Category: Latest Updates

[6:38 p.m.] The following is an update to the SMU Warning sent earlier today. SMU Police have identified two individuals suspected of assault and burglary in connection with the earlier report from a student who reported being physically assaulted in their room on campus.

Arrest warrants have been issued for both subjects.

The victim believes that they were targeted in retaliation for a previous incident.

SMU Police thank the University community for providing quick information about the subjects.

If you have information about this case, contact SMU Police at 214-768-3333.

Campus Awareness Tips

Please be aware of your surroundings and report any information you may have about this incident to SMU Police at 214-768-3333. Information also may be reported anonymously through the Police Department’s Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP or online at www.smu.edu/2TIP.

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SMU Warning: Assault Reported on Campus

[2:03 p.m.] SMU Police are asking for help identifying three people involved in an assault on a student that occurred in the Ware Residential Commons at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2024.

SMU Police do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the campus.

The victim reported to police that he was physically assaulted by three unknown males in his room. The victim believes that he was targeted in retaliation for a previous incident.

The suspects were described as white males in their early twenties. One subject was wearing a black ski mask with a white shirt and black pants, a second was wearing dark clothing and a third was wearing dark pants and a light-colored shirt.

Campus Awareness Tips

Please be aware of your surroundings and report any information you may have about this incident to SMU police at 214-768-3333. Information also may be reported anonymously through the Police Department’s Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP or online at www.smu.edu/2TIP.

SMU is sending this Timely Warning in compliance with the federal campus safety law known as the Clery Act, to provide information that may help you protect yourself and to aid in the prevention of similar crimes.

Friday (9/6) messages

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Thursday (9/5) messages

[9:30 a.m.] Umphrey Lee will be closed Thursday and Friday (9/5-9/6). Classes relocated. Arnold and retail dining locations will be open. Click on the blue “Class Relocation Info” button for temporary classroom relocations.

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Wednesday (9/4) messages

[4:15 p.m.] Umphrey Lee will be closed Thursday (9/5). Classes relocated. Arnold and retail dining locations will be open. Check smu.edu/aware for details

[11:30 a.m.] Power is now restored in McFarlin Auditorium.

[10:18 a.m.] SMU Advisory- Classes in Lee relocated today (9/4). Students should check this website for the latest class info. Arnold and retail dining locations are open.

[9:50 a.m.] SMU Advisory – Crews responding to water intrusion at Umphrey Lee. Avoid the area. Classes in Lee relocated. Dining available at Arnold. More updates will be posted here soon.

[9:34 p.m.] Road Detour Notice to Access Airline Parking Center: Crews are completing repairs to the water main break near the Airline Parking Center. As a result, Airline Ct. will be closed near the intersection of Airline and Daniel beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20. Access to the Airline Parking Center will be available through the promenade off University Blvd., adjacent to the Dedman Life Sciences Building. SMU Police will be on-site to help direct traffic.

[4:40 p.m.] SMU Facilities is making progress on fixing the water main break. Campus buildings are returning to normal temperatures, and the supply of water has been restored in nearly all buildings. Campus operations, unless otherwise notified, are expected to proceed normally tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20.

If you experience issues in your area, please submit a STABLE order. Continue to monitor SMU Aware for updates.

[2:20 p.m.]

Dear SMU Community,

Due to a water main break on main campus and its impact on some buildings, SMU employees in a facility without water or functioning A/C may leave campus early and, where feasible, finish their workday remotely.

The student residential facilities appear not to be affected at this time. Dedman School of Law students and employees should follow directions from their Dean’s Office.

Our facilities team is actively working on the issue, and we will provide further updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

SMU Aware

[2:15 p.m.] SMU Advisory: Update: Student residential facilities appear not to be affected by water main break on main campus. Officials will continue to monitor. More info here soon.

[12:58 p.m.] SMU Advisory- Update: Building cooling and hot water systems on main campus will be impacted.  More updates here soon

[12:40 p.m.] SMU Advisory – Crews are working to repair a water main break in the lower level of Airline Parking Center. The water supply on campus will be affected. Updates here soon.

[5:45 a.m.] Flash flood warning in place for the SMU area until 8 a.m. Please exercise caution while driving. Monitor local media.

[5:00 a.m.] Severe weather, seek shelter NOW. Get inside a building, away from windows. More info soon.

ABOUT THE OUTDOOR SIREN SYSTEM
The outdoor warning siren system on SMU’s campus is activated by the City of University Park in the event of tornados, high winds, or other emergencies. Learn More

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Current Conditions:

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Remember, there is a difference between a watch and a warning

On-campus residents who need additional information or support should contact an area desk at Virginia-Snider (214-768-2230) or Armstrong at (214-768-5062) or contact the on-call staff.

[8:01 p.m.] High water is receding. Bishop Blvd has reopened. Report flooding issues to SMU PD at 214-768-3388. Updates here as they become available.

[7:22 p.m.] Storms are causing flooding. Bishop Blvd is closed due to high water. Report weather concerns to SMU PD at 214-768-3388.

[6:53 p.m.] SMU Alert! Severe weather, seek shelter NOW. Get inside a building, away from windows. More info soon.

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Current Conditions:

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Remember, there is a difference between a watch and a warning

ABOUT THE OUTDOOR SIREN SYSTEM
The outdoor warning siren system on SMU’s campus is activated by the City of University Park in the event of tornados, high winds, or other emergencies. Learn More

On-campus residents who need additional information or support should contact an area desk at Virginia-Snider (214-768-2230) or Armstrong at (214-768-5062) or contact the on-call staff.

[10:32 a.m.] We understand that many of you may be dealing with power outages, increased traffic, downed tree limbs, and localized flooding on roadways, following this morning’s storm. Your safety is important. While campus is operating normally, if you are unable to safely get to campus, please notify your supervisor. More storms are forecasted. Check your local media for weather updates.

[10:15 a.m.] Immediate storm threats have passed. Clean up continues. If traveling, please do so safely. More storms are forecasted.

[7:40 a.m.] Severe Weather continues. SMU is operating normally. Commute to campus when safe to do so. Watch for debris & flooding.

[7:00 a.m.] Flash Flood Warning till 11 am. Watch for debris, high water on commute to campus. Report damage to Facilities. Check back here often for updates.

[6:51 a.m.] A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for Dallas County until 7: 30 a.m. A flash flood warning remains in effect for Dallas County until 11 a.m.

[6:31 a.m.] Severe Weather in the DFW area. Shelter immediately. Stay home until safe to travel. 80+ MPH winds reported near SMU. Check back soon for more information.

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Current Conditions:

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Remember, there is a difference between a watch and a warning

ABOUT THE OUTDOOR SIREN SYSTEM
The outdoor warning siren system on SMU’s campus is activated by the City of University Park in the event of tornados, high winds, or other emergencies. Learn More

On-campus residents who need additional information or support should contact an area desk at Virginia-Snider (214-768-2230) or Armstrong at (214-768-5062) or contact the on-call staff.

April 17, 2024

SMU Police report two concerning incidents involving water gel pellets shot from a car on our campus.

Two students reported being struck by water pellets fired from a moving vehicle at approximately 12:15 a.m. Wednesday on Bishop Blvd. Additionally, several students reported being struck by water gel pellets from a moving vehicle near 3100 Binkley Ave. on April 10 at approximately 10 p.m.

Both incidents have been referred to our Criminal Investigations team, who believe these cases to be linked.

The vehicle is described as a dark-colored sedan, and victims and witnesses were unable to provide detailed descriptions of the occupants.

Please review these photos of the suspected vehicle involved in these incidents.

We urge anyone with information about these incidents or who may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward and report it to SMU Police immediately by calling 214-768-3333.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priorities. We take these incidents very seriously and are actively working with local law enforcement to investigate these incidents.

If you see something, say something.

Report suspicious people or activity by contacting SMUPD at 214-768-3388 or anonymously through the Silent Witness Program at 214-SMU-2TIP, online at http://www.smu.edu/2TIP, or by using the SMU Aware Safety App.

April 12, 2024

[8:06 p.m.] SMU Police have apprehended Ian James Smith. SMUPD detectives arrested Smith today on outstanding warrants, including stalking and violating a criminal trespass warning.

Smith is unaffiliated with SMU and prohibited from being on any SMU property. Police received a report this morning of a sighting of Smith on campus, resulting in a search that led to his arrest in Carrollton.

Information about this case or any crime on campus may be reported by calling SMUPD at 214-768-3388 or anonymously through the Silent Witness Program at 214-SMU-2TIP, online at www.smu.edu/2TIP or by using the SMU Aware Safety App.

If you see something, say something. Report suspicious people or activities.

[1:32 p.m.] SMU Alert – UPDATE: SMU Police have conducted checks of the SMU campus following the reported sighting of Ian James Smith earlier this morning. Officers have checked all campus facilities and have determined that Smith is not on campus and is no longer in the area.

Additional patrols will remain on campus as SMU Police and their local, state and federal partners attempt to locate Smith, who has outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Please contact SMU Police at 214-768-3333 or call 911 if you have information about Smith.

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[9:04 a.m.] SMU Alert-SMU Police are actively searching for Ian James Smith, who is wanted for stalking. He was observed SMU property this morning near the Mustang Parking Center (6001 Bush Avenue) at approximately 8 a.m. If you see Smith, contact SMU Police immediately at 214-768-3333 or call 911. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie and shorts.

SMU Police previously issued a criminal trespass warning to Ian James Smith. He is unaffiliated with SMU and prohibited from being on any SMU property

Smith was arrested in 2021-22 for harassment, obstruction and retaliation. While working as delivery driver, he cyber-stalked and harassed several SMU students and attempted to use a third party to intimidate a victim/witness following arrest. He was convicted and sentenced to the Texas Department of Corrections.

Smith was recently released from prison and observed near the SMU campus on March 21. Officers determined he had resumed contact with some people involved in his previous cases and issued the criminal trespass warning.

Person of concern: Ian James Smith
Age: 22
Race: White
Description: 5’6”, 130 lbs., brown eyes and brown hair
Information also may be reported anonymously through the Police Department’s Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP, online at www.smu.edu/2TIP or through the SMU Aware Safety App .
If you see something, say something. Report suspicious people or activities.

Dear SMU Community,

Monday will be an extraordinary day on campus and in our surrounding region. Dallas lies within the path of totality for the upcoming total solar eclipse. During this event, the moon will completely obscure the sun for approximately four minutes, from 1:40 to 1:44 p.m. With over 400,000 visitors expected in the Metroplex, we want to remind you to be prepared and safe for this rare astronomical event.

Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind:

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Viewing the Eclipse Safely

• Do not look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Please make sure to use approved solar viewing glasses. Looking directly at the sun, even for a brief period, can cause serious eye damage or even blindness.
• Avoid using homemade or improvised filters for viewing the sun. Only use eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
• You are encouraged to purchase your own approved eclipse glasses. SMU will offer a limited supply of eclipse glasses for students, faculty, and staff free of charge. They will be available Monday on a first come, first serve basis on the main quad and the plaza surrounding the Val and Frank Late Fountain, just east of Dedman Life Sciences Building.
• Additionally, the Deason Innovation Gym will be open from 9 a.m. to noon for individuals to drop in and assemble a pinhole projector as an alternative method for safely viewing the eclipse.

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Traffic Preparedness and Other Info for Drivers

• Anticipate increased traffic on the day of the eclipse, especially on roads leading to and from campus. North Central Expressway could be especially congested.
• Don’t wear eclipse glasses while driving. Pull over and park before looking at the eclipse. Don’t stop on highways or major thoroughfares, per TxDOT.
• Exercise special caution with pedestrians who may be distracted and looking up at the sky.
• Plan your commute accordingly and allow for extra travel time.
• Consider carpooling or using public transportation if possible to reduce traffic congestion.
• If you are driving from noon to 3 p.m., turn on your vehicle headlights while the moon is blocking the sun’s light.

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Pedestrian Safety Information

• Exercise caution when walking around campus, as there may be increased and distracted pedestrian traffic.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and watch for vehicles, especially in crowded and congested areas.
• Follow designated pedestrian pathways and crosswalks and adhere to traffic signals and signs.

We encourage everyone to witness the solar eclipse safely. This is a unique opportunity, as the next time our region will be in the path of totality will be in 2317.

SMU classes and operations will resume as scheduled on Wednesday, January 17.

The dining halls (Arnold, Lee) and retail locations, SMU Libraries and Dedman Center will operate as scheduled and open at regular business hours Wednesday.

Given the recent extreme cold, there might be lingering impacts. Report any water leaks or damage in on-campus housing, work areas, and classrooms via STABLE. While road and travel conditions have improved, any wet surfaces may refreeze overnight, so please be careful returning to campus Wednesday morning. Stay warm.

[Click here for Tuesday’s campus notice about operational changes.]