Jackson State acquires additional housing to address shortage. See where

Jackson State University is set to get new student housing at 225 East Capitol Street Hotel and Courthouse Lofts at 224 East Capitol Street after the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning called a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The new housing will give the university 173 single and double occupancy rooms at a cost of $5.9 million.

"JSU sought quotes from various hotels in Jackson," John Pearce, IHL senior associate commissioner for finance, said. "The agreement will be funded based on residential facility rates charged to students."

Both leases start right away. The board passed the revisions to JSU's housing plan and subsequent room rate charges unanimously.

The additional housing would help JSU with its housing shortage, an issue JSU President Marcus Thompson has prioritized during his tenure.

The board also voted to allow the university to enter a new agreement with SodexoMAGIC, the company JSU has used for its food services since 2014. The new agreement, with a retroactive start date of July 1, 2024, would provide an estimated $51.8 million in value to the university over the next 10-year period, Pearce said at the meeting.

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"JSU selected through a RFP process in spring 2024. Two vendors responded to the request," Pearce added. "SudexoMAGIC offered highest financial terms and was selected based university scoring criteria including cost, service and experience."

The board also approved a modification of JSU's flex-dollar dining plan, reducing overall flex-dollar rates for students.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State acquires additional housing to address shortage. See where