With spring break behind us and summer just around the corner, the time of year when everyone stresses about their summer plans has arrived. Get a job? Take summer school? Go home for the break? Study abroad? These are burning questions on every student’s mind. The SMU-in-Taos program provides an opportunity to experience summer school in a unique environment while interacting with diverse individuals and receiving a prominent education.
In 1964, Captain William P. Clements, Jr., then-chair of SMU’s Board of Governors, assisted the university in the purchase of Fort Burgwin. Several years later, his intentions of it housing an educational institution became reality. Fort Burgwin, a former pre-Civil War fort, contained within the Carson National Forest and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, stands at an elevation of almost 7,500 feet. With so much beauty and history, one might forget that it is an educational institution in New Mexico, and not a remote town in South America.
Since the purchase in 1964, Fort Burgwin has transformed into an educational haven. Over the years, the university has added 24 structures including: classrooms, a dining hall, a multi-purpose auditorium and a library and housing for students and faculty. The dorm-like housing facilities, called “casitas”, are well equipped with many amenities such as closets, drawers and even a wood burning fire place.
The SMU-in-Taos program also provides the amenity of having outdoor classrooms surrounded by the natural resources of northern New Mexico. This varies greatly compared to those of the SMU Dallas campus, with traditional buildings set in a sophisticated, thriving metropolis.
With a population of over 2 million people, Dallas and its neighboring area provide a great contrast to the town of Taos, which accounts for fewer than 5,000 residents. This gives students the opportunity to get a break from the big city and the insulated college “bubble.” According to the City Data Web site, the average income of Taos registers at only $25,016 per year. This differs tremendously from those of SMU’s home site, University Park. According this Web site about the Park Cities area, a typical income of one living in University Park can exceed $115,500. The chance to study in two such divergent settings gives one a brilliant opportunity, which should be sought after by all students.
Students can get course credit while enjoying their summer vacation in a change of scenery, as well as being exposed to unfamiliar history and culture. This program continues to grow in popularity as former alumni inform others of their experiences in Taos.
Sophomore advertising major, Sarena Green reflects on her time spent in Taos last May, “It was an amazing experience because I was able to learn so much more about culture that can be discovered beyond a classroom or textbook. The field trips scheduled, according to your class, are truly amazing hands-on opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.” This seems to have become the consensus on campus of those who have participated in the program.
Ali Lyman, a junior psychology major, reminisces about her trip last August. “I loved SMU-in-Taos because it is the perfect place to get class credit while also having tons of fun and doing everything outside. I got to study aquatic biology in an actual setting and I met tons of people I otherwise would not have known. I do not know why all SMU students don’t sign up for Taos.”
The program, available to all students no matter what your major, offers curriculum in a variety of subjects. Anthropology, art, communications, cultural formations, English, history, religion, wellness and a variety of science courses are offered.
Kathy LaTour, a communications professor, teaches for SMU in Dallas and Taos. In Taos she heads a course concentrating on “Strategic Communication for the Non-Profit.” LaTour states, “Taos has got to be one of the best kept secrets at SMU. The culture and opportunities for students are amazing. When I learned that there are more nonprofits per capita in Taos than in any other city in the country, I knew it would be a great place for our students in nonprofit management to really get some hands on experience while helping the community.” This advantage, one of many, could not be as fulfilling in Dallas.
Taos truly offers the best of both worlds. Students get the prestigious education of SMU, while experiencing things one wouldn’t ordinarily be exposed to in Dallas. This gives students the perfect option of spending pleasurable time during their summer vacation while furthering their education.
All SMU students with a minimum GPA of 2.7 are welcome and encouraged to apply to the SMU-in-Taos program. There are three sessions; two sessions of 17 days each in the months of May and August and one session of 28 days during the month of June. While the capacity is met for the May 2005 session, applications for the June and August sessions are available until all spaces in the classes are filled. With such a broad selection of classes, Taos gives all students options for obtaining credit. For more information on availability, the curriculum, tuition and much more, please visit the official website at: http://www.smu.edu/taos.
