Right to Know

ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University (SMU) is pleased to provide information including, but not limited to, academic programs, enrollment, financial aid, public safety, athletics and services for persons with disabilities. Students also may obtain paper copies of this information by contacting the appropriate office listed below. Disclosure of this information is pursuant to requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the Campus Security Act.

Academic Programs

Provost Office, Perkins Administration Building, Room 219
214-768-3219
/enrollmentservices/registrar/academicprograms

  • Current degree programs and other educational and training programs.
  • Instructional, laboratory and other physical facilities relating to the academic program.
  • Faculty and other instructional personnel.
  • Names of associations, agencies or governmental bodies that accredit, approve or license the institution and its programs and the procedures by which documents describing that activity may be reviewed.

Accreditation

ÃÛÌÒ½´Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
(404) 679-4500
/provost/assessment/accreditations

  • ÃÛÌÒ½´is accredited by the ÃÛÌÒ½´Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorates. ÃÛÌÒ½´also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. 

Enrollment

Registrar, Blanton Student Services Building, Room 101
214-768-5555
/enrollmentservices/registrar

  • Graduation Rates. The completion or graduation rate of the institution's certificate-seeking or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students and students who receive athletically related financial aid.
    /Academics/StudentAchievement
  • Privacy of Student Education Records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act governs SMU's maintenance and disclosure of a student's education records. FERPA provides students the right to inspect and review their education records and to seek amendment of those records that they believe to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights. Further, FERPA prevents ÃÛÌÒ½´from disclosing personally identifiable information about a student to outside third parties, except under specific circumstances outlined in SMU's Policy Manual.
    /LegalDisclosures/FERPA
  • Retention Rates. The measurement of students who return from one year to another.
    /Provost/University-Decision-Support/Statistics
  • Withdrawal. Requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from the institution.
    /enrollmentservices/registrar/enrollment

Student Body Diversity

/aboutsmu/facts/campusprofile

  • For more than a century, SMU’s enterprising spirit has helped shape Dallas into a global gateway for people of all backgrounds. This comprehensive research university joined with an energetic city creates an opportunity powerhouse where undergraduate and graduate students forge their success in a rigorous academic environment. Eight degree-granting schools elevate ÃÛÌÒ½´to the top tier of national universities. SMU’s innovative, flexible Common Curriculum builds a solid liberal arts foundation that allows students to pursue multiple majors and experience different cultures.

Financial Aid Services

Financial Aid, Blanton Student Services Building, Room 119
214-768-5555
/enrollmentservices/financialaid

  • Federal, state and institutional financial assistance available to students enrolled in the institution.
  • Cost of attending the institution, including estimates of tuition and fees charged to full- and part-time students; estimates of costs for necessary books and supplies; estimates of typical charges for housing and food; estimates of transportation costs for students; and estimates for any additional cost of a program in which a student is enrolled or expresses a specific interest.
  • Terms and conditions that apply to students and/or parents receiving Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and/or PLUS Loan(s), including information on how to complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling, Exit Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
    • Any student or parent receiving a Title IV loan, such as a Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan, or Direct PLUS Loan, will have the loan reported to at which point it will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
  • The requirements for return of Title IV grant or loan assistance.
  • Enrollment status of students participating in ÃÛÌÒ½´study abroad programs, for the purpose of applying for federal financial aid.

Student Account Services

Financial Aid, Blanton Student Services Building, Room 119
214-768-5555
/enrollmentservices/bursar

  • Tuition and fees.
  • Living on campus.
  • Optional and course fees.
  • Financial policies.
  • Administrative fees and deposits.
  • Payment options.
  • Any refund policy with which the institution is required to comply for the return of unearned tuition and fees or other refundable portions of costs paid to the institution.

Transfer of Credit Policies

Transfer Student Services
transfer@smu.edu
/enrollmentservices/transfer/howcreditstransfer

  • ÃÛÌÒ½´offers tools to help you determine how credits will transfer, as well as to assist with course selection at your current institution to meet ÃÛÌÒ½´core and major requirements.

DASS

Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies
Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center
214-768-1470
/disabilities

  • Description of the process for establishing eligibility for services and documentation guidelines.
  • Listings of the various on- and off-campus resources.
  • Discussions of transitioning to postsecondary education.
  • Tips for faculty on teaching and making accommodations.

Athletics

Associate AD for Compliance
5800 Ownby Drive, Suite 304
214-768-4652
/LegalDisclosures/RightToKnow/Athletics

  • Athletic program participation rates and financial aid support.
  • Graduation or completion rates of student athletes.
  • Athletic program operating expenses and revenues.
  • Coaching staffs.

Campus Police

ÃÛÌÒ½´Police Department, Patterson Hall
214-768-1582
/BusinessFinance/Police/Records-and-reports

  • ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University's Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SMU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to/accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other related matters.
  • In addition to the Annual Security Report, information is gathered and disseminated in the following ways:
    • Timely Warnings
    • Crime Alerts
    • Daily Crime and Fire Log
       

Student Appeals and Complaints

/studentaffairs/officeofthedeanofstudents/studenthandbook

  • Student with complaints and/or grievances must first seek to resolve them with ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University through its processes described below. In all instances and with all offices and representatives of the University, all complaints are handled impartially and in a timely manner by professionals in the subject area of the complaint. No adverse action will be taken against anyone filing a formal complaint or grievance with ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University.
  • ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University operates with integrity in all issues and is dedicated to preserving the rights of all members of the University community. Categories for which students may wish to reach out for advice and assistance and/or to submit an appeal or register a complaint are as follows: academics, code of conduct, discrimination, financial issues, honor code and privacy issues. An overview of the roles, responsibilities and procedures for complainants and the University is outlined in each of the areas below.

  • In addition to the right to use internal University complaint procedures, every student has the right under federal law to use complaint processes provided by the state in which his or her campus is located.
    • Texas. For complaints regarding programs in Texas, students should contact the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Office of General Counsel, PO Box 12788, Austin TX 78711-2788; email: StudentComplaints@highered.texas.gov. Additional information about the Texas student complaints process may be found at .
    • New Mexico. For complaints regarding programs in New Mexico, students should contact the New Mexico Higher Education Department, 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe NM 87505-2100; telephone 505-476-8400. Additional information about the New Mexico student complaints process may be found online at or by contacting private.schools@state.nm.us.
    • NC-SARA student complaint process:

Copyright Infringement

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

  • Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.
  • Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.
  • Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at

Vaccination Policies

Dr. Bob Smith Health Center
214-768-2141
/studentaffairs/drbobsmithhealthcenter/medical-services/incoming-students

  • All incoming students must comply with the following vaccination requirements. Attach official immunization record to the electronic Health History form or download the form and send a completed copy to your doctor for signature and stamp. Email signed forms to healthcenter@smu.edu
    • Meningitis vaccine (Menactra, Menveo, or MCV4) administered within the past 5 years. Texas State Law requires a meningitis vaccine for new students under the age of 22. Students over the age of 22 are exempt from this requirement. Proof of vaccination (or booster shot within the last 5 years) must be submitted to the Dr.Bob Smith Health Center prior to registering for classes.
    • Two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination

Voter Registration

/legaldisclosures/righttoknow/vote

  • ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University encourages all students, faculty, and staff to register to vote and to participate in local and national elections. Local registration and voting information is available from the