The University of Southern Mississippi - Department of Residence Life

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FAQs

Q. Are freshmen required to live on campus?

Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but it is strongly encouraged.
NOTE: Freshmen MUST live with freshmen; Upper-class students must live with upper-class students. Freshmen are classified as students coming directly from high school. Freshmen not coming right out of high school are not considered "true freshmen," and will be placed with someone more age appropriate.

Q. Do I have to be admitted before I apply for campus housing?

No, you do not have to be fully admitted in order to apply for housing. However, you must have started the admissions process, as you will need your student ID number in order to apply for housing. This number will be given to you by the Office of Admissions.

Q. How does my admission status affect my ability to have a room assignment?

While you do not have to be fully admitted to apply for campus housing, you will have to be admitted in order to receive a room assignment. Until you have been admitted by the Office of Admissions, you will be unable to receive a room assignment.

Q. How do I apply for campus housing?

After you have applied to the University through the Admissions Office, click on the Apply for Housing link on the left side of our Web page. Complete the required information and SUBMIT your application. Once your application is submitted, you must pay the $75 non-refundable processing fee by clicking on the Pay Processing Fee link on the left side of the page. (You will need your student ID for the application and payment process. The processing fee is paid using Southern Miss online shopping).

*Returning residents – the processing fee will be charged to your existing student account.

Q. What is the $75.00 non-refundable processing fee, and what types of payment are accepted?

The $75.00 non-refundable processing fee is the cost to process your application. There are two ways students can pay this fee: (1) Online via the Residence Life Web site using a Visa or MasterCard, or (2) Submit a money order to the Residence Life office.

Q. Is there a housing contract?

Yes, in order to live in University housing you will be required to sign a contract. This contract is an academic year contract, meaning that it is effective from August 2009 through May 2010. Please review the housing contract on our Web site for further details.

Q. Am I required to have a meal plan if I live on campus?

Yes, if you reside in campus housing you will be required to have a meal plan. To learn more about the meal plan options, please click on the Resident Meal Plan link on our Web site. All residents are given the Golden Eagle Pass meal plan, but have the first two weeks of the semester to change to a different residential meal plan, if desired.

Q. How do I sign up for special interest housing (i.e. Luckyday, Leadership, Y2I, and Honors College)?

Some departments have reserved (limited) space in the residence halls for special interest housing. Program acceptance is not determined by the Department of Residence Life. Students interested in one of these programs will need to contact that particular area in order to determine the application process. *Please note that the application process for these organizations is a separate application from Residence Life, so students will still need to complete the Residence Life application and pay the processing fee.

Q. What is a community bath, and which halls have these?

A community bath means that you will share a bathroom with the other residents on your floor. There are separate shower facilities including shower curtains, as well as multiple toilet facilities (similar to a locker room). The bathrooms are located just a few steps away from your room. Community baths are cleaned daily (Monday through Friday) by custodial staff. Bolton, Bond, Hickman, Jones, Pulley, Roberts, Scott and Wilber contain community baths.

A semiprivate bath is a bathroom that is shared in a suite-style room. These bathrooms are shared by just a few students, not an entire floor. Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Elam Arms and Vann contain semiprivate baths.

A private bath is attached to your room and shared only with your roommate. The Village, McCarty and Scholarship Halls house private baths.

Q. Are there activities within the residence halls?

The Department of Residence Life strives to maintain a community-rich environment within the residence halls. The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is a hall governance association that has been put into place to help further develop campus-wide social events, respond to the issues and needs of on-campus students, and enhance the total residence hall living experience. Resident assistants create educational, developmental and social programs to enrich residence life.

Q. What are the amenities within the Residence Halls?

The Department of Residence Life provides free laundry service and study facilities for all residence halls. In addition, many of our halls have community kitchens.

Q. What should I bring with me? Are there things I should leave behind?

There is a checklist located at What to Pack with items that would be helpful within the residence halls, as well as a list of items that are prohibited from the halls.

Q. Are there options if I need special accommodations?

The University of Southern Mississippi recognizes the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will help with these accommodations. If you need special arrangements, please contact the Office for Disability Accommodations at 601.266.5024 for assistance.

Q. Is smoking permitted in the residence halls?

All residence halls are smoke-free facilities. Students wishing to smoke must remain 20 feet from the buildings.

Q. I do not know anyone coming to Southern Miss. Will I be assigned to a random roommate?

All residents will be paired with a roommate. If you have not made a roommate request, a roommate will be assigned to you. We provide an online program called Roommate Connection that allows students to find roommates based on personal preferences. This service is free for all students.

Q. Is parking allowed on campus?

Parking decals may be picked up at the Department of Parking Management located in McLemore Hall.

Q. How can I receive mail?

All resident students are charged for a post office box. It is the student’s responsibility to go to the campus Post Office to set-up their PO Box account.

Q. What is the difference between a single room and a private room?

A single room is a room especially designed for one individual. There are very few single rooms available in the residence halls. A private room is a room designed for two individuals, but it occupied by only one resident. Residents living in a private room are required to pay 3/4 the total cost of a double room.