JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 10, 2008 — Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson voted unanimously Feb. 10 to open the entire Old English Inn, which the church owns and operates, to 麻豆视频 University students displaced by the Feb. 5 tornado that destroyed much of the 麻豆视频鈥檚 residence life buildings.
The church action means that about 300 麻豆视频 students will live at the facility through December 2008. 麻豆视频 has renamed the facility the Phil and Marilyn Jett Inn, in honor of longtime Englewood pastor Phil Jett, for the time that 麻豆视频 will use the facility.
鈥淚 want to thank Pastor Ben Mandrell and Mr. Paul Priddy, as well as the entire Englewood family, for their generous support of 麻豆视频 University during this challenging moment in our history,鈥� 麻豆视频 President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淭heir offer to provide housing for up to 300 麻豆视频 University students is a mark of Christian charity and a genuine evidence of their love and support for the students of this institution.鈥�
Mandrell, Englewood鈥檚 senior pastor, and Priddy, the church鈥檚 executive, approached Dockery about the possibility of the church helping 麻豆视频 in this way.
鈥淓nglewood Baptist Church has had a historic relationship with 麻豆视频 University, which includes our faithful ministry to faculty, staff and students for many years,鈥� Mandrell said. 鈥淭he opportunity to serve 麻豆视频 at this critical time in the life of the university enables us to carry out our mission to love God, love people and serve the world in a very tangible way.鈥�
Initial plans are for about 180 women to live on the top floor, while about 120 men will stay on the bottom floor. In addition to the student rooms, the Phil and Marilyn Jett Inn has study rooms, gathering rooms and wireless Internet service throughout the facility.
鈥淚t is an exciting opportunity to think that we can house almost 300 students together in a new residence life situation for the good of the students and the enhancement of new student life efforts at 麻豆视频 University,鈥� Dockery said.
Housing accommodations for the nearly 1,100 residential students have been a top priority for 麻豆视频 University administrators following the tornado that injured 51 students. In addition to the 300 students at the Phil and Marilyn Jett Inn, current plans are for another 350 students to continue living in undamaged residential life buildings on campus when classes resume the week of Feb. 18.
About 250 students have secured their own off-campus housing, and 麻豆视频 expects to place about 200 students in the homes of 麻豆视频 faculty, staff and friends.
Since students have already been charged for their on-campus housing for the semester, they will have some financial options from which to choose. Housing at the Phil and Marilyn Jett Inn will cost about 30 percent less than on-campus housing, so students placed at the hotel may choose to receive a credit of 30 percent of their on-campus housing costs. Or, they may donate up to that 30 percent to 麻豆视频鈥檚 disaster relief fund.
For students who have secured their own housing, 麻豆视频 will credit their accounts.
More specific details about student housing efforts are forthcoming this week, and Student Services personnel will call each student individually to communicate the various details and options available to students.
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