Moving In

When can I check in?

First-Year & Transfer Students

• All first-year and transfer students attending Stampede check in on Thursday, August 22nd.
• Students will select a check-in time on the SMU Housing Portal beginning July 1st. These check-in appointments help manage traffic, elevator loads, and parking.

Returning Students

• Check-in for returning residents is Saturday, August 24th from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
• Students will select a check-in time on the SMU Housing Portal beginning July 22nd.
• Arriving on Sunday? Please check in at your specific community from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
• Arriving on Monday? Please contact our office to let us know. Check in at the Virginia-Snider Area Desk between 8:00am and 4:00pm.

Can I check in early?

No. Individual requests for early arrival are not available. Some residents may be eligible for early arrival due to their University-sponsored involvement, including AARO, Stampede, or NCAA pre-season athletic activity. Students residing in Upper Division Housing may be able to move in early by volunteering for Move-In Crew.

When is New Student check-in?

New students check in on Thursday, August 22nd during their check-in time slot in order to participate in Stampede. Sign up for a check-in time slot starting July 22 on the SMU Housing Portal.

If I am delayed and don't arrive until the first day of class, where do I check in?

Please contact our office if your arrival is delayed. Check in on the first day of class is centralized at the Virginia-Snider Area Desk. The desk hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Virginia-Snider Commons is located in the North Quad. Entrance to the Area Desk is the center door on the "quad side" of the building. Need help finding the desk? Call at 214-768-2230.

On Move-In Day, where do I go and where can I park?

If you're assigned to...

• Mary Hay-Peyton-Shuttles or Virginia-Snider Commons, please see the North Area map
• Boaz Commons, please see the Boaz map
• Cockrell-McIntosh, McElvaney, or Morrison-McGinnis Commons, please see the Central Area map
• Armstrong, Crum, Kathy Crow, Loyd, or Ware Commons, please see the South East Area map
• Smith or Perkins Houses, please see the Smith-Perkins map
• Martin or Moore Houses, please see the Martin-Moore map

How are students assigned to housing?

Incoming first-year or transfer students are evenly distributed among all eleven Residential Commons to create a reflection of the entire SMU community at large within each Residential Commons. Incoming transfer students may instead request to be assigned to Upper Division Housing at the time of application.

Students may request a single room (if space is available) or a roommate. Roommate requests made before June 1 are guaranteed as long as the request is mutual and both students have completed the application process.

Roommates must be requested and accepted on the SMU Housing Portal prior to June 1.

When do I get my room number? Can I see my room now?

Room numbers are given to students when they check in and are not released before then. While students will not be able to see their specific room, you can get an idea of rooms during AARO room tours. Remember, room size and layout varies within each community. These show rooms are not, an exact replica of each student's room, however; show rooms may vary slightly from a student's assigned space. Examples of floor plans are available in the Facilities at a Glance section of our website.

When will I know who my roommate is?

Roommate information will be available on the housing portal beginning Monday, August 5th. Information will include your roommate's name and SMU email address.

What is provided in the room?

• 80" twin extra-long beds
• 3-drawer dresser
• Closet or wardrobe
• Desk and desk chair
• Trash and recycling bins
• Blinds
• Wired and wireless data connection to the SMU network
• Cable TV connection in bedrooms
• All residence halls have air conditioning

When can I see a room?

During AARO, students will tour their Residential Commons on day two. These rooms are an example of rooms within that community and may vary slightly. See our Residential Facilities at a Glance page for example room layouts.

Room Decoration Guidelines

Check out the RLSH Pintrest page for suggestions on decorating your room. Make sure to consult the following documents as well to make sure all of your decorations and belongings align with expectations for the residential communities.

What to bring (Residential Commons)

What to bring (Upper Division Houses)

Upper Division House apartment fire safety guidelines

Residential Commons fire safety guidelines

When do I get my room number? Can I see my room now?

Room numbers are given to students when they check in and are not released before then. While students will not be able to see their specific room, you can get an idea of rooms during AARO room tours. Remember, room size and layout varies within each community. These show rooms are not, an exact replica of each student's room, however; show rooms may vary slightly from a student's assigned space. Examples of floor plans are available in the Facilities at a Glance section of our website.

What are the rules & regulations that I Need to know?

There are several important documents that outline policies and regulations on campus:

• The SMU Student Handbook
• SMU Fire Safety Guidelines
• SMU Community Standards for Residents
• Damage Charge List

Roommate Agreement

All students will complete this required agreement during the first week of classes. We have found it is helpful to fill out the agreement and talk about possible conflicts in living style early in the semester. Knowing what residents expect of each other is an important part of the roommate relationship.

Where do I park on Move-In Day?

View the Move-In Maps for your respective community for all information regarding traffic, parking, and where to drive!

If you're assigned to...

• Mary Hay-Peyton-Shuttles or Virginia-Snider Commons, please see the North Area map
• Boaz Commons, please see the Boaz map
• Cockrell-McIntosh, McElvaney, or Morrison-McGinnis Commons, please see the Central Area map
• Armstrong, Crum, Kathy Crow, Loyd, or Ware Commons, please see the South East Area map
• Smith or Perkins Houses, please see the Smith-Perkins map
• Martin or Moore Houses, please see the Martin-Moore map

Where do I park during the academic year?

If you wish to bring a vehicle and park on campus, you must register and obtain a permit from Parking & ID Card Services. Visit their website or speak with a representative at the AARO Information Expo to find out more.

How do I get mail?

Students living in the Residential Commons and Upper Division Houses receive mail and packages at the SMU Post Office in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. Each resident is provided mail service as part of living on campus. Mail boxes or delivery is not available to the residence halls themselves. Visit the SMU Post Office website for more information.

How do I get connected to the internet?

All resident rooms have both wired and wireless connections available. Visit the Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for more information on connecting to residential networks.

What about dining?

Visit the SMU Dining Services website for information regarding campus dining locations, menus, hours, and more!

Fire hazards, electrical devices, and more!

Please review the SMU Fire Safety regulations for all information regarding what is permitted or prohibited in on-campus residences.

Can I hang things on the walls?

In most Residential Commons, you may hang pictures on the wall using thumbtacks or picture hooks up to a 20 lb size. There is a limit of 10 picture hooks per resident. Hooks similar to 3M Command Hooks are not permitted and will damage the wall. Televisions and other heavy objects may not be mounted on the wall. Nothing should be mounted or hung from the overhead sprinkler fixtures or smoke detector systems.

Can I loft my bed?

For the 2019-2020 academic year, students may submit a request for their bed to be lofted beginning June 28 using the Student Housing Portal. All students must sign the Release of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement in the housing portal as part of the request for a loft. Students under 18 must also submit a physical signature of a parent or guardian.

Bed Heights

All student beds in the residential communities are pre-set for move in at the Standard 42-44" height. Height is measured from the top of the mattress to the floor. At 42-44", the dressers will fit under the beds. No request is needed for this height.

Option 1 23-26" from top of mattress to floor Residential Height Requesting to Lower		Option 2 STANDARD Pre-Set Height 42-44" from top of mattress to floor STANDARD Height Dresser will fit underneath Pre-set for arrival day
Option 3 51-53" from top of mattress to floor Clearance under the bed is 40" Dresser will fit underneath May request ladder Guardrail must be on side away wall		Option 4 63-65" from top of mattress to floor Clearance under the bed is 52" May request ladder Maximum height Guardrail must be on side away wall

Loft Requests are not available until June 28. Requests submitted prior to 5 PM on Saturday, August 10th will receive priority for completion prior to student arrival.