Cianna Hope Reeves/ Managing editor
Contributor Morgan Brunson
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Jackson State University’s Housing and Residence Life Department held an informative meeting regarding a new method of applying for on-campus living.
Housing faculty and staff, along with resident assistants gathered in the Student Center Ballroom A to inform students on the housing application process, important dates and deadlines, and safety tips while on and off-campus.
Officer Eric Abston represented Public Safety and spoke on the precautions students should take as on-campus students stating, “It is very important to maintain this family we have.”
He also gave students a helpful tip when entering the cars of people that you do not know very well stating that students should ask to see a photo ID of the driver.
The officer also informed the crowd of students about an ongoing trend could potentially become a serious liability.
Students are walking to stores such as Shortie’s and Boston’s Fish & Chicken, which are two popular food restaurants that students go to in order to purchase late night snacks.
The concerned policeman stated, “It is never safe to walk anywhere off campus, whether you’re with two or five people.”
Tammy Timbers, the executive director of Housing and Residence Life, introduced the hall directors of the upperclassmen residence halls and explained the criteria for students to be aware of prior to submitting their reservation fees.
“To stay and reside on campus you must be a full-time student, which is equivalent to 12 credit hours,” Timbers stated.
In order to be eligible to submit a housing request, students must also be: medically re-admitted, returning students, first-year students for the spring semester, international students and JSU students living off-campus.
The room reservation fee is $75 for returning students, $100 for first-year transfers and $175 for incoming freshmen and must be paid in a timely manner to gain the room of choice.
Some students are not pleased with the annual reservation fee, while others believe it is a great technique to lessen the hassle that comes with obtaining a room.
Ahmarey Stimley, a junior entrepreneurship major from Hattiesburg, Miss., does not view the rules as a difficult adjustment but believes it necessary.
“Improvements were needed and now that they are now enforcing this new method, I don’t think this is a bad thing. As far as the housing process, not much had changed in regards to pricing, so we just have to make sure we get it done,” said Stimley.
Camry Dabney sees both sides of the issue.
“I think it’s necessary so it can be more organization to make sure we get the room we want if we pay on time. But I can also understand how some people feel like that’s a little much. So I see both sides of it. Making housing fees mandatory is easy for them to get more moneybecause students always need a place to stay. Students want to stay on campus because it’s easier than staying off campus,” said Dabney, a sophomore healthcare administration major from Cypress, Texas.
Charles Moffett believes the fee amount is fair.
“I feel like the fee is a good amount to reserve a room because you have a lot of people applying for the school and they give everyone an equal opportunity to apply and reserve a room,” said Moffett, a junior criminal justice major from Gulfport, Miss.
Other students, like Brian Mitchell however, do feel the fee is either too high or unnecessary.
“I feel like it’s unnecessary for Housing to charge $75 dollars for a reservation. I feel like paying more money is not mandatory when you already have a room,” said Mitchell, a sophomore business administration major from Daphne, Ala.
Kenzerrius Maghett feels that the fee difference is unfair to transfer students.
“With me being a transfer student and I feel as though it’s too high. We pay the same amount to go to school and whatever the students here are paying we should pay. I believe the price should be the same for both returning and transfer students,” said Maghett, a junior biology major from Bellini, Miss.
Dericka Dotson, a junior social work major, from Little Rock, Ark., seemed to have only positive things to say about the meeting. As a resident assistant in Alexander West, she is excited about the new procedure.
Dotson stated, “The mandatory residence hall meeting was very informative. I can’t wait to test out the new housing process!”
The housing application opens up Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 and closes Friday March 15, 2019.
