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May 2026 Newsletter

I didn’t understand as a younger person, but my grandparents had it right — it seems the years go by faster with each passing one. This year was no different. It feels as though this one just started and here we are wishing our best to the newest Spartan alums! It was lovely to meet so many of you at Breslin as we shared our congratulations stickers. While it was your student who graduated, your support was pivotal in their journey. You will always be a part of the Spartan family! If you didn’t get a sticker, we do have them at the 1855 Place Welcome Desk if you’d like to pick one up. 

Speaking of Spartan family, the dates for Spartan Family Weekend 2026 have been released! We are so excited to welcome you back to campus Oct. 16–18. Thanks to continued generous funding from the university and sponsorship from MSUFCU, there is no registration fee to attend. While there are some events that have a fee associated (MSU Dairy coupons, Forest Akers golf outing, etc.), key events like the Green & White Night and the tailgate before the game are included in Family Weekend at no charge. Family Weekend registration will be open Aug. 10–Oct. 2 or until capacity is reached (whichever comes first). More information about Family Weekend will be shared in the next several newsletters. 

We understand that not everyone has the means to attend Family Weekend and, while we wish we could support everyone with needs, we do have a request survey you can complete and submit by July 17, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, to express your need for a hotel room or football tickets or both. Only a few families will be chosen at random for this support, and we thank MSUFCU and MSU Athletics for their generous sponsorships that allow us to offer this opportunity. All those who submit the survey will receive an email July 31, with a response to their request. 

Finally, you may have seen an email from us in late April with a link to a survey asking about your experiences with our office, with MSU, and how you feel about your relationship with your student. There is an incentive to complete the survey, in the form of $25 in Spartan Cash for your student, chosen at random from those who complete the survey and want their student to be included in the drawing. Your responses are very important to the work we do and the services we offer to you. What do you want to see from us? What programs or events would you like to see us offer to provide you support? Please share your experiences with us and enter your student for the drawing, and if you’d prefer to have a conversation with me, feel free to reach out directly at family@msu.edu to schedule an appointment. 

We hope you have a wonderful start to summer break. 

Take good care,
Laurin 

 

Annual MSU Spring Arts & Crafts Show May 16–17 
The Annual MSU Arts & Crafts Show is a seasonal tradition and beloved community event. The Winter and Spring Arts & Crafts Shows are fundraisers for the University Activities Board (UAB). All vendor booth fee proceeds go directly to the UAB. UAB is a group of student members and part time student coordinators that design and implement events, most free of charge, for MSU students to connect and build community. 

The show focuses on high quality "handmade" arts and crafts — no resell or wholesale — and is the perfect place to pick up a heartfelt gift for the upcoming holiday or bring some seasonal cheer to a loved one, all while supporting small business owners and MSU students.  

The Spring Arts & Crafts Show is located on the MSU Union grounds, with over 250 vendors and 40,000 patrons over the weekend. See you there! 

 

2026 Spartan Football Student Season Admissions On Sale Now 
Student admission packages are now available for purchase for the 2026 Michigan State football season. Packages, which are $215, include general admission seating to all seven home games and the official student section T-shirt. Reserved seat and general admission graduate student ticket packages are also available. New for this year, tickets will be mobile-only, meaning your student ID will no longer hold your tickets, and you will instead scan in with a digital ticket.

Note: MSU students will sign into their Spartan Ticket Office account using their MSU login credentials (msu.edu email and the password) — same as logging into their email, EBS or online student portal. 

For more information on the Michigan State Football student section, click here. If you have additional questions or troubles purchasing, email students@ath.msu.edu or call the MSU Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 for immediate assistance.

 

Spartan Shelf Summer 2026 Hours

The MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program, which provides free groceries and household items to Spartans facing basic needs insecurity, will operate with adjusted hours for the summer semester. The program’s Olin Health Center location, Spartan Shelf-Olin, will be closed for the summer. Spartans can still receive service at Spartan Shelf-Union, which will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more about the MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program at their website.   

 

University Health and Wellbeing Updates


All Recovery Meetings Continue for Summer Semester
Spartans in recovery, those seeking recovery and allies can continue to attend the Collegiate Recovery Community's weekly All Recovery Meeting every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. These meetings are hybrid (Zoom and Student Services Building Room 27). Spartans may drop in or email dkepler@msu.edu to request a Zoom link. Learn more about the Collegiate Recovery Community at University Health and Wellbeing’s website.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Each year, college students across the country report high levels of anxiety and depression, and students at Michigan State University are no different. MSU Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is committed to connecting students to the care they need to be academically successful and healthy. CAPS offers clinical services as well as referral coordination, consultation and guidance to help students access the resources that best support their healing, growth and sense of belonging. Counseling & Psychiatric Services is available to eligible students via telehealth during the summer as long as the student is located in Michigan.

This support is empowered by gifts from our generous community. Learn more and join other Spartans in supporting student’s mental wellbeing on campus here.

Virtual Care Kit Available
The Virtual Care Kit has been launched by University Health and Wellbeing. This online resource offers practical tools, coping strategies, and campus supports to help students manage stress and maintain their wellbeing. Students can access the kit anytime and explore guidance on sleep, nutrition, routines, connection and emotional health.  

 

New at the MSU Tech Store: MacNeos are in stock! 

The MSU Tech Store now has MacNeos available. These systems are a great fit for majors that focus on writing, collaboration using OneDrive, and viewing lectures or participating in Zoom classes.

A quick heads-up for families: Global supply chain challenges are continuing to impact computer availability. Shipping delays are real, and popular models can sell out quickly. If your student needs a new computer, we strongly recommend ordering sooner rather than later to avoid delays before the fall semester begins.

Order online today: techstore.msu.edu. 

The MSU Tech Store offers campus-ready technology and support, helping Spartans start the year set up for success.

 

2026–27 On-Campus Move-In Dates

Move-in is spread out over several days to keep the process running smoothly and create a more enjoyable experience for Spartans and their families. Please adhere to your selected day and time slot.

  • University apartment move-in begins Aug. 1.
  • Incoming international students will move in Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23.
  • New International Student Orientation programming begins Monday, Aug. 24.
  • Incoming students will move in Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Wednesday, Aug. 26.
  • New Student Orientation programming begins the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 26.
  • Returning students will move in Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27.
  • Returning students can arrive after Aug. 27, if desired.

Visit the Live on website for more information. 

 

Incoming Student On-Campus Housing Assignments     
MSU Live On is excited to welcome incoming students to our on-campus housing this fall. Incoming students won't choose their specific space. Instead, they'll select preferences and be assigned by the Housing Assignments Office. Ensure your student signs their Housing Contract in their My Housing after they make their advanced payment and housing application fee.   

The housing preference process will be open in early May. Preferences includes preferred bathroom type, dining plan selection, roommate requests and more.   

Incoming transfer students are waived from the live-on requirement, but they are welcome to request on-campus housing in their My Housing account; most offers will be for a double room.   

Learn more at liveon.msu.edu/incoming-student-housing.

 

Summer Dining Options
Summer dining plans begin May 4 and end Aug. 21.

Brody Square dining hall will be open the following hours, Sunday–Saturday:

Breakfast: 7–11 a.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dinner: 4:30–8 p.m. 

Several retail locations will remain open throughout campus. For a complete list of locations, visit eatatstate.com.

Visiting campus this summer? Get the full experience when you stay at MSU's Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. Located on the west side of campus, Kellogg Center provides the perfect opportunity to explore campus. Smartly appointed hotel rooms and an award-winning restaurant are just the beginning. Bikes are available for guests to use, Forest Akers Golf Course is nearby and there are plenty of campus sites to explore, including the MSU Museum, Beal Gardens, and the MSU Dairy Store, just to name a few!

Visit Kellogg Center website for information and reservations. 

 

Have You Read This Far?

Let's celebrate with another MSU Dairy Store single scoop coupon giveaway! Enter here by 11:59 p.m., May 31 for a chance to win two coupons to enjoy a single scoop on us!


Congrats to Lynette F., our April winner!

 

Financial Aid 
Summer semester billing statements will be available May 9 and are due June 1. Summer payment plans will also be available on May 9. Visit our Bill Play FAQ website for full details, as well as due dates for the 2026–27 school year. If you have any questions about your student's account or financial aid, please contact the Spartan One-Stop at onestop@msu.edu or 517-432-8000.

 

Significant changes to federal student loans take effect July 1. Visit finaid.msu.edu/obbba for the most up-to-date information on the new regulations.

 

2026-27 financial aid packages are now available to view in the student financial aid portal. If you haven't done so, the 2026-27 FAFSA is available to complete.

 

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

 

May

9: Summer semester initial tuition billing available
11: First and full summer sessions begin
13: Add period for first summer session classes ends at 11:59 p.m.
15: Add period for full-term summer classes ends at 11:59 p.m.
21: End of tuition refund period for first Summer session 2026 classes
25: Holiday – university closed

 

June
1: Summer semester initial tuition payment due 
3: First summer session middle of semester
19: Juneteenth (university open, no classes)
26: First summer session classes end
29: Full summer session middle of semester

29: Last day to drop a full summer session class with no grade reported
30: Classes begin for second summer session


July 
1: Summer semester tuition payment due 
2: Add period for second summer session classes ends at 11:59 p.m. 
3: Holiday, university closed (housing and dining open)
13: Tuition refund period ends for second summer session 
23: Second summer session middle of semester 
23: Last day to drop a second summer session class with no grade reported 

 

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