Frequently Asked Questions

The University has deemed that students attending college for the first time should be given as much opportunity to live on campus as possible. The University cannot house all the freshmen who would want to live on campus; therefore, incoming freshman are advised to apply as soon as possible, and apply for housing as soon as they are offered admission. First year students who do not get housing on-campus will be notified in advance and should consider other options. 

Transfer or Graduate students are eligible for campus housing if space permits. 

You must be admitted to JSU in order to be eligible to apply for housing. 

Unfortunately, we do not have family or married housing on campus.

All applications for housing are done through the StarRez Portal. First year and incoming transfer students will be provided a different process through Enrollment Management. 

No, the summer and fall application periods are separate.

Do not despair! Fortunately, there are many off-campus student apartment complexes near the University that can provide suitable housing. 

Do not assume you have been assigned to on-campus housing. Based upon your housing application received date, a housing confirmed date will be given to you as space becomes available.

A housing intent received date is the date you started your online housing intent form. The housing intent complete date is the date you submitted your online housing intent. If you are confirmed for housing, the housing intent complete date is used in determining your room selection appointment time. This date is subject to change if you request a change in your agreement type.

Do not despair! Fortunately, there are many off-campus student apartment complexes near the University that can provide suitable housing. 

Do not assume you have been assigned to on-campus housing. Based upon your housing application received date, a housing confirmed date will be given to you as space becomes available.

Academic Year (AY) Agreements are two semester (Fall and Spring) obligations that coincide with the duration of the Fall and Spring Semesters at JSU. During breaks between the Fall and Spring semesters, residents may not remain in their rooms (though belongings may remain).

You can see the type of housing you applied for in your StarRez Portal. 

You may apply for housing once you are offered admission to the university.

Do not assume you have been assigned to on-campus housing. Based upon your housing intent form complete date, a housing confirmed status will be given to you as space becomes available. You can check the status of your intent by viewing your StarRez Portal. If we are unable to offer you space for the semester you desire, we will  notify you in advance, in email. We will do this as soon as possible so that you may make alternate housing arrangements.

You may view terms and conditions on our website here.

Once online room selection takes place, all of our space is completely filled, so room changes are not always possible. A Room Change Request period will be available at the start of the semester, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to honor the room you or space you would like to move to. Please note that JSU Housing and Residence Life will not change a room assignment due to race, religion, or sexual orientation.

The Department of Housing and Residence Life is working to develop and enhance our living learning communities to complement the students’ JSU academic experience. These partnerships are designed to create living-learning environments outside of the classroom. Students must be offered a JSU housing agreement to live in these communities

Monitor your @students.jsums.edu email for updates. 

Accommodation requests for a medical condition or disability reason will be made through Office of Accessible Education and Resource Center (OAERC) after completing a housing application. More information can be found here: https://www.jsums.edu/disability/

Online room selection takes place at various times depending on the term, type of agreement, and classification of student.

 Due to FERPA regulations, we communicate directly with the students regarding specific or personal matters.

When you are given a room assignment on-campus, you are also given a PO Box assignment. You can find more information about on-campus mail here. 

We communicate officially via email directly to the student. Email is the official means of communication at JSU and students are expected to maintain and check their email regularly.

We will send emails to your @students.jsums.edu email address. You should make sure to check it regularly for communication from  JSU Housing and Residence Life, as well as other departments, professors, etc.

If you have not yet moved on campus, please contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life by phone or email. If you are already an on-campus resident, you should contact your communities front desk either by visiting or by phone.

All official communication with you from the Department of Housing and Residence Life will be through email, the StarRez Portal, and the Housing and Residence Life website. We do not mail home any invoices, room assignments, applications, etc.

No, you may not stay in your room during the break between the fall and spring semesters. You may leave your belongings in your room but you may not stay in the room. During the semester breaks between spring and summer and between summer and fall you must move out of your room completely. All students may stay in their rooms during Spring Break.

Each student residing on campus is provided with a twin XL bed, mattress, dresser, desk, chair, and closet space. For students living in on-campus apartments like One University Place, the bedrooms are furnished with a full-size bed, desk, chair, closet, and each unit features a private bathroom. The living rooms are furnished with a couch and one side chair. Apartment kitchens come fully equipped with a full-size refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. Residents are responsible for supplying their own shower curtains, cleaning supplies, and other personal items.

Students living in off-campus apartments like Walthall Lofts and The Courthouse are provided with a twin XL bed, mattress, desk, chair, and closet storage. Apartment kitchens are equipped with a full-size refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. As with on-campus housing, residents should supply their own shower curtains, cleaning supplies, and other personal necessities.

Appointments are required for move-in and will be made available in the StarRez Portal ahead of each move-in timeframe. You should plan to arrive on campus during your selected move-in appointment. Detailed move in information will be available on our website. 

All students parking on-campus will need to purchase a parking decal through JSU Public Safety. 

• Do not park in reserved spots. Any vehicles parked in these spots must be moved by 5:00 AM daily. Failure to comply will result in tickets and towing.
• Only vehicles with proper documentation may park in designated accessible parking spots. Unauthorized parking will lead to tickets and towing.
• Do not move cones or park in loading zones. Unauthorized parking will result in tickets and towing.

No; all university facilities, including on-campus residential facilities have been declared Non-Smoking. This includes the stairwells, hallways, and building entrances.  Our smoke-free policy promotes the health and comfort of the university community and our guests.

No

If you are in an apartment style facility, you may cook in your kitchen. If you are in an apartment, you may have appliances such as a toaster, toaster oven, coffee pot, crockpot, and air fryer in your kitchen. These appliances are not permitted in bedrooms.

If you are in a residence hall facility, you may only cook in a microwave. You may bring a microwave oven (must not exceed 700 watts), a small refrigerator (must not exceed 3.1 cubic feet) and a coffee pot. You may not have appliances such as a toaster, toaster oven, air fryers, crockpots or George Foreman grill as there is not proper ventilation in residence hall rooms for these types of appliances.

The only pets allowed to be kept in on-campus housing are non-lethal fish in a five gallon or smaller tank.

You are allowed to bring your ESA or Service Animal to housing with prior approval from the Office of Accessible Education and Resource Center (OAERC). Without written approval from the OAERC, that is approved and sent to the Department of Housing & Residence Life, you will incur fines for having an animal on campus, and the animal must be removed from the space within 24 hours.

Beds must remain at their standard height and cannot be raised or placed on bed risers.

No

Refer to the Student Handbook for the visitation policy. 

At Jackson State University, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students during severe weather events. While Mississippi is not typically in the path of hurricanes, it is important to be prepared for any weather-related emergencies, including severe storms and tornadoes, especially during the peak storm season from June to November.

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides important weather alerts and updates. In the event of severe weather, the university’s Office of Emergency Management will monitor these alerts closely and send official updates to all faculty, staff, and students via email, text, and through the JSU homepage.

If severe weather poses a significant threat to our area, Jackson State University, in consultation with local government authorities, reserves the right to close campus or cancel classes. Any closures or cancellations will be communicated through social media channels, and local media outlets. Please stay tuned to for the latest updates on weather-related closures.

In the event of a serious storm or weather-related emergency, JSU may open designated shelter areas on campus for students who need to take refuge. These shelters will be coordinated by the Department of Emergency Management, ensuring support services such as security, utilities, and food are available. Students will receive updates and instructions via JSU Housing and Residence Life communications if sheltering becomes necessary.

We strongly encourage all students to stay informed during the storm season. Prepare by keeping an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra phone chargers, and personal medications. Be sure to follow any instructions sent by Housing & Residence Life regarding safety measures during a storm.

While we hope to avoid severe weather, it’s always best to be prepared. Let’s all work together to ensure a safe and secure environment for the entire JSU community.

Residence Halls and Apartments

Students are responsible for their own cleaning in their residence hall rooms or apartments. All residents are expected to maintain proper cleanliness, including vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and removing all trash on a regular basis. The housing agreement requires residents to maintain clean and hygienic conditions in residence hall rooms and apartments.

Custodial services will clean only communal bathrooms, public hallways, lounges, and lobby areas

Trash 

You are responsible for emptying your own trash into the dumpsters or trash compactors. Residents disposing of trash in areas other than designated dumpsters are subject to a $100 fine per bag . 

Note: During move out and move in additional dumpsters and compactors will be brought in to assist with discarded boxes, etc.

The Community Director (CD) oversees the Community Assistants (CAs) and Graduate Community Directors (GCDs) in your building, providing guidance and support to ensure a positive living experience for all students. The CD is a professional staff member who is responsible for the overall management of the residential community, including coordinating programs, addressing concerns, and ensuring that housing policies are upheld.

In addition to supervising the CAs and GCDs, the CD serves as a resource for students, offering assistance with housing-related issues, academic support, and connecting students with campus resources. They work to create an inclusive and vibrant environment where students feel safe, supported, and engaged.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any aspect of your on-campus living experience, your Community Director is always available to help guide you.

The Graduate Community Director (GCD) plays a vital role in supporting the Community Director (CD) and assisting with the overall management of the residential community. GCDs oversee the Community Assistant (CA) staff, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure that all CAs are effectively serving residents and creating a positive living environment.

In addition to supervising the CA staff, GCDs contribute to special initiatives and projects within the Housing & Residence Life department, helping to develop and implement programming, events, and community-building activities. They work closely with the CD to address housing-related concerns, promote student engagement, and support the personal and academic success of all residents.

If you have any questions or need assistance, your Graduate Community Director is available to support you and ensure your on-campus experience is as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible.

Community Assistants (CAs) are specially selected and trained students who live in your building and are here to support you. The role of the CA is to serve as a community resource and facilitator for students living on campus at JSU. CAs are available to answer your questions about housing or university life, get to know you and your interests, and provide a variety of fun and educational events and activities.

CAs are equipped with information to help resolve housing-related issues, are familiar with campus resources, and have experience navigating academic and student life at JSU. They are also responsible for enforcing housing and university policies to ensure a safe and positive living environment.

If you have any concerns, questions, or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your CA, they’re here to help!

We have several different security measures that help to make our housing a safe place for you to live:

• Locks & Keys: Each student is issued a key(s) and/or fob that will open their building/apartment/room. We ask that students keep their keys with them at all times and keep their doors locked.
• JSU Public Safety Our Public Safety patrols our campus and responds to emergencies in our housing communities.

Please visit the JSU Dining Services website for more details on dining memberships and how to purchase them.

To find out more information about becoming a Community Assistant, visit the CA Selection site. 

You had an amazing year on campus- who wouldn’t want to stay? To find information for returning residents, check out our website here. 

Prior to the move-out dates, Residence Life staff will post information on the move-out procedures. Make sure to read this information carefully and follow all instructions. You will need to return your mailbox key to the postal center, and complete the checkout process at your community office which includes returning your room keys to your communities housing staff and receiving a move-out inspection with a Residence Life staff member. For additional details, you can always ask at your Community Director. 

Once online room selection takes place, all of our space is completely filled, so room changes are not always possible. A Room Change Request period will be available at the start of the semester, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to honor the room you or space you would like to move to. Please note that JSU Housing and Residence Life will not change a room assignment due to race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Please check the Academic Calendar for housing move-out dates.

If you need help or have questions, you should contact your Community Assistant or your Community Director. For contact information, please visit our residential communities page. 

We’re here to help! You can always fill out an online work order here. If your maintenance problem is an emergency, such as a dead elevator, toilet running over, power out, or an extremely hot or cold room, and also notify your community staff. 

Once your student has moved on-campus, you should contact the Community Director within the community where your student resides. For phone numbers of the community offices, please visit our residential communities page. Community Directors are full time, live-in professional staff member who supervises the community. Community Directors can help you with your concern regarding your student, or refer you to an appropriate person.

Consolidation helps ensure that all available spaces are utilized efficiently. If you’re the only person in a room designed for two, consolidating allows us to offer the space to another student who may be in need of housing. It also helps maintain fairness in room pricing, as we charge based on the number of occupants in a room. By consolidating, you can avoid being charged the higher single room rate and help make housing available to more students.

If you do not want to consolidate, you may have the option to buy out the space. This means that you would pay the full cost of the room as if it were a single-occupancy room, even if you’re the only person living there. Essentially, you’re paying the single room rate to keep the room to yourself without the need to have another roommate move in. This option is typically available if you prefer more privacy and are willing to cover the additional cost.

A buyout means that you would pay for both beds within the space, effectively covering the cost of the room as if it were a double occupancy, even though you’re the only person living there. This option allows you to keep the room to yourself without having to consolidate with another resident. Essentially, you would be paying the full cost for both spaces, ensuring that you don’t have to share the room with someone else.

The University is not responsible for damage or loss of personal property caused by third parties, utility failures, laundry equipment issues, fires, floods, storms, or theft. The University is also not liable for missing items due to unlocked doors, lost room keys, or keys loaned out by the student. Students are encouraged to get insurance for their belongings.