Two historically Black universities in Mississippi have been obliged to seek residence space at local hotels to meet the demand for student housing.
Mississippi Valley State University is housing 100 students in the Three Rivers Inn & Suites and the Rodeway Inn in Greenwood. The university is currently renovating its James Hall dormitory and the project will not be completed until December. Students are being shuttled to campus from the hotels and continue to have their meals in the campus dining facility. University staff members are at the hotels around the clock and campus security patrols the sites.
Jackson State University has leased the entire 120-room Travelodge on Greymont Avenue for the next nine months. The lease includes all common areas and parking facilities. The lease is in excess of $800,000.