Theme Housing and Special Options
We offer several communities at SMU with a particular program emphasis. If you are looking to live in a community that is tailored to your major, academic or personal goals, one of these might be right for you!
Virginia-Snider Honors Hall
While all the halls on SMU's campus are geared to support your academic life, there is one hall that is specifically designed with academics in mind. Virginia-Snider Hall is a Four Class honors residence hall with assignment priority given to students in the University Honors Program and to participants of some major academic scholarships including President's Scholars and Hunt Scholars. This hall is known for its frequent discussion groups, classes taught in the building lounges and an active, involved community!
Hilltop Scholars Program
Hilltop Scholars (HSP) is a residential experience for first-year students which provides a supportive academic environment that combines the advantages and individual attention of a small college atmosphere with the many social and academic opportunities of a large university. HSP students live in Perkins Hall or Smith Hall and take up to three classes together. Typical classes are essential first-year courses at SMU, including: first-year writing, biology, philosophy, information technology, history, and political science. Most courses are taught in the Perkins Hall classroom. The cohesiveness of the living environment and the in-house classroom create opportunity for group study and other beneficial student-to-student exchanges in and out of class. Students who are invited to join HSP have indicated high academic ability and leadership qualities through their applications for admission to SMU.
New Century Scholars Program
New Century Scholars Program is an academic community for first-year students with high academic ability and interest in giving back to their community. Participation is by invitation, and participants live together on a residence hall floor. New Century Scholars enroll in a dedicated common English class during their first year. New Century Scholars is in McElvaney Hall..
Fine Arts Community
Comprised of Mary Hay and Peyton Halls, the Fine Arts Community (FAC) is a four-year community where all SMU students, regardless of major, are welcome. The two buildings serve as one community and the FAC students have access to both halls. The hall staff works to promote programs that focus on the arts, and common areas facilitate the study of fine arts and accommodate social gatherings.
Engineering Community
Focused on engineering students, the Engineering floor in Cockrell-McIntosh is home to about 60 students enrolled in the Lyle School. Programming as well as study and faculty interaction are hallmarks of the engineering community.
SMU Service House
Interested in making service learning a part of your university living and learning experience? Then the SMU Service House is the place for you! The 28 upper-class residents who live in the Service House are involved in 30 hours of community service each semester. This house is a close-knit community with an active House Council who plan house dinners, improve facilities and plan a wide variety of service opportunities. Service projects are chosen based on the interests of the residents and range from working with a homeless shelter to literacy programs. Residents must go through an interview process and sign the Service House Agreement as well as complete the Housing application and license agreement. Contact RLSH for further information about requirements and application process.
ACE (Academic-Community Engagement) House
Located just 3 miles from campus on Greenville Avenue, the house was built in 1994 as a joint project between SMU and Habitat for Humanity. Four students live in this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. The house his furnished and has a shared kitchen as well as living room with TV. ACE residents assist in after school tutoring elementary school students in the neighborhood. Residents also participate in various community engagement opportunities with local non-profit agencies. Residents must go through an interview process and sign the ACE House contract before an assignment is made.
Daniel House
Daniel House offers a unique opportunity for upperclass and transfer students to live together in an apartment setting. Up to 39 students live in townhouse-style apartments. Each apartment has 3 single occupancy bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and living area. Community activities and programs are designed with transfer students in mind.
Graduate Housing
Graduate students may apply to live in
Hawk Hall. Hawk features a one bedroom
apartment for either a single graduate student or a
graduate/married student with spouse. Graduate students may also choose to live in the SMU Apartments. Demand for graduate housing is very high and space is limited.