Southern Methodist University

{{Short description|Private research university in Dallas, Texas, US}} {{Redirect|Southern Methodist|the unrelated denomination|Southern Methodist Church}} {{Distinguish|Singapore Management University}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox university | name = Southern Methodist University | image = Southern Methodist University seal.svg | image_upright = 0.6 | caption = | motto = {{langx|la|Veritas liberabit vos}} | mottoeng = "The truth will set you free" | established = {{Start date and age|1911|4|17}} | type = Private research university | accreditation = SACS | academic_affiliations = {{hlist|IAMSCU| NAICU|ORAU|URA }} | religious_affiliation = United Methodist Church<ref name="International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU)">{{cite web|url=http://public.gbhem.org/iamscu/search_results.asp?act=search_gen&search_txt=SOUTHERN+METHODIST+UNIVERSITY&type=schools&submit=GO|title=Southern Methodist University|publisher=International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU)|access-date=June 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020030111/http://public.gbhem.org/iamscu/search_results.asp?act=search_gen&search_txt=SOUTHERN+METHODIST+UNIVERSITY&type=schools&submit=GO|archive-date=October 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> | president = Jay Hartzell | provost = Rachel Davis Mersey | coor = {{Coord|32.83855|-96.78294|region:US-TX_type:edu|display=inline,title}} | students = 12,544 (fall 2025)<ref name="2025-enrollment">{{Cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/provost/university-decision-support/statistics/factsheets/fall2025facts/studentenrollment2025 |title=Student Enrollment - SMU University Decision Support |website=Southern Methodist University |access-date=November 17, 2025 }}</ref> | undergrad = 7,545 (fall 2025)<ref name="2025-enrollment" /> | postgrad = 4,999 (fall 2025)<ref name="2025-enrollment" /> | faculty = 1,163 (fall 2024)<ref name="2025-faculty">{{Cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/provost/university-decision-support/statistics/factsheets/fall2024facts/faculty_2024 |title=Instructional Faculty - SMU University Decision Support |website=Southern Methodist University |access-date=November 17, 2025 }}</ref> | total_staff = 3,037 (fall 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/provost/university-decision-support/statistics/factsheets/fall2024facts/universityemployees2024 |title=University Employees - SMU University Decision Support |website=Southern Methodist University |access-date=November 17, 2025 }}</ref> | endowment = $2.48 billion <ref name="Investments">{{cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/investments |title=Investments |website=Investments Office |publisher=Southern Methodist University |access-date=March 23, 2026 }}</ref> | budget = $923.0 million (FY2025)<ref name="FinancialInfo">{{cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/provost/university-decision-support/statistics/factsheets/fall2024facts/financial_2024 |title=2024-2025 Financial Information |website=Office of the Provost |publisher=Southern Methodist University |access-date=November 6, 2025 }}</ref> | city = University Park, Texas | country = United States | campus = Urban enclave | campus_size = {{convert|234|acre|km2}}<ref name="SMU Today: A Leading National University">{{cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Impact/LeadingNationalUniversity| title=SMU Today: A Leading National University|access-date=December 21, 2015 |website=SMU.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104732/https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Impact/LeadingNationalUniversity| archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | colors = Red and blue<ref name="colors">{{cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/DevelopmentExternalAffairs/MarketingCommunications/Branding/Colors |title=Color Palette - SMU |date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807032836/https://www.smu.edu/developmentexternalaffairs/marketingcommunications/branding/colors |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{color box|#CC0035}} {{color box|#354CA1}} | sports_nickname = Mustangs | sporting_affiliations = {{hlist|NCAA Division I FBS – ACC|ECAC}} | mascot = Peruna | website = {{URL|smu.edu}} | logo = Southern Methodist University logo.svg | logo_upright = .8 | free_label2 = Newspaper | free2 = ''The Daily Campus'' | free_label = Other campuses | free = Taos }}

'''Southern Methodist University''' ('''SMU''') is a private research university in University Park, Texas, United States, with a satellite campus in Taos County, New Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/Location|title=Location & Facilities-SMU|website=Smu.edu|access-date=December 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215120304/http://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/Location|archive-date=December 15, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> SMU was founded on April 17, 1911, by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South—now part of the United Methodist Church—in partnership with Dallas civic leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU|title=About SMU|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210213736/https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU|archive-date=December 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scj.umportal.org/|title=South Central Jurisdiction|website=Scj.umportal.org|access-date=November 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516225835/http://scj.umportal.org/|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is currently non-sectarian in its teaching and enrolls students of all religious affiliations. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research spending and doctorate production".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southern Methodist University |url=https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/southern-methodist-university/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of fall 2025, the university had 12,544 students, including 7,545 undergraduates and 4,999 postgraduates. As of fall 2024, its instructional faculty is 1,163 members, with 788 being full-time.<ref name="2025-faculty" />

In the 2020 academic year, the university granted over 3,827 degrees, including 315 doctorates, 1,659 master's and 1,853 bachelor's degrees and offers over 32 doctoral and over 120 masters programs from eight schools: the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Dedman School of Law, the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, the Algur H. Meadows School of the Arts, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Perkins School of Theology, and the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Moody|title=Welcome to the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211194214/https://www.smu.edu/moody|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/News/2019/landmark-100-million-gift-to-SMU-from-Moody-Foundation|title=Landmark $100 million gift to SMU from Moody Foundation to create separate graduate school, fuel significant research|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112220119/https://www.smu.edu/News/2019/landmark-100-million-gift-to-SMU-from-Moody-Foundation|archive-date=November 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History == The university was chartered on April 17, 1911, by the southern denomination of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the time of the charter, church leaders saw a need to establish a Methodist institution within a metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/iwm01|title=METHODIST EDUCATION|date=June 15, 2010|website=Tshaonline.org|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051221/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/iwm01|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, this new institution was intended to be created in Fort Worth through a merger between Polytechnic College (now Texas Wesleyan University) and Southwestern University. However, the church's education commission instead opted to create a new institution in Dallas to serve this purpose after extensive lobbying by the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Robert Stewart Hyer, previously president of Southwestern University, was appointed as the first president of the new university.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kbt24|title=Texas Wesleyan University|last=Minor|first=David|date=June 15, 2010|website=Tshaonline.org|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053304/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kbt24|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HyerPapers">{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00072/00072-P.html|title=Robert S. Hyer papers|access-date=November 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203021415/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00072/00072-P.html|archive-date=February 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Dallas Hall on the campus of Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas LCCN2015630915.jpg|left|thumb|Constructed in 1915, Dallas Hall remains the centerpiece of the campus.]]

The effort to establish a new university in Dallas drew the attention of the General Conference of the Methodist Church, which was seeking to create a new connectional institution in the wake of a 1914 Tennessee Supreme Court decision stripping the church of authority at Vanderbilt University.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanderbilt.edu/chancellor/history/|title=History of the Office {{!}} Office of the Chancellor {{!}} Vanderbilt University|website=Vanderbilt.edu|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051115/https://www.vanderbilt.edu/chancellor/history/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The church decided to support the establishment of the new institution while also increasing the size of Emory University at a new location in DeKalb County, Georgia. At the 1914 meeting of the General Conference, Southern Methodist University was designated the connectional institution for all conferences west of the Mississippi River.<ref>[http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00038/smu-00038.html Southern Methodist University origins and history collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007182948/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00038/smu-00038.html |date=October 7, 2008 }} – Utexas.edu – Retrieved February 3, 2008</ref>

SMU named its first building Dallas Hall in gratitude for the support of Dallas leaders and local citizens, who had pledged $300,000 to secure the university's location. It remains the university's symbol and centerpiece, and it inspired "the Hilltop" as a nickname for the school. It was designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge after the Rotunda at the University of Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://people.smu.edu/jwheeler/Dallas_Hall_description.html|title=Dallas Hall - 3225 University Blvd., Dallas, TX 75275|website=People.smu.edu|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213122246/http://people.smu.edu/jwheeler/Dallas_Hall_description.html|archive-date=December 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dallas Hall opened its doors in 1915 and housed the entire university along with a bank and a barbershop.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dallas Landmarks|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2009|pages=98}}</ref> The hall is registered in the National Register of Historic Places.

thumb|Robert Stewart Hyer, physics professor and first president of Southern Methodist University|232x232px

Classes were planned to officially begin in 1913, but construction delays on the university's first building prevented classes from starting until 1915. In the interim, the only functioning academic department at SMU was the medical college it had acquired from Southwestern University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00088/smu-00088.html|title=SMU Medical and Pharmacy School Records|access-date=November 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203021426/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00088/smu-00088.html|archive-date=February 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

thumb|Perkins Chapel serves as the primary worship setting for Perkins School of Theology.

As the first president of Southern Methodist University, Hyer selected Harvard crimson and Yale blue as the school colors in order to associate SMU with the high standards of Ivy League universities.<ref name="colors"/> Several streets in University Park and adjacent Highland Park were named after prominent universities.

In 1927, Highland Park United Methodist Church, designed by architects Mark Lemmon and Roscoe DeWitt, was erected on campus.<ref name="texasstate">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fle64|title=Lemmon, Mark|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922164804/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fle64|archive-date=September 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

During World War II, SMU was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.<ref name="list-of-v-12">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html|title=U.S. Naval Administration in World War II|year=2011|publisher=HyperWar Foundation|access-date=September 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112105122/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html|archive-date=January 12, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1987, the university football program's repeated, flagrant recruiting violations led to the NCAA administering what is called the death penalty against the program. The punishment included cancellation of the 1987 football season, most of the 1988 season, and a two-year ban from Bowl Games and televised sports coverage.<ref name="deathpenalty">[http://people.smu.edu/adedo/deathpenalty.html people.smu.edu – Retrieved February 3, 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101061545/http://people.smu.edu/adedo/deathpenalty.html|date=January 1, 2008}}</ref>

On February 22, 2008, the university trustees unanimously instructed President R. Gerald Turner to enter into an agreement to establish the George W. Bush Presidential Center on 23 acres on the southeast side of the campus.<ref name="dallasnews">[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/022308dnmetbushlibrary.19ae3faa.html It's official: Bush library coming to SMU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706063637/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/022308dnmetbushlibrary.19ae3faa.html |date=July 6, 2008 }} – Dallasnews.com – February 22, 2008</ref> The center, which includes a presidential library, museum, institute, and the offices of the George W. Bush Foundation, was dedicated on April 25, 2013, in a ceremony which featured all living former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and then-incumbent U.S. president, Barack Obama.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Bush-Presidential-Library-dedicated-in-style-at-4463716.php|title=Bush Presidential Library dedicated in style at SMU|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052849/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Bush-Presidential-Library-dedicated-in-style-at-4463716.php|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The library and museum are privately administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, while the university holds representation on the independent public policy institute board. The project raised over $500 million for the construction and endowment of the George W. Bush presidential center, which has a 249-year ground lease from SMU, with extensions, and operates completely separate from SMU.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://swampland.time.com/2013/04/10/bush-raises-more-than-500-million-for-library/|title=Bush Raises More Than $500 Million For Library|date=April 10, 2013|work=Time Magazine –|access-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715074845/http://swampland.time.com/2013/04/10/bush-raises-more-than-500-million-for-library/|archive-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fitchratings.com/research/us-public-finance/fitch-assigns-aa-idr-to-southern-methodist-univ-tx-affirms-revs-at-aa-29-09-2020|title=Fitch Assigns 'AA-' IDR to Southern Methodist Univ., TX; Affirms Revs at 'AA-'|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024700/https://www.fitchratings.com/research/us-public-finance/fitch-assigns-aa-idr-to-southern-methodist-univ-tx-affirms-revs-at-aa-29-09-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Split from the United Methodist Church=== In light of the turmoil within the Methodist Church over what it described as "fundamental differences" over LGBTQ policies, the university decided to separate itself from control of the church.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grigsby |first1=Sharon |title=What SMU's plan to split from Methodist control could mean for Dallas churches angry about LGBTQ policies |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2019/12/11/what-smus-plan-to-bolt-from-methodist-control-could-mean-for-dallas-churches-angry-about-lgbtq-policies/ |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=December 11, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423075954/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2019/12/11/what-smus-plan-to-bolt-from-methodist-control-could-mean-for-dallas-churches-angry-about-lgbtq-policies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2019, the SMU board filed with the state of Texas amended articles of incorporation that eliminated the United Methodist Church's rights as listed in the 1996 articles. The amendment made it clear that SMU is solely maintained and controlled by its board as the ultimate authority for the university and removed an overarching statement that the school would be "owned, maintained and controlled by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference."<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Turner |first1=R. Gerald |title=Statement from President Turner regarding our relationship with UMC |url=https://www.smu.edu/News/2019/Statement-from-President-Turner-regarding-our-relationship-with-the-United-Methodist-Church |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=SMU |date=December 6, 2019 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613141450/https://www.smu.edu/News/2019/Statement-from-President-Turner-regarding-our-relationship-with-the-United-Methodist-Church |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="church_lawsuit"/> Within a month, the Church filed a lawsuit alleging that the trustees of SMU have no authority to amend the Articles of Incorporation without the prior approval and authorization of SCJC.<ref name="church_lawsuit">{{cite news |last1=Brumfield |first1=Loyd |last2=Smith |first2=LaVendrick |title=Methodist conference sues SMU over university's steps to redefine its relationship with the church |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2019/12/08/methodist-conference-sues-smu-over-universitys-steps-to-redefine-its-relationship-with-the-church/ |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=December 8, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427151339/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2019/12/08/methodist-conference-sues-smu-over-universitys-steps-to-redefine-its-relationship-with-the-church/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Redden |first1=Elizabeth |title=SMU sued for amending governance documents to separate itself from church authority |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/12/09/smu-sued-amending-governance-documents-separate-itself-church-authority |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Inside Higher Ed |date=December 9, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426202905/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/12/09/smu-sued-amending-governance-documents-separate-itself-church-authority |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, Dallas County judge ruled in favor of Southern Methodist University in the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hodges |first1=Sam |title=Judge rules for SMU over jurisdiction |url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/judge-rules-for-smu-over-church-conference |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=United Methodist News Service |date=March 23, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421193928/https://www.umnews.org/en/news/judge-rules-for-smu-over-church-conference |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Redden |first1=Elizabeth |title=Judge Sides With University in Dispute With Methodist Church |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/judge-sides-university-dispute-methodist-church |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Inside Higher Ed |date=March 25, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216021306/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/judge-sides-university-dispute-methodist-church |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2025, the Supreme Court of Texas reversed a lower court's ruling, allowing the Church's lawsuit to proceed and finding that the 1996 articles created a "meaningful right of control" for the denomination. On March 18, 2026, the university and the SCJC announced a comprehensive settlement to end the legal dispute. Under the agreement, SMU filed newly amended articles of incorporation that restored the Church's historical oversight and governance rights, ensuring the university remains a church-affiliated institution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Church, SMU resolve legal dispute |url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-smu-resolve-legal-dispute |work=United Methodist News Service |date=March 18, 2026}}</ref>

=== Historical Plano campus === From 1997 to 2020<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2019 |title=SMU sells its Plano campus to developer Trammell Crow |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2019/09/19/smu-sells-its-plano-campus-to-developer-trammell-crow/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913065123/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2019/09/19/smu-sells-its-plano-campus-to-developer-trammell-crow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Southern Methodist University operated a small campus, consisting of 16 acres and 4 buildings, in Plano, Texas, in Legacy Business Park. This campus hosted SMU's video game design school, SMU Guildhall, and other graduate-level programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/Plano/AboutUs|title=About SMU-in-Plano - SMU|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052214/http://www.smu.edu/Plano/AboutUs|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> After the university sold the Plano campus to a developer in 2019, SMU Guildhall and all other programs housed there moved onto the main Dallas campus in the new Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation on December 4, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dallasinnovates.com/change-of-venue-smu-guildhall-planning-move-away-from-plano/|title=Change of Venue: SMU Guildhall Planning Move Away From Plano » Dallas Innovates|last=Innovates|first=Dallas|date=March 21, 2018|work=Dallas Innovates|access-date=July 9, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064919/https://dallasinnovates.com/change-of-venue-smu-guildhall-planning-move-away-from-plano/|archive-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smu.edu/News/2020/Featured-News/Ford-Hall-Celebration | title=The Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation ignites the future of research and education at SMU | access-date=July 9, 2022 | archive-date=July 6, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706110153/https://www.smu.edu/News/2020/Featured-News/Ford-Hall-Celebration | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Organization and resources == === Institutional organization === [[File:Cox SMU.JPG|thumb|The Cox School of Business]]

SMU has eight degree-granting schools each headed by a dean, with all undergraduates entering the university in the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences as pre-majors:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU|title=About SMU|access-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127200910/https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU|archive-date=January 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> * Cox School of Business<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cox.smu.edu/home|title=Cox School page|website=Cox.smu.edu|access-date=November 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316193937/http://www.cox.smu.edu/home|archive-date=March 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> * Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences * Dedman School of Law<ref name="smu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://smu.edu/dedman|title=SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences - Dedman College - SMU|website=Smu.edu|access-date=October 25, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101141215/http://www.smu.edu/dedman/|archive-date=November 1, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> * Lyle School of Engineering<ref>{{cite web|url=http://Awww.smu.edu/en/News/2008/engineering-announcement-17oct2008.aspx|title=SMU Names Engineering School, Launches New Initiatives|access-date=August 3, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * Meadows School of the Arts * Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/moody|title=About SMU|access-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211194214/https://www.smu.edu/moody|archive-date=December 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> * Perkins School of Theology * Simmons School of Education and Human Development<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smu.edu/SecondCentury/Priorities/SimmonsEducation.aspx|title=Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development – SMU|website=Smu.edu|access-date=November 5, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823152230/http://www.smu.edu/SecondCentury/Priorities/SimmonsEducation.aspx|archive-date=August 23, 2011}}</ref>

=== Endowment and financial resources === left|thumb|The Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building, with the Centennial Quadrangle in the foreground

Southern Methodist University's 2019 endowment of $1.664 billion ranked 67th largest among the endowments of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and it was one of only 110 institutions with an endowment greater than $1 billion as of June 30, 2019.<ref name=endowment>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.smu.edu/investments |title=Southern Methodist University Investments Office |publisher=Southern Methodist University |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928173721/https://www.smu.edu/investments |url-status=live }}</ref>

The university's endowment surpassed $2 billion for the first time in the university's history in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/provost/university-decision-support/statistics/factsheets/fall2021facts/financial_2021|title=2021-2022 Financial Information|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2024}}</ref> having previously surpassed $1 billion in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/smu-endowment-tops-1-billion|title=SMU endowment tops $1 billion|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014432/https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/smu-endowment-tops-1-billion|archive-date=September 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 26, 2016, SMU announced that through its "Second Century Centennial Campaign" which concluded on December 31, 2015, had raised $1.15 billion, the largest fundraising campaign of any institution in North Texas's history, the largest total for a private Texas university, and the fourth largest of any university in Texas. The Centennial Campaign, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the university's founding in 1911 and opening in 1915 also made SMU one of only 34 private colleges and universities in the United States to complete a campaign of $1 billion or more.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20160225-1.15b-raised-by-smu-is-largest-total-for-a-private-texas-university.ece|title=$1.15B raised by SMU is largest total for a private Texas university|date=25 February 2016|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227114404/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20160225-1.15b-raised-by-smu-is-largest-total-for-a-private-texas-university.ece|archive-date=February 27, 2016|url-status=dead|last1=Hacker|first=Holly K. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/News/2016/campaign-success-26feb2016/|title=SMU sets record for Texas private university fundraising with $1.15 billion campaign total|year=2016|publisher=SMU News|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185410/https://www.smu.edu/News/2016/campaign-success-26feb2016/|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.smu.edu/forum/2015/09/24/smu-reaches-1-billion-second-century-campaign-goal-announcement-made-during-centennial-convocation/|title=SMU reaches $1 billion Second Century Campaign goal; announcement made during Centennial Convocation|year=2015|publisher=SMU Forum for Faculty and Staff|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301042854/http://blog.smu.edu/forum/2015/09/24/smu-reaches-1-billion-second-century-campaign-goal-announcement-made-during-centennial-convocation/|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20150924-southern-methodist-university-reaches-1-billion-fundraising-goal.ece|title=Southern Methodist University reaches $1 billion fundraising goal|year=2015|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127211142/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20150924-southern-methodist-university-reaches-1-billion-fundraising-goal.ece|archive-date=January 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.smu.edu/apps/100pavers/|title=Crain Family Centennial Promenade|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730172533/https://sites.smu.edu/apps/100pavers/|archive-date=July 30, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/100/|title=The Second Century Celebration - SMU|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053109/http://www.smu.edu/100/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2015/09/24/southern-methodist-university-reaches-1-billion-fundraising-goal|title=Southern Methodist University reaches $1 billion fundraising goal|date=September 24, 2015|work=Dallas Morning News|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105137/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2015/09/24/southern-methodist-university-reaches-1-billion-fundraising-goal|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Its previous fundraising campaign, "A Time to Lead", which concluded in April 2002 and raised $542 million was the largest fundraising campaign in the school's history at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2015/june/smu-gerald-turner-president-big-man-on-campus|title=SMU's Big Man on Campus|year=2015|publisher=D Magazine|access-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203193950/http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2015/june/smu-gerald-turner-president-big-man-on-campus|archive-date=February 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Under R. Gerald Turner's leadership and through two successive campaigns in under 20 years, SMU has received well over $1.6 billion in commitments in support of institutional priorities.

By 1986 as the university neared the 75th anniversary of its founding, SMU's endowment had grown from $60 million a decade earlier in 1976<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1976/september/can-smu-get-it-together/|title=Can SMU Get It Together?|year=1976|publisher=D Magazine|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185221/https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1976/september/can-smu-get-it-together/|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> to nearly $325 million, at the time the 27th largest in the country. The previous "The Design for the Third Generation" fundraising campaign, which concluded in May 1983 raised nearly $120 million in gifts and pledges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/04/magazine/is-there-life-after-football.html|title=Is there life after football|year=1987|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185016/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/04/magazine/is-there-life-after-football.html|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00114/smu-00114.html|title=L. Donald Shields papers|year=1986|publisher=Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024659/https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00114/smu-00114.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Campuses == === Main campus === [[File:George W. Bush Presidential Center dedication.tif|thumb|The main campus hosts the George W. Bush Presidential Center, seen here during the dedication attended by five living US presidents.]]

The main campus of Southern Methodist University is mostly located in University Park, a municipality in Dallas County, Texas. The campus extends into the Dallas city limits,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st48_tx/place/p4874492_university_park/DC20BLK_P4874492.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: University Park city, TX|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 1, 2023|archive-date=September 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913065056/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st48_tx/place/p4874492_university_park/DC20BLK_P4874492.pdf|url-status=live}} - [https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/AboutSMU/Maps/pdf/Map_Black_Names24.pdf Compare to the campus map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913065123/https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/AboutSMU/Maps/pdf/Map_Black_Names24.pdf |date=September 13, 2023 }}</ref> and into the city limits of Highland Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st48_tx/place/p4833824_highland_park/DC20BLK_P4833824.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Highland Park city, TX|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 1, 2023|archive-date=September 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913070615/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st48_tx/place/p4833824_highland_park/DC20BLK_P4833824.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It is located on 234 acres of land just west of US Route 75.<ref name="SMU Today: A Leading National University"/> Dallas Hall is the centerpiece for this campus and is the administrative center for the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/Dedman/AboutDedmanCollege/Facilities|title=Dedman College Spans 10 Campus Buildings - Dedman College - SMU|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053122/http://www.smu.edu/Dedman/AboutDedmanCollege/Facilities|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Most of the campus is centered around Bishop Boulevard, an elongated, tree-lined loop road that also serves as the site for "Boulevarding", SMU's version of the tailgating seen on many American college campuses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/smumustangs/2017/06/29/technically-tailgating-smus-boulevards-still-texas-best-tailgates|title=It isn't technically tailgating, but SMU's boulevards are still Texas' best tailgates|date=June 29, 2017|work=SportsDay|access-date=December 19, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051623/https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/smumustangs/2017/06/29/technically-tailgating-smus-boulevards-still-texas-best-tailgates|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The campus was ranked as the most beautiful campus in America by ''Condé Nast Traveler'' in 2016 and also hosts the George W. Bush Presidential Center, located on the east side of the campus. The library and museum are privately administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, while the university holds representation on the institute board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/conde-nast-traveler/the-most-beautiful-colleg_b_9153626.html|title=The Most Beautiful College Campuses in America|last=Vogel|first=Laura|work=Condé Nast Traveler|date=February 3, 2016|via=Huffington Post|language=en-US|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902191753/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/conde-nast-traveler/the-most-beautiful-colleg_b_9153626.html|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Taos campus === Since 1973, the university has owned a 423-acre campus located at Fort Burgwin, just outside of Taos, New Mexico. This campus hosts classes during intersessions between semesters and during the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Taos/About|title=SMU-IN-TAOS, Fort Burgwin - SMU|website=Smu.edu|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053040/https://www.smu.edu/Taos/About|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with the normal academic courses offered at the site, students attending classes at this campus during the winter can opt to attend wellness classes centered around winter sports. Other courses offered at this campus are sometimes adjusted to utilize the surrounding environment, such as a course in field botany offered during some summers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Taos/2013Summer/Syllabi/June/Ubelaker---BIOL-3343-Field-Botany---Syllabus.ashx?la=en|title=Biology 3343|last=Ubelaker|first=John|date=June 1, 2013|website=SMU Department of Biological Sciences|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053115/http://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Taos/2013Summer/Syllabi/June/Ubelaker---BIOL-3343-Field-Botany---Syllabus.ashx?la=en|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Academics == === Undergraduate admissions === For the class of 2024 (entering Fall 2020), 14,010 students applied, 7,379 (52.7%) were admitted, and 1,531 enrolled/matriculated (20.7%) – including 758 women and 773 men, and the 1 year retention rate (entering Fall 2019) was 92%. The average SAT was 1,343 while the average ACT was 30.6.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/ir/Trends/2020/Student/First_Time_Admissions_2020-21.pdf?la=en|title=First-time Undergraduate Admissions Statistics 2010-2020|website=Smu.edu|language=en|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024657/https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/ir/Trends/2020/Student/First_Time_Admissions_2020-21.pdf?la=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The middle 50% SAT range for enrolled students was 630–710 for Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, 620–740 for math, while the ACT Composite range was 29–33.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/entering_first_year_2020|title=Entering First-year Students Fall 2020|website=Smu.edu|language=en|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024700/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/entering_first_year_2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

=== University Honors Program === First-year undergraduate students admitted to SMU are automatically reviewed for admissions into the highly selective University Honors Program (UHP). Generally, first-year students that rank in the top 10% of their incoming class will receive a formal invitation to join the UHP. Students that do not receive an invitation must have completed at least one full-time semester on campus with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher before formally applying for admissions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/StudentResources/UniversityHonors/Admission|title=Admission - Dedman College - SMU|website=Smu.edu|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022142/https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/StudentResources/UniversityHonors/Admission|archive-date=September 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The University Honors Program is a liberal arts honors experience that serves to supplement the basic SMU University Curriculum. Students are required to take honors courses throughout their time at SMU, and the program culminates with a final senior project or experience. Each student's experience can be unique, and students are encouraged to pursue projects in their area of study or about their passions.

=== Reputation and rankings === {{Infobox US university ranking | Forbes_NU = 103 | USNWR_NU = 88 (tie) | Wamo_NU = 977 | WSJ_NU = 275 | ARWU_W = 701–800 | QS_W = 1,001–1,200 | THE_W = | USNWR_W = 877 (tie) }}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders floatright" style="width: 22em;" |+ USNWR graduate school rankings<ref name="USNWR Grad School Rankings">{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/southern-methodist-university-228246/overall-rankings |title=Southern Methodist University - Overall Rankings |date=April 8, 2025 |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=June 19, 2024 }}</ref> |- ! scope="col" | Type ! scope="col" | Rank |- ! scope="row" | Biological Sciences | 186 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Business | 34 |- ! scope="row" | Chemistry | 136 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Clinical Psychology | 115 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Computer Science | 120 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Earth Sciences | 70 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Economics | 60 |- ! scope="row" | Education | 49 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Engineering | 160 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | English | 90 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Fine Arts | 135 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | History | 86 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Law | 43 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Mathematics | 103 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Physics | 136 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Psychology | 165 (tie) |- ! scope="row" | Statistics | 54 (tie) |}

In the 2025 edition of ''U.S. News & World Report'', SMU is tied for 88th in the rankings of national universities.<ref name="SMU Rankings and Recognitions">{{cite web |title=US News and World Reports 2025 College Rankings--Southern Methodist University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/smu-3613/overall-rankings }}</ref>

''U.S. News & World Report'' ranked the Dedman School of Law tied for 43rd in the U.S. for 2025.<ref name="USNWR Grad School Rankings"/>

In the 2025 edition, SMU was ranked 103rd by ''Forbes''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southern Methodist University |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/southern-methodist-university/?list=top-colleges |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

=== Research centers, institutes and related facilities=== Among the university's research centers, institutes and related facilities are:<ref name="Academic Offerings">{{Cite web |url=http://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/AcademicOfferings |title=Academic Offerings|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422130842/https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/AcademicOfferings |archive-date=April 22, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Southern Methodist University">{{Cite web |url=https://www.smu.edu/Guildhall/News-and-Events/SMU-ranked-first-for-Game-Design-for-second-consecutive-year|title=SMU Guildhall Named #1 Grad School for Game Design for Second Consecutive Year|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024702/https://www.smu.edu/Guildhall/News-and-Events/SMU-ranked-first-for-Game-Design-for-second-consecutive-year |url-status=live}}</ref> * AT&T Center for Virtualization: housed within the SMU Lyle School of Engineering. * Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/News/2020/Featured-News/Fueling-the-Future-of-Business|title=Fueling the Future of Business|website=Smu.edu|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024734/https://www.smu.edu/News/2020/Featured-News/Fueling-the-Future-of-Business|url-status=live}}</ref> * Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility * The Brierley Institute for Customer Engagement: at SMU Cox<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.smu.edu/smumagazine/2017/07/hal-brierley-helps-prepare-the-next-generation-of-business-leaders/|title=Hal Brierley Helps Prepare The Next Generation Of Business Leaders |publisher=Smu.edu |access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024756/https://blog.smu.edu/smumagazine/2017/07/hal-brierley-helps-prepare-the-next-generation-of-business-leaders/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Darwin Deason Institute for Cyber Security: housed within the SMU Lyle School of Engineering. * Southwestern Graduate School of Banking: based within the SMU Cox School of Business. * Temerlin Advertising Institute: based within the SMU Meadows School of the Arts. * John Goodwin Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs: Named after John Tower (MA 1953), United States Senator for Texas from 1961 to 1985. * SMU Guildhall: The university also awards the Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development, as well as the Professional Certificate in Digital Game Development, with specializations in Art, Design, Production, and Programming – the only graduate program in the country to offer all four pillars of game development and has been ranked as the #1 Graduate Program for Game Design in the world by the Princeton Review for two years in a row.<ref name="Academic Offerings" /><ref name="Southern Methodist University"/> * SMU DataArts: National Center for Arts Research * William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies * O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute

=== Libraries and museums === ==== Libraries ==== thumb|233x233px|Fondren Library

* [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/business Duda Family Business Library] – Business school library. The library was founded in 1987 to serve as the primary library for the Cox School of Business. * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/bridwell Bridwell Library] – Named for the philanthropist Joseph Sterling Bridwell of Wichita Falls, the Bridwell Library (established 1950) is one of the leading theological research collections in the United States.<ref>Comer, Stephen Earl. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/lcb04 "Bridwell Library," The Handbook of Texas Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018015027/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/lcb04 |date=October 18, 2013 }}. Retrieved April 23, 2013.</ref> * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/degolyer DeGolyer Library] – The DeGolyer Library is the principal repository at SMU for special collections in the humanities, the history of business, and the history of science and technology. Dedicated to enhancing scholarship and teaching at SMU, the DeGolyer Library is charged with maintaining and building its various collections "for study, research, and pleasure." Established in 1957 by gifts from geophysicist Everette Lee DeGolyer, DeGolyer Library houses one of the strongest collections in the United States on the Trans-Mississippi West, Texas, the Spanish borderlands, transportation with an emphasis on railroads, and business history.<ref name="hot-deg">{{Handbook of Texas|id=lcd01|name=DeGolyer Library}}. Retrieved March 21, 2009.</ref> * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/fondren Fondren Library] – Fondren Library was built in 1940. [https://www.smu.edu/news/archives/2016/founders-weekend-fondren-12april2016 It was the first stand-alone library and the first air-conditioned building on campus]. With over two million volumes, Fondren Library houses the largest collection of resources on campus, with materials in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, engineering, and business, as well as government information resources. Fondren Library is open 24 hours, and is a common study place for students. Students have been known to call Fondren Library "Club Fondy" due to the social nature of the library. Fondren Library is also home to a Starbucks Cafe that serves faculty, staff, and students. * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/wendorf Fred Wendorf Library] – The Fred Wendorf Library, located on the SMU-in-Taos campus in New Mexico, contains approximately 9,768 books and small collections of journals and maps. The collections focus on archeology and the art, history, and environment of New Mexico and surrounding areas. * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/hamon Hamon Arts Library] – Hamon Arts Library supports the undergraduate and graduate programs of the Meadows School of the Arts in the disciplines of art, arts administration, cinema, dance, music, and theater. The Library's circulating and reference collections contain more than 180,000 items relating to the visual and performing arts. It has particularly extensive collections in Spanish art and classical music scores and research materials. It also houses the media collections for SMU Libraries. It was built in 1990, and named after Jake and Nancy Hamon. * [https://www.smu.edu/law/library Underwood Law Library] – The Underwood Law Library's more than 640,000 volumes support the instruction and research of the Dedman School of Law and the general SMU community. The Library's collection is particularly strong in the areas of international law, commercial law, securities, taxation, jurisprudence, oil and gas, and air and space law. * [https://www.smu.edu/libraries/locations/rees-jones Rees-Jones Library of the American West] – Opening in 2027, the Rees-Jones Library of the American West will house the Rees-Jones collection of Western Americana, which consists of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and other artifacts, alongside the holdings of the DeGolyer Library and its complementary special collections.

====Publications==== {{Infobox journal | title = Field & Laboratory | italic title=no | cover = | former_name = | abbreviation = Field Lab. | discipline = Botany | editor = | publisher = SMU Scholar | country = United States | history = 1932–1959 | frequency = | openaccess = Yes | license = Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 | impact = | impact-year = | ISSN = | eISSN = 0096-042X | CODEN = | JSTOR = | LCCN = sf98085275 | OCLC = 2008034 | website = https://scholar.smu.edu/fieldandlab | link1 = | link1-name = | link2 = | link2-name = }} ''Field & Laboratory'' was a scientific journal published semiannually, then quarterly, sponsored by the science departments of the university. It was established November 1, 1932, and had a total of 27 volumes. With volume 17 in 1949, quarterly publication commenced. The final issue was published in October 1959. Articles are available in PDF format at SMU Scholar,<ref name=fal>{{Cite web | title = Field and Laboratory | url = https://scholar.smu.edu/fieldandlab/ | website = SMU Scholar (scholar.smu.edu) | access-date = November 10, 2022 | archive-date = October 27, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221027130340/https://scholar.smu.edu/fieldandlab/ | url-status = live }}</ref> a partnership between SMU Libraries, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, and the Office of Information Technology.<ref name=smus>{{Cite web | title = About SMU Scholar | url = https://scholar.smu.edu/about.html | website = SMU Scholar (scholar.smu.edu) | access-date = November 10, 2022 | archive-date = December 3, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221203081529/https://scholar.smu.edu/about.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

==== Museums ==== thumb|Meadows Museum * George W. Bush Presidential Center – Located on 23 acres on the east side of the SMU main campus, the center includes a presidential library, museum, institute, and the offices of the George W. Bush Foundation. The library and museum are privately administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, while the university holds representation on the independent public policy institute board. The center serves as a resource for the study of the George W. Bush presidency and includes a full-size replica of the White House Oval Office, as it was during his presidency, together with over 43,000 artifacts, almost 70 million pages of textual materials, over 3.8 million photographs, 80 terabytes of electronic records, and over 200 million email messages.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/en/About-Us|title=About Us|work=George W. Bush Presidential Library|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024744/https://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/en/About-Us|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dallasnews"/> * Meadows Museum – The Meadows Museum's collection was assembled by its founder, Algur H. Meadows.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://meadowsmuseumdallas.org/collections/pages/ |title=About the Collection | Collections | Meadows Museum, Dallas |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921225927/https://meadowsmuseumdallas.org/collections/pages/ |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It houses several collections including a collection of Spanish art from the tenth to the 21st centuries. The museum holds different exhibits for periods of time every year. In 2018 it held the exhibition "Dali: Poetics of the Small, 1929–1936", followed by Mariano Fortuny y Masal's artwork in the "Fortuny: Friends and Followers" exhibit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smudailycampus.com/ae/meadows-fortuny-friends-and-followers |title=Meadows' Fortuny: Friends and Followers |date=February 19, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220122728/https://www.smudailycampus.com/ae/meadows-fortuny-friends-and-followers |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> This exhibit will run from February 19 to June 6. It also includes a sculpture collection including works by David Smith, Henry Moore and Claes Oldenburg, as well as by contemporary sculptors such as James Surls. Important figural sculptures by Rodin, Maillol, and Giacometti are also housed within the museum. It is also responsible for the university's art collection, including work by several important regional artists. * Pollock Gallery<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Meadows/AreasOfStudy/Art/PollockGallery|title=Pollock Gallery - Art - Meadows School of the Arts|website=Smu.edu|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607204521/http://www.smu.edu/meadows/AreasOfStudy/Art/PollockGallery|archive-date=June 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> – The Pollock Gallery provides an ever-changing display of works by the faculty and students of the Meadows School of the Arts, as well as by outside artists. It is located in the Hughes–Trigg Student Center.

== Student life == === Student demographics === {| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;" |+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of May 2, 2022 |- ! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web|title=College Scorecard: Southern Methodist University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228246-Southern-Methodist-University|publisher=United States Department of Education|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525015327/https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228246-Southern-Methodist-University|url-status=live}}</ref> ! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total |- | White |align=right| {{bartable|63|%|2||background:gray}} |- | Hispanic |align=right| {{bartable|13|%|2||background:green}} |- | Asian |align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:purple}} |- | Foreign national |align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:orange}} |- | Other{{efn|Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.}} |align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:brown}} |- | Black |align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:mediumblue}} |- ! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Economic diversity |- | Low-income{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.}} |align=right| {{bartable|9|%|2||background:red}} |- | Affluent{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.}} |align=right| {{bartable|91|%|2||background:black}} |} * As of the Fall 2020 semester, the university's 12,373 students are 6,827 undergraduates and 5,546 postgraduates from all 50 states and 83 countries. The leading 10 states of origin of U.S. residents in descending order of the total undergraduate population are Texas (2,932), California (858), Florida (264), Illinois (194), Georgia (155), New York (155), Connecticut (149), Missouri (131), Tennessee (114), Arizona (98), Colorado (91), Louisiana (91), New Jersey (91), and Arkansas (84).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/origin_undergrad_and_first-year_2020|title=Top 10 States of Origin for Fall 2020|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024737/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/origin_undergrad_and_first-year_2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Student Enrollment Fall 2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/StudentEnrollment2020|title=Student Enrollment Fall 2020|access-date=October 1, 2020|publisher=SMU|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124110816/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/StudentEnrollment2020|url-status=live}}</ref> * As of the Fall 2020 semester, the university's international student population of 1,117 (9%) comes from 83 countries and includes 392 undergraduate and 725 graduate students. The leading 10 countries of origin in descending order for undergraduates are China (204), Mexico (26), Canada (12), Vietnam (10), Korea (9), United Kingdom (8), Brazil (8), Australia (6), India (6), Panama (5), Spain (5), Côte d'Ivoire (4), France (4), Germany (4), Honduras (4), Taiwan (4), United Arab Emirates (4), Venezuela (4), El Salvador (3), Nigeria (3), Peru (3), and Saudi Arabia (3). In descending order for Graduate students, the countries are China (288), India (115), Saudi Arabia (49), Mexico (39), Iran (25), Korea (19), Taiwan (18), Canada (14), Italy (9) and South Africa (8)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/country_origin_undergrad_and_grad_2020|title=Top 10 Countries of Origin for Fall 2020|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024737/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/country_origin_undergrad_and_grad_2020|url-status=live}}</ref> * As of the Fall 2020 semester, 31.4% of the student body are members of a minority group, while females constitute 49% of the undergraduate and 48% of the graduate student populations, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/GenderDistributionFall2020|title=Ethnicity Distribution Fall 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024738/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/GenderDistributionFall2020|url-status=live}}</ref> * As of the Fall 2020 semester, SMU's female to male ratio is approximately 1:1 and its student-faculty ratio is 11:1. The average age of undergraduate students is 20, while that of graduate and professional students is 30, and the total average student age is 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/GenderDistributionFall2020|title=Ethnicity Distribution Fall 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024736/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/GenderDistributionFall2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/StudentDistributionFall2020|title=Student Distribution Fall 2020|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024737/https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Statistics/FactSheets/Fall2020Facts/StudentDistributionFall2020|url-status=live}}</ref> * Among students reporting a religious affiliation, 25% are Catholic, 13% are Methodist, 38% are from other Protestant denominations, and 15% are from other religions including Judaism and Hinduism.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/CampusProfile|title=Campus Profile - SMU|website=Smu.edu|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104160850/https://www.smu.edu/AboutSMU/Facts/CampusProfile|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Undergraduate housing === left|thumb|224x224px|Loyd Commons thumb|Armstrong Commons, one of five residential commons opened in 2014

Since the autumn of 2014, Southern Methodist University's undergraduate housing system has operated on a residential commons model rooted in the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge universities in England.<ref>The New Residential Commons at SMU. [http://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/FAQ Frequently Asked Questions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614093253/http://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/FAQ |date=June 14, 2013 }}.</ref> Undergraduate students are required to live on campus for their first two years, and they must live their first year in one of the eleven residential commons that they are randomly sorted into after enrollment.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/Housing/Selection|title=Housing Assignments|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807094533/https://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/Housing/Selection|archive-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Each commons houses a faculty-in-residence and a residential community director that organize events and interact with the residents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/FacultyEngagement|title=Faculty Engagement Programs|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807064232/https://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/FacultyEngagement|archive-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The eleven residential commons are Armstrong, Boaz, Cockrell-McIntosh, Crum, Kathy Crow, Loyd, Mary Hay-Peyton-Shuttles, McElvaney, Morrison-McGinnis, Virginia-Snider, and Ware.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/Explore/InteractiveMap|title=Get to Know the Residential Commons|publisher=Southern Methodist University|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807063924/https://www.smu.edu/ResidentialCommons/Explore/InteractiveMap|archive-date=August 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Built in 1926, Virginia-Snider Commons is the oldest of the current residence halls. It served as a women's dormitory in the university's early years, and it later served as the common residence hall for students in the University Honors Program before the implementation of the residential commons model.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vscommons.com/about/|title=History|website=Virginia-Snider Commons|language=en-US|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143832/http://www.vscommons.com/about/|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The youngest commons are those that opened in 2014: Armstrong, Kathy Crow, Ware, Loyd, and Crum.

=== Student organizations === Southern Methodist University is home to almost three hundred student organizations, including academic, professional, fraternal, sporting, ethnic themed, religious, service, and political diversity groups. Notable examples include the Feminist Equality Movement (FEM), the service organization Mustang Heroes, one of the largest organizations on campus, and the Embrey Human Rights Program. Student organizations such as Student Foundation and Program Council frequently sponsor all-student events on various weekdays and weekends as well as boulevard tents. Student Foundation helps put on popular events such as Family Weekend, the Tate lectures, Celebration of Lights, Homecoming, and Perunapalooza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smu.collegiatelink.net/organizations|title=Orgs@SMU|publisher=CollegiateLink|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221015748/https://smu.collegiatelink.net/Organizations|archive-date=December 21, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Religious life === The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life house religious organizations on campus. There are multiple Christian organizations, Hillel, and a Muslim Students Association. The South Asian Student Association hosts a Diwali celebration yearly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/ChaplainandReligiousLife|title=Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life|website=www.smu.edu|access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> There is a Catholic Center on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smucatholic.org/|title=Catholic Campus Ministry at SMU|website=smucatholic.org|access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref>

=== Student media === ''The Daily Campus'' was the independent student newspaper between 1915 and 2018. The frequency of the publication changed throughout the years and with the change in semesters. Publishing less frequently over the summer, for example. The board of directors of The Student Media Company, the independent nonprofit that at one time oversaw all student media, including KSMU and Rotunda, voted to dissolve due to a lack of funds in April 2018. Although still publishing in digital format, the newspaper lost its independent status in May 2018.

Other student media include: * ''The Rotunda'', the official SMU yearbook * SMU-TV, a student-run television station serving the Park Cities community * ''The Daily Update'', a weekday morning newscast that airs on SMU-TV and smudailymustang.com * ''Hilltopics'', a publication sponsored by the University Honors Program that publishes periodically * ''The Muddler'', a satirical newspaper * ''SMU LOOK'', a student-run fashion magazine, website, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channel * ''SMU Style'', a student-run fashion and lifestyle blog

As of May 2018, ''The Daily Campus'' was placed under the control of the school's journalism department.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Hardy, Michael|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/smu-just-lost-its-independent-student-newspaper-is-your-college-next/|title=SMU Just Lost Its Independent Student Newspaper. Is Your College Next?|magazine=Texas Observer|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104732/https://www.texasobserver.org/smu-just-lost-its-independent-student-newspaper-is-your-college-next/|archive-date=May 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

KSMU, a student-radio station, operated from 1964 to 1989. It broadcast as a carrier-current and FM station; in the 1980s, it was restricted to broadcasting within the student center and via local cable. The call letters were changed to KPNI, which operated from 1995 to 2011. In the latter days, it was a digital streaming station and moved from management under the auspices of the Student Media Co. to the department of journalism. The university radio station was shuttered in 2011 due to a lack of funding.<ref>"[https://www.smu.edu/Libraries/digitalcollections/stud Southern Methodist University Student Newspapers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505014311/https://www.smu.edu/Libraries/digitalcollections/stud |date=May 5, 2019 }}", Southern Methodist University. Retrieved May 4, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dreyer |first1=Sissy |title=SMU Sound: bringing student radio back to campus |url=https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/smu-sound-bringing-student-radio-back-to-campus |website=The Daily Campus |access-date=January 17, 2022 |date=March 22, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117220618/https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/smu-sound-bringing-student-radio-back-to-campus |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/kpni-smu-radio-reloaded |website=The Daily Campus |access-date=January 17, 2022 |title=KPNI – SMU Radio reloaded – SMU Daily Campus |date=September 19, 2003 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619131926/https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/kpni-smu-radio-reloaded |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Greek life === Southern Methodist University has approximately 43% of its undergraduate student body affiliated with its Greek system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/StudentActivities/FSL|title=Fraternity and Sorority Life|publisher=Southern Methodist University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902114232/https://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/StudentActivities/FSL|archive-date=September 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in 2010, the NPC sororities began updating and rebuilding their older sorority houses. The multi-million dollar projects was received critically by some, praised by others. The first house rebuilt was Pi Beta Phi,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/smu/|title=Welcome to Pi Beta Phi|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019105525/https://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/smu/|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Delta Delta,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trideltasmu.com/|title=Southern Methodist University Tri-Delta|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709135006/http://trideltasmu.com/|archive-date=July 9, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chi Omega,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smuchiomega.com/|title=SMU Chi Omega - Sorority - Dallas|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821063607/http://www.smuchiomega.com/|archive-date=August 21, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2014/08/30/why-smus-new-6-5m-sorority-house-went-viral.html|title=Why SMU's new $6.5M sorority house went viral - Dallas Business Journal|date=August 31, 2014|work=Dallas Business Journal|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019105525/http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2014/08/30/why-smus-new-6-5m-sorority-house-went-viral.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Kappa Alpha Theta,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/home-garden/2016/12/inside-kappa-alpha-thetas-7-3-million-sorority-house-at-smu/ |title=Inside Kappa Alpha Theta's $7.3 Million Sorority House at SMU |date=December 2016 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024737/https://www.dmagazine.com/home-garden/2016/12/inside-kappa-alpha-thetas-7-3-million-sorority-house-at-smu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Alpha Chi Omega.

SMU has a zero tolerance stance against hazing and has suspended organizations for violations.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Statement on Hazing | publisher=Southern Methodist University | url=https://www.smu.edu/-/media/site/studentaffairs/dos/pdf/hazingmemo/240105_hazing_memo_spring_2024.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520055019/https://www.smu.edu/-/media/site/studentaffairs/dos/pdf/hazingmemo/240105_hazing_memo_spring_2024.pdf | archive-date=2024-05-20}}</ref> Alpha Phi Alpha was suspended in 2004 due to hazing rituals during which a student went into a coma; four members of the fraternity were expelled from SMU as a result.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2004 |title=SMU students expelled over hazing incident |work=My Plainview |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/SMU-students-expelled-over-hazing-incident-8804434.php |access-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819110821/https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/SMU-students-expelled-over-hazing-incident-8804434.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://smudailycampus.com/114166/news/alpha-phi-alpha-plans-return-to-campus/ | title=Alpha Phi Alpha plans return to campus }}</ref> In 2018, Phi Gamma Delta was ordered to cease all organizational activity pending a university investigation into hazing. Pi Kappa Alpha received a similar notice that year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/higher-education/2018/02/15/smus-fiji-fraternity-ordered-cease-activitiesamid-hazing-investigation|title=SMU's Fiji fraternity ordered to cease activities amid hazing investigation|date=February 15, 2018|work=Dallas News|access-date=March 1, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103928/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/higher-education/2018/02/15/smus-fiji-fraternity-ordered-cease-activitiesamid-hazing-investigation|archive-date=March 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 26, 2018, Pi Kappa Alpha was officially suspended by the university until the fall of 2022. This was the second suspension of a Greek Life organization in the 2017–2018 academic year after Kappa Alpha Order was suspended in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Pi-Kappa-Alpha-Fraternity-Suspended-from-SMU-Campus-477993173.html|title=Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Suspended from SMU Campus|work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth|access-date=August 19, 2018|language=en|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024739/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/pi-kappa-alpha-fraternity-suspended-from-smu-campus/63783/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kappa Alpha Theta was suspended in 2022 and entered a mutual agreement with SMU through May 2025, after allegations of hazing new members. New members were pressured to consume large amounts of alcohol on February 10, 2022, and were exposed to other activities that endangered their safety and mental health. After Kappa Alpha Theta's suspension, members established the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Society. The Society recruits new members, has a house (off-campus), and participates in mixers with fraternities, just as Kappa Alpha Theta did. SMU added a provision to its Student Code of Conduct, warning of disciplinary action towards students who affiliate with unrecognized student organizations, such as The Society.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rold|first=Ellis|date=November 27, 2023|title=Thinking Theta? Think again.|url=https://smudailycampus.com/1063328/news/thinking-theta-think-again/|work=The Daily Campus|access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref>

=== Athletics=== {{Main|SMU Mustangs}}

Southern Methodist University's athletic teams are known as the Mustangs and participate in the NCAA's Division I, with the football team competing as a member of Division I FBS. The football team plays at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the SMU campus. The Mustangs compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as of the 2025-26 season. Prior to that, the Mustangs played in the American Athletic Conference (previously named the Big East Conference and now known as the American Conference), the now-defunct Southwest Conference, and the Western Athletic Conference.

left|thumb|SMU football fans

SMU's closest rival in athletics is Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. In football, SMU and TCU compete annually (with the exception of 2006, and 2020) for the Iron Skillet.<ref>Associated Press (Dallas), September 10, 2005. [http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=252532567 "TCU's 6-game winning streak vs. SMU ends"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104083059/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=252532567 |date=November 4, 2012 }}. ESPN.com</ref> SMU also competes annually with Rice University in football for the Mayor's Cup, a traveling trophy that has been created to enhance the Rice-SMU rivalry, which dates back to 1916.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=4394&SnID=2|title=Operation Sellout II Aims for Bigger Season Opener|last=Kaplan|first=David|date=August 27, 1998|publisher=Rice News & Media Relations|access-date=July 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123040531/http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=4394&SnID=2|archive-date=November 23, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From 1980 to 1985, SMU had one of the strongest programs in Division I-A (now FBS). They posted a record of 55–14–1, and finished these seasons ranked No. 21, No. 7, No. 2, No. 19, and No. 8 in the nation. These "winningest" years concluded with on February 25, 1987, due to repeated violations conducted by boosters. The NCAA administered the "death penalty" for repeated, flagrant recruiting violations. Components included cancellation of the entire 1987 season, a two-year ban from bowl appearances, a two-year ban from television appearances, a limit of seven games, all on road, in the 1988 season, a loss of three assistant coaching positions for two years and a loss of 55 new scholarships over four years. Players were allowed to transfer without sitting out one season, per standard requirement. SMU responded to the combination of these conditions by canceling the 1988 season outright.<ref name="deathpenalty" />

=== Marching Band === {{Main articles|Southern Methodist University Mustang Band}}

SMU's marching band plays at football and basketball games, performing big band and jazz music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorgol |first=Rachel |title=Inside the spirit of The Mustang Band – SMU Daily Campus |date=November 24, 2015 |url=https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/inside-the-spirit-of-the-mustang-band |access-date=August 19, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405025219/https://www.smudailycampus.com/news/inside-the-spirit-of-the-mustang-band |url-status=live }}</ref> The approximately 80-member ensemble is nicknamed "The Best Dressed Band in the Land" due to its variety of uniform combinations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2009 |title=General Info |url=http://people.smu.edu/band/General_Info.htm |access-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601144818/http://people.smu.edu/band/General_Info.htm |archive-date=June 1, 2009 }}</ref> In 2001, the band performed at the first inauguration of George W. Bush.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glenn |first=Mike |date=January 21, 2001 |title=Seven Texas school bands march in inaugural parade |url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/Seven-Texas-school-bands-march-in-inaugural-parade-2006467.php |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Chron |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913065004/https://www.chron.com/news/article/seven-texas-school-bands-march-in-inaugural-parade-2006467.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notable people == {{Main|List of Southern Methodist University people}}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{Cite book |last=Whitford |first=David |year=1989 |title=A Payroll to Meet: A Story of Greed, Corruption, and Football at SMU |location=New York |publisher=Macmillan Publishing Company |isbn=9780026271912 |oclc=19555913}}

== External links == {{Sister project links|wikt=no|q=no|b=no|v=no}} * {{official website}} * [http://www.smumustangs.com/ SMU Athletics website]

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