McElvaney Commons

Get a sense of the community

Get a feel for all that McElvaney 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
Wireless and wired 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 rooms
Community microwaves

Convenient location

Walk or bike to class
Nearby parking in Binkley garage
Easy access to Mac’s Place
Central location on campus provides easy access to academic buildings, the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, and 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 programs

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	McE
Building capacity	252
Year built	1959
Residential area	Central
Physical address	6000 Bishop Boulevard
Room types	Singles and doubles
Gender	Co-ed by gender by room

Sample floor plans

Community bath double room

About our namesakes

Eugene McElvaney (1897 – 1971), McElvaney’s namesake, was the Senior Vice President for the First National Bank in Dallas. In 1939 Eugene McElvaney became a university trustee. Because of his passion and work towards the success of the university he served as the Chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees from 1952-1956. McElvaney also served as a university promoter and fundraiser, and was a major influence on the establishment of the SMU Press in 1937. Since his time here members of the McElvaney family have been an integral part of SMU.

"...constant adaptations are essential to human progress."

- Eugene McElvaney, 1954

Room and furniture dimensions

Square footage ranges

180-205 sq.ft.

Furniture dimensions

Desk: 2'6" H x 3'4" W x 2' D
Dresser: 2'6" H x 2'6" W x 2' D
Bed: 80" L x 36" W (XL Length Loftable Twin)
Window: 4'6" H x 3'9" W, 1'9" distance to 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 McElvaney Commons, we focus on Community Wellbeing as a community need in Dallas. McElvaney students address this by collaborating on service events and activities with local partners, Dallas Children Advocacy Center, Legacy Counseling Center, Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, and Brother Bill’s Helping Hands, 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 McElvaney Engage Dallas Student Director, Sabeen Baledina, at sbaledina@smu.edu.

Camp McElvaney

Food, Fun, and Tie-Dye: before the spring semester comes to an end, we enjoy a taste of summer fun. Part barbecue, part carnival, all fun.

McElvaney Garden Club

Every Sunday, the McElvaney Garden Club gathers to tend to the only student-led gardening club on campus. Get ready to get your hands dirty and bring even more beauty to our wonderful community.

Intramural Excellence

With numerous soccer, basketball, and flag football championships under our belt, it goes without saying that McElvaney takes intramurals seriously. Whether you’re on the field, the court, or cheering from the sidelines, intramurals are for everyone.

Live, learn, achieve—together

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

Dr. Ashley Stone (She/her/hers)

Faculty-in-Residence

Ashley Stone was born and raised in rural northeast Texas. Prior to earning her Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin and transitioning into a faculty role she served as the Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support here at SMU. After spending three years on faculty at George Washington University, she returned to the Hilltop as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Higher Education. Ashley’s research explores how the places we live can shape who we are and can’t wait to meet all of the residents, learn about the places they are from, and help them make SMU and McElvaney Commons home. Learn more about Dr. Stone and family.

Maya Reeves (She/her/hers)

Residential Community Director

Maya Reeves is from Mesquite, TX, with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education. She enjoys reading, volunteering as a sexual health educator, and exploring the restaurants of Dallas. Maya is passionate about supporting student initiatives – seeing students bond over making McElvaney better is her favorite thing about McElvaney.