Southern Methodist University - Rotunda Yearbook (University Park, TX)

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■ THE UNIVERSITY

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Grounds and Buildings University Park — The University is situated immediately north of Highland Park, a residence suburb of Dallas, and is reached directly from the city by the Highland Park car line. The land belonging to the University consists of more than six hundred acres, of which one hundred and thirty-two acres are reserved as a campus. Adjacent to the campus is an exclusive residence district, with modern improvements and conveniences. A system of boulevards and parking furnishes an impressive approach to the buildings of the Univer sity. Dallas Hall — The dominant feature of the architectural plan is Dallas Hall, a gift of the city of Dallas. This building contains the administrative offices, the auditorium, the general lecture rooms of the University, and for the present, houses the Library and the laboratories. It is a fireproof structure, four stories in height, surmounted by a dome, and faces the south with a frontage of two hundred and fifty-eight feet. The ex- terior walls of the ground floor are constructed of Bedford lime- stone; above, the walls are of vitrified brick, with stone trim- mings. The two wings terminate in semi-circular porticos of the Roman-Doric order. The front entrance is a portico of six Corinthian columns supporting an entablature; this portico leads directly into a rotunda, which rises from the main floor to the dome. The porticos and the cornices are also of Bedford stone. The elevation of the site is so considerable that the building is conspicuous for many miles in any direction. The Woman ' s Building is a four-story structure of the same material as Dallas Hall, entirely fireproof, also facing the south. It provides living accommodations for about one hundred and sixty students. The rooms are comfortably furnished. A spa- cious reception room of attractive design is the social center for the women students of the University. Dormitories for Men — Rankin Hall, which was named in honor of Dr. G. C. Rankin, late editor of the Texas Christian Advocate, and North Hall furnish comfortable accommodations at moderate cost to one hundred and twenty men. South Hall, which was destroyed by fire in November, 1917, has been re- placed by a temporary structure. The Gymnasium, constructed of brick, is a hundred and sixty feet long and eighty feet wide. It contains a swimming pool, an indoor basketball court, a bowling alley and other es- sential equipment of a modern gymnasium. There are dressing rooms and lockers for both men and women. The office of the Director of Athletics is located in the building, which is under his supervision.