Student Housing

Mississippi State University is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive educational experience. The University has determined that for most four-year students, living on-campus, as compared to off-campus living, has numerous educational and social benefits. In recognition of the value of the living-learning experience associated with on-campus living, Mississippi State University requires first-year students to live in on-campus residence halls. First-year and new transfer students must first apply and be admitted to the university. Once admitted, students will be able to submit housing and roommate preferences for the Fall 2013 / Spring 2014 academic year. A nonrefundable $60 reservation fee must be submitted to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. A nine-month housing contract must be signed once an assignment is offered in order to avoid cancellation of the assignment and/or loss of priority.

Roommate Selection: Students wishing to request one another as roommates should do so via the online roommate selection section of the housing preferences menu. Students wishing to request to room together AFTER submitting housing preferences can return to this menu option anytime before April 1 for first-year students and before June 1 for transfer students to submit or change their roommate preference. Mutual requests received before the April 1 for first-year and June 1 for transfer deadline dates will receive priority consideration.

Transfer and Currently Enrolled Off-campus Students: Assignments of transfer students and currently enrolled off-campus students will not be made until after the assignments of returning residence hall students and new freshman students have been completed (at the end of the spring semester and into the summer as space is available). Freshman students who submit their housing preferences prior to April 1, 2013 will receive their assignment in the month of May 2013. Priority is given to those preferences submitted by April 1, 2013.

Contracts: MSU students cannot cancel their housing contract and room assignment after July 15, 2013 for Fall 2013. The residence hall contract is for both semesters (nine months). The student is legally bound to the terms and conditions of this document as long as the student is enrolled at MSU. For additional information regarding cancellation of contracts for students that are no longer enrolled, please contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life. The residence halls open several days before the first day of classes. Detailed information regarding opening day will be available on the housing web site in early summer.

Private Rooms: Requests for private rooms will only be considered if space is available. First priority will be given to double occupancy assignments. The rate for a private assignment will be higher than for a double room. Contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life for availability and rates.

Disability and Medical Needs: Students requesting specific accommodations based on a disability must first register with MSU’s Office of Student Support Services. The Housing Assignments Office will work with Student Support Services to try to accommodate the student’s needs based on their recommendations and space availability. Students requesting specific accommodations based on a non-disability medical need must submit the appropriate documentation for review and consideration. More information is available on the housing web site. Accommodation requests based on medical or disability needs must be received prior to April 1 in order to receive priority consideration.

Room Change Requests: All room changes must be approved by the residence director or the Assignments Office. A student who makes an unauthorized change will be charged a penalty and required to move back to the assigned space. The assigned occupants are financially responsible for all property in the room, including doors and windows. Individual requests for reassignments will not be considered until after the first week of classes for the Fall 2013 term and all assignments are complete. Depending on space availability, a wait list option for re-assignments may be offered during the summer prior to opening day. Please contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life for more information regarding wait lists for the Fall 2013 term.

University Reassignments and Right of Entry: The University reserves the right to inspect rooms and to move any student to another assignment for reasons of space management or for the maintenance of order. At the beginning of each school term, students without roommates may choose one of three options:

1. move together voluntarily with another student who is without a roommate,
2. be reassigned with another student who is without a roommate, or
3. if private rooms are an option, pay the private room rate.

Whatever the option chosen, the student must coordinate his/her actions with his/her residence director.

Please contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life for more information: Box 9502, Mississippi State, MS 39762; Phone: (662) 325-3555; FAX: (662) 325-HOME (4663); email: housing@saffairs.msstate.edu ; Web site: www.housing.msstate.edu . The Web site is the best source for submitting an application, exploring specifics about facilities, policies, and options for students.