SMU’s Jan Term – previously known as the J Term – is expanding again, adding its first online course offering to the dozens available at the SMU-in-Plano and SMU-in-Taos campuses. The 2015 Jan Term is scheduled for Jan. 5-14.

The January interterm session’s first online offering will be “Introduction to
Markets and Culture” (SOCI 2377), taught by Debra Branch of the Department of Sociology in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

> Course description for “Introduction to Markets and Culture” online

In addition, continuing SMU students who live on the main campus may remain in their current campus housing during Jan Term 2015 at no additional charge. Students must register with Residence Life and Student Housing by 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 if they plan to stay in their current campus residence during Jan Term.

In another new program enhancement, Jan Term courses are now available for registration through My.SMU. Students should meet with an adviser to select appropriate courses before they enroll.

The accelerated interterm session offers more than 50 courses at a reduced tuition rate; students can complete one three-credit-hour course in eight concentrated days. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Jan Term (short for January Term) allows students to complete one three-credit-hour course at a discounted tuition rate before the start of the spring semester. For Jan Term 2015, regular undergraduate students will pay a reduced tuition rate of $1,211 per credit hour ($3,633 per course). To avoid a late fee, payment is due by Friday, Dec. 19. Parking is free on the SMU-in-Plano campus, and no decal is required.

> Watch a video about Jan Term from SMU News’ Myles Taylor

The Jan Term program allows students to use the time between the fall and spring terms to focus on a course of interest or stay on track for graduation. Students also can fulfill General Education or University Curriculum requirements.

This year’s offerings include courses from the Cox School of Business, Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts and Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Students participating in Jan Term at SMU-in-Plano will be responsible for their own housing; discounted hotel rooms are available at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott-Plano, about a mile from the Plano campus. Shuttle service is also available. Information about housing at SMU-in-Taos during Jan Term is available here.

For more information, e-mail the SMU Jan Term program or call 214-768-3657.

> Learn more from the Jan Term homepage at smu.edu/janterm

Chad Morris has been named the Head Football Coach at SMU, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced Monday, December 1. Morris arrives on the Hilltop after five seasons as an offensive coordinator on the collegiate level and 16 seasons as a Texas high school coach.

• Watch an SMU Mustang Minute video about Chad Morris.

“I’m excited about the future of SMU football, and my family is thrilled to be back in the state of Texas,” said Morris. “I want to thank Dr. (R. Gerald) Turner, Rick Hart and the search committee for this opportunity. I have to say it was a difficult decision to leave my fellow coaches and our student-athletes at Clemson. I want to thank them for buying into our vision and helping us build something special. I would especially like to thank Coach (Dabo) Swinney. It was a great experience and something I’ll always remember.

“I only left that great situation because I knew what we could accomplish at SMU. I grew up watching SMU football. I know the history and I know we can be great again. I look forward to working with our student-athletes and staff, as well as my friends and former colleagues, the Texas high school coaches, as we work towards winning championships here on the Hilltop. I can’t wait to get started.”

Read more from SMU News.

SMU kicks off the 2014 holiday season with the post-Thanksgiving observance of one of the University’s most beloved annual traditions. Celebration of Lights 2014 is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1, on the Main Quad.

The celebration features than 100,000 decorative lights, luminarias lining the sidewalks, musicians performing songs of the season, and SMU President R. Gerald Turner reading the Christmas story from the New Testament. Refreshments will be served.

> Check out slideshows and video of past Celebration of Lights ceremonies, courtesy of SMU News. 

SMU celebrates the “Year of the Faculty” during Homecoming, Nov. 13-16, honoring the contributions of the University’s esteemed faculty members as teachers and researchers. The Homecoming parade theme, “Dynamic Duos: Better Together,” salutes powerful partnerships, including SMU’s relationship with Dallas and the pairing of SMU students and faculty.

Saturday’s events begin with actor Brian Baumgartner leading the traditional Homecoming parade, and tailgating on The Boulevard, followed by the traditional football game at Ford Stadium.

The complete schedule of Homecoming events is available online.

Homecoming Parade

The parade will feature iconic duos such as Batman and Robin; Mickey and Minnie; and Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Baumgartner, known for his iconic role as Kevin Malone in the TV series The Office, will serve as grand marshal. The new route featuring student floats, bands and entertainment will begin at SMU Boulevard and Bush Avenue. (Parade Map) * The parade will begin approximately three hours before game time, which will be determined by Nov. 3 when television schedules are announced.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration

The annual DAA event will celebrate Mary Brinegar ’69, Frank M. Dunlevy ’71, John F. Harper ’68, and Emerging Leader recipient Alexandra Dillard Lucie ’05. The evening includes a seated dinner and ceremony. Purchase tickets online at  smu.edu/DAA or call 1-800-766- ALUM.

Centennial Lighting

This year’s Homecoming features a new tradition of ceremonial lighting that will extend across campus each evening throughout the weekend. Homecoming 2014 will also mark the debut of the illuminated SMU Mustangfeatured on SMU’s East Campus Expressway Tower.

SMU Museum Open Houses

Explore world-class art, presidential artifacts, interactive exhibits and library treasures at SMU’s Bridwell Library, Centennial Hall, DeGolyer Library, George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Heritage Hall and the Meadows Museum.

All visits are complimentary during Homecoming except for the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. For tickets to the Bush Library and Museum, visit georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu.

Tailgating on the Boulevard

Immediately following the parade, tailgating on Bishop Boulevard will begin with great food and fun activities. The Mustang Club Tent, with catering provided by Mi Cocina, will be located at the southeast corner of Bishop and Binkley on Mustang Alley. Adult admission is $10 per person in advance and $15 cash at the tent on game day. Children 8 and under are admitted for free. Other fun spots on the Boulevard include food trucks, Reunion Village and tents for Red, Blue and You alumni student leaders, SMU schools and other SMU groups.

Pigskin Revue

The 81st edition of Pigskin Revue will be at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in McFarlin Auditorium. The Pigskin Revue features SMU students in music, dance and comedy acts, with the Mustang Band playing new music as well as old favorites from past revues. Admission is free with an SMU ID or $15 without an SMU ID. A post-show reception will be held for band alumni and donors. For more information contact the band office at 214-SMU-BAND.

Homecoming Football Game

Support the Mustangs against the University of South Florida on Saturday, Nov. 15. Catch the spirit and tradition of Homecoming game day as the cheerleaders and Mustang Band lead fans from The Boulevard into Ford Stadium. Halftime will include a performance by the Mustang Band, a check presentation from the SMU reunion classes and crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. Visit smumustangs.com for tickets. Kick-off time will be determined once television schedules are announced on Nov. 3.

SMU Men’s and Women’s Basketball Games

The SMU Men’s and Women’s Basketball seasons will begin on Friday, Nov. 14. SMU Men’s game vs. Lamar is sold out, but tickets are still available for the 6 p.m. SMU Women’s game vs. Northern Colorado. For tickets visit smumustangs.com.

Reunion Gatherings

Reunion events are planned for the classes of ‘69 ’74, ’79, ’84, ’89, ’94, ‘99 ’04 and ’09. The Reunion Weekend kickoff celebration will begin on Friday, Nov. 14. Visit smu.edu/reunions for more information.

All- University Worship

Join the SMU community at this inspirational service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, in Perkins Chapel and remember classmates who are no longer with us.

– Ariel Monticure

SMU’s Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility will award special commemorative lapel pins to SMU Veterans at a luncheon hosted by the Office of the Provost from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom in the Umphrey Lee Center.

SMU service flag, 1917

“With more than 170 military veterans enrolled at SMU, along with many other veterans among our faculty and staff, the University takes great pride in honoring their service to our country on Veterans Day,” said Paul Ludden, SMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Colleges and universities across the U.S. are seeing a dramatic surge in veteran student enrollment and at SMU the number of military veterans using G.I. bill benefits has increased more than 250 percent since 2005.  SMU Military Veterans, an undergraduate group sponsored by the Maguire Center, has become an active part of SMU life, including participating in public service events and hosting a tent on the Boulevard on football game days.

“SMU is establishing programs that create a sense of community among our veterans and support them academically, professionally and socially,” said Candy Crespo, assistant director of the Maguire Center and a member of the SMU Veteran’s Advisory Board. “This fall we opened SMU’s first Veterans Center, an informal gathering space in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.  We also have secured academic credit for vets seeking to apply their military training and experience as their required wellness credit.”

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