Dear SMU Community,
Thank you for your flexibility, patience and commitment to the mission of SMU during this time. This is the first of regular updates to help connect the SMU community in a time of social distancing. I hope everyone has seen the recent announcements: the postponement of Commencement ceremonies to August 15, a temporary spring grading policy and the decision to move May and June term classes online. These, and other changes are updated regularly on the COVID-19 website.
We can all be inspired by the creative and generous ways in which our community is responding to this challenging time. Here are just a few examples:
- Staff members at the Deason Innovation Gym at Lyle School of Engineering are using 3D printers to create face shields to protect medical workers on the front lines of this epidemic in Dallas.
- George Holden, professor and chair of psychology, offered valuable advice to parents.
- SMU’s Counseling Services in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center created these 11 tips for coping with COVID-19.
- SMU Mustang football quarterback Shane Buechele and his girlfriend Paige Vasquez have paired with Dallas mayor Eric Johnson to raise funds for an emergency assistance fund for local residents affected by COVID-19.
- Our Office of Information Technology took herculean steps to support the campus’ transition to online teaching, learning and working. They are supporting over 2,000 zoom meetings/classes daily and 900-1200 and staff connecting remotely.
I have missed the vibrancy and energy of having our community together so I dropped in on a few online classes this past week. I look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.
If you have a story about the creative ways the SMU community is supporting the North Texas community, SMU students and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic, please share with news@smu.edu. And keep up the wonderful work.
Sincerely,
R. Gerald Turner
SMU President