Made possible by a $5 million gift from Jack S. Blanton and the late Laura Lee Blanton of Houston and generous gifts from other SMU alumni, parents and friends, the 63,000-square-foot building is home to the Division of Enrollment Services, which provides primary contact for prospective students with admission, enrollment, financial aid and student account services; SMU's Office of Information Technology Services; the new International Center; and the SMU-in-Taos program.

Designed in the traditional style of Collegiate Georgian architecture, the Blanton Building serves as the university’s “front door” and is the centerpiece of the university's new East Quad at the intersection of SMU Boulevard and Airline Road. The location offers more convenient parking for visitors to campus and is accessible from North Central Expressway.

The building features the SMU Family Terrace on the building's second level facing westward, overlooking the university. The terrace is the starting point for campus tours, an informal gathering place for the campus community and the site of a variety of campus events such as Homecoming alumni reunions, Family Weekend and Commencement activities." /> Campus Destinations: SMU - Blanton Student Services Building

Blanton Student Services Building

Building Description

The Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building offers convenient "one stop shopping" for student administrative services which used to be located in separate buildings across campus.

Made possible by a $5 million gift from Jack S. Blanton and the late Laura Lee Blanton of Houston and generous gifts from other SMU alumni, parents and friends, the 63,000-square-foot building is home to the Division of Enrollment Services, which provides primary contact for prospective students with admission, enrollment, financial aid and student account services; SMU's Office of Information Technology Services; the new International Center; and the SMU-in-Taos program.

Designed in the traditional style of Collegiate Georgian architecture, the Blanton Building serves as the university’s “front door” and is the centerpiece of the university's new East Quad at the intersection of SMU Boulevard and Airline Road. The location offers more convenient parking for visitors to campus and is accessible from North Central Expressway.

The building features the SMU Family Terrace on the building's second level facing westward, overlooking the university. The terrace is the starting point for campus tours, an informal gathering place for the campus community and the site of a variety of campus events such as Homecoming alumni reunions, Family Weekend and Commencement activities.

History

Construction of the Blanton Building was made possible by a $5 million gift from Jack S. Blanton and the late Laura Lee Blanton of Houston and generous gifts from other SMU alumni, parents and friends

A 1950 graduate of SMU, Mrs. Blanton was a longtime member of SMU's Board of Trustees and was a 1989 recipient of SMU's Distinguished Alumni Award. She was a member of the Presidential Search Committee that recommended the selection of Gerald R. Turner as SMU's 10th president in 1995. Active on numerous boards for 26 years, she was known for her love of students and her interest in student life.

The Blantons gave $2 million in 1997 for student academic support services and, in 2000, part of the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC) was dedicated as the Laura Lee and Jack S. Blanton Academic Development Complex. The Blanton family also has provided funding for five endowed scholarships for SMU's President's Scholars Program.

A gift of $1.5 million from Kenneth R. and Linda A. Morris of Sonoma, Calif., supported the new Information Technology Center helping to serve the computing and telecommunications needs of the SMU campus.

Construction of the Blanton Building was a major stepping stone in The Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead, SMU's $400 million capital campaign launched in April 1997.

Phone
None Specified
Address
6185 Airline Rd. Dallas, TX 75205
1st Floor
The Office of Financial Aid—This office provides financial aid counseling and awards financial aid packages

The Office of Student Financial Services—This office assists and manages student accounts and counsels students and parents on payment options.

The Office of the Registrar—This office facilitates enrollment, monitors credits regarding graduation requirements, prepares and sends transcripts, and certifies enrollment status.
2nd Floor
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions—This office processes and evaluates applications for admission and determines eligibility for SMU scholarships.

International Office—This office provides a variety of services to the more than 600 international students and scholars at SMU, as well as to international parents, visitors and prospective students. The center also is responsible for the SMU Study Abroad program, which has provided vital educational experiences for more than 10,000 students in its 30-year history. Students participate in international study through programs across Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as in Japan, China, Mexico and Australia.
3rd Floor
The SMU Taos Campus application office.
4th Floor
Information Technology Services—This office provides computing and communications services to support students, faculty, staff, alumni and patrons of the University. Its functions include a university-wide Help Desk, academic computing, telecommunications, applications support, technology training, computer sales, instructional resources applications, telephone and network support, security and the Information Technology Services webmaster.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms for both sexes are located on each of the four floors.
Wi-Fi Access
Access to SMU's PerunaNet secured wireless network is available throughout the building

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