strong feelings about Dedman Law’s current home and the importance of its close-knit community. Faculty, students, staff and alumni will have meaningful opportunities to help shape future design and the school’s long-term growth path. The University is committed to open dialogue as the planning and fundraising work continues.