The “dog days” of summer are upon us, and speaking of dogs, we had a great time watching Zeke the Wonder Dog catching frisbees and taking pics with his adoring fans last week at Green & White Days! Prospective students and their families braved the heat to learn about and hopefully choose MSU as their school to start fall 2024. And we had so much fun sharing info about Spartan Family Connections (SFC) and the resources we provide to you, the adult supporters for all Spartan students.
The beginning of August also means campus-wide preparations for Fall Welcome activities and the hundreds of welcome events planned for students. Read on to learn more about campus, tips and tricks, and information to prepare for all that fall semester brings on campus. It’s a lengthy newsletter this month, and we think it’s worth the time to read. New families, as you think about your student moving to campus, remember less is more, fans are key, and your student’s got this! And we’ve got you.
Take care, and come see us at the low-key family welcome events Aug. 22 and 23 (more on that below)!
Laurin
|
On-Campus Move-In 2023
Live On and Eat at State have been working hard this summer to prepare for your student’s arrival in the fall! On-campus move-in day is an exciting time for students and their supporters! This year, move-in is Aug. 22-24. Visit liveon.msu.edu/move-in for the latest guidance. We will be adding details about traffic flow and driving directions, check-in locations and more!
Your student selected their specific move-in time window in their My Housing. It is important you arrive to campus during your assigned move-in day and time to aid in the flow of traffic and ensure a smooth move-in process. We ask that students only bring one vehicle and two helpers to assist with their move (and leave the family pet at home). Please note, campers and trailers are prohibited.
The Live On and Eat at State teams will be hosting a move-in webinar to present information about fall move-in, offer housing and dining reminders, and share some general fall expectations! The webinar is Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for this event by clicking here.
Move-in day may be hot (unpack the fans first!), and there will be lines (but we will get everyone in). Our dedicated team members and volunteers will be doing their best to support you and your Spartan! Should you require assistance, don't hesitate to seek help — there's no need to feel overwhelmed. Remember, patience and kindness are essential for a smooth and successful move-in day!
|
Family Welcome Events, Aug. 22 and 23
Planning to be on campus or in East Lansing Tuesday or Wednesday, Aug. 22 or 23? Join us at the STEM Building, 642 Red Cedar Rd., from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to ask your questions, get your Spartan Family sticker, grab a snack, talk with some campus folks like the campus dietitian, MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, Undergraduate Education, and Office of Financial Aid, or just say "hi" to Laurin or Kat. New students will need to get their MSU Card (student ID), and while they do that, you can hang out with us! Some partner departments will also be there to answer questions or just make a connection with you.
We are also hosting a low-key "happy hour" at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center from 6-8 p.m. each of these nights. We will have light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, and the State Room will have its bar open if you’d like to purchase an adult beverage after a long day of moving in your Spartan. Come meet other Spartan families, celebrate or commiserate about your Spartan’s new journey, and meet us while you’re at it!
|
Discounted Rates on Overnight Stays at the Kellogg Center
For more than 70 years, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center has proudly served as the “front door to the university,” providing unrivaled hospitality to the Spartan community. We hope you’ll stay at our on-campus facility as you plan future visits to East Lansing. Our hotel is located on Harrison Road across the street from Brody Hall and within walking distance of popular landmarks, residence halls, dining facilities, athletic events, and other amenities and activities.
We are pleased to offer a hotel package to families while their student is attending MSU. It includes a discounted overnight room rate, one complimentary parking pass per room, a discount at the Kellogg Market (opening soon!), and an opportunity to take advantage of our frequent stay program. When you complete a short family profile form and opt-in for periodic communications, you'll receive discounts, offers and updates to enhance your experience at the Kellogg Center. After you complete the form, we will send you a welcome email with a special promo code for your future hotel stays.
|
University Health and Wellbeing
The University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) division provides comprehensive support, compassionate care, valuable education, impactful advocacy, behavior change initiatives and meaningful connections to every MSU student, faculty and staff member.
UHW believes in the collective responsibility to advocate for the well-being of both students and employees. The mission is to create an environment where all members of the MSU community can thrive and flourish in all aspects of their lives.
UHW is prepared to support both new and returning students as well as the dedicated faculty and staff who play an integral role in facilitating their journeys. They are equally devoted to supporting families by offering up-to-date resources to keep their students informed. Together, let's continue building a healthier, happier and more connected community where every Spartan can achieve their full potential.
|
Family Weekend 2023 and Football Ticket Link
Family Weekend is Nov. 3-5, and we are excited to share information with you soon on what will be included for the weekend’s events! Last year, we heard from you that knowing what is included prior to registration is helpful to your family. Beginning Aug. 8, the tentative schedule of events will be available at family.msu.edu, so you can determine if you would like to attend Family Weekend prior to registration opening Aug. 14!
Many of you already know that you would like to attend the MSU vs. Nebraska football game Saturday, Nov. 4. 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 transferrable to this block seating area, and family section tickets cannot be used in the student section.
|
MSU IT Information
MSU IT Service Desk
The MSU IT Service Desk is here to help with your tech needs and questions. For support, along with resources and self-help options, visit ithelp.msu.edu.
D2L Training
D2L Brightspace is one of the main technologies used at MSU to deliver online and remote classes. The “D2L Basics for Students” webinar will introduce and demonstrate commonly used features including accessing course materials, submitting assignments, viewing grades and more. Join a live session to learn more about this and other valuable tech tools.
Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-noon, Zoom webinar link
Aug. 31, 1-2 p.m., Zoom webinar link
MSU Tech Store
The MSU Tech Store is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to help with all your hardware, software and accessory needs. Located on the first floor of the Computer Center building, the Tech Store also features a walk-up Tech Bar to help answer questions. Shop today to take advantage of exclusive student discounts on Mac and Dell products. Visit techstore.msu.edu for more details.
|
MSU ID Card
The MSU ID Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m., in Room 170 of the International Center. The ID Office issues IDs and troubleshoots problems with student ID, sells Spartan Cash and dining plans, and is the only place on campus to purchase CATA bus passes.
Obtaining Your Spartan ID Card
All incoming students should have received an email outlining the steps to upload a photo (by Aug. 14) for use with their Spartan Card. Spartan Cards can be picked up by incoming students at the ID Office, located in Room 170 within the International Center, anytime during the summer. Aug. 21-24, students with approved, uploaded photos can pick up their preprinted ID cards at the STEM Building.
Students who have not uploaded an approved photo can have their picture taken at the ID Office. Note: We anticipate long lines at the ID Office during move-in, so we encourage students to pick up their Spartan Cards before arriving to campus if possible. Find more details regarding photo upload, Spartan Card pickup, location and hours at idoffice.msu.edu.
|
Spartan Sense of Belonging
MSU offers amazing opportunities to connect Spartans with other Spartans identifying similarly. We try to highlight some of those groups in various newsletters throughout the year. As your student begins their fall semester, maybe one of these will resonate. Watch for additional opportunities, as well!
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center works to celebrate, affirm and support Queer and Trans individuals and communities at Michigan State University.
The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) constructs supportive cultural, social and educational communities that actively involve students in learning.
The Student Parent Resource Center offers a supportive environment to obtain information and resources for all student parents and their families on and off campus.
The Student Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to promoting the educational, career and personal advancement of service members, veterans and their families at Michigan State University.
Women*s Student Services offers a suite of services and programs with the goal to provide engaging programs, relevant information, timely services and resources for women students on campus.
|
First-generation Students
Did you know more than one fourth of MSU students are considered first-generation college students? At MSU, a student is considered first-gen if neither parent nor guardian has completed a four-year degree. Being first-gen means there can be some additional challenges on learning how to be successful at the university level since their support system may not understand how to best help them.
MSU is actively looking at ways to help better support our first-gen students and their families as well as celebrate the strengths that first-gen students exemplify! You can visit firstgen.msu.edu to learn about some of the opportunities for connection, funding and support for our first-gen students.
If you have questions or suggestions, please send them to firstgen@msu.edu. Save the date! First-Generation College Celebration week starts Nov. 6! We look forward to celebrating all our first-generation Spartans!
|
Resource for 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 (Fostering Academics, Mentoring Excellence) is a resource/support program 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 fame.socialwork.msu.edu. If you would like to connect with someone in the FAME program, please email fame@msu.edu.
|
Calendar Update
Many of you purchased the 2023 Family Calendar (with the adorable squirrels) when we offered a presale in June. Some of you missed it and were hoping to purchase them in August. We’ve partnered with the Spartan Spirit Shops in 1855 Place and MSU Union to offer a limited supply, available to purchase through Fall Welcome or until sold out. These are only available in-store and will not be printed again this year. Thanks for being so excited about this calendar! We look forward to creating one for the 2024-25 academic year!
|
Student Accounts
Student billing for fall semester will be available in the Student Information System (SIS) to students and their guests Aug. 5. Federal student financial aid is, due to federal regulations, applied to student accounts a week prior to the first class date, and anticipated aid is noted on the student’s bill. The amount due can be figured by subtracting the anticipated aid amount from the total amount due. The first payment (or payment in full) is due Aug. 25. International payments can be made easily via Flywire transfer. We strongly recommend students sign up for direct deposit in SIS to process refunds quickly and easily without the need for a paper check to be sent via mail.
|
Undergraduate Action Items Email
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 Items email to all undergraduate students. You can find this messaging here.
|
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
August
Aug. 5: Fall semester billing available in SIS
Aug. 14: Family Weekend registration opens
Aug. 18: Summer session two ends
Aug. 19: International student residence hall move-in
Aug. 22-23: New student residence hall move-in; Family Welcome events
Aug. 23-24: Returning student residence hall move-in
Aug. 23: New Student Orientation and Fall Welcome Kick-off
Aug. 24-Sept. 7: Fall Welcome activities
Aug. 25: First fall semester payment due
Aug. 28: First day of fall semester
September
Sept. 4: Labor Day (university closed, residence halls and dining open)
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
550 South Harrison Road | East Lansing, MI 48823 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to davisile@rhs.msu.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
|
|
|
