McElvaney Commons
Leadership | Service | Diversity | Academics
Welcome to the McMansion
Leadership | Service | Diversity | Academics
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“Living in McElvaney has been one of my favorite experiences of SMU! It has provided me with a wonderful community to live and learn with. I am so grateful to live around such amazing people.”
“I know it sounds cheesy, but McElvaney has truly become my home away from home. The friends I have made living here will be my friends for life; we study together, eat together, laugh together. I Love my FIRs and RCD. They make me feel welcome and cared for everyday. The events they plan (such as brunch, museum trips, and a McElvaney birthday party) help me connect with my new community as well as open my eyes to opportunities in Dallas. I’m so glad to be a McResident!!”
In Spring 2019 the McElvaney community came together to select a mascot we felt exemplified our values. After much debate, the Moose, indomitable, stalwart, and courageous, was chosen.
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.
Community bath double room
Square footage ranges
Furniture dimensions
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
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 |
Get to know the faculty, staff, and student leaders of McElvaney.
Faculty-in-Residence
Jim Hart earned a BFA from SMU and MFA from Yale School of Drama. He lives in McElvaney Commons with his wife Kristina, daughter Dottie, and their growing puppy, Bonnie. Before returning to SMU, Professor Hart and his family lived many years in Oslo, Norway. Hart shared, “We love getting to know our McElvaney residents. It’s so fun engaging with them both inside and outside the classroom." Follow their pup on Instagram: @McElvaneyPup
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.