We don’t know about you, but we cannot believe it’s August already and students will be here in just a few weeks. We had a great summer, but we are ready to welcome you all to East Lansing! Team members across campus have been working hard to plan a great Fall Welcome. We hope your Spartan checks out the events and plans to participate in all Fall Welcome has to offer! New Spartans often experience a mix of excitement and anxiety about meeting new people — we hope they choose to embrace the discomfort by introducing themselves to potential new friends! We want them to explore campus and participate in opportunities to meet other Spartans using friend-making skills they may not have had to employ for a long time. One way to be sure to do so is to go to class and eat in the dining hall (rather than get grab-and-go or Combos) — getting out of their room or apartment for a while can help! It may seem everyone else has friends while they are struggling, so remind them it may take time to find their group and to keep trying.
Speaking of meeting new Spartans, you may also be looking to connect with other Spartan supporters. Come hang out with us Tuesday or Wednesday, Aug. 19 or 20 (or both!), and celebrate or commiserate your student’s big move. We will be at the Kellogg Center from 6–8 p.m. both days with light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, and a cash bar for those interested in having an adult beverage. We would love to meet you and will be sure to have this year’s sticker to pass out! (You don’t have to sign up, but if you know you’re coming, we’d love to get a count.)
We can’t wait to see you all very soon! Until then, take care.
Laurin
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Family Weekend and Ticket Link
Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU is Sept. 12-14, and we are excited that so many of you have already signed up to join us for that weekend! We have a full schedule of activities for Family Weekend, some of which are already sold out. If you would like to join the waiting list for any of the sold-out activities, you can do so here.
Many of you already know you would like to attend the MSU vs. Youngstown State football game Saturday, Sept. 13. PLEASE NOTE: TICKETS TO THE FOOTBALL GAME ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY WEEKEND REGISTRATION AND MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY! Tickets to this football game can be purchased through MSU Athletic Ticket Office or online through FEVO.
This is a special Family Weekend block that has a slightly reduced price per ticket, and all tickets are in the same seating areas so you can cheer with other Spartan families! If your student has season tickets in the student section and you want them to sit with you, you will need to purchase a ticket in the family section for them. Their student section ticket is not transferable to this block seating area, and family section tickets cannot be used in the student section.
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Avoid the Lines: Submit Your Spartan Card Photo by Aug. 8!
Make move-in week smoother by encouraging your student to submit a photo for their Spartan Card before Aug. 8! It’s quick and easy — they just check their inbox for an email from myphoto@idoffice.msu.edu and reply with the photo. Submitting by the deadline means their card will be ready for pickup, saving time in the form of long lines at the MSU ID Office.
If the photo is approved, they can pick up their Spartan Card at the ID Office (International Center, Room 170) during regular hours: 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. through Aug. 15. They must obtain their Spartan Card in person, using their student ID number and a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport). Spartan Cards will not be given to friends or family on behalf of a student.
Can’t make it before Aug. 15? No problem. Students with approved photos can also pick up their cards at the STEM Building from Aug. 18–21.
If a photo isn’t submitted and approved by Aug. 8, they’ll need to visit the ID Office during move-in week to have a photo taken and card printed — expect long wait times.
For full details, visit idoffice.msu.edu.
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Gear Up for the School Year With the MSU Tech Store
Set your Spartan up for success with the latest tech essentials — available right here on campus! This summer, when you buy a qualifying Mac, you’ll receive a free pair of AirPods. Prefer an iPad? You’ll get an Apple Pencil Pro with your qualifying purchase. It’s the perfect time to upgrade your gear and save.
Need help choosing the right device or have tech questions? Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you find the best fit for your academic and personal needs. Stop by or give us a call for personalized support.
First floor, MSU Computer Center
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
517-432-0700
Shop online: techstore.msu.edu
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Fall Move-In Guide
We understand that moving can feel overwhelming! To help you plan and prepare, you should receive the 2025 move-in guide to your mailboxes soon. This guide contains essential information about what to bring, parking instructions, check-in procedures, and much more. You can also view the 2025 move-in guide here!
Other helpful notables and links:
Shipping Items: Items can be sent to your hall prior to move-in! Packages can arrive to the halls beginning Monday, Aug. 11. Any item received prior to Aug. 11 will be returned to the sender. We recommend not shipping large items or valuables when possible. Learn more at liveon.msu.edu/packages.
Beds and Adjustments: Double rooms will be set to one lofted and one trundled bed at move-in, unless the layout does not allow for this. Akers units will have three lofted beds and one trundled bed. Students in most halls can follow the instructions to adjust their university-provided bed equipment, or request assistance from REHS Facilities. Learn more at liveon.msu.edu/beds.
Sign Up for a Move-in Arrival Time
Students moving in during regular hours Aug. 19-21 need to select a specific arrival time. This 30-minute window is when you first arrive at the hall to check in and unload. Your student can log into their My Housing account to select or change their time between now and Aug. 18.
If your student is an international student, has an approved early arrival, or has signed up for Fall Welcome Team, they do not need to select one of these times! They will receive an email later this month confirming their early arrival and providing instructions.
Students arriving after Aug. 21 do not need to select an arrival time. They are encouraged to arrive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and check in at their nearest open Service Center.
MSU App and Texting
Be sure to download the MSU App, which will have a special section the week of move-in with GPS coordinates for your campus entrance, unloading zone, check-in location and designated parking lot.
Additionally, the MOVEIN2025 texting channel will provide updates on any traffic issues or parking lot changes. Sign up by texting MOVEIN2025 to 888777. Message and data rates may apply.
Construction Near Campus
Please take increased traffic and construction projects into consideration when planning your trip to campus. With construction on US-127, several routes near campus will be closed.
On-Campus Housing Handbook: Terms and Conditions
The 2025-26 On-Campus Housing Handbook is now available at liveon.msu.edu/Documents. It’s important for each student to review this handbook annually. Students will be held to these terms and conditions, and violations will initiate the student conduct process.
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Fall Dining Updates From MSU Culinary Services
Move-In Helper Passes
With move-in just around the corner, Culinary Services is providing a meal pass to each student living on campus to enjoy a meal with up to two move-in helpers. Passes will be provided at check-in, and each pass will note the options for dining in that neighborhood. If your move-in crew has more than two members, they can dine with you as well by paying the door rate of $13.50.
Dining Options: First Week
Dining locations open in phases throughout move-in week. Please be sure to check eatatstate.com for the most up-to-date hours.
Reduced CX: Move-In Week
Every dining plan provides 12 Combo-X-Change (CX) meals per week. However, during move-in week, students will only receive six combos. This modification allows our stores to restock in a timely manner throughout the week and provide students with the best service possible.
Grubhub Mobile Ordering
Culinary Services is pleased to announce a new partnership with Grubhub for mobile ordering pickup. This service is available at four locations: Sparty's Market at Holden, Sparty's Market at Holmes, The Sandbox at Holden, and Sparty's at Brody. Options will vary at each location and customization is available. For more details, visit eatatstate.msu.edu/mobilemenu.
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MSU DPPS: Bike Registration
MSU Parking Services has partnered with Bike Index, the most widely used bicycle registration service in the world. By using the bike’s serial number, manufacturer and component information, the bike is registered with a free permit that does not expire. Bike Index allows users to add photos of their bike to their account, update the bike registered to their permit, or transfer permit/bike ownership to another individual. Users can also report their bike as missing or stolen in the Bike Index system. All bicycle users should register or re-register their bicycle using this link. Permits will be available for pickup from the Visitor Center on Trowbridge Road after three business days.
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Sign Up for 2025 Nixle Alerts
To ensure you receive timely updates about key campus events, we encourage all families to subscribe to our official 2025 Nixle alert channels. These alerts provide important information directly to your mobile device.
Football Alerts: Text SPARTANFB25 to 888777
Move-In Information: Text MOVEIN2025 to 888777
Please note: Even if you subscribed to Nixle alerts in previous years, you will need to sign up again using the new 2025 keywords listed above. Each year’s channels are updated to reflect current events and schedules.
We recommend registering early to stay informed and prepared.
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Download the SafeMSU App
We often hear from families wanting to know how to receive notifications from MSU in the event of an emergency. Download the SafeMSU App to get access to valuable safety resources including MSU Alerts (be sure to turn on push notifications) and support resources. Download on the App Store or Google Play today, and encourage your student to do the same!
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East Lansing Smart911
The City of East Lansing and other local municipalities have partnered with Ingham County to provide emergency alerts via Smart911 from Rave Alerts. The system allows users to register for different levels of alert notifications, including emergency, traffic and community events. Sign up now.
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Financial Aid Update
Your student's 2025-26 financial aid package is now available! They can visit their financial aid portal at student.msu.edu and take action on any items that require attention. The financial aid package is not complete until any outstanding items, such as acceptance of loans or submitting required verification documentation, are finalized. It’s important to make sure students are looking at the AUG 2025-MAY 2026 tab to take action for the upcoming aid year.
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We Polled And … Spartans Party Smart
92% of Spartans look out for their friends to keep them safe when they drink. That’s what it means to party smart and why University Health and Wellbeing is excited to welcome back Spartans during UFest this year!
Remind your student to join us Friday, Aug. 22, from 6–9 p.m. at the MSU Union. Tell them to swing by our table to get a free T-shirt (while supplies last), connect with fellow Spartans, and head into the semester ready to make safer and smarter choices together.
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Hack Your Stress With Mindfulness: Join Mindful State Days
Whether new to mindfulness or looking to learn something new, this is a chance for students to reset and refocus as the semester begins. On Sept. 4 and 5, they can explore Mindful State Days with guided in-person outdoor meditations, virtual webinars to deepen their practice, or a Loving Kindness concert at Beaumont Tower. More details coming soon at uwh.msu.edu — stay tuned and get ready to breathe a little deeper during Mindful State Days.
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Resource for MSU Students Without Traditional Family Support
If you have a student or know of a student attending MSU this fall who has had experience with foster care, homelessness, adoption, guardianship, kinship care or are independent, there is support for them! FAME is a resource/support program that is available for students who have had these mentioned experiences. FAME offers coaching and mentoring services, monthly events to support and build community as well as connection to various resources on campus (for example: housing, financial aid, counseling services, tutoring, etc.). To learn more, please visit the FAME website. If you would like to connect with someone in the FAME Program, please email fame@msu.edu.
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New Graduate Teaching Assistants Institute (NGTAI)
In this session, new graduate teaching assistants will receive essential information and guidance to help them successfully begin teaching undergraduate students. The training will be held via Zoom Monday, Aug. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Students can register here.
New GTAs will be able to:
- Identify ways of how to best address various learner differences including identities and experiences to help foster student success.
- Discuss strategies to successfully run their classrooms, their recitation sessions, their work as graders or homeroom tutors.
- Provide procedures to address policy related issues in their individual roles as GTAs.
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Find solutions to student scenarios they may encounter in their GTA role.
- Connect with graduate students to discuss engagement opportunities.
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The State News
Interested in staying updated on what’s happening in East Lansing through student perspectives? The State News is your link to student-driven and student-written content. Take a look here — today and in the future!
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Student Accounts Update
Fall tuition billing statements will be available Aug. 8 and are due Sept. 1. All students and guests who have completed the guest registration process will be sent an email notice when the billing statement is available. Payment plans will also available Aug 8. For a $40 enrollment fee, payment may be split into four installments due throughout the semester.
Paying by a 529 plan? Did you know that many 529 plan payments can be made directly through the student portal? Log in to student.msu.edu, select the Student Accounts tile, then click the Go to My Account button. Make a payment, and select 529 plan as the payment method to see if your plan is supported. Supported plans include Michigan Education Savings Plan (MESP), MI 529 Advisor, Bright Start 529 (IL), CollegeChoice 529 (IN), CollegeAdvantage 529 (OH), and many more state-sponsored plans. Payments completed through the portal post to the student account immediately, saving you from having to initiate a withdrawal directly from your plan and watching for the payment to be applied later. A $10 service fee applies.
Refunds of excess financial aid will begin being issued Aug. 22. Make sure your student is signed up for direct deposit to ensure their refund is received as quickly as possible.
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Have You Read This Far?
Let's celebrate with another MSU Dairy Store single scoop coupon giveaway! Enter here by 11:59 p.m., Aug. 31 for a chance to win two coupons to enjoy a single scoop on us!
Congrats to Jim C., our July winner!
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Undergraduate Action Items
On a monthly basis, Undergraduate Education, the Division of Student Affairs and Residential and Hospitality Services share an Action Item email to all undergraduate students. You can find this messaging here.
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Upcoming
Events and Important Dates
August
Aug. 8: Fall 2025 billing statements available in SIS
Aug. 15: Summer session 2 and full-term summer classes end
Aug. 15: Deadline to apply to graduate for summer 2025
Aug. 16-17: International student move-in
Aug. 19-20: First-year student move-in
Aug. 20-21: Returning student move-in
Aug. 20: New Student Kick-Off (formally Fall Welcome Convocation)
Aug. 20-24: Fall Welcome Events
Aug. 23: Graduate Student Welcome and Resource Fair, 10 a.m.–noon, MSU Union Ballroom
Aug. 25: Fall semester classes begin
Aug. 29: Last day to add a full-session fall semester class
September
Sept. 1: Fall 2025 payment due
Sept. 1: Labor Day (university closed; no classes, residence and dining halls open)
Sept. 12-14: Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU
Sept. 18: End of tuition refund period for full-semester classes
October
Oct. 1: Fall 2025 minimum tuition and fee payment due
Oct. 6-11: Homecoming Week
Oct. 7: College Nights at Wharton Center (Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert)
Oct. 13: Last day to drop a full-semester course with no grade reported
Oct. 20-21: Fall break (University open, no classes)
Oct. 27: Spring semester enrollment by appointment begins
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