FAQs

First-year undergraduate students are required to live on campus inside the residence halls, however, we do allow students to request exemptions. If you are a student from Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair, or Talladega county and do not wish to live on campus, we ask that you submit a request for exemption online. We also allow students to request an exemption for other reasons that can be found on the exemption form. Visit our exemption form online through THD Self Service, beginning October 10. The priority deadline to submit an exemption request is August 1. 

First-year residents are required to live on campus and are not eligible for cancellation unless the resident is no longer enrolled in classes at JSU. Once a first-year student is assigned and accepts a key, they are no longer eligible for exemption or cancellation.

Students must be accepted to JSU before applying for housing. The online application is available on the JSU housing web page under Apply for Housing. A $200.00 non-refundable application fee is required at the time of submission.

• Incoming first-year students will be self-selecting their room assignments. Starting in April 2023, first-year students will log back into THD Self Service to select their exact room assignment for the fall 2023-spring 2024 terms. They will be broken up into four groups:

  1. Group 1 will consist of all those who submitted their application between October 10, 2022 and November 30, 2022. Group 1 will select their room assignments beginning April 17-18, 2023.

  2. Group 2 will consist of all those who submitted their application between December 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023. Group 2 will select their room assignments beginning April 20-21, 2023.

  3. Group 3 will consist of all those who submitted their application between February 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023. Group 3 will select their room assignments beginning April 24-25, 2023.
  
  4. Group 4 will consist of those who submitted their application between March 1, 2023, through April 1, 2023. Group 4 will select their room assignments beginning April 27-28, 2023.  

• Groups will receive a reminder notification two weeks, one week, and 24 hours before their selection dates. Students who submit their application after April 1, 2023, or do not select their room during their assigned date, will be assigned by the housing office based on preferences and availability.

• Transfers and New Upper-Class students who are wanting to live on campus will be assigned by the Housing Operations staff beginning May 1 and will continue all summer long.
• Incoming First-Year Students must be registered for Gamecock Orientation to eligible to select a room assignment on their selection date. 

The Office of Housing Operations and Residence Life makes every effort to grant requests made by students. However, no assignment or request is ever guaranteed.

Current residents will reapply for housing in February and will not be required to pay the application fee again unless the resident does not complete the reapplication process during the designated period. Applications for first-year residents and transfer students will be available beginning October 10. 

Roommate assignment is done one of three ways. You may request a specific roommate when you apply for housing or, if no roommate is requested, one will be assigned to you using the roommate preference questions on the application. You may also search for a roommate using the RoomSync app.  You can find the RoomSync app link on your First-Year Resident Application or New Transfer-New Upper Class Resident Application on the "Requested Roommate Information" page. Once you have matched with your roommate on RoomSync, you will need to make your request official by requesting your roommate through THD Self Service. Note: Requesting a student on RoomSync does not make you a match in THD Self Service. 

We will make every attempt to match you and a preferred roommate; however, we are unable to guarantee an immediate match.

If you have a roommate preference, you and your preferred roommate will need to:

•  Apply and request each other on THD Self Service by April 1.
•  Both applicants must request each other to be considered a mutual match.
•  Both applications and application fees must be submitted online before April 1.

If we are unable to place you with your preferred roommate, you may:

• Choose a new roommate.
• Request a room change starting the third full week of classes.
• Check with your Residence Life Coordinator about the proper procedure and necessary forms.

Your request may not be granted if space is not available.

You will receive an e-mail to your JSU account that will contain information to make a smooth transition to on-campus living, as well as your assigned room. It will also include your roommate's name and contact information.

1. Listen to suggestions, not solutions, from parents and friends about having a roommate. (Especially if it is your first time with a roommate!)

2. Prepare for conflict. Conflict does not have to be negative; it can be an opportunity to think creatively and make the situation positive.

3. Share expectations for the entire year. Create a contract about sleeping habits, study times, visitors, and clean up suggestions/shared chores for the common space. Write up the contract and post it in the room where it will be visible to both. We strongly suggest you complete your Roommate Agreement through Roompact. Your RA will have more information for you during move-in weekend. 

4. Have face-to-face conversations, not through email, Facebook/Twitter, text messaging, or cell phones. This will create a more responsible, healthy, and meaningful relationship.

5. Focus on behavior, not personality. You can't ask someone to change who they are, but you can ask them to adjust the way they express themselves.

6. Stay flexible. Your roommate may have some pet peeves about your behavior, too. What can you do differently that will help the situation?

7. Start with one pet peeve - the one that is most important to you. Set aside the smaller things for now.

8. Consider the positives about your roommate. You may have more in common than you think.

9. Ask for help from the RA, counseling services, Residence Life, etc. before the situation becomes critical. A counseling session for you/your roommate can help to deal with stress and find better ways to manage the situation.

10. Educate yourself on these issues before the honeymoon ends. (Generally, after the second or third week.)

Thanks to Earlham University for providing these roommate tips!

Card readers have been installed at the main entrances of each residence hall, the Leadership House for Women, Pannell Hall, and Meehan Hall. You will tap your student ID card in order to gain access into their residence hall. Security cameras monitor the main entrances, common areas, and parking lots of the residence halls. All exteriors doors, other than the main entrances, are equipped with 24-hour activated alarms.

Each resident is also given a colored resident key tag that corresponds with the hall in which they reside. You must show your key tag upon entering your hall. Any person entering a hall without the appropriate colored key tag must be signed in at the front desk by a resident of that hall.

University Police also continuously patrol the outside perimeter; Resident Assistants conduct walk-throughs during the day and night.

The Pointe @ JSU has a guard house on site staffed by security personnel 24 hours a day. 

Visit our Moving In page to view our "What to Bring Checklist" and our Guide to Residence Living for all your questions about what and what not to bring.

Head to our Room Dimensions page to view measurements for the rooms, bathrooms, dressers, closets, and even windows!

As noted in your housing contract, Jacksonville State University assumes no responsibility and provides no insurance or financial protection for your personal property. We strongly recommend that you secure renters insurance coverage. As our resident, you are eligible to purchase coverage through GradGuard’s student renters insurance program. Jacksonville State University does not receive compensation for providing this student benefit. This preferred rate is available to you because you are a Jacksonville State University student. GradGuard’s Renters Insurance is underwritten by Markel® American Insurance Company. Claims and coverages are subject to language, limits and exclusions, and policy. Visit GradGuard.com/renters to get more information about their coverage and a quote.

GradGuard Frequently Asked Questions

Residents (excluding The Pointe @ JSU) should follow these steps to submit a work order via THD Self Service.

The Pointe @ JSU residents should follow these steps to submit a work order. 

• Nails and Tacks:
  • Nails and tacks may not be used for hanging anything in residence hall rooms, with the exception of Meehan Hall and The Pointe @ JSU. Due to the type of walls in Meehan Hall and The Pointe @ JSU, we ask that you do not hang items with Command Strips or similar products. 
• Appliances:
  • Each room in the residence halls may only have one microwave and one refrigerator with the exception of Meehan Hall. Residents of Meehan Hall have a refrigerator and microwave provided and are not permitted to bring their own mini refrigerator or microwave. Residents of JSU-owned apartments have a refrigerator and range provided. Residents of The Pointe @ JSU have a refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer provided.
  • Students who may need a mini refrigerator due to medical reasons may request an accommodation through Disability Resources. 
  • The refrigerator can be no more the 4.6 cubic feet; the microwave must be under 1000 watts.

For additional information contact the Office of Housing Operations and Residence Life at (256) 782-5122.