Armstrong Commons

Get a sense of the community

Get a feel for all that Armstrong Commons has to offer by scrolling through the photo gallery or viewing the video. If you prefer, check it out for yourself by visiting campus, or take an online 360°room tour.

We've got a lot to offer

Amenities

Fully furnished rooms

Furniture (per resident): desk, chair, bed, & dresser
Wired and wireless internet
Free on-site washer/dryers
ADA-compliant rooms available
Electricity, water, sewer, & recycling/trash service included

Designed for community

TV Lounge
Movable furniture
Study rooms and spaces
Music rehearsal space
Community microwaves
Community printer

Convenient location

Walk or bike to class
Nearby parking available on campus
Easy access to dining and fitness activities in the Dedman Recreation Center

An academically-oriented environment

24-hour study rooms and spaces
Faculty-in-Residence
Peer Academic Leaders (PALs), Honors Mentors, and Student Wellness Champions
Educational experiences
In-Commons classroom

Worry-free features

Professional, on-site maintenance
24-hour, on-call staff
Card-controlled building and room access
Security escorts available
Roommate matching available
Adjacent bicycle racks

Building facts

Community abbreviations	ARM
Building capacity	246
Year built	2014
Residential area	Southeast
Physical address	5809 Bush Ave.
Room types	Singles and Doubles
Gender	Co-ed by gender by apartment

Sample floor plans

Sketches are for illustration only; actual room layouts and furnishings may vary.

Community bath double room

About our namesakes

Both 1982 SMU graduates, Bill and Liz Armstrong received their bachelor’s degrees in geology. During their time as students, they lived on campus and participated actively in SMU-in-Taos programs and Greek life—Liz as a Pi Beta Phi and Bill as a Phi Gamma Delta. Though they met in Geology 101, it was their participation in Fort Burgwin’s geology field camp that brought them together as a couple. Their interest in geology and exploration continued past their time at SMU and led to successful careers in the oil and gas industry and numerous entrepreneurial endeavors.

Room and furniture dimensions

Square footage ranges

Typical square footage ranges from 180-250 sq.ft.

Furniture dimensions

Desk: 2'6" H x 4' W x 2' D
Desk Storage Unit: 30"H x 17W x 24 1⁄2 D; Grommet allows students to lock desk storage
Dresser: 2'6" H x 2'6" W x 2' D
Bed: 80" L x 36" W (XL Length Twin)
Window: 45" inches wide. Height depends on floor.

Serve where you live: Engage Dallas

Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via SMU’s Residential Commons to address community needs focusing on South and West Dallas. The initiative is a long-term, university-wide commitment led by students to partner with local residents, organizations, and other leaders to positively impact the community. There is equal emphasis on campus and community impact stemming from the initiative.

In Armstrong Commons, we focus on Homelessness as a community need in Dallas. Armstrong students address this by collaborating on service events and activities with local partners, The Bridge, Austin Street Center, and Mission Oak Cliff , to directly help those most in need. Our students who serve gain a broader understanding of current social problems, build community with both the city and their peers, and can earn their Community Engagement and Civics & Individual Ethics proficiencies required for graduation. Engage Dallas cultivates unique and enriching experiences for SMU students to explore and serve Dallas!

Start serving today!

Questions? Email your Armstrong Engage Dallas Student Director, Patricia Hernandez at engagedallas@smu.edu.

What you can expect

Armstrong-ing

You've heard of boulevarding. Armstrong has Armstrong-ing. Friday afternoons in the fall, we head out into our quad, grill up a delicious snack, play spike ball, and throw a Frisbee or a football. This tradition brings together our residents and highlights our value of inclusivity.

Water balloon battle with Crum Commons

Here at Armstrong Commons, we kick off the year with a water balloon fight with our closest neighbors, Crum Commons! This event allows students to make connections across the quad while having fun and cooling down from the August heat.

Live, learn, achieve—together

Get to know the Faculty-in-Residence and Residential Community Director of Armstrong Commons.

Willie Baronet (He/him/his)

Faculty-in-Residence

Baronet is a 1982 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). In May 2011 Baronet graduated from University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) with an M.F.A. in Arts & Technology. Baronet has been buying and collecting homeless signs since 1993 as part of a long-term art project titled "WE ARE ALL HOMELESS." The project has been featured in dozens of international and local media. Learn more about Professor Baronet and his family.

Molly Brooks (She/her/hers)

Residential Community Director

Molly is from Montana and earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Child Learning & Development from the University of Texas at Dallas before attending Kent State University to earn a Master's in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel. She is passionate about making college an accessible experience for all and helping students to succeed in their chosen areas. Molly enjoys reading, theater, cooking, crafting, and traveling.