(Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

A number of changes have taken place this summer on the Hilltop. Whether a visitor of Hughes-Trigg, the Cox School of Business or Meadows School of the Arts, returning students, faculty and staff have a lot to get used to. Here’s a look at some of those changes.

Meadows

The Bob Hope Lobby, Taubman Atrium and Greer Garson second floor lobby have had a furniture remodel. 

Three years ago, the Starbucks coffee cart was added to the Taubman Atrium. According to Jay Hengst, the Meadows facilities manager, inexpensive furniture was placed in the area to see how students would like the area.

When the area proved to be a popular hang out and study area, Hengst said it was time for new, more permanent furniture.

The remodel took six months of planning, designing and manufacturing. 

The new design features a serpentine couch in the Bob Hope Lobby, the main entrance to Meadows. 

In the atrium, campfire style study nooks have been set up for student meetings. The campfires have tablets on the central table for students to write notes or lyrics. 

These campfire areas are another test to see how students like and use the space. 

If they are well received, Hengst said, they may be adding more campfires to other areas of Meadows in the future.

But, Hengst said the highlights of the remodel, in his opinion, are the red caprice barstools.

“That was the first thing I had to have, everything else came second.”

The MARKET

Sushic and eS MUcho are two new dining options inside the Hughes-Trigg market. 

The MARKET and Montague’s Deli were remodeled over the summer to accommodate the additions.

Sushic makes classic sushi rolls fresh each day that are sold at The MARKET, The Varsity, Cafe 100, the Meadow’s Starbucks Cart and Mac’s Place. They will also make custom-order sushi rolls at their counter in The MARKET.

eS MUcho is a new, on-campus location for Tex-Mex lovers. 

Burritos, Salads, quesadillas and chicken tortilla soup are available to purchase at the counter. 

Denise Clarke, the director of operations for SMU’s Dining Services, said, eS MUcho is a result of student requests and feedback. 

She said many students requested some kind of Mexican/Tex Mex food option on campus. 

Clarke said they came up with the model for eS MUcho based on restaurant chains like Chipotle and Taco Bell that are popular with college-age students.

For people who were fans of Montigue’s Deli, SMU Dining services has made some of Montigue’s most popular items pre-made each day and regularly available for purchase. 

The Mail Center

The SMU Post office is now a Mail and Copy Central operated by RICOH Business Solutions.

The front desk has been remodeled with a few changes for users.

All packages can now be picked up at the front desk—that’s the same place users can send out packages, purchase stamps and now also fulfill printing needs.

Alpha Graphics is no longer operating on campus, but Mike Wells, from SMU’s Alpha Graphics, is now working with RICOH.

Wells said the new printing and copy service on campus will cost customers about half of what they used to pay at Alpha Graphics.

Allison Tweedy, the senior director of campus services, said the reduced cost was a major motivation for the operator switch.

“It made sense financially and from a service perspective,” Tweedy said.

Hughes-Trigg Basement

The reception area in front of the Hughes-Triggs ballroom is now Centennial Hall.

The area has been remodeled for the 2011-2015 celebration of SMU’s 100th anniversary.

Robert Bucker, the managing director for the Second Century Celebration, said the exhibit will serve as a welcome center for visitors.

Every alumni class will have a reunion over a five year period, generating more visitors to campus, Bucker said.

He also said that the increased press coverage SMU has received for the centennial and the Bush Presidential Center has generated a large number of prospective student visits.

“Last year, we received the largest number of applicants the university has ever seen, ” Bucker said.

He hopes the exhibit will be a place for prospective students, alumni, and other visitors to learn more about SMU and take pride in being a part of the SMU community.

The official opening of the exhibit is Sept. 9.

The Business Library

The library, located in the ground level of the Maguire building, is currently being renovated to celebrate the library’s 25th anniversary.

The remodel will include additional group study rooms, expanded research capabilities, updated reference spaces and a prominent new entrance.

In the space that used to serve as the library computer lab, Cox is creating a new classroom space and hub for financial research.

The classroom will be managed as part of the finance department and will be located just inside the library’s entrance.

A grand opening to unveil the investing and trading center will be held Sept. 28.

The Business library is temporarily working out of three locations during this renovation. Library reference is in 172 Maguire, the computer and copy center is in 174 Maguire, and the BIC administrative office is in 176 Crow. The renovated library is expected to re-open in mid-September.

(Spencer J Egges/The Daily Campus)

(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

(Taylor Henry/The Daily Campus)