Norfolk State University’s president Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston met with reporters from the Spartan Echo to follow up on last year’s conversation about the future of the NSU and what’s to come.

During the 2021-2022 academic school year the university was undergoing a housing shortage due to renovations being made to Babbette Smith South also known as one of “The Towers”.  Currently, the university is facing another housing shortage for the 2023-2024 academic school year, but for different reasons.

Dr. Adams-Gaston stated that there were a little over 6100 students admitted into the university compared to the 5800 they had last year.  “The upside to this is there are a lot of individuals who want to come to the university,” Dr. Adams-Gaston said.  

Knowing that many students wanted to live on campus this semester and that freshmen are encouraged to live on campus, the university knew that they had to make accommodations for the overflow of students.

The university created opportunities for students to be in three hotels and also having housing there with them, meaning just like the traditional dormitory settings, students had access to Residentials Leader, Residential Director and even NSU Police. 

“That is not the ultimate way you want to have students integrated into the university but it is not uncommon, it happens at many places as they grow; it is a part of the growing pains”, said Dr. Adams-Gaston.  

She continued to say that as spaces arise the university will make every effort to move as many students back on campus as possible.

During the last academic year the university purchased Shepard’s Village, which is located across the street from the university.  Dr. Adams-Gaston explained that Shepard’s Village has 35 units and they are hoping to house students there in the spring of 2024.

The gun violence rate in the city of Norfolk has increased and NSU is doing everything in their power to combat it so students can feel safe on campus.  The university has a partnership with the city of Norfolk and their police department to increase the safety on and near campus.

NSU is considered an open campus.  Meaning, it could be potentially easily accessible to anyone who would like to enter.  Dr. Adam-Gaston states that the university has been discussing for over a year the need for some sort of fencing around the campus.  “Yes, some type of fencing that is ornate and looks beautiful but is high and difficult to come in to”, said Dr. Adams-Gaston.

She explains that NSU is on public land and it is very hard to tell individuals they can not enter public land.  However, NSU reserves the right to screen individuals as they enter.  So, once the fencing is put into place individuals would have to drive to the gate and go through the necessary procedures to enter campus.  “It is all about safety”, Dr. Adams-Gaston said.

“Mental Health and Wellness is critical to the success of our students”, Dr. Adams-Gaston said.  She continued to say that the anxiety and depression rates among students are at the highest the university has seen.  It is higher among black students due to Covid and having to experience many health disparities.  

Due to this NSU has ramped up their counseling services.  While there are not enough counselors compared to the amount of students, the university has made some services available online through the app Timely Care.  The app allows individuals to choose the therapist of their choice and tell them what they need and what they are looking for.  Individuals are also able to meet with this person any time they want. Timely Care is a 24 hour service that can be utilized by students and faculty. 

“It is very hard for people to perform well when they are dealing with mental health issues”, stated Dr. Adams-Gaston.

Recently NSU has been refilling the disposable mask as Covid has become prominent again.  Along with that the Covid Task Force has been reactivated to help get ahead of Covid.  As discussed there is a housing shortage and the need for vacated rooms for people who contract Covid will cause less people to be able to move back to campus from their designated hotel.

“I am hopeful that this is not a long term issue but I have seen too many people go to the hospital due to Covid”, Dr. Adams-Gaston said.  She predicts that soon the campus will have to go back to some form of masking up.

“What we are intent on is that we have student success”, said Dr. Adams-Gaston.  The university will continue to build programing, classroom experience, and out of classroom experience that allow students to grow and become a better version of themselves.