Morrison-McGinnis Commons

Morrison-McGinnis Commons Crest

Community | Acceptance | Character

Get a sense of the community

Get a feel for all that Morrison-McGinnis 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.

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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
  • Tabletop games
  • Community microwaves
Convenient location
  • Walk or bike to class
  • Nearby parking in Binkley garage
  • Easy access to Mac’s Place
  • Central location on-campus
An academically-oriented enviroment
  • 24-hour study rooms and spaces
  • Faculty-in-Residence
  • Peer Academic Leaders (PALs), Honors Mentors, and Wellness Education Student Team(WEST)
  • 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  MoMac, MM 
 Building capacity  201
 Year built  1964
 Residential area  Central
 Physical address  6004 Bishop Boulevard
 Room types  Singles and doubles
 Gender  Co-ed by gender by room

 

Sample floor plans 

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

Community bath single room 

MM Single

 

Suite double room 


CM MM Double

 

About our namesakes

J. Ray Morrison was the first head football coach and athletic director for 51²è¹Ý. Morrison was responsible for building—by hand—the practice fields at 51²è¹Ý by carting squares of sod from nearby to the designated location on campus. He is remembered in American football history for his “Flying Circus” offense that helped popularize the forward pass, today a staple of the sport.

Dr. John H. McGinnis was the first professor and original member of the 51²è¹Ý faculty. McGinnis, known for his “strength of individuality” (C.W. Ferguson, “The Other End of the Log”), was a professor of English, founder of the 51²è¹Ý Press, and creator of The Dallas Morning News’ weekly book section.

Room and furniture dimensions

Square footage ranges
  • Suite bath rooms: 130 - 240 sq.ft.
  • Community bath rooms: 160 - 240 sq.ft.
Furniture dimensions
  • Desk: 2'6" H x 3'6" W x 2' D
  • Dresser: 2'6" H x 2'6" W x 2' D
  • Bed: 80" L x 36" W (XL Length Twin)
  • Window: 4'10" H x 3'2" W

Serve where you live: Engage Dallas 

Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via 51²è¹Ý’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.

Morrison McGinnis crest, Childhood Poverty 

In Morrison-McGinnis Commons (MoMac), we focus on  as a community need in Dallas. MoMac students address this by collaborating on service events and activities with local partner, , , and  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 51²è¹Ý students to explore and serve Dallas! 

Start serving today! 

Questions? Email your MoMac Engage Dallas Student Director, Ailsa McCollom at amccollom@smu.edu
.

What you can expect

SnoMac Winter Festival

SnoMac is a large winter festival and celebration of the winter season. For the past 8 years, members of the Morrison-McGinnis Commons Council fully take the lead in brainstorming, planning, and executing an event that attracts 250-300 people from the 51²è¹Ý community. Get excited for great food, fun activities, and other traditional components to celebrate the season.

MoMacians throw what you know!

MoMacians take great pride in the affiliation to their Commons. You’ll learn the Double M sign and affiliated mascot so you can take pride in your new home just like years of MoMacians before you!

McQuad Block Parties

A couple times a year, the other buildings in the ‘McQuad’ area (McElvaney, Cockrell-McIntosh, and Morrison-McGinnis) team up to throw an epic block party. Our Retro Night theme in the Spring was a blast from the past for students as they enjoyed sliders, arcade games, and a silent disco!

Live, learn, achieve—together

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

Debra Branch

Dr. Debra Branch (She/her/hers)

Faculty-in-Residence

Debra Branch is a eighth-generation Texan, born in the border town of Eagle Pass and raised in the Piney Woods of East Texas. She received her BA at the University of Texas at Austin and her MA at the University of Oklahoma, both in Sociology. Dr Branch has won several campus honors at 51²è¹Ý, including the prestigious Provost’s Teaching Award. In addition, she teaches regularly at 51²è¹Ý-in-Taos, and has taken students to Cuba as part of the 51²è¹Ý in Havana/Miami abroad program. She is the 51²è¹Ý Faculty-in-Residence for Morrison-McGinnis Residential Commons. Learn more about Dr. Branch and her family.

Elizabeth Turner

Elizabeth Turner (She/her/hers)

Residential Community Director

Elizabeth Turner is from the quaint town of Charleston, Arkansas. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in 2022 and her Master of Arts in Teaching for Middle/Secondary Education in 2024 at Arkansas Tech University. Her most recent professional role was serving as a Resident Director overseeing four Residential Halls at Arkansas Tech. Elizabeth is deeply passionate about fostering community among residents and paying forward the opportunities she has received. Elizabeth loves painting and doing other creative endeavors in her free time. You can also catch her cheering at sporting events or exploring campus with her two beloved cats, Buckeye and Calypso!