Southern Millionaires University (Southern Methodist University/SMU nickname)
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is located near the affluent communities of University Park and Highland Park. SMU’s undergraduates are sometimes stereotyped as being spoiled rich kids. The nickname “Southern Millionaires University” has been used since at least the 1990s.
Wikipedia: Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University (“SMU”) is a nationally recognized, private, coeducational university in University Park, Texas (an enclave of Dallas). Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU currently operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.
Of the University’s current enrollment of 11,000, around 6,000 are undergraduates. 21.5% of entering undergraduates classify themselves as “minorities”, and more than half of the student body claims a religious affiliation. Only 25% of new undergraduates claim affiliation with the Methodist church.
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Thurston Howell III (from Gilligan’s Island fame) claimed to have attended SMU (Southern Millionaires University), a nickname for Southern Methodist University meant to highlight the affluent communities of University Park and Highland Park that surround the University.
Urban Dictionary
SMU
Where going to class is a formal affair and you can never reware an outfit. Guys sport Lacoste polo’s with their Sevens jeans and girls pop their collars underneath their sorority t-shirts. Where rainbows, northface jackets and uggs are a staple for summer and winter weather. Where getting in the right Frat or Sorority house defines who you are for the next 3 years. Nobody cares what you drive, so long as it’s a BMW or a Range Rover. Tailgating is a sport and watching football is a break between the pre-partying and the after party. No worries, we aren’t sore losers we’ll drink our weight in Alcohol whether we win or lose.
SMU- Southern Millionaires University
by KLCE Aug 8, 2006
Urban Dictionary
smu
1) stands for Souther Millionares University
2) place where graduates from highland park highschool go to study buissiness so they can take over their dad’s companies and never worry about exposure to the real world
at first I was offended that the smu student called me a fag, then I realized he isnt in control of his life and is a puppet of his dad so I kept walking, knowing that his inability to cope with the world and his dependance on materials possesions would ultimatly cause his suicide or shitty life
by d Sep 14, 2004
Google Groups: rec.sport.football.college
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball.college, rec.sport.football.college, tamu.sports.football, alt.sports.football.utexas, tamu.sports.general
From: “Craig K. Gowens (Commissioner of the SWC in ‘97)”
Date: 1996/03/14
Subject: Re: Rice - what’s not to like?
SMU = Southern Millionaires’ University
SMU Daily Campus
Fairy-tale ending
Nell Lukosavich
Issue date: 5/3/02 Section: Opinion
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A sex advice column is apparently a pretty radical idea for SMU. After all, everyone from Southern Millionaire’s University is a virgin, has never dated before and cringes at the word “sex.”
SMU Daily Campus
Break the stereotypes—- get involved
By: Cristina Leone
Posted: 8/28/03
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There are several opportunities to reach out and show people that we are more than “Southern Millionaires University”. We are a body of students who give of ourselves and our resources to improve the world in which we live .
Google Books
The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges 2008
by Yale Daily News Staff
New York, NY: Macmillan
2007
Pg. 865:
Many Southern Methodist University students are frustrated with the stereotypes associated with common perceptions of their beloved school, complaining that “everyone assumes because we go to SMU we must be rich and southern.” But never fear. “SMU is really working to change its image from ‘Southern Millionaires’ University’ to an academically charged, more demanding and well-respected and recognized university” asserted one proud Mustang.
SMU Daily Campus
SMU’s reputation deters minority students
Tamara McCullough, Contributing Writer, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: News
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In addition, many minority students believe SMU has a reputation as an elitist institution.
The campus is tucked safely into Highland Park which boasts a median household income above $150,000 and the population is over 95 percent white.
In fact, the university is commonly referred to as Southern Millionaires University because of its abundance of affluent students.
SMU Daily Campus
Less bling more blitz
Habitat for Humanity build trumps SMU stereotype
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Opinion
Southern Millionaires University - that is what some people call it. However, I prefer to think that we are a campus rich with potential, not just money. The culture of “CEOs and corporate hos” has received enough publicity. Let the record show that our potential is not always channeled in the most productive ways, but sometimes it is.