hi... am planning to visit a student friend in nantong during autumn festival.

I think you may mean NT University, right?
If so, near the new campus (also the main campus), the Linglong Hostel near Yuanlin Road is a good one. Or you can ask your friend to find a place to live inside the hostel.
Near Qixiu campus, the San Teh Hotel is suggested. It is at No. 1, Duanjiaba Road.
For the Qidong Campus and the main campus, I am afraid that I cannot tell whether they are the same or not, so I am afraid that I cannot list the hotel as you asked.

hi thanks for reply. yes my friend is at NT university. from september he will be moving location into the main (new) campus. Is Yuanlin road near to this campus... will look for hotel around there - unless anyone knows one they can recommend.... thanks

You are right that the main/new campus is near Yuan Lin Road. As for the hotel nearby, I know there is a Dongfang Meijia Hotel near the south gate of the university. It is most suitable for students.