Morrison-McGinnis Commons

Morrison-McGinnis Commons Crest

Community | Acceptance | Character

      

Room Type 1 Floorplan Room Type 2 Floorplan Room Type 3 Floorplan Room Type 4 Floorplan Suite Type 1 Floorplan Suite Type 2 Floorplan Suite Type 3 Floorplan

 

J. Ray Morrison was the first head football coach and athletic director for 51°µÍø. Morrison was responsible for building—by hand—the practice fields at 51°µÍø 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 51°µÍø 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 51°µÍø Press, and creator of The Dallas Morning News’ weekly book section.

Fully furnished rooms

  • Furniture (per resident): desk, chair, bed, dresser & pedestal
  • Wired and wireless internet
  • Free on-site washer/dryers
  • ADA-compliant rooms available
  • Electricity, water, sewer, & recycling/trash service included

Designed for community

  • 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 environment

  • 24-hour study rooms and spaces
  • Faculty-in-Residence
  • Peer Academic Leader (PAL), 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 and room access
  • Security escorts available
  • Roommate matching available
  • Adjacent bicycle racks

 

  • 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

 

Square Footage Ranges
Room Type 1: 245.68 sq ft.; 71.024 sq ft. corridor
Room Type 2: 161.20 sq ft.; 104.271 sq ft. corridor / study room
Room Type 3: 213.474 sq ft.
Room Type 4: 138.81 sq ft.

Suite Type 1: room A is 241.453 sq ft and room B is 238.127 sq ft.  Both rooms share a 133.462 sq ft study room and a 91.003 sq ft bathroom
Suite Type 2: room A is 196.194 sq ft and room B is 219.181 sq ft.  Both rooms share a 136.755 sq ft study room and a 76.062 sq ft bathroom
Suite Type 3: room A is 155.271 sq ft and room B is 208.913 sq ft.  Both rooms share a 78.705 sq ft bathroom

Furniture and room dimensions
Desk: 30"W X 24"D X 30"H
Dresser: 30"W X 24"D X 30"H
Pedestal: 18"W X 24"D X 30”H
Bed: 85" length, 38" width, 65" height

Serve where you live: Engage Dallas 

Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via 51°µÍø’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 51°µÍø 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 51°µÍø 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 51°µÍø, including the prestigious Provost’s Teaching Award. In addition, she teaches regularly at 51°µÍø-in-Taos, and has taken students to Cuba as part of the 51°µÍø in Havana/Miami abroad program. She is the 51°µÍø 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!