Health Education Center

The Health Education Center provides facilities and services that enhance the learning experience for SMU students and educators. We also provide a functional setting designed to support meetings and conferences for both Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and the community. Our users can expect superb customer service in a safe, friendly university environment.

The primary purpose of the college classroom facilities, located within the Health Education Center (HEC) and in Lower Towne Court (LTC) is to serve the university community. Regularly scheduled university classes take first priority for space, followed by university meetings and events. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Merritt Pavilion) is next on the priority ladder, followed by Bay Area Tumor Institute and then by all other outside organizations.

HEC Booking Procedure:

All room inventory is held in reserve until university classes are booked. Once classes are booked for the current semester and the semester has started, a follow-up call and/or general e-Mail will be sent to requestor holding a first hold or tentative hold to confirm submitted requests (received in writing) for meetings, events, etc. during the semester.

If you want to book a room please do so by e-mail or by memo. Do not forget to include the following information:

  • Your Name
  • Your Department
  • Your Telephone Number
  • Event Name
  • Start and End Times
  • Number of People Attending
  • A/V Requests
  • Catering (we book rooms one hour earlier and reserve it one hour later than scheduled event times for catered events)
  • Your Cost Center # if you are a New User
  • In order to guarantee services, requests should be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.

Good Business: The University has determined that it is good business to rent vacant rooms to community groups. The rental of rooms generates revenue and good relations for the University and exposes the University and Summit to individuals who might refer a student to the University or avail themselves of Summit's services.

Fee Structure & Policy: A fee is charged to everyone who uses HEC facilities. The HEC bills based on one of two fee schedules. There is a fee structure for external users and a discounted fee structure for Summit events, as well as for employees from both the University and Summit. Brochures are available in the HEC office.

Space may not be offered free of charge to any group or organization without prior approval. The University does occasionally offer space at no charge. Please address all such requests to the HEC Manager, who will make the determination that the request falls within the prescribed guidelines. If it does, your request will be processed for approval. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made.

Bechtel Room: The Bechtel Room is very costly to use. It consequently can only be booked for events for which no other equally suitable room is available.

The Bechtel Room is the one exception to the policies listed in "Booking Procedure" above. It is available to outside clients up to four months in advance.

Types of Events Permitted:  University events, Off-site meetings, Business Retreats, Training Seminars, Presentations, Teleconferences, Business Development Seninars, Annual Meetings.  Parties, dances, weddings, wedding anniversaries and the like are not permitted.

Summer Term: Very few summer classes are booked during summer term. We therefore offer the opportunity to book rooms through September 1 once all Spring Semester classes are underway. We do so with the proviso that your event may be moved to a similar room if an entire semester of classes requires the room you have booked prior to the booking of summer classes.

Services:

* Self-catered events are not permitted in any HEC room.