Category Archives: Health and Safety

SMU is committed to fostering a safe learning and working environment for our campus community. As part of that commitment, the SMU Police Department prepares and distributes an annual security report for the University’s main campus, the SMU-in-Plano campus and the SMU-in-Taos campus in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

These reports, published by October 1 each year and posted online at smu.edu/pd, contain three calendar years of crime statistics, including incidents occurring on campus, at public areas adjacent to campus and at certain non-campus facilities, including Greek houses and remote classrooms.

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The University’s Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention and Education has issued its first annual report, based on the recommendations of the 2007-2008 President’s Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention.

The report focuses on the implementation of programs and efforts in the areas of health, enforcement, academics, social life, communication and parent partnerships.

In its report, the Commission, which meets monthly to assess the progress of the various efforts, provided an analysis of the implementation of the Task Force recommendations and recommended new efforts for the 2009-10 academic year.

SMU is committed to providing its students with an educational environment in which healthy lifestyle choices can be made. As part of its ongoing efforts to foster substance abuse education and prevention, SMU President R. Gerald Turner created the permanent Commission on Substance Abuse Prevent, an outgrowth of its Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention.

Read more about the report, and find resources for students and parents, on the Live Responsibly site.

Cases of influenza continue to be reported in North Texas this summer, and the Dallas County Health Department has confirmed one case of H1N1 flu in a middle school student who recently attended a summer camp at SMU. There are no known H1N1 cases among other SMU summer campers or among SMU students, faculty or staff.

As it did this spring when flu-like symptoms were reported on campus, SMU has increased the frequency of sanitation procedures and encourages vigilance regarding personal hygiene and health habits. Students, faculty and staff should:

• Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching common surfaces (door handles, railings, etc.).
• Cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing with either a disposable tissue or a sleeve.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

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The 2009-10 Student Health Insurance Plan is available for students to enroll and purchase for summer or fall. Students may enroll, waive and view benefits online.

SMU requires all domestic students taking nine credit hours or more and all international students taking one credit hour or more to maintain health insurance as a condition of enrollment.

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SMU is committed to providing its students with an educational environment in which healthy lifestyle choices can be made. Toward this end, for several years the University has had in place numerous programs, policies and resources aimed at substance abuse education and prevention, which are now monitored by the permanent University Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention.

In a new video, SMU Vice President for Student Affairs Lori White addresses the challenge of drug and alcohol abuse that is facing colleges and universities throughout the nation. She also discusses the resources that SMU offers students, parents, faculty and staff as partners in our substance abuse prevention efforts.

• Watch the video.
• SMU statement regarding the trial of James McDaniel
• Learn about substance abuse prevention efforts at Live Responsibly.

With cases of swine flu confirmed in Mexico and the United States, including Texas, officials at SMU and Dallas County Health and Human Services are monitoring the situation to detect any cases locally.

• Flu preparedness at SMU.

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Parents and students who have questions regarding the suspension of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at SMU can see an interview conducted with Lori White, the University’s Vice President for Student Affairs.

The interview, which is in two parts, may be seen by clicking Part 1 and Part 2.

Even after a mild autumn, a North Texas winter can bring dangerous conditions.

SMU aims to remain open – but when nature attacks, the University has procedures in place to ensure faculty, staff and students know where to go for information about school closings and delays.

Find more at the University’s Inclement Weather Policy page.

SMU subscribes to Student Health 101, offering tips on living healthier lifestyles through college and beyond. Read and print them online at the following links:

Student edition: December 2008
Parent edition: December 2008

As part of the SMU Aware campus preparedness campaign, students, faculty and staff in November learned the four steps to take in the event of an active shooter or other violence on campus:

• Hide under furniture, turn out lights, close blinds, and barricade or lock doors.
• Spread out on the floor, stay away from windows.
• Warn others: Call 911.
• Wait for “all clear” by police.

• Watch a video on the lockdown event and evacuation.
• Learn more about emergency preparedness and “What to Do”