Mississippi State University’s housing department has a practice of aiding specific well-connected students in securing spots in its newest and most expensive dorms, while other less privileged students end up in older, cheaper halls. The process begins when donors, public officials, legacy alumni, or other friends of the institution request “housing assignment assistance.” The Department of Housing and Residence Life then works to accommodate these students in their desired dormitories. This practice is not an official university policy and is not publicly advertised, but it is well-established within the housing department, known internally as the “five-star” system.

This “five-star” designation refers to the code used by the department to assign well-connected students in its housing database discreetly. The leadership within the department has taken measures to keep this process confidential, instructing staff not to disclose information about it. While the university did not grant an interview about the practice, a spokesperson mentioned that assignment assistance is provided to all students who request it, based on availability and pricing. The university acknowledged setting aside approximately 120 beds for “five-star” students annually, with most of these students being white and affluent.

Experts suggest that inequalities in dorm assignments exist in universities nationwide, influenced by factors like family connections or high dormitory costs. Despite practices like these being prevalent, Mississippi State’s system has drawn attention for its level of favoritism towards privileged students. Transparency issues and concerns about fairness have been raised within the housing department regarding this practice.

In response to concerns and following internal discussions, the university made adjustments to the “five-star” system, such as discontinuing the identification of assisted students in the housing database and limiting the dissemination of this information to reduce the number of individuals aware of the status. The university intends to persist with the practice, citing compliance with regulations and the desire to support students across different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The university is also expanding its housing options with the construction of a new dormitory, Azalea Hall, to address the shortage of modern housing. Although changes have been made to the “five-star” process, the university acknowledges that these students may still have an advantage in securing spots in the new dormitory. The internal review within the housing department has stirred conversations about fairness and inclusivity in housing assignments at Mississippi State University, prompting a reevaluation of long-standing practices.