Loyd Commons

Loyd Commons Crest

Creativity | Friendship | Growth | Purpose | Responsibility

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Get a sense of the community

Get a feel for all that Loyd 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
  • Free laundry
  • Movable furniture
  • Game room
  • Community microwaves
Convenient location
  • Walk or bike to class
  • Nearby parking in Binkley garage
  • Easy access to Mac’s Place
An Academically Oriented Environment
  • 24-hour study rooms and spaces
  • Faculty-in-Residence
  • Peer Academic Leaders (PALs), Honors Mentors, and Student Wellness Champions
  • Educational programs
  • In-Commons classroom
Worry-free features
  • Professional, on-site maintenance
  • 24-hour, on-call staff
  • Card-controlled building access
  • Security escorts
  • Roommate matching available
  • Adjacent bicycle racks

Building facts

 Community abbreviations  Loyd
 Building capacity  241
 Year built  2014
 Residential area  Southeast
 Physical address  5901 Bush Avenue
 Room types  Singles and doubles
 Gender  Co-ed by gender by room

 

Sample floor plans

 

Boaz Double

 

Community bath double room 

About our namesakes

Loyd Commons was named for Paul B. Loyd, Jr. (’68) and his wife Penny Requa Loyd for their generous $5 million gift for the new residential commons buildings. The gift was announced during the Founders Day Celebration in April 2012. SMU has benefited in countless ways from the long-standing support of Penny and Paul Loyd, Jr. Their contributions have impacted areas across the University, including athletics, student programs and scholarship support. 

The Loyds’ involvement at SMU includes Mr. Loyd’s service as a member of the Board of Trustees, and both Mr. and Mrs. Loyd serve on several University boards and committees. The Loyds received the Mustang Award in 1999 in recognition of their remarkable philanthropic support of SMU.

In 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Loyd provided a leadership gift for a new Residential Commons facility. Fittingly, the building is located near Ford Stadium, the home of SMU football and the Paul B. Loyd, Jr. All-Sports Center. These campus landmarks are a testament to the Loyds’ ongoing commitment to the many facets of the SMU educational experience. SMU is honored to name Loyd Commons in recognition of their continued generosity. 

Room and furniture dimensions

Square footage ranges
  • Typical square footage ranges from 180-205
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 Loyd Commons, we focus on STEM Education Access as a community need in Dallas. Loyd students address this by collaborating on service events and activities with local partners, Jubilee Park and Community Center, RowDallas, and The West Dallas STEM School 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 Loyd Engage Dallas Student Director, Kate Alonzo at kalonzo@smu.edu.

What you can expect

students having cookies with the FiR in the FiR apartment

Dr. K Treats

Every week, our very own Faculty-in-Residence, Dr. K, cooks up some homemade treats for the Loyd Community!

Llama Rama

Llama Rama is Loyd's Annual Fall Carnival. Loyd celebrates the fall season with food, games, and fun.

Students enjoying a roof top banquet

Loyd Pinning Ceremony

The Loyd Banquet is the first official event that certifies our newest community members. Each First-Year student is given the Loyd pin and the values of the community are presented by the Faculty-in-Residence and Residential Community Director. Resident Assistants are given the honor of pinning new First Year residents on their floor!

Live, learn, achieve—together

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

Justin Germain

Dr. Justin Germain

Faculty-in-Residence

Justin Germain is a Texas native, born and raised in Fort Worth. After completing his undergraduate degree, he served in the Air Force for three years and led two overseas deployments as a Company Grade Officer. Following his time in the service, he earned two master’s degrees at both University of Oklahoma, and SMU. He taught English for a year in Tena, Ecuador, and taught Latin for another three years in Waco, Texas. Professor Germain earned his doctorate from The University of Indiana in classical studies and came to SMU in the fall of 2016, where he has shared his passion for the classics ever since. Learn more about Dr. Germain and his family.

CJ Shufford

CJ Schufford (He/him/his)

Residential Community Director

CJ Schufford will join the RLSH team as the RCD for Loyd Commons. CJ completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of North Texas and a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership at TCU where he worked as a Fraternity and Sorority Life Graduate Hall Director and a Fraternity and Sorority Life Graduate Advisor. He served as a Conference Intern at the University of Michigan. His areas of interest include Equity and Access in Higher Education, Promoting Mental Health Awareness among Underrepresented communities, and improving Multi-Cultural Competency within the communities where he works. CJ is a huge Dallas sports fanatic and is looking forward to exploring Dallas with his finance Jacqueline and puppy Frida. C.J.'s favorite aspect of the Residential Commons is how each commons have unique identities and traditions!