December is upon us, and students are preparing to complete their semester. Some students are preparing for their first ever end-of-semester activities, while others are experiencing the culmination of their journey with December commencement activities just a few weeks away and anticipating the start of their next chapter. Wherever your Spartan is on their academic journey, we’re here to help you support them and celebrate their accomplishments.
You may wish to prepare for the coming "togetherness" by viewing last year’s webinar, specifically on this topic! We hope you and your Spartan take some time to relax, refresh and recharge during the upcoming winter break. MSU team members, including the Spartan Family Connections team, will also be away from campus for the university winter break closure from Dec. 23-Jan. 2, relaxing, refreshing and recharging.
This is also a time when many reflect on the past year and plan for the year to come. 2023 was difficult in many ways — we’re not going to lie. But what we learned is how to rely on each other and that there are many ways to be “strong,” including asking for help. We know the coming months will be difficult for our Spartans and for those who support them. Please continue to encourage your student to visit Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) in support of their mental health. We are also offering two webinars in February, specifically for families: Spartan Family Reflect and Connect Session: Helping Yourself Stay Grounded While Your Kid is Away at College. More information can be found in the newsletter below, and we hope to see you at one of the webinar sessions.
As we move into 2024, we hope you know how much we value you and your partnership in student success. We are thankful for the opportunity to support you through your student’s time at MSU.
Take good care,
Laurin
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What Does Finals Week Really Mean
Families hear about finals week but may not understand what happens on campus during that period. Here’s a quick primer on what this period may look like for your student.
Oftentimes, the week before finals is more stressful for students than finals week itself. The push to finals week may start the week before the published dates, as students have final papers due, exams that some professors choose to administer early, and end-of-semester organization meetings and celebrations. This week can be stressful as the to-do list can be quite lengthy.
Finals week proper is usually more low-key for students, as there are typically no student organizations meeting and no class periods aside from the actual final. This means there is often more “down time” than students are used to and, if not careful, procrastination can set in. It’s important to stay as routine as possible to avoid procrastination and those all-nighters that do not work. Sleep, regular exercise, and nutritious meals and snacks are the best things students can do for themselves to be successful during exam time.
Another question we often receive from families is about exam timing. There are a few things to know about final exams and schedules:
- Finals are often held at a time and location different than their respective class’s time.
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Finals are all scheduled to be two hours in length, with 15 minutes minimum between exam times. Exams can be scheduled 7:45-9:45 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon, 12:45-2:45 p.m., 3-5 p.m., and 7-9 p.m.
- Students who have three exams scheduled during one calendar day during the final exam period may contact the Academic Student Affairs Office in their colleges for assistance in arranging for an alternate time for one of the three exams.
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Residential dining hours are adjusted during finals week to accommodate students’ changing needs. Find adjusted dining hours and locations here when they become available.
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Stress Less With Campus Crew: Dec. 6
Your Spartan is invited to join Campus Crew Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Case Hall, Club Spartan Room, for a stress-free evening of fun! Enjoy a movie, grab some giveaways, unleash your creativity with crafts, and indulge in the joy of cookie decorating. It's the perfect way to unwind and have some fun during a busy time.
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Managing End of Semester Stress
The end of the semester can be a stressful time for students. As they prepare for final exams, transition back home between semesters and look ahead to next semester, remind them of the coping skills that have gotten them this far. Meditation, spending some time outdoors, staying hydrated, and connecting with people they find support from and respect can go a long way toward keeping stress under control.
Self-guided resources, including our Virtual Care Kit, and more are available on the Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) website. See all our resources here!
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Mindful STATE Meditation to Deal With Stress
We all get stressed sometimes — especially nearing the end of the semester and during the holiday season! University Health and Wellbeing’s Health Promotion and Engagement offers mindfulness practices from Mindful STATE. Take some time to join us for a brief grounding practice to help clear your thoughts and refill your cup. Click here to access the Spartan Voice recording in MSU's Kaltura MediaSpace, press play and practice some high-quality self-care. We encourage you to share this practice with your Spartan.
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Health and Well-being a Priority at MSU
The health and well-being of your Spartan is a priority. MSU University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) plans to conduct a health and well-being assessment survey early next semester to comprehensively assess MSU student, staff and faculty needs. Our goal is to identify prevalent health trends and issues, and understand gaps in services and potential solutions. To learn more about mental health during the college years and proactive steps that can help your support your student if needed, visit caps.msu.edu/resources/Parents.html.
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Commencements
Congratulations to all families celebrating their student’s graduation this semester! We know how much work your student has put in and what your support has meant to them. You can find all Commencement details, including locations, times, parking, etc., here. Spring commencement information will be available after the new year.
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Financial Aid Update
The FAFSA application for the 2024-25 school year will be available soon, ready to complete in late December. Visit fafsa.gov to apply. If this is your first time applying for FAFSA, you should set up your FSA ID today, as it will take a few days to process before you can use it to complete the application.
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Updates From Culinary Services
Student Appreciation Dinner Offered Dec. 6
Culinary Services is offering a special dinner Wednesday, Dec. 6, starting at 4:30 p.m. to honor the end of the semester and to show gratitude to our students. The Student Appreciation Dinner will be held at all-you-care-to-eat and Grab & Go dining halls. The menus feature delectable appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Options will vary; students can check go.msu.edu/diningmenus for details. Students may use their dining plan or pay with Spartan Cash. Dining halls also accept debit/credit cards and the public rate for dinner is $13 per person.
Winter Break Dining Hours in Effect Dec. 15-Jan. 7
Winter Break dining hours will be in effect Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 7. During this time, our limited operations will be listed as Special Hours on the Eat at State website, starting with Dec. 15-17 for the end of final exam week, with all operations closing at 3 p.m. Friday. Then, hours will be posted for each subsequent week (e.g., Monday, Dec. 18-Sunday, Dec. 24) through Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. For a complete list of hours, visit go.msu.edu/dininghours.
Fall Semester Dining Plans End Dec. 15
Dining plans for the fall semester will end on the last day of final exam week, Friday, Dec. 15. Students who received approval to stay on campus during winter break will receive 34 meal accesses to use at open dining locations. Silver, Gold and Platinum dining plans for the spring semester begin Saturday, Jan. 6. Dining hours will be posted on the Eat at State website at go.msu.edu/dininghours.
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Residence Hall Updates
Winter Break On-Campus Housing
As winter break approaches, please note that all students not staying on campus during this period must leave the residence halls by 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15. The halls will reopen Saturday, Jan. 6, with full-service center operations resuming Sunday, Jan. 7.
Belongings can stay in the room over the break, but students are encouraged to take what they need as spaces will not be accessible over the break period. For those needing to stay late or arrive early, students can log into their My Housing account to request Winter Break Late Stay or Early Arrival options. Costs vary depending on the chosen dates:
Staying until Saturday, Dec. 16: no additional fee
Staying until Sunday, Dec. 17: a one-night charge
Arriving Friday, Jan. 5: a one-night charge
Preparing for Winter Break
If your student is leaving campus for winter break, please remind them to:
- Take out all garbage and recycling; discard or take perishable foods.
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Pack their IDs, medications and other everyday necessities.
- Lower blinds, and close and lock windows. First floor residents, please put bar in the window.
- Unplug nonessential electronics (keep fridges plugged in unless cleaned out).
- Clean room/bathroom/living space.
- Leave heat on — do not turn it off.
- Lock door.
Additionally, encourage your student to contribute to the Pack Up. Pitch In. initiative by donating clothing, shoes, books, household goods, electronics, furniture and nonperishable food items. Donation bins are available in residence hall lobbies.
Second-Year Housing for Current First-Year Students
Residence hall sign-up for current first-year students will take place in spring 2024. Students will be able to choose their own space and their roommate, if they so desire. We plan to use an interest form for available single room spaces prior to the regular room selection process.
Learn more here.
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Safety Updates
MSU Police and Public Safety encourages families to remind their students to be on the lookout for the department's newly developed Active Violence Incident (AVI) Awareness training. The course is available for all students, faculty and staff and can be accessed on MSU’s AbilityLMS training platform. Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch emailed directions to the MSU community Monday on how to access the training.
The training includes a presentation explaining how to respond in an active violence situation. A video is also being developed to include in the training at a later time. Once the video is complete, it will be added to the platform and will also be available to view on the MSU DPPS website.
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Spartan Family Reflect and Connect Session: Helping Yourself Stay Grounded, While Your Kid is Away at College
It can be hard to have your college student away from home, off in the world, doing their thing. This can be especially challenging and upsetting with all the violence in the world today including the events on our main campus last February. The natural tendency is to grab hold of your kid and hold them tight, protecting them from any possible harm. Yet, this is not what they most need from us. What they need from us is our wise and grounded self, listening to them, helping them find their own way forward. Most parents could benefit from some skill-building to help navigate their children’s quest for independence in a world beyond our ability to control.
Spartan Family Connections and the MSU Division of University Health and Wellbeing and are teaming up to offer Spartan families two opportunities to gather in community, reflect on this parental challenge, and explore keys skills such as:
- Strengthening your ability to notice when your stress response is activated
- Increasing capacity to ground yourself in the red-hot moment of your upset and fear
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Interrupting unhelpful thought habits
- Managing your own emotional reactions
- Increasing the likelihood of responding from your deepest, wisest self
Join us for one of these virtual reflect and connect sessions by registering below:
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6-7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 12, 4-5:30 p.m.
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Undergraduate Action Items
On a monthly basis, Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Education Dr. Mark Largent and Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement Vennie Gore send an Action Item email to all undergraduate students. You can find this messaging here.
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Upcoming Events and Important Dates
December
Dec. 6: Student Appreciation Dinner, residential dining halls
Dec. 8: Fall semester classes end
Dec. 11-15: Fall semester final exams
Dec. 15: Residence and dining halls close for semester
Dec 15-16: Fall semester commencement ceremonies
Dec. 16: Spring semester bills available in SIS
Dec. 25-Jan. 2: University closed
January
Jan. 6: Residence halls open for spring semester
Jan. 8: Spring semester classes begin
Jan. 8: First spring semester payment due
Jan. 12: Last day to add a class for spring semester
Jan. 15: MLK Jr Day, university closed, residence and dining halls open
February
Feb. 1: Second payment plan installment due
Feb. 1: Last day to drop a full-semester course with full refund
Feb. 26-March 1: Spring break, residence and dining halls open
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