“I wish we would have had this my freshman year,” junior Anne-Marie Soza said. “I would have taken every opportunity I had to go to the market for food, being a car-less freshman, and to the lake for a Saturday getaway.”

White Rock Local Market’s website describes them as a non-profit organization, on its fifth season, aiming to “improve the health and quality of life in East Dallas.” You can often find the “best” of local meats, produce, tamales, cheese and much more. But that’s not all, on the first and second Saturday of each month, you can find hand made toys, furniture and clothes, all handcrafted by North Texans.

Jewel Lipps, SMU Environmental Society president, said, “I would really like people to know that the Oasis Express is about encouraging students to love where they live, and to care personally about Dallas
beyond SMU.”

The shuttle service will be funded through Big iDeas, but the SMU Environmental Society is also involved, ensuring success and a great opportunity to connect students to Dallas and the beautiful White Rock Lake.

“I think this is essential to fostering an environmentally conscious community,” Lipps said. “Once people love something, they want to care for it.”

The Oasis Express will also provide a perfect opportunity for students without cars to get off campus to a local market.

“I have been interested in the idea of a farmers market since my first year when I had no access to any sort of outside activities or fresh organic food,” said Gabriella Padgett, SMU junior and officer organizing the Oasis Express. “My idea has developed since then from a farmers market on campus to a shuttle to an already
existing market.”

The Oasis Express will shuttle students on Sept. 7 and 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Students interested can meet at the flagpole for rides.

“This is a wonderful, easy way for students to get off campus and get out under the trees or onto the water,” Lipps said. “I’m really excited about the opportunities the Oasis Express can provide to students.”