In hard economic times, some students may find it difficult to uncover affordable ways to decorate their dorm rooms.

To combat this growing issue, SMU’s Resident Life and Student Housing (RLSH) is holding its first “Design a Dime” Contest, formulated to help SMU students come up with efficient, creative ways to decorate without breaking the bank.

Karen Michlik, assignments coordinator for RLHS, hopes that the contest will be a valuable resource for future students.

“We receive several calls throughout the summer from incoming first-year parents and students asking for ideas on what to purchase,” she said. “This contest will provide our future Mustangs with great decorating tips and ideas from current residents on campus.”  

Students will be invited to submit an application if their room is economical, sustainable, organized and aesthetically pleasing.

During fire safety inspections, residence hall and community directors will leave “You’ve been Dimed!” cards in the residence rooms that they feel meet the contest criteria. Pictures must be provided with all applications.  

The contest will begin Oct. 4 and run through Oct. 18. Judging will take place on the week of the 18th; judges from throughout campus will review all submissions and then visit the finalists’ rooms.

Boaz residence hall director Dee O’Banner said the RLHS office is looking for different ranges of rooms that are very nice, have no fire violations, and are clean and organized.

The final winners’ room pictures will be posted on the RLHS web site, and the students will receive gift cards to local businesses and restaurants.

Cori Hill, SMU junior, thinks the contest is “a good idea because it will help incoming students, and even current students, realize that they don’t have to spend a lot of cash just to have a stylish and spacious room.”