A group Cockrell-McIntosh residents participate in game night during a floor gathering.

Virginia Snider residents enjoy each other’s company at Sunday Night Snacks in FiR Batenburg’s apartment.

Commons ConnectionsArmstrong Commons provided its residents with holiday decor in order to turn it into a winter wonderland. In addition, Dr. Kirk hosted a study abroad session in her residence in order to provide information for those interested in studying in London this summer.

Boaz Commons began the month with several sweet treats, including a birthday celebration and a dessert baking competition, followed by its second RC dinner. Dr. Son also hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. Boaz also held several outings, including a skate night and an outing to see the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1. FA Dr. Sean Griffin hosted a movie night, and the commons held a Christmas tree decorating contest and a trivia night.

Cockrell-McIntosh Commons held a “Directors” Tuesday Salon at Dr. Wheaton’s residence with

special guests Director of Engaged Learning Dr. Susan Kress, Director of the SMU Tower Center for Political Studies Dr. Jim Hollifield, and Director of the Maguire Center for Ethics Dr. Rita Kirk. The commons hosted floor gatherings which included homemade pies, a birthday party with a piñata and a game night with homemade hot cocoa.

Crum Commons took a group of students to the premiere of The Ouija Experiment 2: Theatre of Death, and residents were able to meet the writer, filmmaker and a portion of the cast. Dean Camp also hosted a movie screening of The Birds, “Pulled Pork with Pastor” Steve Rankin and a Thanksgiving dinner in his residence, while the commons hosted its second RC dinner and held a group reading and a screening of The Hobbit.

Kathy Crow Commons participated in the KCC Harvest,

when residents reaped the fruits of their organic garden. Professor Power then hosted a baking party, and residents used harvested vegetables to make quiches and other baked goods. Professor Power also held his weekly Chocolate Sundays as well as a Thanksgiving dinner at his residence. FA Dr. Rachel Ney held a “Night in Paris,” while the commons held a campfire for their second RC dinner and decorated for the holidays.

Loyd Commons continued its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Tour of Dallas series by taking students to Louie’s, a pizzeria in East Dallas. Professor Fontenot also held “Cooking with FIRFO” for several floors of residents and hosted FiRFoFun for the entire commons to come together and play with Loyd’s pets-in-residence. The commons, meanwhile, hosted Loyd Live! an event designed to showcase the creativity of the students within Loyd.

Residential ReportVolume 2, Issue 4

Residents idecorate Boaz Commons inside and out for the holiday season.

Additionally, she took a group of residents to the student forum for Tate Lecture speaker David Brooks, and the commons held a pizza and movie night.

Ware Commons hosted a holiday outing to the Dallas Arboretum, and Dr. Tunks invited the Ware Gourmet Group to cook and eat a seven-course Italian dinner at his residence. He also took residents to a dress rehearsal of the SMU Dance Mainstage Concert, and hosted a discussion afterward with Chair of the Dance Division Patty Delaney. In addition, Ware’s weekly Salons series continued with a variety of special guests.

students this month. First, the commons hosted a joint football viewing and pizza party with Boaz. The commons then held MoMac and the Mavericks!, and took more than 80 students to a Dallas Mavericks basketball game. Dr. Kerins invited residents to watch the latest installments in his fall movie series, and he hosted a floor dinner and a Thanksgiving meal.

Virginia Snider Commons continued its Sunday Night Snacks series in Dr. Batenburg’s home. Dr. Batenburg also hosted "Pancakes and Potter," which includced a screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

Mary Hay/Peyton/Shuttles Commons focused on faculty, resident and staff connections this month. FA Jason Smith hosted a meet, eat and greet in Peyton, FA Dr. David Doyle led a discussion on marriage in Shuttles, and FA Dr. Owen Lynch visited Dr. Krout’s residence in Mary Hay to begin the “Top Chef” series. The commons ran a donation drive for Captain Hope’s Kids with assistance from Coach Larry Brown.

McElvaney Commons began the month with "Mac in the Back," an outdoor gathering including pizza and a movie. Professor Detcheva hosted several special guests, including Dr. Dilshad Dayani, associate professor Dr. Gabriela Vokic and the SMU men's tennis team, who talked to the residents about forming a commons tennis club. Professor Detcheva also invited residents to “Sundays at Mira's” and a Thanksgiving brunch.

Morrison-McGinnis Commons extended hospitality to many

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Commons Connections

Ware residents converse with Professor Patty Delaney, Chair of the Dance Division, after a dress rehearsal of the SMU Dance Mainstage Concert.

McElvaney RAs Grant Carper, Carmen Minsal, Jacquelin Yokoyama and Deja Hadnott attend their second RC dinner.

FiR SpotlightUpcoming EventsOn-Campus Events 12/1-1/31

• December 2: Tate Lecture Series featuring Platon – McFarlin Auditorium (8:00 pm.)*

• December 3: Public Debate: SMU Debate Team vs. National Debate Team of Rwanda – Umphrey Lee Center, Room 241 (7:00-9:00 p.m.)*

• December 3-7: Look Homeward, Angel – Greer Garson Theatre (various)

• December 4: Christmas Worship – Perkins Chapel (4:00-5:30 p.m., 8:00-9:30 p.m.)*

• December 5, 7: Meadows Symphony Orchestra: Mozart, Weber and Strauss – Caruth Auditorium (various)

• December 6: Meadows Chamber Music Honors Concert – Caruth Auditorium (8:00 p.m.)*

• December 8: PAWS and Take a Break - Fondren Library East (1:00-3:30 p.m.)*

• December 9-10: Reading days

• December 24-January 1: Winter Break

• January 16: First day of classes

• January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• January 27: Tate Lecture Series featuring Robin Roberts – McFarlin Auditorium (8:00 pm.)*

*denotes free admission

FA Spotlight

Dr. Beth Wheaton is the Faculty-in-Residence for Cockrell-McIntosh Commons and is a senior lecturer in SMU’s economics department. She joined the university in 2006, and currently resides with Lone Star, an 8-year-old brindle Whippet.

Beth’s greatest commitment is working with students, colleagues and others to

put their talents and interests into action to create social change. To that end, she hosts Tuesday Salons, a series that gives her residents the opportunity to have informal discussions with SMU and DFW professionals. In addition, Cockrell-McIntosh will partner with other SMU organizations in January 2015 to host “Creating Community to Fight Human Trafficking.” The event will include a concert and information from anti-human trafficking organizations. It will also kick off "One Grey," a week when people wear the same grey article of clothing to signify that lhuman trafficking victims dno’t have a choice.

Beth’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, reading, meeting world changers and conducting research that attempts so create new opportunities for people to change the world.

FiR Spotlight

Dr. Owen Lynch is a Faculty Affiliate for Mary Hay/Peyton/Shuttles Commons. He joined SMU August 2006 and is currently an associate professor and the director of the SMU honors and SMU in London internship programs.

Owen has been very involved with the residents of Mary Hay/Peyton/Shuttles. He attended the common's first RC dinner, served as the first cook for its new "Top Chef" series, and has enjoyed interacting with his affiliated residents in a variety of settings.

Dr. Lynch is also the director of research and collaboration for Get Healthy Dallas and a co-founder and organizer of the Texas Humor Research Conference. He is interested in how organizations and communities are (re) produced through the everyday discourse and routines of its members.

RCD SpotlightTy Krueger is the Residential Community Director for Loyd Commons. He joined SMU in July 2008 after graduating from Kansas State University and Grand Valley State University. Ty is also the Regional Advisor for

NRHH for the Southwest Affiliate of College & University Residence Halls (SWACURH) and was SWACURH Annual Conference Advisor. He hopes that Loyd Commons will become a safe home for students where they can thrive in their creativity, develop lasting friendships, experience personal growth, discover their purpose in the world and learn how to live as responsible members of the community.

In his free time, Ty serves as a board member for a community band and enjoys cooking, exercising and long distance advising.

AnnouncementsThank you for all you have done throughout the inaugural semester of the Residential Commons system. In this time of 'thanks,' we are grateful for the passion, energy, time and talents you have dedicated to our residents.

- Jeff Grim, Associate Director of Academic Initiatives

Upcoming EventsOff-Campus Events 12/1-1/31

• Daily: (through December 31): Holiday at the Arboretum – Dallas Arboretum

• December 1: Light Up Lee Park – Green Lawn at Lee Park (6:00 p.m.)*

• December 5-6: The Nutcracker by Dallas Ballet Company – Patty Granville Arts Center

• December 5-21: Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops – Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

• December 6: Children's Medical Center Holiday Parade – Downtown Dallas (10:00 a.m.)*

• December 9: Student Film Association Fall Film Festival – Angelika Theater (7:00-9:00 p.m.)*

• December 13: "Christmas in Mexico" by Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico – Patty Granville Arts Center (7:00 p.m.)

• December 13-14: Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village – Dallas Heritage Village (3:00-9:00 p.m.)

• January 10: Vintage Life Expo – The Manske Library (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)*

• January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Parade – Ervay/Canton Streets, Dallas (10:00 a.m.)*

*denotes free admission