Benefits of living on campus
What's in my room?
Finding a roommate
Housing contract and priority number
Security and card readers
Between semesters
Connectivity
How do I set up my ethernet connection
Fees

Benefits of living on campus

Why should I live on campus?
Residence halls offer the opportunity to meet new friends, get involved, and find other people with common interests. Residence halls are more than just a place to sleep. All residents have access to computer labs, and most halls have in-room Internet connections for personal computers. And when you live on campus, you are close to classes and great places to eat, while the new Joe Frank Sanderson Recreation Center and the intramural sports RecPlex are just a short walk or shuttle ride away. All halls have coin-operated laundry rooms, vending machines, and ice machines. The trained staff members have been specially chosen for their desire and commitment to help students.

Are freshmen required to live on campus?
No. But 90 percent of our freshmen do choose to live on campus.

What if I decide I'd rather not live in housing?
Housing at Mississippi State is considered an option and a privilege. No one is required to live on campus, but we strongly encourage it. We believe our residence halls have much, much more to offer than an apartment complex. In past years, 90 percent of freshmen agreed. However, if you choose not to live on campus after you have completed your application, you must cancel your room in writing before July 1; otherwise, you will be held responsible for all housing fees.

What is the difference between a residence hall and an apartment?
In addition to the other services and opportunities available, Mississippi State University residence halls offer convenience. Your housing fee is all you pay-- no hook-up or monthly charges for cable TV, local telephone service, voice mail, water, gas, electricity, or rent. Your nine-month contract allows you the flexibility to go home during summer breaks, co-op, or student teach and not hassle with finding someone to sublet your 12-month apartment contract.

What types of off-campus housing are available?
There are several apartment complexes in Starkville. The Student Association prints a Guide to Off-Campus Housing.

What's in my room?

What will be in my room when I get to Mississippi State University?
All rooms contain two beds, two desks, two chairs, two closets or wardrobes, a sink, two towel racks, and a MicroFridge-combination refrigerator/freezer and microwave. (Sink not available in suite halls.) Local phone service with VoiceMail and Caller ID is provided.

Does housing provide linens?
No.

What size sheets do I buy?
Extra long twin.

Are the rooms carpeted?
Cresswell, Critz, Hull, McKee, Sessums, and Smith are carpeted. In all other halls students can bring carpet or purchase it from the Residence Hall Association.

Can I decorate my room?
If you have been assigned to any of the newly renovated buildings(Arbour Acres, Cresswell, Critz, McKee, or Sessums), you may not alter the room in any way. Your room is your home for nine months, so bring what you need to feel at home - - within reason! Plants, MSU stuff, and matching bedspreads can all add that special touch. Please remember that the room and the furniture must be found in the same condition as when you checked in, or you will be assessed damages for the difference.

Can I bring my own furniture?
Yes and no. You're encouraged to make your room as homey as possible. We've provided you with all the things we think you'll need, but if you have a favorite chair, desk, chest, or whatever, you can bring that, too. Some furniture cannot be removed from a room once placed there (i.e. captain's beds). The Housing Maintenance office at the Auxiliary Plaza on Russell Street does have a storage agreement form that must be filled out prior to the pick-up of any Housing furniture. Appropriate costs are available by calling (662) 325-2190. You will be charged for any missing furniture when you check out.

Are any of the halls air-conditioned?
Yes, all the residence halls at Mississippi State University are air-conditioned.

Who cleans my room?
You and your roommate (not Mom) are responsible for the cleanliness of your room. Your residence hall custodians are responsible for cleaning hallways, lobbies, bathrooms, showers, and other community areas.

Can I study in the residence hall?
Studies have consistently shown that freshmen living on campus are more likely to return to the university for their second semester than those living off campus. The Office of Housing and Residence Life, the Athletic Department, and Women's Studies have combined resources to provide extensive academic services to students in the freshman residence halls, such as expanded computer labs, study rooms, tutoring, and academic programming.

Can I smoke in my room?
No. All residence halls at Mississippi State University have been smoke-free since the beginning of the 1997 fall semester.

Is there a telephone in my room?
No. Because students want their own personal phones, we no longer provide them. Local phone service, VoiceMail, and Caller ID are provided free of charge. Students are encouraged to bring phones with a built-in ID server.

Do I get cable TV?
Yes, each student room has a cable TV hook-up that also is paid through your room rent. HBO, Showtime, Disney, and Cinemax are extra and can be ordered through Northland Cable Television. If your television is cable ready, you can pick up 40 channels ranging from your local ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and FOX affiliates to music (MTV, BET, CMT, TNN) to sports (ESPN, SportSouth, ESPN 2) to movies (USA, Lifetime, TNT) to specialty channels (the Cartoon Network, A&E, Discovery, ACTS, CNBC, C-Span, CNN, TBS, and many more). In addition, the university operates channel 30 with the Learning Channel and airs many university-produced programs, including coaches' shows and game-of-the-week highlights from university sports. Televisions in each lobby are connected to cable and are available for student use 24 hours a day.

Can I have a car on campus?
Yes, but you must buy a parking decal to park by your hall. Parking is only permitted in specific areas designated by your decal, and you will get a ticket if you are caught parking out of zone. Good spaces are limited, so you're encouraged to walk, ride a bike, or use the shuttle. To purchase your parking decal, you must register your vehicle with the Police Department on-line at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/police/vehreg.htm.

Finding a roommate

Will my best friend and I be able to live together?
We can't guarantee that you will get along, but we will make every effort to assign you to the same room if you request each other. Again, the earlier you both complete your applications, the more likely that you'll be assigned together. But many lasting and rewarding friendships have resulted from taking potluck!

What if my roommate decides not to go to Mississippi State University and I have no roommate?
Many students come to Mississippi State and take "potluck" on roommate choice. Roommates are matched by their bedtime, amount of quiet needed, study habits in room, neatness, room temperature, major, and music preference. Roommate change requests are accepted until mid-June.

How will you assign me to a room?
Your room assignment is based on certain preferences you stated on your housing application. Top priority is a mutual roommate request (keeping you and your roommate together). Other items that will be considered are bedtime, amount of quiet needed, study habits in room, neatness, room temperature, and music preference. While roommate requests are given highest priority, rooms are assigned randomly.

What happens if I can't get along with my roommate?
Before July, if you have changed your roommate preference, you may request a change (in writing) to the Housing Office. After July 1, you must wait until Room Change Day (the exact day will be posted in your residence hall). On that day only, you may change rooms for any reason-no questions asked-as long as space is available. After Room Change Day, if you and your roommate just cannot get along, go see your RA. He or she will help you draw up a roommate contract and assist you in working through the tough times. If all else fails, your residence director and resident assistant will help you find the best possible living arrangement.

What is consolidation?
Consolidation begins the day after Room Change Day. Sometimes students find themselves looking for a new roommate because their roommate was a no-show or moved out during Room Change Day. If this happens to you, you will be given a list of other students without roommates and an opportunity to meet with them. You can choose to move to a new room, have someone move into your room, or declare a private room, if space is available. To declare a private room, you must sign a private room agreement. The rent for a private room is $1,675 per semester and may be paid at the Business Office. Be sure to check 325-INFO (325-4636) to find out if you have been billed for a private room. After seven days, students who have not found a roommate or declared a private room will be consolidated based upon priority numbers, with the highest priority belonging to the student with the lowest number.

Housing contract and priority number

What is my housing contract?
Your housing contract is a legally binding, nine-month or twelve-month contract similar to one you would sign if you rented an apartment. You will not be assigned a room until you have completed your application. A contract is offered once an assignment can be made. Housing contracts are valid for one nine-month school year or one full year and may be terminated only because of marriage, co-op, transferring schools, extreme illness, or death. If you are enrolled at Mississippi State University and you have signed a housing contract, you will be responsible for all housing fees for each semester of your contract.

What is my priority number?
Priority numbers are assigned to students when they complete their housing applications. Each year, incoming first-year students and transfer students are assigned new priority numbers. The earlier you complete your housing application, the sooner you are assigned a priority number. The lower your priority number, the higher your priority.

Security and card readers

What is visitation?
Visitation hours for the opposite sex are voted on in the fall semester in each residence hall. Minimum visitation hours are no visitation. Maximum visitation hours are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Sunday. Freshman halls operate under a check-in policy. Upperclass halls vote between check-in and escort policy.

How do you keep unwanted visitors out?
All freshman halls have state-of-the-art security systems. Outside doors lock at midnight and can be accessed only by card readers. Card readers allow only those students who live in that hall or on that floor to enter the building/floor.

Do I have a curfew at night?
No. As an adult in college, you are responsible for your actions. It is a good idea to let your roommate know where you are going and when you'll be back, so you can be found if an emergency comes up. Also, your roommate can alert the staff if he or she becomes concerned about your return.

Will friends from off-campus have access to my building?
No. Friends (or parents or solicitors for that matter) from off-campus will not be programmed to have access through the card accessible door. All guests should use the front entrance to the building between 7 a.m. and midnight. If your guests are entering the building after midnight, you will need to arrange to meet them and let them in, as visitation allows. Although this may seem inconvenient at first, limiting access to only certain people is the heart of our intentions-to make our halls as secure as possible.

What if I lose my ID card?
You should call 325-3387 between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, to cancel your lost ID card so it cannot be used by anyone else for building access or MoneyMate. After hours, you should report a lost card to the Campus Police Department. You may purchase a new ID card for $10 in 12 Lee Hall during business hours.

What if my ID card doesn't work?
If your card won't work, then get a residence hall staff member to check and see if you are using the card correctly. The staff member can help you determine what the problem is and how to correct it.

Between semesters

Do I have to take all my stuff home between semesters or during school breaks?
No. If you are returning to the same room after the Christmas Holiday break, you may leave your things. The halls will be locked during the holidays, but you are advised to take all valuable items home with you.

What if I can't go home; can I stay in my room?
Your hall will be closed during Spring Break and between semesters. Herbert Hall is open during these breaks, with limited space available. Come by the Housing Office in Herbert Hall and make your reservations at least 48 hours in advance. There is a $10.00 per night charge.

Connectivity

Do the halls have Ethernet connections?
Only Aiken Village and University Drive Apartments DO NOT have ethernet connections.

Are there Internet connections in the hall computer labs?
Yes. The halls with computer labs are Duggar, Hamlin, Hathorn, Hightower, Hull, Rice, and Suttle.

How do I get an account on the Internet if I need dial-up?
For dial-up access to the Internet, go to the Telecommunications Business Office in 10 Lee Hall to complete an application. Charges for dial-up service vary. The Standard Plan is $50 per semester for 125 hours of usage per month. The Economy Plan is $16 per semester for 10 hours of usage per month.

How do I get an MSU e-mail address?
To obtain an account on the Mississippi State's server, go to the Help Desk at 46 Magruder Street or call 325-0631. You also can apply for an MSU e-mail account online.

How do I set up my ethernet connection

What do I do first?
We have had good luck with ethernet cards made by SMC or 3COM. This card should be a standard combo 10/100 card. (If you a have Macintosh or Mac-compatible with built-in card, it will work fine).

What do I do next?
Make sure the wall jack(port) is functional. Port A and Port B should both be active. Help Desk When the correct patch cable is plugged between the port and the NIC there should be at least one light glowing on the NIC. If there are no lights glowing try the next steps before deciding the port is not activated(bad)

Once your PC has been setup, every time your PC is turned on, the DHCP server will assign your PC an IP address (dynamic IP).

What is a patch cable?
An Ethernet patch cable is required to connect the Ethernet card/capability in the computer to the Ethernet port. This is a specially constructed cable needed for high-speed data communication and it is not the same as a phone cord. It should be a Category 5 or better 10BASE-T patch cable with RJ-45 connectors and eight pins. It is recommended that the cable be no greater than ten feet in length for increased performance, but some rooms may require longer patch cables. It is important to note that a modem/telephone cable will not work in the Ethernet ports and will cause damage that will require repair at the student's expense.

Fees

How much does it cost to live on campus?
Fees for double rooms in traditional residence halls are $1115 per semester. Newly renovated buildings are $1,270 per semester(Critz, McKee, Sessums, Cresswell). Fees for apartments vary. Check with the Office of Housing and Residence Life for more information.