SMU Required Syllabus Statements

Title IX and Disability Accommodations

Disability Accommodations

Students who need academic accommodations for a disability must first register with Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS). Students can call 214-768-1470 or visit smu.edu/DASS to begin the process. Once they are registered and approved, students then submit a DASS Accommodation Letter through the electronic portal, DASS Link, and then communicate directly with each of their instructors to make appropriate arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, but rather require advance notice in order to implement.

Sexual Harassment

All forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, are violations of SMU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and may also violate Texas law. Students who wish to file a complaint or to receive more information about the grievance process may contact Samantha Thomas, SMU’s Title IX Coordinator, at accessequity@smu.edu or 214-768-3601. Please note that faculty and staff are mandatory reporters. If students notify faculty or staff of sexual harassment, they must report it to the Title IX Coordinator. For more information about sexual harassment, including resources available to assist students, please visit smu.edu/sexualharassment.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Under Title IX, students who are pregnant or parenting may request academic adjustments by contacting the Office of Student Advocacy and Support by calling 214-768-4564. Students seeking assistance must schedule an appointment with their professors as early as possible, present a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students, and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that academic adjustments are not retroactive and, when feasible, require advance notice to implement.

Academic Policies

Religious Observance

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing within the first two weeks of the semester and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. Click here for a list of holidays.

Medical-Related Absences

To ensure academic continuity and avoid any course penalties, students should follow procedures described by their instructors in order to be provided with appropriate modifications to assignments, deadlines, and exams.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities

Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled university extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments that were missed as a result of their participation.  It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for make-up work with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examinations or other missed assignments. (See current Catalog under heading of "Academic Records/Excused Absences.”) 

Final Exams

Final course examinations shall be given in all courses where appropriate, and some form of final assessment is essential.  Final examinations and assessments must be administered as specified in the official examination schedule and cannot be administered or due during the last week of classes or during the Reading Period.  Syllabi must clearly state the form of the final examination or assessment, and the due date and time must match the official SMU examination schedule.  SMU policy states that all exceptions to the examination schedule may be made only upon written recommendation of the chair of the department sponsoring the course and with the concurrence of the dean of that school, who will allow exceptions only in accordance with guidelines from the Office of the Provost.

Academic Dishonesty

Students are expected to embrace and uphold the SMU Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code will be acted upon in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the Mustang Student Handbook.

Generative AI Guidance

Every course must have a statement about classroom guidance around Generative AI. This syllabus statement builder has been provided to generate course-specific guidelines.

Zoom Use Guidelines

SACSCOC and university policy require that all in-person classes be taught in person and not moved to Zoom or other technology-mediated modalities, except for extenuating circumstances as laid out here.

Student Support

Student Academic Success Programs

Students needing assistance with writing assignments for SMU courses may schedule an appointment with the Writing Center through Canvas. Students who would like support for subject-specific tutoring or success strategies should contact SASP, Loyd All Sports Center, Suite 202; 214-768-3648; smu.edu/sasp. Tutor schedules are available at smu.edu/tutorschedule.

Caring Community Connections Program

CCC is a resource for anyone in the SMU community to refer students of concern to the Office of the Dean of Students. The online referral form can be found at smu.edu/deanofstudentsccc. After a referral form is submitted, students will be contacted to discuss the concern, strategize options, and be connected to appropriate resources. Anyone who is unclear about what steps to take if they have concerns about students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 214-768-4564.

Mental Health Resources:Counseling Services & Teletherapy

Throughout the academic year, students may encounter different stressors or go through life experiences which impact their mental health and academic performance. Students who are in distress or have concerns about their mental health can schedule a same-day or next-day appointment to speak with a counselor by calling Counseling Services. Counselors are available at any time, day or night for students in crisis at this number: 214-768-2277 (then select option 2) They will be connected with a counselor immediately.  Students seeking ongoing counseling should call the same number (214-768-2277, then select option 1) during normal business hours to schedule an initial appointment. SMU Teletherapy provides another free option for on-demand counseling and video appointments with a medical professional.

Optional language

Campus Carry Law

In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 11, also known as the ‘campus carry’ law, and following consultation with entire University community, SMU chooses to remain a weapons-free campus. Specifically, SMU prohibits possession of weapons (either openly or in a concealed manner) on campus. For more information, please see smu.edu/campuscarrylaw.