Start off 2012 with the best

     The results are in and the readers have spoken.

     Voting for the The Daily Campus' third annual "Best of SMU & The Park Cities" was conducted Dec. 7-17, 2011,  through online polling at smudailycampus.com. Approximately 297 respondents participated in the survey, with the top three responses in each of the 100 categories as follows:

1. Varsity in Hughes-Trigg (74) 29.25%
2. Café 100 (58) 22.92%
3. Hang out? Who has time for that? (27) 10.67%

2) CAMPUS: Best place to study

1. Fondren Library (98) 38.43%
2. Bridwell Library (53) 20.78%
3. Hamon Arts Library (48) 18.82%

     With secret nooks, plenty of study rooms, and lots of treats during finals week, Fondren Library is easily SMU students' favorite place to hit the books. Hide away in the West Stacks to get the most work done or go over econ notes with your peers in a Mezzanine study room.

3) CAMPUS: Best on-campus hideaway

1. West stacks in Fondren Library (81) 33.47%
2. Tunnel system under campus (56) 23.14%
3. Einstein Bros. Bagels (47) 19.42%

     The West Stacks at Fondren is the perfect place to just have some alone time. They're hidden away and always quiet, allowing students to get some serious studying done. Students also go to just reflect. Life moves too fast, especially at college. Step away from the stress and retreat to the West Stacks at Fondren.

4) CAMPUS: Best residence hall for shut-ins

1. Virginia-Snider (62) 26.72%
2. Shuttles (37) 15.95%
3. Moore (31) 13.36%

     Peace and quiet is easy to come by in Virginia-Snider, host to the University Honors Program. With study rooms in each suite and multiple quiet lounges, Virginia-Snider is the perfect residence hall for the student looking for an insular environment and a bit of solitude on campus.

5) CAMPUS: Best residence hall for social butterflies

1. Boaz (106) 42.40%
2. McElvaney (74) 29.60%
3. Virginia-Snider (20) 8.00%

6) CAMPUS: Best residence hall overall

1. Virginia-Snider (57) 22.98%
2. Boaz (47) 18.95%
3. McElvaney (45) 18.15%

     Residence halls can be messy, loud, and crowded, but not Virginia-Snider. SMU's favorite residence hall is well-maintained, clean, and extra spacious with a study room in every suite. The honors dorm is host to a four-year community and boasts most of the amenities of a home.

7) CAMPUS: Best campus office

1. Student Activities & Multicultural Affairs (SAMSA) (66) 28.95%
2. Hegi Family Career Development Center (47) 20.61%
3. Lyle School of Engineering Offices (31) 13.60%

     The Student Activities and Multicultural Student Affairs (SAMSA) office is one of students' favorite places to spend their free time. Recently the office had a makeover. It now has televisions, couches, conference tables and even a computer bar. Whether there is a break or a organization meeting, the SAMSA office is always buzzing.

8) CAMPUS: Best view of campus

1. From steps of Dallas Hall looking south toward downtown Dallas (120) 47.06%
2. From 4th floor of Fondren Library (46) 18.04%
3. From Mockingbird looking north on Bishop Boulevard (42) 16.47%

9) CAMPUS: Best campus building interior

1. Dallas Hall (60) 24.90%
2. Blanton Student Services Building (55) 22.82%
3. Caruth Hall (40) 16.60%

10) CAMPUS: Best campus building exterior

1. Dallas Hall (150) 59.52%
2. Blanton Student Services Building (34) 13.49%%
3. Perkins Chapel (33) 13.10%

     When SMU opened its doors in 1915, Dallas Hall housed the entire university. As the primary face of the university, much attention and detail was put into the building's exterior. Modeled after a rotunda at the University of Virginia, Dallas Hall is an America classic celebrating Jeffersonian architecture. Its green dome and five pillars have become the symbol of SMU and the building's historical significance has earned it a place in the National Registry of Historic Places. Enhanced by tons of grass, trees and a constantly flowing fountain, the forefront visual of Dallas Hall is enough to make any Mustang proud. Beyond the many classrooms, administrative offices, and third-floor auditorium, Dallas Hall offers an interior both functional and stunning. Looking up or down, there is something that will catch your eye. Outlined with layers of gold molding, a stained glass window in center of Dallas Hall's main rotunda shines light directly onto the university seal laid into the first floor. A short walk up the marble stairs reveals white and gold paned windows that gaze directly to the Dallas skyline miles away. Students agree that Dallas Hall is one building aesthetically appealing both inside and out.