Mark Braboy
Associate Editor
On Monday, Jackson State University students were notified that starting next school year, they are required to have health insurance and to show proof in order to live on campus. A mass email from the Department of Housing and Residential Life was sent to students informing them of this new policy.
According to the notice, all students who plan to live on campus this fall, after they receive their room assignments must show proof of having health insurance during the student move-in. All new and transfer students will begin moving in on Aug. 15 while returning students will start on Aug. 18.
Students who are on their parent’s health insurance can show proof of this as well.
Students have mixed feelings about the new policy; some are outraged and believe that the new policy is detrimental, while others think it is a good idea.
“People can’t afford this probably at this time or later on like when school starts in the fall so it’s just ridiculous to have a plan like that,” said Kentrize Woodson, a sophomore elementary education major from Jackson, Miss.
Malik Walton, a freshman education major from Jackson, Miss., said: “I really think it’s a good idea because if you know you already stay on campus and you already got that email that gives you plenty of time to go ahead and get your stuff already set up so you won’t have to wait forever on a room.”
According to Charles N. Smith, the Associate Provost for Student Affairs, the reason for the new policy is to comply with the Affordable Health Care Act, reduce high ambulance expenses for the university, and to make sure students have access to facilities.
“The university is trying to comply with the requirements of the affordable care act as much as possible. Also there have been health issues that have happened around the country. If there is an emergency need, the university cannot transport them (students) in anyone’s vehicle, but we have to call the ambulance. There is a cost associated with it, from $400 or more. If they have their health issuance or are on their parent’s health insurance, it’s covered through the policy,” said Smith.
“The university wants to be sure the students are healthy and have access to facilities. It is very necessary we have our students covered due to all of the different illnesses emerging, considering tuberculosis, measles and other illnesses. There have been incidents where students have been transferred to the hospital and the cost of the ambulance was placed on the students’ bill, which upset the student,” he added.
Smith explained that the policy of requiring residential students to have health insurance is common at other universities and that students will also have to show proof of their vaccination records as well. It is a long standing policy that will now be strictly enforced for the 2015-2016 school year. Additionally, it is a requirement of the U.S. State Department that all international students must have health insurance and show proof of vaccination.
After contacting other Mississippi university housing officials, including the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Tougaloo College, and Mississippi Valley State University, the only other schools with this similar policy are Millsaps, Valley State, and Mississippi College.
The JSU Housing page has been updated to reflect the new policy.
The priority deadline for all applications is May 1. Room assignments will be available on your JSU PAWS account by July 15. For further assistance, contact JSU Housing 601-979-2326.
Avi’Yam Jordan contributed to this story.
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