September 2025 Newsletter

How about that move-in?! In my 25 years of moving students, this was by far the best one, even with rain and clouds! Fall Welcome events continue this month as we help students connect with groups, resources and support to help them succeed. Students are making their way around campus to classes, registered student organizations and the MSU Dairy Store, while finding hidden gems like the botanical gardens and their new favorite study spots under a tree, in a hammock or tucked in a corner of the MSU Library. Campus is again bustling, and we’re here for it.

It can be hard to feel a sense of belonging in a place so big, and some students will start feeling homesick, even if they are returning students! Don’t be surprised if your student needs a little extra love and support as the semester progresses. Interested in sending a treat? Use the code FAMILY15 to get 15% off at MSU Bakers just for Spartan families!

And, if YOU are feeling a nostalgic, we still have a few Spartan Family Care Kits available — cuddle up on the couch with a snuggly Spartan blanket, sip some tea from a Sparty and squirrels tumbler, look at a picture of your Spartan in an MSU photo frame and squeeze the stress squirrel while writing out postcards to send to your kiddo! We tried to think of what would help us feel better and hope it does you too. And to make your yearly planning easier, the whimsical MSU squirrel calendar is also available for purchase! Available in-store at both the 1855 Place and MSU Union Spartan Spirit Shops and online, these academic year calendars mark all the important dates and leave space for your family’s planning. Your Spartan might want one too! The proceeds for the sale of both products help with programming and events for you.

Enjoy the beginning of fall and let us know how we can help support you. Thanks for helping us to help students experience success!

Take care and Go GREEN,

Laurin 

Family Weekend 
We are so excited (and shocked) to welcome 10,000 people to this year’s 4th annual MSU Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU! This is double the number of people who attended last year’s event. We know some of you were unable to register or sign up for some of the activities due to the event selling out but still want to encourage you to visit your student. Have them show you around campus. What is their favorite building, study spot or outdoor hangout? Visit the MSU Library or one of the many beautiful gardens on campus. And don’t forget about the MSU Dairy Store! And tailgating happens nearly everywhere on campus, so if you couldn’t get tickets to the Family Weekend tailgate, walk around and enjoy the ambiance of a Big 10 campus on game day! 

If you are attending the Family Weekend tailgate, please note that there are 6,000 people planning to attend. We will not have seating nor table space available for everyone. There will be many food lines and plenty of food, but please be patient as our catering team serves thousands of Spartans. Watch your emails for the menu and additional information about the tailgate and other Family Weekend events! 

Emergency Contact Information  

Please remind your student to check their emergency contact information in their SIS portal. In the event of an emergency, MSU administrators will use this information to contact a student’s family or preferred contact to let them know there has been an incident. Without an update, we may not be able to contact you in a timely manner, adding unnecessary delays otherwise easily avoidable by taking proper steps now. 

To update their emergency contacts, students need to navigate to their My Profile tile and click on Student Emergency Contacts. On this page they can add unlimited contacts with multiple contact methods for each, making it easier for MSU to connect with someone quickly, if needed. 

MSU IT Information

Microsoft Tools Training 
Is your Spartan new to using Microsoft 365 applications? Direct them to SpartansLearn.msu.edu for live virtual training courses and on-demand content about the software and tools used at MSU.

MSU IT Service Desk is here to help 
The MSU IT Service Desk offers technology help from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, except on university holidays. The Service Desk is available at ithelp.msu.edu or 517-432-6200. The website provides quick links to common issues like resetting passwords, network access and systems checks. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful IT Service Desk staff for assistance anytime your Spartan needs support.

Spartan Card for Spartan Cash, Bus Passes and More 
Not just an ID card, Spartan Cards can be used with Spartan Cash, CATA bus passes, and things like athletic tickets and recreational facilities. Encourage your Spartan to keep it safe!

MSU Tech Store 
Take advantage of great student promotions when you shop Apple and Dell products at the MSU Tech Store. Don’t wonder if you’re getting the right equipment — purchase it directly from MSU. Our walk-up Tech Bar is also available to help with any technical questions. Visit the MSU Tech Store on the first floor of the Computer Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online at techstore.msu.edu.

It's Always Career Season at MSU
Fall semester brings a full lineup of career fairs where Spartans can explore jobs and internships, connect with employers, and build professional skills. Events this month include Accounting & Finance (Sept. 10), Engineering (Sept. 16–18), Supply Chain (Sept. 17), Sales Leadership (Sept. 18), Civil & Environmental Engineering (Sept. 24), Construction Management (Sept. 25), and Agriculture & Food Industry (Sept. 30). Encourage your student to attend and learn more at careernetwork.msu.edu.

University Health and Wellbeing Updates

New MSU UHW Podcast 
UHW’s new Wellbeing at MSU podcast launched with the first episode focused on Setting Students Up for Success! Hosted by Dr. Alexis Travis,  assistant vice president and assistant vice provost for University Health and Wellbeing (UHW), featuring campus leaders Tammye Coles, Jaimie Hutchison and ASMSU Student Body President Kathryn Harding, the four discuss belonging on campus, success inside and outside of the classroom, and preparations for students' arrival on campus. Listen to the episode or read the transcript on YouTube to hear how MSU is continues to build a culture of care.

CRC Fall Welcome Mini-Adventure: FunTyme Adventure Parks 
Recovery is about more than recovering — it also includes joy and connection. Be an ally and build connections with Spartans at our Fall Welcome Mini-Adventure! On Friday, Sept. 19, the Collegiate Recovery Community will head to FunTyme Adventure Parks in Grand Ledge for adventure golf, Can-Am Kart rides and arcade games! This event is at no cost to participants. No registration is required. Learn more about the CRC Fall Welcome on our events calendar.

Save the Date: 2nd Annual MSU Disability Summit Oct. 3 
Join University Health and Wellbeing Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD), MSU Office for Civil Rights of the ADA Coordinator, and MSU Libraries to foster a more inclusive, accessible and equitable MSU. The 2nd Annual Disability Summit will be held Friday, Oct. 3, 8:30–11 a.m., at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. This year’s conference will be a half-day packed full of topics that focus on disability inclusion and belonging, lived experience, and accessible practices. The Disability Summit agenda will be available soon! Registration is now open.

Medical Amnesty Awareness Week: Sep. 9–13 
Medical amnesty is exemption from discipline for violations of university drug- or alcohol-use/possession policies for Michigan State University students seeking immediate medical assistance for themselves or on behalf of persons experiencing drug- or alcohol-related emergencies and for MSU students requiring medical attention related to a drug- or alcohol-related emergency. Instead, the students will meet with university personnel and be assigned educational interventions when there is concern regarding the safety of a student in connection to the student’s alcohol or drug use. The full policy, including student eligibility information, can be accessed online at the MSU Medical Amnesty Policy.

Spartan Resilience: Becoming a Gatekeeper of Your Own Nervous System 
Mondays, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 
Life is unpredictable, and we equip Spartans to face it with resilience. Spartan Resilience provides the MSU community with the opportunity to develop or strengthen their skills to respond to life’s challenges. Courses are free and virtual. Many of us are experiencing intermittent burnout and the effects of chronic stress. Learn to recognize the elements of burnout and become skilled at completing your stress cycles. Register for Becoming a Gatekeeper of Your Own Nervous System via Learning Stream.

Athletics Ticket Office Reminder 
Reminder from the Athletic Ticket Office: Families who sign up for communications from the MSU Athletic Ticket Office will receive information regarding an opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public. Sign up to receive more information from MSU Athletics! 

Live On Updates for Students Living On Campus

Packages 
After we receive a package, we log it in to our system and send an email and text message when and where it's ready for pickup. This helps us track all items, ensure they’re delivered correctly and address any issues with carriers. It’s important that your student wait to pick up their packages until they receive an email/text from the Service Center! More info on the package process and how to address mail and packages can be found at liveon.msu.edu/packages.

Get to know the On-Campus Residence Hall Team!
In our residence halls, a dedicated team is available to support students:
 
Resident assistants (RAs) are students living on each floor who help residents adjust to campus life, offering information, support and leadership.

 
Intercultural aides (ICAs) foster community and promote academic success by uniting students across backgrounds and creating opportunities for intercultural engagement.
 
Residence Education staff includes full-time community directors (CDs) and residence directors (RDs), along with graduate assistant community directors (ACDs), who oversee the residence halls, enforce policies and provide leadership.
 
Neighborhood administrative coordinators (NACs) manage service centers and logistical operations, including keys and mail.
 
Community support specialists (CSS) handle administrative tasks and assist with information distribution.

Facilities staff are responsible for cleaning common areas and making repairs. Work orders are submitted via the service center or online maintenance request form.
 
The Housing Assignments Office (HAO) manages housing applications, contract renewals, and room changes, and is reachable at 1855 Place or via email and phone.
 
Together, this team ensures a safe, supportive and well-managed living environment for all residents. When students need assistance, the Service Center can be a first point of contact. If it’s between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., students can contact the RA on Duty number posted in their residence hall.

Additional service and resource information for residents can be found at liveon.msu.edu/in-room.

Culinary Services Update 

We are noticing some students are feeling the effects of new allergens and germs, along with changing patterns in sleeping and eating, with an increase in illness. It’s no fun being sick, but we have a way for students to continue to get meals with Sick Meal Pickup Arrangements. The ill student just needs to complete the fillable PDF to have another student pick up their meal. The ill student needs to fill it out for each meal needed and the meal must be picked up from a dining service in their neighborhood. 

Please remind your student to practice frequent and thorough handwashing, increase ventilation, and practice good sleep hygiene. Many students and staff also choose to mask to avoid illness. 

Recreational Sports and Fitness Services

To take full advantage of all the sport and fitness programs and facilities on campus, students just need to sign into the new portal with their netID and sign the acknowledgement of risk form. Visit recsports.msu.edu/memberships for more info.

Academic Success 

Fall 2025 academic success workshops topics and times have been announced. Time management and organizing for learning, orienting for success, and study skills and learning techniques are the overarching themes with multiple sessions like Get Over Procrastination, Hidden Curriculum: What No One Tells You About College, The Most Effective Note Taking Series, which provide outside-of-the-classroom tips for inside of the classroom success. Encourage your student to sign up and attend by visiting undergrad.msu.edu/learning-experiences/academic-success-workshops. 

MSU DPPS Reminders

Fall Semester Alert Test
As part of our commitment to enhance our capabilities within our mass notification system, the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety will conduct a full system test of our campus alert notification system Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. This routine test occurs at the beginning of every semester. Please encourage students to visit alert.msu.edu to update their contact information if needed.

Football Season Ticket Reminder
As excitement builds for another thrilling season of Spartan football, we want to make sure families and fans stay protected from ticket scams. 

Unfortunately, scammers are targeting fans by pretending to be MSU students and selling fake student section tickets online. These scams can be hard to spot — and heartbreaking for those who fall victim. 

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Only purchase resale student section tickets through SeatGeek, the official platform for MSU ticket resales.
• Avoid buying tickets from unofficial sources, random sellers online or in person.

If your student or family members are planning to attend a game, please help spread the word and share this reminder. Let’s keep game day joyful and scam-free!

Student Accounts Reminders

It’s not too late to enroll in the fall payment plan! For all payment plan information, including due dates, please see our Payment Plan FAQS.

Reminder: Charges can be added to a student’s account throughout the semester. To avoid late fees and holds, please be sure to review all billing statements when you receive notice that a statement is available. MSU will only create a monthly billing statement if there has been account activity or there is an account balance.

Office of the Registrar Reminders

Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 Shopping Carts opened for student class planning Sep. 1. Students should start planning now, prior to enrollment, which opens for each student on a specific day and time beginning Oct. 27. Encourage your student to meet with their adviser now, ahead of the enrollment rush!

Fall semester full-term course tuition refund ends Sep. 18. After that date, there is no refund for the dropped classes scheduled for the full-term. Students should review important section dates, including the last day to drop with a refund, by logging into SIS, clicking into the class and scrolling to “section dates.” Note: Dates may vary from class to class, so it is important to check the information on all classes.

Financial Aid

A friendly reminder to have students monitor their financial aid portal and/or MSU bill regularly (once a month or so) for any changes related to enrollment or other activity that can affect aid.

There is still time to complete the 2025–26 FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Having a completed FAFSA can be helpful in case a student needs to access their student loans later in the year. Also, since many grantors use demographic information from the FAFSA to determine potential awardees, having a completed FAFSA can open up scholarship opportunities.

Students can log into scholarships.msu.edu with their NetID to search and apply for applicable scholarship opportunities. Checking this site monthly is a good practice as opportunities show based on donor dates rather than academic timeframes.

Travel Options for Students 
Many of you will start making plans for your students to travel over fall break (Oct. 20–21), Thanksgiving break (Nov. 27–28) and winter break (Dec. 12–Jan. 11) and may be curious about options. Michigan Flyer is a great option to get to Brighton, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro (DTW). Reservations are required, and they book quickly, so it’s good to think ahead. Many students from the Chicago area rely on Amtrak and its ease of use and great location, traveling from East Lansing (just south of Holden Hall) to Union Station in about 4 hours. MSU doesn’t currently offer a ride share system.

Have You Read This Far?

Let's celebrate with another MSU Dairy Store single scoop coupon giveaway! Enter here by 11:59 p.m., Sept. 30 for a chance to win two coupons to enjoy a single scoop on us!

Congrats to Diane D., our August winner!

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.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

 

September 
Various career fairs
Sept. 12–14: Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU
Sept. 18: End of tuition refund period for full-semester classes
Sept. 19: Collegiate Recovery Community Fall Welcome 

October
Oct. 1: Fall 2025 minimum tuition and fee payment due
Oct. 3: MSU Disability Summit
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

November
Nov. 1: Fall 2025 minimum tuition and fee payment due 
Nov. 10: Spring semester 2026 enrollment open for all 
Nov. 17: Summer semester 2026 enrollment begins 
Nov. 27–28: Thanksgiving Holiday (university closed; residence halls open, dining closed) 

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