I lived in Virginia-Snider for one year, back when it was scholar-specific community, back when we had classes in our dorm and back when one year was enough to fulfill the on-campus residency requirement.

I’d like to say that we pioneered the commons with a faculty-in-residence and diverse community programing.

I loved V.S. It gave me a home on campus and a group of like-minded individuals who actually obeyed study hours (for the most part). Now, everything has changed.

V.S. is just like every other dorm, or commons rather, where students learn to get along with people that are different, that have different values, different schedules and different dreams.

To be completely honest, I think I may love that V.S. more.

My name is Meredith Carey. I am a senior and I have dorm-pride.

When the infamous “Everybody Hates Boaz” video came out, I was proud. When a post on Facebook offered up Virginia Snider t-shirts, complete with the Snider elephant that has graced the facade for years, I was proud.

When freshman proudly say they live in Virginia Snider, I am proud.

The commons system has been compared to Hogwarts, Harvard and Oxford. But SMU is defining its own commons, making its own traditions and paving its own way.

There aren’t as many dorm-proud seniors as you think. But when this freshman class rises to senior status, there will be plenty more.

While many of us have other homes, in Greek houses, on-campus organizations and friend groups, the Commons can be a home for all. It promotes inclusion and communication in a way that the dorms of my times avoided.

V.S. was great, but I’d much rather be there now.

Tusk ‘Em.