What to bring vs. what not to bring
A packing guide for Jackson State University residence halls — what to bring on move-in day, the full list of prohibited items, cleaning responsibilities, and practical move-in tips.
What to bring
Please bring only the basic items with you on your Move-In day. During the first few weeks of school, you will be able to determine which additional items you need to get for your room. Here’s a basic packing list to use as a guide.
- Bath towels
- Pillows
- Twin XL sheets
- Full sheets (or Queen) for One University Place
- Dental products
- First Aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Hangers
- Medication
- Shower caddy
- Shower shoes
- Soap, shampoo, etc.
- Umbrella
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Mop
- Plunger
- Bulletin board
- Calendar
- Cleaning supplies
- Flashlight
- High Efficiency (HE) laundry detergent
- Laundry basket
- Notebooks
- Pencils, pens
- Pushpins
- Reusable dishes/utensils
- Rug
- Stapler, tape
- Tissues, paper towels
- Wastebasket liners
- Water filtering pitcher
- Computer
- Fans
- Lamp (desk, floor)
- Laptop lock
- Lightbulbs
- Microwave (700 watts or less)
- Power bank backup for technology
- Printer (and paper)
- Single use coffee maker (e.g. Keurig)
- Small refrigerator (3 cubic ft. or less)
- Surge protectors (25′ max)
- Television
What NOT to bring
To promote a safe, healthy, and comfortable living environment, the following items are prohibited in all University Housing communities. Students found in possession of prohibited items may be subject to disciplinary action, fines, removal of the item, or other sanctions in accordance with University policies. Select a category to see the full list; the first is open by default.
- Alcohol, regardless of the student’s age, unless specifically permitted by University policy
- Alcohol containers, including empty cans, bottles, kegs, flasks, wine boxes, and similar items used for decoration
- Drinking games and alcohol paraphernalia (beer pong tables, funnels, shot glasses displayed as decorations, etc.)
- Illegal drugs or controlled substances
- Drug paraphernalia
- Electronic smoking devices used for drug consumption
- Prescription medications not prescribed to the individual in possession
- Prescription medications not maintained in the original pharmacy-labeled container
- Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, vaping devices, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and related products where prohibited by University policy
- Firearms, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, and replica firearms
- BB guns, pellet guns, airsoft guns, paintball guns
- Ammunition
- Bows and arrows
- Crossbows
- Slingshots
- Spears or spear guns
- Martial arts weapons (nunchaku, throwing stars, staffs, etc.)
- Switchblades or fixed-blade knives
- Knives other than small folding pocketknives used for lawful purposes
- Axes, hatchets, machetes, swords, or similar blades
- Brass or metallic knuckles
- Blackjacks
- Tasers or stun guns
- Pepper spray or mace
- Explosives of any kind
- Fireworks
- Smoke bombs
- Explosive chemicals
- Any item intended to inflict bodily harm
- Extension cords
- Multi-plug adapters that do not include surge protection
- Plug-in air fresheners
- Space heaters
- Window or portable air conditioners
- Humidifiers larger than personal size (unless medically approved)
- Dehumidifiers
- High-wattage appliances not approved for residence hall use
- Any appliance with exposed heating elements
Including, but not limited to:
- Air fryers
- Crockpots
- Instant Pots
- Rice cookers
- Pressure cookers
- Deep fryers
- Electric skillets
- Electric griddles
- Hot plates
- Toasters
- Toaster ovens
- Panini presses
- George Foreman grills
- Waffle makers
- Sandwich makers
- Indoor grills
- Open-coil appliances
- Electric burners
- Any appliance with an exposed heating element
The following items are prohibited due to fire safety, plumbing concerns, or facility maintenance:
- Portable washing machines
- Portable dishwashers
- Portable bidets requiring plumbing modifications
- Shower heads requiring permanent installation
- Adhesive shower caddies that damage walls
- Permanent bathroom shelving requiring drilling
- Toilet seat replacements
- Toilet tank cleaners containing bleach or corrosive chemicals
- Drain-opening chemicals (e.g., liquid drain cleaners)
- Hair dye that permanently stains fixtures
- Professional salon chemicals
- Propane-powered grooming devices
- Steam cleaning equipment
- Large water storage containers that create leak hazards
- Candles (used or unused)
- Wax warmers
- Candle warmers
- Incense
- Incense burners
- Oil lamps
- Lanterns
- Potpourri burners
- Essential oil burners using heat
- Torches
- Fire pits
- Fireworks
- Sparklers
- Charcoal
- Charcoal grills
- Gas grills
- Propane tanks
- Butane fuel
- Kerosene
- Lighter fluid
- Gasoline
- Any flammable liquid
- Any item producing an open flame
- Waterbeds
- Bed risers of any type
- Cinder blocks
- Concrete blocks
- Homemade lofts
- Suspended hammocks
- Hanging chairs
- Porch swings
- Recliners
- Oversized sofas
- Large sectionals
- Futons (if prohibited by hall)
- Mattresses larger than Twin XL
- Removal of University furniture
Please Note: All University-issued furniture must remain in the assigned room, suite, or apartment.
- Command Strips
- Mounting tape
- Duct tape
- Double-sided tape
- Heavy-duty adhesive strips
- Wall putty
- Mounting putty
- Nails
- Screws
- Large wall decals
- Contact paper
- Wallpaper
- Ceiling decorations
- Combustible decorations
- Paper lanterns
- String lights attached with adhesives
- LED strip lights with adhesive backing
- Rope lights
- Neon signs
- Strobe lights
- Lava lamps
- Government signs
- Street signs
- Traffic signs
- License plates not belonging to the resident
- Decorations covering more than 10% of any wall
Please Note: Push pins or thumbtacks may be used only where permitted by Housing.
- Personal wireless routers
- Network switches
- Network hubs
- Wireless access points
- Satellite dishes
- Outdoor antennas
- Signal boosters
- Servers used for commercial purposes
- Cryptocurrency mining equipment
- 3D printers
No pets are permitted except:
- Small, non-poisonous fish in an aquarium not exceeding five (5) gallons.
Please Note: Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are permitted only after approval by the Office of Accessible Education and Resource Center. Approved animals must be registered with Housing and Residence Life prior to arrival and all applicable policies must be followed.
The following are prohibited inside University housing due to fire safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries:
- Hoverboards
- Electric scooters
- Electric bicycles (e-bikes)
- Electric skateboards
- One-wheel devices
- Electric unicycles
- Self-balancing transportation devices
- Motorized scooters
- Mopeds
- Fuel-powered vehicles
- Any lithium-ion battery-powered transportation device
- Subwoofers
- Large amplifiers
- Drum sets
- Public address (PA) systems
- DJ equipment intended for large gatherings
- Large speakers that create excessive noise
- Dartboards with metal tips
- Pool tables
- Large exercise equipment
- Weight benches
- Treadmills
- Punching bags mounted to walls or ceilings
- Commercial signs
- Shopping carts
- Construction materials
- Hazardous chemicals
- Industrial cleaning chemicals
- Gas cylinders
- Dry ice
- Large safes that cannot be moved by one person
- Items creating excessive odors or sanitation concerns
Am I responsible for cleaning my bathroom?
After reviewing the packing list, many residents ask this question. The answer depends on your hall type.
Community bathroom residence halls
If you live in a traditional residence hall with community bathrooms, no. Custodial staff clean and sanitize the community bathrooms on a regular schedule. Residents are responsible for:
- Keeping their room clean
- Removing personal trash regularly
- Taking trash to the designated outdoor dumpsters
- Maintaining sanitary living conditions within their assigned room
Suite-style or apartment residence halls
If you live in a suite or apartment with a shared or private bathroom, yes. Residents are responsible for cleaning and maintaining:
- Bathrooms
- Toilets
- Showers and tubs
- Bathroom sinks and mirrors
- Kitchen areas
- Appliances provided by the University
- Living room/common areas
- Floors and countertops
- Trash removal
Housing and Residence Life does not provide
- Toilet paper for suite/apartment bathrooms
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
- Bathroom cleaners
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Trash bags
- Sponges
- Cleaning cloths
- Mops or brooms
- Vacuums
- Laundry detergent
Bring your own moving equipment
Families are strongly encouraged to bring their own:
- Dolly
- Rolling cart
- Wagon
- Hand truck
Housing & Residence Life will have a limited number of moving carts available during move-in. These are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability cannot be guaranteed. Bringing your own equipment will help make unloading quicker and more convenient.
More support on campus
Not sure whether you can bring something?
Check with Housing & Residence Life before move-in day rather than risking having the item removed.
Housing & Residence Life
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217-0280
