Residence Life

Students interested in on-campus housing at Jackson State University (“JSU” or University”) must complete a housing application (“Agreement”). Students understand that he/she must be a registered student at JSU in order to reside on campus and agree to complete the registration process by the official last day of registration. The student further agrees to withdraw from the residence hall if registration is not completed and understands that he/she will be charged for the duration of time that he/she elected to live in the residence hall or had possession of the room. Student understands that he/she may be requested to present proof of insurance upon the date of check in.

1. Fees

Students agree to pay for on-campus housing and meal plan in accordance with the established payment schedule of the University as published in JSU publications or memoranda.

A non-refundable housing application fee of $100.00 is assessed to all first-time students who choose to live in campus housing. Returning students who signed a housing application before 2016 are under terms that do not require additional payment for housing for the duration of their residence at Jackson State University; however, a $75.00 non-refundable room reservation will be assessed to all returning students each academic year.

Housing during the winter break is not included in the basic fee paid by the student.

2. Cancellations

Student’s cancellations of housing for the Fall semester are accepted until June 30 without the student incurring a cancellation fee. Students cancelling after June 30 but prior to August 25 will incur three hundred fifty dollars ($350) cancellation fee and will not be required to pay the entire cost of housing for the semester. Student’s cancellations of Housing and Meal Agreements will not be accepted after August 25. Students shall be assessed and obligated to pay the full charges assessed for housing and meals after with no reduction in the fees assessed, including but not limited to residence hall room fees, post office fees and meal plan fees.

1. a)  If a Student does not return for the Spring semester, the nine-month contract is not automatically terminated. The nine-month contract may be terminated for the Spring semester if the Student is participating in co-op, internship, student teaching, or a student exchange program, graduating in (December), has become married, withdrawing from JSU, transferring to another college or university, or show extraordinary circumstances in order to cancel a housing agreement for the Spring semester. All students who request to cancel the housing agreement must have the proper documentation which supports the basis for the cancellation, which may be denied at the University’s discretion. If a student is terminating an agreement due to the student getting married, the student must furnish proof of marriage.
2. b) Residents may submit cancellation requests by obtaining and completing a Residence Hall Release in the residence hall in which you reside. Note: All requests for cancellations must be made before the Housing/Residence Life Office closes for the holidays. The housing agreement shall be binding on all students who check into the residence hall after the residence hall is open for the semester or summer session.
3. c) Residents may submit cancellation requests by obtaining and completing a Residence Hall Release in the residence hall in which you reside. Requests for cancellations for Spring semester which are made prior to December 14 will not result in license fees being charged. Students canceling after December 14 but before December 21, will be charged and responsible to pay three hundred fifty dollars ($350) of the Spring fees but not the entire semester fee. Cancellations received after December 20 will be charged and responsible to pay one thousand two hundred seventy-seven dollars ($1277) of the Spring fees. A student will not be released from his or her contract after the residence halls open for the Spring semester. Note: All requests for cancellations must be made before the Housing/Residence Life Office closes for the Christmas holidays. Any student who requests cancellation of the contract after the residence halls open for the Spring semester shall be responsible for residence hall room and meal plan fees. The contract will be binding for students who check into the residence hall after the residence hall is open for the semester or summer session.
4. d) Student agrees to pay 100% of the fees associated with his or her room assignment if Student fails to cancel room assignment by the predetermined purge date each semester.
5. e) Students must cancel their summer contract by May 20 without a license fee or penalty. Students canceling after May 27 will incur a $200 cancellation fee.
6. Room Accommodations
7. a) University reserves the right to house students in single or double occupancy situations as it deems appropriate based on current circumstances and students will be assessed room fees based on such occupancy.
8. b)  University will provide basic room furnishings, including a bed with mattress, study area with chair and closet space.
9. c)  Student understands that he/she has 48 hours to claim their assigned room. If Student fails to check into the assigned room within the designated time frame, the Student understands that his or her room will be canceled and reassigned.
10. d) In the event Student’s roommate moves from the assigned room, Student agrees that he/she may be assigned a new roommate or, in the alternative, Student agrees to an increase in the room rate if he/she remains in the room as a single.
11. e) Residence hall and room assignment may be changed or canceled by the University, in the interest of order, health, discipline, maximum utilization of facilities, disaster, or emergency.
12. f)  Acceptance of this Agreement by the University does not guarantee Student an assignment to a particular room or any type of accommodation.
13. g) Students who live in suite-style residence halls are responsible for cleaning the suite. This includes the bathrooms, living room area, kitchenette, and their bedroom. Failure to keep the suite reasonably clean and free of damage will result in a fine for each Student who resides within the suite.
14. Damage to Property

Student understands and agrees that in the event of loss or damage to University property in the assigned room or for loss or damage in the common area caused by Student that said Student shall be liable for damages. Students agree that damages to common areas, when the responsible party is not known, shall be assessed to each student who lives in the residence hall on a pro rata basis.

5. Inspection of Room

The University will conduct room inspections for emergencies, maintenance, inventory, health and safety inspections, or to enforce appropriate regulations which further the educational mission of the University. Students further understand that failure to keep the assigned room reasonably clean and orderly may result in disciplinary charges. By accepting this Agreement, Student consents to any such inspections by appropriate University officials.

6. Postal Services 

The post office box rental fee is assessed to all students living in university-controlled housing. Fees are assessed on an academic year basis and are calculated on the time remaining in the academic year. The fee covers box rental for the remainder of the academic year, provided the student remains enrolled. Those students living off-campus may rent a box at the same rate if they so desire. Post office box rental fees are non-refundable. Boxes are for personal use only and may not be used for business endeavors.

7. Meal Plans

Student understands by agreeing to these terms and conditions he/she will automatically be enrolled in the University meal plan program which is required for all students who reside on campus. Students further understand that the meal membership does not cover or apply during fall break, winter break or spring break.

Students understand that meal plans may be changed at the beginning of each semester by contacting Sodexo Dining Services. First-time, full-time freshmen are not allowed to change their meal plan. Tiger Bucks may be used on campus at the Heritage Dining, Chick-fil-A, Library Cafe’, Pizza Hut and Burger King. Unused Tiger Bucks are non-transferable and non-refundable. Students understand that summer meals may only be obtained by contacting Sodexo Dining Services.

All students residing on campus in university-controlled housing must have a meal plan. The default plan, 7 Day All-Access with $250 Tiger Bucks, is assigned to all residential students. This default plan is mandatory for Freshmen residential students. Upperclassmen (sophomores & up) and Graduate Students can change their meal plans to one of the two (2) other meal options by visiting Auxiliary Enterprises located on the 3^rd floor of J.L. Reddix Hall. Students have the first two weeks of each semester to make changes to their meal plan.

Student understands by agreeing to these terms and conditions, he/she will automatically be enrolled in the University meal plan program, which is required for all students who reside on campus. The student further understands that the meal membership does not cover or apply during fall break, winter break, or spring break. Summer meal plans are optional, and students must contact the Auxiliary Enterprises at 601-979-1325 or meals@jsums.edu to register.

Meal plans guarantee student access to the Residential Dining Hall. Meal plan charges are not based upon usage. Residential Meal Plans are prorated for residential students moving off campus according to the date the student moved into the campus residential facility and moved out date with fees based on the schedule below.

Meal plan refunds due to withdrawal from the university (dropping to zero class hours) are based on the date of withdrawal on record in the Registrar’s Office and the move-out date in Housing. Approved refunds are processed with any applicable percentage fee deducted and the remaining balance credited to the Bursar account and refunded by the Bursar’s Office after any Bursar account balances are satisfied. Refunds usually take at least 10-14 days to process. Participants may not withdraw cash from their meal plan or any ID accounts.

Meal plan refunds are calculated (computed from the first day of class) using the following schedule:

First five days of class:  90%

Between 6 and 10 days of class:  70%

Between 11 and 15 days of class:  50%

Between 16 and 20 days of class:  30%

After 20 days of class:  0%

8. Termination of this Agreement

This Agreement may be terminated by either party for the following reasons:

1. failure to report for room assignment within 48 hours of designated

reporting date;

1. mutual agreement;
2. complete voluntary withdrawal from University by Student;
3. expulsion or suspension of Student by University officials; and
4. suspension from the residence hall by Housing and Residence Life; or graduation.

Any termination of this Agreement will be subject to the refund policy of the Housing Department.  It is agreed that any debts or liabilities arising under this Agreement will survive the termination of the Housing Agreement.

9. Removal of Personal Property

Student understands that he/she is responsible for removing all personal belongings from the residence hall once the housing agreement is terminated. The University and Housing Department is not responsible for any personal belongings left in the residence hall. The room must be vacated no later than 24 hours after the student’s suspension or last exam or by the time the residence halls officially close.

10. Indemnification

The University will not indemnify (be responsible for) third parties who cause loss or damage to Student’s property.  Nor will the University be liable for damage to or loss of the student’s personal property due to failure or interruption of utilities or loss due to laundry equipment, fire, sprinkler system, floods, storm damage or theft. Nor does the University assume responsibility for missing property due to unlocked room doors, lost room keys, or room keys that are loaned by the Student. Students are encouraged to obtain insurance.

The University does not assume any responsibility for personal belongings left in the residence hall, nor do they assume any responsibility for personal belongings left by the student for improper check out, or for failing to remove their belongings from the residence hall upon departure.

11. Insurance

The University is not liable for damage to or loss of student personal property. Insurance to cover loss of or damage to student personal property is an individual responsibility. The University strongly encourages students to purchase fire/theft insurance for the term of this Agreement. The Housing Department will provide students with information regarding fire/theft insurance for students upon request.

12. Liability

Students agree that by signing this Agreement he/she will be subject to the Housing Department and Residence Hall policies, procedures, rules and regulations, in addition to any other applicable University policies.  Failure to abide by said rules and regulations may result in disciplinary sanctions, including residence hall eviction, University suspension, expulsion, or imposition of a monetary fine.  Students understand that if evicted from the residence hall for any reason, or suspended from the University, he/she must request in writing for approval to move back on campus by the Executive Director of Residence Life/Housing prior to applying for student housing. Copies of these rules and regulations may be found in the Student Handbook, Jackson State University Housing Website, and Resident Student Handbook. The Student further understands and agrees that vandalism, destruction of University property, practical jokes, alcoholic beverages and containers, drugs and weapons will not be tolerated in the residence halls.

The Student agrees to give the University permission to release the following information, name to the individual who will be assigned as my roommate. I understand that the University assumes no liability for honoring my instructions. I further understand that acceptance of this application does not constitute a guarantee of a residence hall room or admission to the University. I understand that room assignments are assigned as space is available. I understand that no room assignment will occur until I have been admitted to the University and paid the application fee or room reservation fee. I further understand that if I am not admitted to the University, or decide to not attend JSU, the $100 application processing fee or $75 room reservation fee will not be refunded.

Jackson State University is committed to the principles of equal educational opportunity, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, physical disabilities, age, religion, national origin, or veteran status pursuant to the requirements of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any other applicable statutes.

13. Covid-19 Pandemic Provision

The University intends to perform its educational mission while protecting the health and safety of its students, faculty and staff, and minimizing the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the community. As a result of this global pandemic, the University is not able to accurately predict what the conditions will be like when the academic year begins, and what precautions the University may have to implement in on-campus residence halls throughout the academic year in order to react to the changing circumstances. You should be aware that if you live in an on-campus residence hall, the University cannot guarantee that the residence hall will be free of COVID-19. By signing this Agreement, you understand and agree that the University requires the flexibility to implement certain procedures it deems appropriate to minimize the risks posed by COVID-19. In the case of any inconsistency between other terms of this Housing Agreement and the COVID-19 Pandemic Provision, the terms of this provision shall prevail and supersede any other terms contained within this Agreement.

Jackson State University reserves the right to revise these terms and conditions as necessary.

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