SMU Urges Flu Shots and Other Preventive Measures

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Sarah Hanan

With the arrival of flu season across the country and in North Texas, SMU health officials are urging students, faculty and staff to take preventive measures to protect their health.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, cases of influenza are expected to increase. Because flu can spread by contact with people who are ill, SMU health officials recommend that students get a flu shot if they have not yet done so.

Before the spring term begins, all students, including those participating in fraternity and sorority recruitment and other activities, are urged to get a flu shot from their local pharmacy, clinic or physician’s office. Students should get vaccinated as soon as possible to allow time to develop protection against the flu.

Flu shots also are available at no cost from the SMU Health Center, while supplies last. The Health Center is offering flu shots from 1 to 2:30 p.m. January 8, 9 and 10.

Students are asked to bring their SMU IDs to the Health Center and complete the online Flu Vaccine Form and bring it with them.

Beginning January 13, when the Health Center resumes normal operating hours, flu shots will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; students without an appointment may experience a wait. Flu shots also will be offered during immunization clinics Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Please contact the Health Center at 214-768-2141 for more information, or visit smu.edu/flu.

Read below for more precautions students should take against the flu:

Continue reading →

Posted in Health and Safety | Tagged , | Comments Off

Scenes from Celebration of Lights 2013

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

SMU’s annual Celebration of Lights on December 2 kicked off the holiday season with the lighting of more 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.

Posted in News, Photo and Video Gallery | Comments Off

SMU Commencement Returns to Renovated Moody Coliseum

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Sarah Hanan
Ray Hunt

Ray Hunt

SMU’s December 21 commencement marks the debut of the newly renovated Moody Coliseum and its 39,245-square-foot Miller Event Center.

More than 600 students will graduate during the 10 a.m. ceremony, which will include the facility’s official dedication. SMU trustee and business leader Ray L. Hunt will deliver the commencement address.

“One of the greatest joys of University life is Commencement, when we celebrate the achievement and potential of our new graduates,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “This year represents another milestone in that our December graduates are the first to receive their degrees in the newly renovated and expanded Moody Coliseum. We are honored to share this special memory with them, as we wish them the best in the next phase of their journey.”

Hunt, the commencement speaker, is the CEO of Hunt Consolidated Inc. and chair of Hunt Consolidated Energy and Hunt Investments and graduated from SMU in 1965 with a B.A. in economics. He was a University Scholar and received the Outstanding Business Student Award. A member of the SMU Board of Trustees since 1976, he was board chair from 1987 to 1992. He currently serves as a co-chair of SMU’s Second Century Campaign and sits on the Advisory Board of the Maguire Energy Institute. His past SMU leadership positions include president of the Alumni Association and membership on the President’s Leadership Council, and he served on the boards of the Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts and the Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. His support for SMU includes establishing in 1993 the Hunt Leadership Scholars program with his wife, Nancy Ann Hunt, a 1965 SMU graduate.

Read more from SMU News.

Posted in News | Comments Off

A Year of SMU in the News

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

Watch a sampling of SMU faculty and students in the news in 2013, from SMU News’ Myles Taylor. video

Posted in News, Photo and Video Gallery | Comments Off

Renovated Moody Coliseum to Open for December Commencement

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

Moody-Coliseum-Floor-rendering-13sept2013With the snip of a red ribbon, SMU’s expanded and renovated Moody Coliseum and the new Miller Event Center will officially open at December Commencement Convocation Dec. 21.

The 167,000-square-foot complex and Dallas landmark is home to SMU men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and the pageantry of SMU academic ceremonies, as well as numerous community events such as concerts, cultural programs and high school graduations. The renovation and expansion features new seating, entertainment areas, court improvements and infrastructure, yet retains the ambiance that has made Moody a favorite venue for more than 50 years.

“With this renovation and expansion of Moody Coliseum and the addition of the new Miller Event Center, SMU will be home to one of the finest collegiate arenas and events centers in the country,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “We are thankful to the Moody Foundation and David and Carolyn Miller and others for their support of this facility, which will benefit the entire North Texas area.”

SMU Provost Paul Ludden said that it was appropriate that the first event to be held in the facility will be the University’s December Commencement Convocation ceremony. “Our graduates and their families and friends will help us usher in a new era in this remarkable facility.”

Read more from SMU News.

Posted in News | Comments Off

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Mustang

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

If you have an SMU Mustang on your holiday gift list this year, look no further than this 2013 Gift Guide, from SMU News’ Alyssa Eubank. From keepsakes to custom bicycles to a professional certificate course, these gifts are sure to bring a smile to your Mustang’s face this holiday season.

SMU Bookstore: In store and online

smu-gift-ornaments

  • The SMU Bookstore has plenty of gift options for this holiday season such as SMU ornaments, key chains and decorative signs.
  • A must for any SMU Mustang’s car is a chrome-plated car emblem that shows off SMU pride even when stuck in traffic.
  • The Tervis 24-oz Tumbler proudly displays the University logo in a great on-the-go cup. This double-wall insulated glass is shatterproof and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Apparel for every Mustang

  • For her, a Diane Dal Lago infinity scarf is the ideal winter accessory with sparkly red Mustangs to make a statement.
  • For him, a Cutter & Buck button-up shirt comes in three great SMU colors: Red for Wear Red Friday and game day, White for traditional White Out, and Blue for every other occasion.

smu-gift-baby-bodysuit

Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off

SMU Weather Update: Classes to Resume Monday, Dec. 9

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

SMU will resume normal operations and class schedules Monday morning, Dec. 9, at both its main Dallas campus and at SMU-in-Plano.

SMU asks our community to continue to exercise caution and heed safety warnings. While SMU Facilities Services personnel are working to clear ice from campus walkways, students, faculty and staff should be prepared to seek an alternative path if unsure of their footing. They also should continue to avoid walking under trees as accumulated ice melts.

Students, faculty and staff are asked to observe the following precautions:

  • Please use extreme caution. Don’t try to carry anything that isn’t necessary while walking.
  • Avoid inclines and ramps where possible.
  • Don’t take unnecessary risks: If you think you may need assistance in getting from your car to your building, consider reaching out to someone in your work area prior to, or as you arrive, on campus.
  • Be aware that ice may still fall from trees and slide from roofs of SMU buildings. Use caution.
  • Report unsafe conditions to the Facilities Services Service Request Center at 214-768-3494; after hours, call SMU Police dispatch at 214-768-3333.)

Students should contact their professors in advance if they feel travel to campus Monday morning would be an unreasonable safety risk.

Please also see the SMU Inclement Weather Policy.

 

Posted in Health and Safety, News | Comments Off

SMU Is Monitoring Weather; Weekend Classes Cancelled

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

SMU Update, Sunday, December 8: All classes and exams are cancelled this weekend on the main SMU campus and at SMU-in-Plano due to inclement weather.

SMU continues to monitor the weather situation in consultation with safety officials and will post updates at smu.edu and on Twitter and Facebook.

SMU students are asked to be aware that heavy ice accumulation has compromised the strength of tree branches on the main campus. Students should use extreme caution when approaching or passing under overhanging branches. Students should use alternate routes to avoid passing under trees, and refrain from parking under or near any trees close to parking areas.

Dining Services on the main SMU campus
Dining services will be available even when the University closes because of inclement weather.  RFoC at Umphrey Lee will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. All other on-campus dining locations will be closed Saturday. Find the most current information about hours of operation for SMU Dining Services online and on Facebook.

Fondren Library on the main SMU campus
When the University closes for inclement weather, Fondren Library expects to be open. Hours of operation will be posted on the CUL homepage.

Meadows School of the Arts events
For the latest information on Meadows School of the Arts events, including cancellations, see the Events area of their homepage at www.smu.edu/meadows.

Posted in Health and Safety, News | Comments Off

A Monday Celebration of Lights Kicks Off 2013 Holiday Season

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Sarah Hanan

SMU holiday lights at night on the Main Quad

The holiday season goes into high gear at SMU with a rare weekday observance of one of the University’s most beloved annual traditions. Celebration of Lights 2013 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, on the Main Quad.

UPDATE: Watch a slide show from Celebration of Lights 2013. slide show

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. Photos

Other highly anticipated holiday events:

• On Thursday, Dec. 5, SMU’s Perkins School of Theology celebrates its Advent/Christmas Worship Service  at 4 and 8 p.m. in Perkins Chapel with the theme “…A child shall lead.” Admission is free; food and cash donations for the North Texas Food Bank will be accepted in the chapel narthex at the entrance.

• The Guildhall at SMU hosts its Winter Exhibition on Friday, Dec. 20, at SMU-in-Plano. Graduating students in art creation, level design, production and programming will show their work, and attendees will have the opportunity to play games designed by students in multiple cohorts.

• The University celebrates its 2013 December Graduation Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in Moody Coliseum. Guests do not need tickets to attend; doors to Moody Coliseum open at 8:30 a.m., and guests are encouraged to be seated by 9:45 a.m. Learn more about the ceremony, including information for guests.

Posted in News, Photo and Video Gallery | Comments Off

Final Exam Tips from SMU Learning Experts

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Alyssa Eubank

A semester’s end brings final exams, projects and often stress to students. SMU’s learning specialists say that if students plan accordingly for the last stretch of the semester, success comes more easily and with less stress. Final exams this year are scheduled for December 12-18, with Reading Days scheduled December 10-11.

“Final exam week is different from any other week throughout the semester; therefore, it is vital that students plan ahead for when they are going to study, sleep and relax during that week,” says Rebecca Umobong, senior academic counselor at SMU’s Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC). “I encourage students to use A-LEC’s Finals Week Master Schedule to plan how they will spend their time.”

A-LEC academic counselor David Lee says, “As part of the finals planning stage, students should analyze each of their past tests and papers looking to identify any repetitive errors or problem areas. These are important focal points for exam preparation.” Lee also suggests that students reflect on how they have studied in the past in order to adjust and improve study practices.

A-LEC offers learning strategies workshops throughout the semester, including “Prepare for Finals: The Last Week,” on Monday, December 2 at 5 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, December 3 at 5 and 6 p.m., and Wednesday, December 3 at 3 and 4 p.m. Students should bring their calendars and all syllabi to the workshops.

Click the “More” link for A-LEC’s tips for students on final exam preparation and for parents on supporting their students during finals. A-LEC’s Final Exam Prep Kit will be available online and at A-LEC starting Nov. 22.

Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off