The following information is provided by Deanie Kepler, director of Parent and Family Programs, and Christi Contreras, director of Parent Giving:

The end of the fall semester and the holiday season are quickly approaching. As students begin to prepare for final exams, we’d like to share information from SMU resources to provide support.

Health and well-being

We were so pleased this year to mark the opening of the new Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, a state-of-the-art facility that provides students with comprehensive health care. The Health Center is home to Medical Services, Counseling Services, a full-service pharmacy and SMU’s health education program (smu.edu/healthcenter; 214-768-2141).

At SMU Counseling Services, students can obtain confidential help with stress, anxiety, depression or other concerns. Dr. Cathey Soutter, director of SMU Counseling Services, encourages parents to be aware of any signs of distress when talking with their students, such as withdrawal from normal interests, crying or emotional outbursts, or changes in class attendance or in sleeping or eating routines. Parents can remind students of counseling resources on campus (smu.edu/counseling; 214-768-2277, an emergency contact number is provided 24/7). In the event of any concern about a health or safety emergency, please call SMU Police (214-768-3333, available 24/7).

We’d also like you to be aware of the SMU Dean of Student’s “Caring Community Connections,” a system for family members, faculty, staff and students to provide confidential information in order to connect students who may need support with resources. A form is online at smu.edu/deanofstudentsccc. Please also check with your student that his or her emergency contact information is kept up to date in my.SMU.edu.

Two serious health and safety issues on campuses across the country are sexual misconduct, particularly among acquaintances, and alcohol and substance abuse. On SMU’s health and safety website – smu.edu/liveresponsibly – you can find information about SMU policies, campus and community resources, education and prevention. All students are expected to “live responsibly,” upholding high standards of behavior, respecting the rights of others, and assisting others in need.

Finally, please remind your student to stop by the Health Center to get a free flu shot if he or she has not yet done so.

Academic support

At SMU’s Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC), learning specialists help students make a plan for final exams. They recommend creating a daily study schedule, using library resources and meeting with professors during office hours. At the A-LEC, students can obtain free tutoring, take workshops and review essays with English faculty members. If you would like to show support during exams, the A-LEC suggests sending encouraging messages and a reminder of your student’s strengths (smu.edu/alec; 214-768-3648).

Winter break is a good time to consider learning experiences beyond the classroom, such as Engaged Learning projects, internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center and SMU Abroad programs. Winter and summer breaks also offer opportunities to earn credits through SMU JanTerm, MayTerm and other Summer Studies courses, both on the main Dallas campus and at SMU-in-Taos. The University Advising Center can help students plan ahead (smu.edu/advising; 214-768-2291).

We hope this information helps support your student’s continued progress at SMU. Below is contact information for SMU resources, and please do not hesitate to contact either of us directly if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach Deanie Kepler at 214-768-4797, or gkepler@smu.edu, and Christi Contreras at 214-768-4746, or cshelton@smu.edu.

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The Dr. Bob Smith Health Center has scheduled several free flu shot clinics, open to students and benefit-eligible faculty, staff, SMU retirees and retiree spouses:

• Oct. 6 – 2-6 p.m., Dedman Law School
• Oct. 10 – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Loyd All Sports Center
• Oct. 17 – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Expressway Tower training room, East Campus
• Oct. 26 – 2-6 p.m., SMU-in-Plano

Flu shots also are available at the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, 6211 Bishop Blvd. Visit Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

To keep your visit as brief as possible, please:

• Bring your SMU ID.
• Wear short sleeves, if possible.
• Review the Health Center’s Health Information Privacy Policy (HIPAA).
• Review the latest flu vaccine information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

For the 2016-2107 flu season:

• Only injectable flu shots are recommended for use this season.
• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
• The recommendations for vaccination of people with egg allergies have changed.

> Dallas County influenza resources and updates available at dallascounty.org

> Find statewide resources at TexasFlu.org

The following message from President R. Gerald Turner was sent to the campus community on September 30, 2016, regarding SMU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

SMU is committed to maintaining an educational environment that supports safety and well-being through University policies, resources, education and prevention programs. Resources dedicated to campus safety include the SMU Police Department, which every year prepares and distributes a security report for the main SMU campus, SMU-in-Plano and SMU-in-Taos.

SMU’s annual security report is published in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The security report, which includes SMU’s annual fire safety report, is available online at smu.edu/CleryReport. If you would like a paper copy, please contact the SMU Police Department at 214-768-1348 or e-mail lindaperez@smu.edu.

The report contains three calendar years of crime statistics, including incidents occurring on SMU campuses, at public areas adjacent to campuses and at certain non-campus facilities, including Greek houses and remote classrooms. Information also is gathered from the University Park Police Department, Highland Park Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Taos County Sheriff’s Department and SMU officials who serve as campus security authorities.

I encourage you to participate in campus security programs, including the SMU Police Department’s crime prevention training and the fire safety and emergency preparedness drills coordinated by the Office of Risk Management. During the past year on campus, digital security camera coverage has continued to expand, and enhanced access controls have been installed on all parking areas. In addition, all SMU Police officers have been equipped with body cameras, and work is in progress to enhance campus lockdown measures.

Two serious national health and safety concerns are sexual misconduct and substance abuse. Please carefully review the information provided. In addition to SMU Police, important resources are the SMU Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators, Counseling Services, the Chaplain’s Office, the Office of the Dean of Student Life, the Office of Violence Prevention & Support Services, and the Women & LGBT Center. SMU strictly prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. In case of sexual misconduct, all campus community members are urged to immediately call police. More information is online at smu.edu/LiveResponsibly.

Thank you for the important role you play in campus security. All students, faculty and staff members can contribute by being aware of University policies and security measures. I hope you are able to participate in SMU’s National Night Out, which is from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 on the Main Quad. You will have the opportunity to participate in safety exercises and talk with SMU Police and other officials.