Residential Living and Learning Mission Statement
Residential Living and Learning (RLL) is committed to fostering a student-centered residential experience that builds community, supports purposeful learning, and cultivates meaningful connections through leadership development and holistic engagement.
About East Texas A&M University
At East Texas A&M University, we transform lives! With campuses across Dallas and surrounding regions, we proudly deliver 140+ academic degrees and serve around 13,000 students. In November 2024, we changed our name from Texas A&M University-Commerce to East Texas A&M University. Our new name celebrates our East Texas heritage and connects us to the communities we serve.
Our Mission
Transform Lives.
10 Unique Qualities of East Texas A&M
Quality Academic Programs
From accounting to electrical engineering, East Texas A&M offers around 140 academic degrees from six university colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked several programs at East Texas A&M University among the top in the nation.
Internships and Job Placement
The university’s Student Career Preparedness office helps match students with internships and job opportunities in top-notch industries. From creating strong resumes to honing interview skills, Student Career Preparedness can give students an edge in the job market.
Welcoming Campus Culture
Known for its friendly campus atmosphere, East Texas A&M strives to help every student feel like a valued member of the Lion family. Students enjoy an exciting campus experience as they participate in a thriving Greek community and 115+ student organizations.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Among the university’s many outstanding facilities, the Nursing and Health Sciences Building features a state-of-the-art simulation hospital where future healthcare leaders practice life-saving skills in a realistic clinical setting.
Convenient Learning Sites
East Texas A&M offers many learning sites across Dallas-Fort Worth as well as a large selection of online classes. The university's newest site—East Texas A&M-Dallas—towers above North Central Expressway and places students in one of the nation's global centers!
Entrepreneurship Program
Among the university’s many innovative programs, Venture College empowers budding entrepreneurs to develop and launch their products and business ideas.
Hands-on Agriculture Program
East Texas A&M offers one of the nation’s only agriculture colleges where students experiment with sustainable growing methods to produce their own wheat, cotton and corn crops on a 1,300-acre farm.
Leader in Texas Education
Founded in 1889 as a teachers' college, East Texas A&M is a leading producer of certified Texas educators.
Show-Stopping Music Program
The university's School of Music is highly sought after by aspiring musicians and music educators. East Texas A&M is an All-Steinway School, a designation bestowed by the prestigious Steinway & Sons piano company. The university is also the world's first institution to receive a Spirio Technology designation.
Powerhouse NCAA Athletics Program
The East Texas A&M Lions are an athletic powerhouse. They claimed the 2017 NCAA Division II Football National Championship. In 2022, the Lions made a move to NCAA Division I as part of the Southland Conference.
Discover more about what makes East Texas A&M unique at etamu.edu.
HISTORY OF EAST TEXAS A&M
Established in 1889, East Texas A&M University proudly maintains a 136-year legacy of excellence. East Texas A&M is the third-largest university in the prestigious Texas A&M University System.
Historical Timeline
- 1889-William Leonidas Mayo founded East Texas Normal College in Cooper, Texas.
- 1894-The Cooper site was destroyed by fire, and the university moved to its present-day location in Commerce.
- 1917-On March 14, a bill passed in the state legislature making the university a state-funded college. On the same day, Professor Mayo died suddenly before receiving the news that his college would live on. Subsequently, the name changed to East Texas State Normal College.
- 1923-The school was renamed East Texas State Teachers College.
- 1935-Graduate education entered the curriculum.
- 1957-The state legislature, recognizing that the university had broadened from teacher education alone, changed the university's name to East Texas State College.
- 1962-The first doctoral program was inaugurated.
- 1965-The university's name changed to East Texas State University.
- 1996-The university's name changed to Texas A&M University-Commerce when the university joined the Texas A&M system.
- 2024-A&M-Commerce became East Texas A&M University when The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved the name change on November 7.
Fire Reporting and Other Important Information
Reporting Fires
On campus phones – Police/Fire/Medical 9-911
Off campus or cellular phones – 911 or 903.886.5111
Per federal law, East Texas A&M University is required to annually disclose statistical data on all fires that occur in on-campus housing facilities. Listed below are the non-emergency phone numbers to call to report fires that have already been extinguished in on-campus student housing. These telephone numbers are for fires for which you are unsure whether the East Texas A&M University Police may already be aware. If you find evidence of such a fire or if you hear about such a fire, please contact one of the following:
University Police Department – 903.886.5868
Main Campus – Residential Living and Learning – 903.886.5797
Farm Complex – College of Agricultural and Natural Resources – 903.886.5358
Facilities and Construction – 903.468.6006
When calling, please provide as much information as possible about the location, date, time, and cause of the fire.
Other Important Telephone Numbers
Physical Plant – 903.886.5761
Fire Department – 903.886.1147
Report
This report is developed as a requirement of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315).
This report does not include any information required to be reported under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act Annual Report. Information regarding the Clery report is available by contacting the University Police Department at 903.886.5868 or on the web at: http://www.etamu.edu/crimestats
This report contains the prior three year's data.
Fire Log Information/Location
East Texas A&M University maintains a fire log that is available to the public.
The log is kept in the Facilities and Construction Department and may be accessed on the web at: Fire Log
Additional information can be requested on the web at: Public Information
Definitions
(Source: Department of Education)
Cause of fire: The factor or factors that give rise to a fire. The causal factor may be, but is not limited to, the result of an intentional or unintentional action, mechanical failure, or act of nature.
Fire: Any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.
Fire drill: A supervised practice of a mandatory evacuation of a building for a fire.
Fire-related injury: Any instance in which a person is injured as a result of a fire, including an injury sustained from a natural or accidental cause, while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire. The term ‘‘person'' may include students, employees, visitors, firefighters, or any other individuals.
Fire-related death: Any instance in which a person—
(1) Is killed as a result of a fire, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of a fire; or
(2) Dies within one year of injuries sustained as a result of the fire.
Fire safety system: Any mechanism or system related to the detection of a fire, the warning resulting from a fire, or the control of a fire. This may include sprinkler systems or other fire extinguishing systems, fire detection devices, stand-alone smoke alarms, devices that alert one to the presence of a fire, such as horns, bells, or strobe lights; smoke-control and reduction mechanisms; and fire doors and walls that reduce the spread of a fire.
Value of property damage: The estimated value of the loss of the structure and contents, in terms of the cost of replacement in like kind and quantity. This estimate should include contents damaged by fire, and related damages caused by smoke, water, and overhaul; however, it does not include indirect loss, such as business interruption.
On-Campus Student Housing Information
F Halls
The F Halls consist of six 7,604 square foot reinforced concrete and brick two-story 40 bed residence halls and are made up of double occupancy rooms (with a private room option), community showers, lounges and large kitchen.
Whitley Hall
Whitley Hall is a 219,096 square foot reinforced concrete and brick twelve story 510 bed high-rise residence hall and is made up of double occupancy rooms (with some private room option), shared showers, community lounges, and a main lobby. Whitley Hall was offline fall of 2021. Whitley Hall was brought back online the fall of 2022.
New Pride Apartments
New Pride Apartments consists of six separate wood frame and masonry two-story apartment buildings (Building 1 is 20,271 square foot and Buildings 2-6 are 15,917 square foot each) with a total of 300 beds and a 3,173 square foot community center. Each apartment comes with a private bedroom, two bathrooms, and a shared living and kitchen space.
Prairie Crossing Apartments
Prairie Crossing Apartments is a 166,376 square foot wood frame and masonry four-story 282 bed apartment building with suite-style living accommodations. Each apartment (one, two, or four bedrooms) comes with a private bedroom, one or two bathrooms, and a shared living and kitchen space.
Pride Rock Hall
Pride Rock Hall is an 85,970 square foot wood frame and masonry three story 250 bed residence hall and is made up of 2-1 suite style rooms (residents have private bedrooms and share a bathroom with one roommate).
Phase II Hall
Phase II Hall is an 184,745 square foot wood frame and masonry four story 540 bed residence hall and is made up of 2-1 suite style rooms (residents have private bedrooms and share a bathroom with one roommate).
Phase III Hall
Phase III Hall is an 136,593 square foot wood frame and masonry four story 490 bed residence hall and is made up of double and private rooms and centralized private bathrooms.
Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm House
The Blueberry Farm House is a 4,119 square foot wood frame and siding two story 7 bed residence/educational facility made up of individual rooms, community showers, lounges and a large kitchen. The house is located on the Farm Complex and is managed by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students began living at the house June 2018.
Berry Hall
Berry Hall is a 61,567 square foot reinforced concrete, steel, and brick two-story 296 bed residence hall and is made up of double occupancy rooms (with some private room option), community bathrooms, lounges, and a main lobby. Berry Hall was taken offline in the second half of 2017. Building is inactive.
Smith Hall
Smith Hall is an 81,192 square foot reinforced concrete and brick three-story 410 bed residence hall and is made up of double occupancy rooms (with some private room option), half baths in suites, community showers, lounges, and a main lobby. Smith Hall was taken offline in the second half of 2020. Building is inactive.
West Halls
The West Halls are 5,016 – 7,965 square foot reinforced concrete and brick two-story 16 – 24 bed residence halls made up of two-bedroom/one-bathroom apartments consisting of private bedrooms and a shared bathroom, kitchen and living space. The West Halls include Craddock Hall, Bledsoe Hall, Neu Hall, Fling Hall, Webster Hall, and Wray Hall. The West Halls were taken offline the second half of 2021. Buildings are inactive. West Halls were demolished in 2025.
COVID-19 Temporary Housing
The COVID-19 temporary housing is a 2,204 square foot wood frame and brick one story duplex. The duplex may be used sporadically as needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This housing has been discontinued as of the end of 2021. Building is inactive.
On-Campus Student Housing Facilities – Fire Safety Systems
| Residential Facility | Fire Detection System Information | Fire Sprinkler System Information | Fire Extinguisher Information | Number of Fire Drills Held |
| Smith Hall | Fully addressable *1 | Fully Sprinkled *3 | Common Areas | N/A |
| Berry Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| F1 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| F2 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| F3 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| F4 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| F5 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| F6 Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 4 |
| Craddock Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Bledsoe Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Neu Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Fling Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Webster Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Wray Hall | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | N/A |
| Whitley Hall | Fully addressable *1 | Fully Sprinkled *3 | Common Areas | 4 |
| New Pride Apartments | Partially addressable *2 | Fully sprinkled *3 | Common Areas; Individual Rooms | 6 |
| Prairie Crossing Apartments | Partially addressable *2 | Fully sprinkled *3 | Common Areas; Individual Rooms | 4 |
| Pride Rock Hall | Fully addressable *1 | Fully Sprinkled *3 | Common Areas | 4 |
| Phase II Hall | Fully addressable *1 | Fully Sprinkled *3 | Common Areas | 4 |
| Phase III Hall | Fully addressable *1 | Fully Sprinkled *3 | Common Areas | 6 |
| Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm House | Fully addressable *1 | None | Common Areas | 1 |
| COVID-19 Temporary Housing | Non-system smoke alarms only. | None | None | N/A |
*1. Fully addressable fire alarm system is defined as having detection/notification in each sleeping room & in all common areas; monitored on site by UPD 24 hours per day.
*2. Partially addressable fire alarm system is defined as having non-system smoke alarms and system notification in each apartment and system components in all other areas; monitored on site by UPD 24 hours per day.
*3. Fully Sprinkled is defined as having sprinklers in both the common areas and individual rooms.
Fire Statistics
Calendar Year 2022
| Residential Facilities | Total Fires in Each Building | Fire Number | Cause of Fire | Injuries requiring treatment | Deaths | Property Value Damage |
| Smith Hall, 2201 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Berry Hall, 2301 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F1 Hall, 1600 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F2 Hall, 1604 Education Dr | 1 | 1 | Unintentional – Oven fire while cooking | 0 | 0 | $100-999 |
| F3 Hall, 1606 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F4 Hall, 1609 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F5 Hall, 1605 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F6 Hall, 1601 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Craddock Hall, 2501 W Halls Ave | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bledsoe Hall, 2109 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Neu Hall, 2115 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fling Hall, 2500 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Webster Hall, 2003 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wray Hall, 2001 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whitley Hall, 2001 Culver St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Pride Apartments, 2000 Walnut St | 1 | 1 | Unintentional – Oven fire while cooking | 0 | 0 | $100-999 |
| Prairie Crossing Apartments, 1809 Monroe St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pride Rock Hall, 2513 W Halls Ave | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phase II Hall, 2501 W Neal St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phase III Hall, 2400 Hwy 24 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm House, 2965 Hwy 24, Campbell, TX 75422 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| COVID-19 Temporary Housing, 1704 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Calendar Year 2023
| Residential Facilities | Total Fires in Each Building | Fire Number | Cause of Fire | Injuries requiring treatment | Deaths | Property Value Damage |
| Smith Hall, 2201 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Berry Hall, 2301 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F1 Hall, 1600 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F2 Hall, 1604 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F3 Hall, 1606 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F4 Hall, 1609 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F5 Hall, 1605 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F6 Hall, 1601 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Craddock Hall, 2501 W Halls Ave | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bledsoe Hall, 2109 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Neu Hall, 2115 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fling Hall, 2500 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Webster Hall, 2003 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wray Hall, 2001 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whitley Hall, 2001 Culver St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Pride Apartments, 2000 Walnut St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie Crossing Apartments, 1809 Monroe St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pride Rock Hall, 2513 W Halls Ave | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Phase II Hall, 2501 W Neal St | 1 | 1 | Undetermined – Cigarette appeared to start fire in dumpster | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Phase III Hall, 2400 Hwy 24 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm House, 2965 Hwy 24, Campbell, TX 75422 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| COVID-19 Temporary Housing, 1704 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Calendar Year 2024
| Residential Facilities | Total Fires in Each Building | Fire Number | Cause of Fire | Injuries requiring treatment | Deaths | Property Value Damage |
| Smith Hall, 2201 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Berry Hall, 2301 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F1 Hall, 1600 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F2 Hall, 1604 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F3 Hall, 1606 Education Dr | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F4 Hall, 1609 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| F5 Hall, 1605 Lee St | 1 | 1 | Intentional – Student lit a piece of paper on fire to cover smoking smell | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| F6 Hall, 1601 Lee St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Craddock Hall, 2501 W Halls Ave | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bledsoe Hall, 2109 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Neu Hall, 2115 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fling Hall, 2500 Hwy 50 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Webster Hall, 2003 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wray Hall, 2001 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whitley Hall, 2001 Culver St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Pride Apartments, 2000 Walnut St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie Crossing Apartments, 1809 Monroe St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pride Rock Hall, 2513 W Halls Ave | 3 | 1 | Unintentional – Parchment paper caught fire in an air fryer | 0 | 0 | <$99 |
| Pride Rock Hall, 2513 W Halls Ave | 3 | 2 | Unintentional – E-Scooter caught fire | 1 | 0 | $1000-9999 |
| Pride Rock Hall, 2513 W Halls Ave | 3 | 3 | Undetermined – Trash in dumpster caught fire | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Phase II Hall, 2501 W Neal St | 1 | 1 | Unintentional – Small grease fire while cooking | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Phase III Hall, 2400 Hwy 24 | 1 | 1 | Undetermined – Trash in trash can caught fire | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm House, 2965 Hwy 24, Campbell, TX 75422 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| COVID-19 Temporary Housing, 1704 Jackson St | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |