Skip navigation
black texture background

To Bring or Not to Bring

A list of things to keep in mind as you prepare for the Golden Eagle living experience!

Before You Pack

  • Contact your roommate to avoid bringing duplicate items.
  • If you are traveling a great distance, consider purchasing items once you arrive in Hattiesburg.
  • Remember, you can always pick up items on your next trip home or have family/friends send packages to you through the on-campus Post Office.
  • Visit usm.edu/housing, then click "Housing Options" to take a look at room measurements, virtual tours, photos, videos, and physical and mailing addresses.
  • The included items are things you should think about bringing. You may not need everything on the list.

Decorating Policy

Thumbtacks and small nails may be used on drywall. Staples, tape, glue, screws, hooks, and large nails are not permitted. 3M Command strips can be used on cinder block walls in Hillcrest and Wilber Halls, but are prohibited in other halls unless placed on painter’s tape before adhering to drywall. Please review the Housing and Residence Life Handbook located on our website for more detailed information on decorating policies and more information about what may or may not be permitted in the residence halls.

  • Permanent adhesives (double-sided masking tape) are not to be used. Wall borders, wall paper (including peel and stick), contact paper, etc. are not permitted.
  • Area rugs are permitted with the use of rug pads (do not tape rugs to the floor).
  • All items brought into the building during the year must be removed from the building at the time of permanent checkout.
  • All upholstered furniture brought into the student's room must meet commercial fire codes.
  • Nothing can be hanging from the sprinkler heads, pipes, or smoke detectors.
  • Microfridges cannot be stored in any furniture that doesn't have an open back and at least three inches of ventilation on all sides.
  • All residence hall furniture must remain in the room at all times.

What To Bring

Bedding

  • Extra-long twin mattress sheets
  • Comforter and duvet cover (Duvet covers can easily be removed and laundered.)
  • If you choose to bring a headboard, it cannot have any electrical outlets/lights in it.
  • Mattress pad
  • Pillows
  • Blanket or throw
  • Alarm clock (cannot have electrical outlets, but can have USB ports)
  • Electric blanket with automatic shut off

Cleaning

  • Trash can and small trash bags
  • General cleaning supplies: disinfectant wipes, paper towels, toilet bowl brush and toilet bowl cleaner
  • Laundry supplies: detergent, fabric softeners, stain removers and lint brush

Studying

  • School supplies: backpack, binders, folders, notebooks, index cards, calculator, etc.
  • Personal organizer/calendar

Electronics

  • Smart TV to connect to housing WiFi
  • AirPods/headphones
  • Electrical power strip (must have reset button surge protector on it)
  • Computer, printer (with surge protection AND reset button ONLY; wired printing only; print stations available for wireless printing needs)
  • String lights and LED name lights are okay if they are battery operated
  • Printer paper, ink cartridges, flash drive, etc.

Make It Your Home

  • Posters, photos, area rug and other decorations
    • Thumbtacks and small nails may be used on drywall. 3M Command strips may be used on cinder block.
  • Lamp and/or desk lamp, light bulbs (no halogen lights and no additional outlets; they can have USB ports)
  • Shower curtain and toilet paper for the following halls: Century Park North, Vann, Scott, Hillcrest, Scholarship, McCarty, Hattiesburg, and The Village
  • Bath towels and washcloths (at least two sets)
  • Shower caddy, shower shoes/flip flops, bathrobe, etc.
  • Clothes hangers, clothes hamper/laundry bag
  • Full-length mirror
  • Any furniture brought to campus must be fire-resistant.
  • Cabinets that cover microfridges must be open in the back and have three inches of clearance on the sides and top.

Eating

  • Snacks and drinks
  • Quick and easy meals (breakfast bars, sandwiches, microwavable meals, etc.)
  • Single-serving coffee pots with automatic shut off
  • Kitchen supplies: plates, cups, bowls, utensils, can opener, chip clips, Ziploc bags, and storage containers
  • Dish soap and towels

Looking Your Best

  • Shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, etc.
  • Clothes, shoes, outerwear (Because of limited space, you can trade your warm wardrobe for your cooler wardrobe during Fall/Spring Break or as you make trips back home.)
  • Keep transitional clothing on hand for sudden weather changes.
  • Students typically dress for comfort, so don't worry about bringing a lot of dressy clothes.
  • Hair styling tools with automatic shut off
  • Irons and steamers with automatic shut off

What Not To Bring

For the safety of all residents, please DO NOT bring the items listed below:

  • Appliances: electric tea kettles, ice machines, air fryers, deep fryers, electric skillets, toasters, toaster ovens, convection ovens, oil popcorn poppers, crockpots, instant pots, grills (indoor, outdoor, George Foreman, etc.), refrigerators, microwaves or mini fridges (Southern Miss provides in most student housing spaces), any appliance with an open coil or open flame, etc. (This is not meant to be an exhaustive list.)
  • Coffee pots (Keurig-style brewers are allowed.)
  • Halogen lamps/lava lamps/LED light strips
  • Candles/incense/scented wax burners
  • Diffusers (Steam sets off smoke alarms.)
  • E-cigarettes/vapes, cigars, cigarettes, etc. (Southern Miss is a smoke-free campus.)
  • Live Christmas trees, garland, wreaths, Christmas lights, etc.
  • 3M Command strips unless placed on painter’s tape before adhering to drywall. 3M Command strips are okay for cinder block walls (Hillcrest and Wilber).
  • Screws, hooks, and large nails are not permitted. However, small nails are permitted in buildings with drywall.
  • Decorative alcohol containers
  • Extension cords or outlet multipliers. Power strips with surge protectors are permitted.
  • Wall TV mounts
  • Contact paper, peel and stick wallpaper, wallpaper, borders, vinyl decals, etc.
  • All pets (except small aquarium fish, service animals, and emotional support animals registered/approved by Student Accessibility Services and Housing and Residence Life)
  • Space heaters, AC units, and fireplaces
  • Firearms, weapons, knives and hunting equipment
  • Bed risers of any kind, including homemade lofts
  • Wall coverings that will cover more than 30% of any given wall, celling, or door; cannot cover any fire/life safety equipment
  • Hazardous flammable materials: fireworks, gas, propane, lighter fluid, spray paint, chemicals, etc.