With more and more students choosing to live off campus, the population of Mississippi State University’s residence halls is decreasing. Many students feel that the experience of living off campus outweighs the benefits of living in residence halls; however, the university’s Resident Hall Association is doing its part to provide students who choose to live on campus with a quality living experience.
“When choosing where to live, students have to decide what they want to deal with,” Ann Bailey, director of housing, said. “Living on campus offers the advantages of being connected with the university community and the closeness to the campus.”
The process of renovation is an ongoing project at this university. MSU is committed to full-scale and total renovation of the residence halls to provide students with the best living experience possible. During renovation, the buildings are gutted to the bare structure and completely rebuilt.
The plumbing, fire safety equipment, sprinklers, electrical wiring and other utilities are all replaced. Details like furniture, structure, colors and the overall interior appearance are all selected with the input of the students.
Cresswell Hall is in the process of renovation and is expected to be open in August 2002. Next in line to be renovated will be Hathorn, and it is expected to be open in August 2003.
“We (RHA) are doing programming geared at education and community service focusing on leadership, and community development,” Molly Cuicchi, president of Resident Hall Association, said. “Also we’ve played a big part in renovation, by finding out what residents want to see done in their halls and by proactively offering to make sure that they see changes made. Renovations are being done to make halls more attractive and to draw more students as a recruiting tool. We want students to feel that they live in modern residence halls that are up to par with top universities around the country.”
Cuicchi said there are many benefits to living on campus.
“A benefit to living on campus would be being more connected to the university,” Cuicchi said. “The sense of community with staff and the academic counseling offered through the Resident Assistant’s by the program Pathfinders. Students who live on campus have the opportunities of meeting people, the connection to the university, and the tie to student government.
They are also better informed through publicity done by their housing staff. One of the greatest advantages to living on campus is that there is always a diversity of activities to make sure that all students’ needs are met.”
“The RHA is all about listening to students and getting their input about what student want, and how it will benefit them,” Melissa Crews, associate director of Resident Life said. “Our major goals are listening and accessing students’ needs, and, if possible, proposing changes to help retain students.”
“Our job is helping students connect and interact and building community. The No.1 reason is the friendships that they develop and that comes from the residence halls themselves by reaching out and making their halls the most positive places they can,” Crews said.
“Every student, regardless of what age wants to make their own rules and living off campus gives them that option,” Jeremy Swanzy, 22-year-old senior, said. “Living off campus provides more space, freedom, fewer stipulations, and you control your own living conditions and environment. You are able to set your own visitation, live in a relaxed environment, and observe your own quit hours when you want to.”
Renata Hendrix, 19-year-old sophomore a College Park resident, said, “I choose to live off campus because it’s more freedom. The parking is better and everything is closer to you when you live in an apartment like washers, dryers parking, and kitchen. You’re also not bound by the rules set up by campus. It’s basically more convenient.”
Sophomore, Amanda Smith, said,”I feel like I have a home environment living off campus and it provides a getaway from school. I enjoy living being able to control my own surroundings.”
“Living on campus is great because you can walk to classes and not have to worry about traffic. It also gives you a chance to see and meet more people than in an apartment. However all this comes at a price that keeps going up every year,” Travis Reno, sophomore, said.
“I choose to stay on campus because it is cheaper; it’s easier to get to class being on campus, and living in Arbor Acres, I get the best of both world’s,” Reno said. “I have my own privacy and freedom.