Southern Miss Adjusts Access to Hattiesburg Campus Parking Garage

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 11:44am | By: David Tisdale

In keeping with its commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members, as well as acknowledging recent concerns voiced by students and faculty and staff members, University of Southern Mississippi (USM) officials have modified pedestrian and motorist access to the Hattiesburg campus parking garage, located next to the Moffitt Student Health Center on West Fourth Street.

Protective fencing has been placed around the parking garage’s fourth floor, and the fifth floor is now inaccessible to both pedestrians and motorists until further notice, including via the facility’s elevator. Long-term plans to enhance safety at the parking garage include fencing the fifth floor, a project that will proceed after review of project logistics and conformity with adaptation of these modifications to existing elements of the structure, as well as compliance with state law governing project bidding.

University officials are also considering placement of large trees and shrubbery on the perimeters of the building.

“Health, safety, and wellbeing remain paramount in our decisions, as we have a responsibility for protection of our students,” said USM Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Kristi Motter. “We will monitor the situation related to the loss of parking spaces and, if needed, employ available options to adapt if it becomes a challenge for students and others who have used those spaces in the past.”

USM Student Government Association President Jonathan Jenkins praised the collective effort of students, faculty, staff, and administration that led to the decision to make changes at the facility.

“The addition of safety structures in the parking garage is a proactive step toward enhancing safety for all Southern Miss students and is part of a broader commitment that includes improving mental health and student support services and ensuring the safety of other areas on campus,” Jenkins said.

USM Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Rusty Keyes concurs with Dr. Motter and Jenkins, saying changes to access points in the parking garage are the right moves to make as a comprehensive safety plan for the facility moves forward to its completion. The University Police Department is located on the south side of the facility.

“The University Police Department never rests in its commitment to make this campus a safe, nurturing environment for our students, who are the reason for our being, as well as all those who work here in support of their quest for an education,” said Chief Keyes. “These changes to the parking garage will help us in keeping with that mission.”