Mississippi Valley State University

Mr. Bryce K. Lowe

Director of Residential Life/Student  Housing

O. P. Lowe Education Building, Suite 110

662-254-3590  bklowe@mvsu.edu

Vacant

Administrative Assistant

O. P. Lowe Education, Suite 110

662-254-3590

Mrs. Annie Johnson

Residential Life Programmer/Office Assistant

O. P. Lowe Education Building, Suite 110

662-254-3591 abjohnson@mvsu.edu

Ms. Vanessa Taylor

Area Coordinator

Edna Horton                                                                                                                     

662-254-2252  horton.reslife@mvsu.edu

Mr. L. G. Rucker

Area Coordinator

John A. James Hall

662-254-3660  james.reslife@mvsu.edu

Living/Learning Centers

Mississippi Valley State University houses over 1,000 students on its campus. The campus has nine living/learning centers or residence halls- five male halls and four female halls. The Valley makes every effort to make its students’ experiences in the residence halls comfortable as well as educationally and socially enjoyable.

All facilities feature computer labs, study rooms, snack rooms, network (Internet access), telephone and cable television hookups in each room. All facilities also include lobbies with big screen cable television viewing and comfortable seating for social and educational needs. All residence halls are air conditioned. Each room is furnished with beds, desks, dressers and chairs, but students must bring their own bed linens, pillows, telephones, desk lamps, and other personal items.

Advantages of Residential Living

University housing provides students an opportunity to experience community living and social relationships that will enhance their productivity in the world beyond the campus. Through residence hall living, the University strives to provide an atmosphere where students may learn and effectively pursue their academic and personal goals. In addition, the Residential Life staff attempts to create a community where ideas are freely discussed, topics of concerns are explored, individuals develop new skills, and a sense of community is fostered among all residents. Research shows that on-campus living provides benefits that last a lifetime. When considering on-campus housing, weigh the following benefits:

• Convenience - the halls are located within easy walking distance of classes, the library, the dining hall, the student center, the student center annex, the university post office, the book store, and recreational areas.
• Academic Support - resources that students need to perform well academically are close to the residence halls, professors, tutors, academic advisors, academic assistance programs, and computer labs within the residence halls.
• Cost - living on campus is economical. There are no hidden fees such as hookup cost for electricity, cable, and telephone.
• Friendship - lasting friendships and a supportive community are added benefits.
• Leadership - residential living contributes to the development of the total student by providing many positions of leadership and involvement. Participation in the Residence Hall Council enables students to actively make decisions and plan activities for their halls. Programming allows students to participate in a variety of seminars and workshops.

Application Process

Each student living in University housing must have a signed residence hall application and contract agreement on file in the Office of Student Housing and Residential Life. Completed applications must be accompanied by the required application fee before a student is assigned housing. If any student desires to become a part of a community of scholars whose primary goal is to achieve greatness and make a difference in the world, then University housing is for him/her.

Contact Information:

Housing Application/Contract

Room Cancellation Form 

Things You Might Need For College

Theft and Fire Insurance

While this information is available as a service to interested students, neither the Residential Life Department nor the University should be perceived as endorsing the product or services of the insurance provider. Home insurance policies may also provide coverage of the student’s personal items. The University encourages students to obtain renter’s insurance.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE HANDBOOK

MVSU RESIDENCE HALL CODE (2007-2008)

The Housing Office supervises all residence halls.  Each residence hall has directors who supervise the building and its residents.  All residents are governed by the following regulations:

1.        Pets and other animals are not allowed in residence halls.

2.        In compliance with the University’s smoke free environment policy, all residence halls are smoke free.  Students wishing to smoke must do so outside the buildings.

3.     Cooking appliances are limited to microwaves, microfridges, coffee makers, and refrigerators.  These must be closely supervised by the user.  After one violation, all privileges to use them may be revoked.  A Surge Protector must be used for all multiple socket usage.

4.     All trash or waste should be deposited daily in trash containers.

5.     Students are not to engage in conversation in or out of windows or make unnecessary noise in the residence hall.

6.     Students may have an overnight guest of the same sex only after registering with the director of that residence hall.  The Housing Office discourages overnight guests during week nights (Sunday-Thursday).  Guests will be subject to the same code of conduct expected by the student host.

7.     Students may be subject to a fine if their guests are not properly registered.  This includes students from one residence hall visiting in another hall.

8.     No guest under 12 years old is permitted.

9.     Students are responsible for damaging or mutilating property or equipment in any building whether accidental or intentional and will be assessed for those damages.  In the event the individuals responsible cannot be identified, all residents in that area may be billed for common area damages.  The assigned occupants of a residence hall room are financially responsible for all property that is a part of that room.  Residents must be checked-in and checked-out by a member of the housing staff and are held accountable for any damage that occurs while living there.  Students must sign the check-in sheet upon moving into the room and must also sign the check-out sheet when moving out of the room.  The signatures verify acceptance of the documented condition of the room.  Students are also responsible for any mutilation or defacement of lobby areas and furnishings. (See # 30)

10.   All thefts, damage to property, etc. should be reported immediately to the Residence Hall Director, Resident Assistant, and MVSU Police Department.  The University cannot assume any obligation to pay for the loss of or damage to items of personal property of students which occurs in its buildings or on its grounds.

11.   There is a $12.50 fee for each key replacement.  There is a $50.00 charge for failure to return room key upon exiting.  A fee of $5.00 will be charged to your account for locking and/or unlocking your residence hall room door.  Keep your key with you at all times.  Lock your door whenever you are away from your room.

12.   Sales and solicitations are prohibited in residence halls.  ALL SIGNS OF ADVERTISEMENT MUST BE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND/OR THE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE.

13.     Babysitting is prohibited in the residence halls.

14.     Hairstyling (i.e., braiding, cutting, etc.) is not allowed in the residence hall lobbies and public areas.

15.   To transfer from one residence hall to another, the student must have transfer approval from the Housing Office prior to transfer.

16.   To transfer from one room to another within the residence hall, permission and approval must be given by the Residence Hall Director.

17.   Students will not be permitted to remove any furniture from their rooms or move furniture from one room to another.  Lobby and study room furnishings (including cushions) are not to be moved into a student’s room.

18.   STUDENTS FOUND GUILTY OF TAMPERING WITH RESIDENCE HALL FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE RESIDENCE HALL AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.

19.   Students are not allowed on the roof of any residence hall.

20.   Regular fire, safety, and room checks will be made in every residence hall to determine if all safety regulations and expected standards of cleanliness are being observed.  Repeated violations of this code will result in disciplinary action.

21.   Candles and incense are not to be burned anywhere in the residence halls.

22.   Students must remove ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS from the residence hall upon check-out.  All items left will be removed and stored.  Additionally, a $100.00 moving fee, and a $10.00 per day storage fee will be assessed to student’s account.   However, the University is neither responsible nor liable for the loss or damage of the students stored personal property.  Items that are not retrieved within 30 days will be donated to charity.  You are responsible for cleaning your room before departure.  There is a $25.00 charge for unclean rooms.

23.   A $50 application fee ($25 refundable and $25 nonrefundable) must be retained on each student’s account for each resident of the residence hall. 

24.  Each student supplies his/her own towels, linen, pillows, dust pans, and brooms.  No articles may be tacked or fastened in any way to the walls, furniture, or electrical light fixtures.  Pictures and other ornaments must be suspended from the picture molding only.

25.     RESIDENTS OF ALL RESIDENCE HALLS MUST ONLY USE DESIGNATED ENTRANCE DOORS TO ENTER OR EXIT THE RESIDENCE HALLS.  EMERGENCYEXIT DOORS SHOULD BE USED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY.  VIOLATORS WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

26.     The student agrees that the University may reassign space or adjust the occupancy of rooms to maximize space utilization and that the University may take appropriate action as necessary to control the use of rooms in the event of an epidemic or disaster or other conditions or circumstances that may appear to require such control.

27.     The Department reserves the right to enter any student’s room at any time to make regular room check and/or when a health, safety, maintenance, and/or damage inspection of the premises is deemed necessary.

28.     Residents are encouraged to see the Hall Director before leaving for the holiday in order to document the departure and return times and to complete any other pertinent forms.

29.     The Department reserves the right to refuse admission or readmission to University housing. 

30.     Students withdrawing from a residence hall for any reason MUST (a) complete a release form; (b) complete room inventory form; (c) turn in the issued room key; and (d) clean & remove all personal belongings from the room.  Failure to do any of these will result in additional charges being charged to your student account.

WEAPONS, FIREARMS, AND DRUGS ARE PROHIBITED!  Violators will be subject to automatic suspension from the residence hall.  Please refer to the Student Handbook online at www.mvsu.edu.