Southern Methodist University
SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center
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HUGHES-TRIGG STUDENT CENTER
Policies and Procedures

Student Center Governing Board

Operating Hours

Reservation Policies and Procedures

Reservation Classifications

Cornerstone Program

Reservation Request

Meeting Rooms

Audio Visual Policies and Procedures

Food and Beverages

Advertising and Promotion Guidelines

Campus Central

Smoking Policy

Sales and Solicitation

Student Center Space Allocation

Newspaper/Magazine Distribution

Zone Music System

Lost and Found

Candles

Removal of Equipment

Plaques

General University Policies

Student Center Governing Board

The Hughes-Trigg Student Center Governing Board is empowered by the University President through the Vice President for Student Affairs to implement the Mission Statement of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. This Board, in reflecting the university- wide nature of its charge, is composed of students, faculty, staff and alumni appointed by the President and has, as its purpose, the legislation of policies for the Student Center. Broad authority for policy implementation and interpretation shall be vested in the Director and staff of the Student Center. In the absence of specific policy guidelines, the staff shall exercise reasonable decision-making in attempting to assure smooth and effective operations. While the Board will not be involved in the day-to-day operation of the building, legislative activity shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. Contract review and approval involving Student Center operating area, and operating agreements between the Student Center and campus auxiliary operations which are housed in the building and with outside leasing agents.

  2. Appeals of staff decisions and policy disputes. The board will have final authority subject to review by the President.

  3. Space allocations to University departments, student organizations, campus auxiliary operations, and outside leasing agencies.

  4. Determination of rental fees and space lease rates.

  5. Program Council philosophical direction and budgetary matters.

  6. Review of the annual operating budget for the Student Center.

  7. Assist in personnel decisions for major Student Center positions within the framework established by the University for such matters.

  8. Approval of remodeling/renovation projects and expenditures from the Student Center Repair and Replacement Reserve Account.

  9. Establishment of Constitution and By-laws for the conducting of Board affairs.

  10. Approve and appoint ex-officio members of the Board to enhance the communications and smooth functioning between the Student Center and other building occupants -- i.e. Convenience Store Manager, Dining Services Manager. The Student Center Governing Board agendas and minutes are available at the Student Center administrative offices.

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Operating Hours

The operating hours for the Hughes-Trigg Student Center are determined by the Director of the Student Center and approved by the Student Center Governing Board with input from the operating areas of the Center. The operating hours and building calendar are determined by March 1 of each year. Requests for changes in the operating hours or in the building calendar must be made in writing to the Director who will have the authority to make modifications to the schedule.

Access may be granted to certain areas of the building at times other than normal operating hours. The West Lobby and Post Office area on the ground floor will be accessible to the University community 24 hours a day. The third floor offices will be accessible to designated individuals on a 24 hour pre-approved basis. Twenty-four hour access is granted to any student or staff member who has an office on the 3rd floor or is an officer of a student organization based on approval by the Director of Student Activities.

Various departments and areas within the Student Center have established their own operating hours. Please be sure to check with individual areas as to their operating hours during the year. The Director of the Student Center will determine the extension of operating hours for various facilities such as the Varsity. If these areas are open past normal operating hours, a building manager must remain on duty to ensure building security.

Changes in the building hours MUST be posted at each entrance to the building at least 72 hours in advance of the changes. Alteration of this schedule must be approved by the Director of the Student Center. Permanent changes must be approved by the Student Center Governing Board.

Reservations Policies and Procedures

All meeting spaces in the Student Center must be reserved through the Student Center Meeting Services Coordinator. Priority is given to student groups and University departments. Reservations may not be made for any regularly scheduled academic class. No video taping or use of outside A/V equipment may be permitted in the Student Center without prior approval from the Director of the Student Center. (Please note, areas within office suites are reserved through the individual department.)

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Reservation Classification

Reservation of meeting space is allocated under four categories. The final determination of class designation rests with the Director of the Student Center. Sponsorship and/or co-sponsorship by an on-campus organization or department is required to reserve any space within the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. Sponsorship and/or co-sponsorship shall be defined as: Assumption of all financial liability by the on-campus organization or department Responsibility for the content of the program Responsibility for adherence to all University and Hughes-Trigg policies. Co-signing all letter agreements or contracts between the University, its agents and assigns and the outside group. (1993)

Classifications:

1. Class A (Student Sponsored)  All functions of chartered student organizations. (1993)

2. Class B-1 (University Sponsored or Groups Related to the University) All functions of the University community, faculty and academic departments, staff and administrative departments, alumni groups, the Board of Trustees, the Methodist Church, and agencies of the United States or State of Texas. (1993)

3. Class B-2 (University Sponsored or Groups Related to the University) Events sponsored by faculty and academic departments, staff and administrative departments, alumni groups, the Board of Trustees, the Methodist Church, and agencies of the United States or State of Texas at which there is significant participation in the program from persons outside the University community and/or a fee is charged to participants. Significant participation will be defined as greater than 50% percent of the anticipated participants from outside of the University community.

4. Class C (Non-University, Co-Sponsored) All functions sponsored by groups outside of the University community which operate under the following conditions:

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Reservations Procedure
Reservations are accepted for the twelve (12) month calendar for the next academic year beginning the first working day of February. All reservations will be acknowledged in writing to the reserving group.
a. Class A and B-1 groups may make reservations under the Advanced Reservations Procedure.

    b. Class B-2 groups may make reservations anytime during the year following the advanced reservations deadline on a first come, first served basis.

    c. Class C groups may make reservations only sixty (60) days in advance of the scheduled date of the event during the semester. For the semester breaks and/or summer calendar, reservations may be made up to twelve (12) months in advance. Other exceptions for Class C reservations may be made by the Director.

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Cornerstone Programs

         The SCGB will use the following criteria for selecting each Cornerstone Program

  • Significant student involvement in planning and participation of the program

  • Resources required are unique to the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and not available elsewhere on campus

  • Program design will aid in student recruitment and retention efforts.

  1. The event will not be approved on major weekends in the City of Dallas where such an event is likely to attract large numbers of off-campus visitors or is in conflict with other pre-scheduled large on-campus events.

  2. Events will not go later than 1:00 a.m.  The building will be locked at 2:00 a.m.

  3. College IDs are required for admission

  4. Events may be scheduled in the Student Center only

  5. Attendance will be limited to 500 persons or to maximum occupancy of the reserved space as determined by the University Park Fire Code.

  6. There may be no publicity on the radio or passing out of fliers at major events or on other campuses without approval of the Director of Student Activities and the Director of the Student Center.

  7. The Director of Student Activities, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety and the Director of the Student Center shall have final say over the number of security personnel required to be present and the time, place, and manner of the activity. It shall be the responsibility of the sponsoring group to pay for all required security costs before the event. Non-payment is grounds for cancellation of the event.

1. Class A and B-1 groups must notify the Meeting and Event Services Coordinator at least 2 working day in advance of the date of the reservations that the space will not be used. If two reservations are not canceled during any one semester, the reserving group's contact will receive written notification and be subject to the following:

a. The group's privilege to use space in the Student Center may be suspended for a period of two weeks following the last reservation that was not canceled.

b. Repeat violation of the cancellation policy may result in loss of privileges to reserve space in the Student Center for a longer period of time.

c. If an organization that has lost reservation privileges has a special program, with signed contract, that is offered to the entire campus that special program will be allowed to continue prior to the imposed sanctions. The notification will be directed to the organization's contact who will be responsible for contacting the Meeting and Event Services Coordinator within four(4) working day of receipt.

Cancellation of reservations made by Class B-2 or C groups must be made at least thirty (30) days in advance of the reservation. Failure to cancel within 30 days will result in a room reservation charge at the full day rate for each dayıs reservation not canceled. Repeat violations of the cancellation policy may result in loss of privileges to reserve space in the Student Center for a designated period of time.

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Loss of Privileges

Violation of University or Student Center policies and procedures may result in the loss of the privilege to use the facility and/or referral through the University judicial system. Any Student Center staff member may request that a group not be allowed to use space in the Student Center, if violations have occurred. The staff member will put their request in writing to the Director outlining the violation(s). The Director will review the request, asking the group to respond to the charges, and will make a determination based on the information presented. The group will be notified in writing of the Directorıs decision and will be given the terms of the sanction. The group may appeal the decision of the Director to the Student Center Governing Board which will be the final authority in the matter.

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Facility Areas and Function Spaces

ATRIUM A,C      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
22' X 12' Auditorium 15 Meetings
280 sqft Classroom 10 Rehearsals
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 10  
  Rounds of 8 8  
  U-Shape 10  
ATRIUM B, D      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
22' X 18' Auditorium 20 Meetings
420 sqft Classroom 15 Rehearsals
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 15  
  Rounds of 8 16  
  U-Shape 10  
ATRIUM A-B or C-D      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
31' X 22' Auditorium 60 Meetings
700 sqft Classroom 30 Rehearsals
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 30 Small Dinners
  Rounds of 8 40  
  U-Shape 25  
BALLROOM WEST, EAST      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
53' X 30' Auditorium 150 Small Speaking Engagements
2045 sqft Classroom 75 Small Dinners
Decorative Carpet Hollow Square 50 Large Meetings
Chandeliers Rounds of 8 80 Rehearsals
Adjustable Lighting U-Shape 40  
BALLROOM CENTRAL      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
53' X 34' Auditorium 100 Medium Speaking Engagements
2320 sqft Classroom 60 Medium Dinners
Decorative Carpet Hollow Square 50 Large Meetings
Chandeliers Rounds of 8 80 Rehearsals
Adjustable Lighting U-Shape 50  
BALLROOM W-C-E      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
105' X 53' Auditorium 550 Large Speaking Engagements
6411 sqft Classroom 400 Large Dinners
Decorative Carpet Hollow Square 150 Very Large Meetings
Chandeliers Rounds of 8 464 Dances / Fairs / Mixers
Adjustable Lighting U-Shape 120  
BALLROOM  E-C or W-C      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
67' X 53' Auditorium 250 Large Speaking Engagements
Decorative Carpet Classroom 150 Large Dinners
Chandeliers Hollow Square 100 Very Large Meetings
Adjustable Lighting Rounds of 8 160 Dances / Fairs / Mixers
  U-Shape 80  
BOARDROOM      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
283 sqft Conference 12 12 Extra Chairs
Whiteboards / Markers Meetings
Conference Table  
COMMONS      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
  In the Pit 35 Open Meetings
  Existing 100 Gift Announcements
  Receptions
COMMUTER LOUNGE      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
Conference Table Conference 12 Meetings
Must be Kept as Set  
CONFERENCE ROOM      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
Conference Table Conference 8 8 Extra Chairs
Must be Kept as Set Meetings
CROSSING  1 - 6      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
Two Drawers Per Space Three Vending Spaces Student Organization Information
  Football Ticket Pick - Up
  Outside Vendors
  Book Buy - Back
FORUM      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
1811sqft Classroom 96 Meetings
Tiered Seating Demonstrations
Phone / AC Outlets Lectures
Podium and Speaker Table Telephoned Events
PORTICO  A      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
22' X 16' Auditorium 20 Meetings
280 sqft Classroom 15 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 20  
  Rounds of 8 16  
  U-Shape 15  
PORTICO B      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
22' X 16' Auditorium 15 Meetings
280 sqft Classroom 10 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 12  
  Rounds of 8 8  
  U-Shape 10  
PORTICO C,D      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
22' X 16' Auditorium 20 Meetings
280 sqft Classroom 15 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 20  
  Rounds of 8 16  
  U-Shape 15  
PORTICO B-C      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
655 sqft Auditorium 40 Meetings
Whiteboards / Markers Classroom 25 Rehearsal
  Hollow Square 30 Small Dinners
  Rounds of 8 24  
  U-Shape 27  
PORTICO C-D      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
655sqft Auditorium 50 Meetings
Whiteboards / Markers Classroom 25 Rehearsal
  Hollow Square 30 Small Dinners
  Rounds of 8 32  
  U-Shape 30  
PORTICO B-C-D      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
68' X 16' Auditorium 60 Meetings
1032 sqft Classroom 54 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 40 Small Dinners
  Rounds of 8 40  
  U-Shape 40  
PROMENADE A, B      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
24' X 19' Auditorium 50 Meetings
505 sqft Classroom 20 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 15  
  Rounds of 8 24  
  U-Shape 10  
PROMENADE A-B      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
38' X 24' Auditorium 100 Meetings
1046 sqft Classroom 40 Rehearsal
Whiteboards / Markers Hollow Square 35 Small Dinners
  Rounds of 8 56  
  U-Shape 30  
THEATER      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
4455 sqft Auditorium 496 Very Large lectures
Inclined Seating Productions / Programs
Stage / Extensions Film Projections
VARSITY      
Dimensions General Capacities Primary Use
3190 sqft Existing 188 Mixers
Table and Chairs Productions / Programs
Wood Floors Dances
Televisions (approval thru dining services)

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Meeting Rooms

Purpose

The purpose of the Promenade, Portico, and Atrium Meeting Rooms is to provide space for meetings, seminars, programs, and dinners for small numbers of participants. Groups will be charged for damage caused by posting of materials.

Reservations

1. The reservation of space in the Meeting Rooms will be handled by the Student Center Meeting and Event Services Coordinator.

2. Reservations in the Meeting Rooms may be made by Class A, B, and C groups in accordance with the reservation policies for each classification.

3. The Meeting and Event Services Coordinator will make an effort to place catered events in the Promenade Meeting Rooms first; however, catered events may be held in all Meeting Rooms. If a group specifically requests a Portico or Atrium Meeting Room for a catered event, the Meeting and Event Services Coordinator may honor that request when the group has a compelling reason for the request - i.e. the room is a more appropriate size, other activities are being held on the third floor.

Class C groups may not reserve meeting rooms for reservations that begin after 5:00 pm without permission from the Director of the Student Center.

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General Guidelines and Procedures

1. Food and beverages will be allowed in the Meeting Rooms in accordance with the Centerıs policies for food and beverages.

2. Sales may not be conducted in the Meeting Rooms without the written permission of the Student Center Director.

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The Varsity/Courtyard

Purpose

During daylight hours, the Varsity is first and foremost a dining area. After usual dining hours, however, the Varsity will be open as a lounge and entertainment center from the time full meal service ceases until the building closes or the conclusion of scheduled programs in accordance with relevant late night campus policies. The Courtyard is seen as an extension of the Varsity. It is governed by the same guidelines and procedures as the Varsity.

Reservations

Ballrooms

Promenade Lounge (Prefunction)

Sales may be conducted in the Promenade Lounge in keeping with the Student Center vending policy. All sales must be in conjunction with programs - i.e. book sales as part of a lecture, cultural heritage as part of an educational program. All sales must be in keeping with the nature of programs.

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Theater

Purpose

The purpose of the Student Center Theater is to provide a unique facility for programs that require the special equipment or accommodations that the Theater provides. Any time the Theater is reserved for an event, it should be for activities that have needs that only can be met by this facility --i.e. need the use of the audio-visual equipment, need a stage, need the seating arrangement or capacity that the Theater offers. Programs that might be held in the Theater are -- lectures, films, video, theatrical, musical, seminars, etc.

Reservations

Reservations for the Theater will be handled like all other meeting rooms. However, care should be taken to insure that reservations in the Theater are in keeping with the purpose of the facility. Programs or meetings that do not need the unique equipment or accommodations of this facility should be placed