We can hardly believe that fall semester is nearly over. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming students to East Lansing! Now, we’re wishing them a restful break and wishing new grads well on their next chapter as Spartan alum. If your Spartan is graduating, come see us for a special graduation sticker for YOU — we’ll be on the concourse of the Breslin Center Dec. 13 and would love to meet you and congratulate you in person! If you’re not attending commencements and would still like your sticker, stop by the 1855 Place Welcome Desk during open hours and ask for one (you need to ask!). If you are attending ceremonies, check out commencement.msu.edu for all the event details, including parking, accessible seating, door times, etc. Pro tip: You will need to meet your graduate outside of Breslin at the end, so take any indoor pictures prior to the ceremony. Also, the bag policy is in effect for ceremonies, so leave bags and purses in the car (flowers are OK to bring!).
Semester break for students is from Dec. 12 (or after their finals are done) until Jan. 11. Spring semester begins Monday, Jan. 12. The entire university, including all offices, will be closed for winter break Dec. 25–Jan. 2, reopening Jan. 5, to give university employees time away. We wish you a restful break, filled with friends and family, and look forward to seeing you in 2026.
Take care,
Laurin
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Spartan Family Cookbook
If you’re looking for a unique gift for that Spartan fan in your life, look no further! The Spartan Family Cookbook is available now for preorder and will be ready to ship soon. It will also be available in-store at the MSU Union and 1855 Place Spartan Spirit Stores.
Enjoy vintage favorites, campus-inspired dishes (including allergen-friendly options from Thrive), and modern recipes for every type of Spartan. It’s a delicious way to bring a little East Lansing comfort to alumni, parents, supporters and students alike!
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Spartan Seasonal Gift Guide
Speaking of gifts — the official MSU gift guide is now available! Check out a curated selection of our favorites for holiday gifting in this year's guide!
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Final Exams
Families hear about finals week but newer families 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 very 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 will often be held at a time and location different than the respective class time. It’s important to check the syllabus for the final date, time and location. Finals are all scheduled to be two hours in length, with 15 minutes minimum between exam times.
- 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, as soon as possible, for assistance in arranging for an alternate time for one of the three exams.
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Support from the Office of the University Ombudsperson
As we come to the end of the semester, we understand many students will have questions and concerns about their grades. The Office of the University Ombudsperson has resources on their self-help page to assist students in understanding how to think about and raise these types of issues. Students do have until the middle of the semester following a course to address their concerns.
The guidance above also references the Code of Teaching Responsibility, which can be found here.
If your student would like to discuss their experience/concern with the Office of the University Ombudsperson, they may request an appointment by calling 517-353-8830, by emailing ombud@msu.edu or by visiting ombud.msu.edu. To learn more about the Office of the University Ombudsperson, please watch this video.
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University Health and Wellbeing
Spartan Resilience: Grief and Loss Support Sessions: Grief affects many Spartans around the winter break and holidays. Your Spartan can find healing and growth through support sessions led by licensed grief counselors. These free, drop-in sessions meet weekly on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.
UHW Closed Dec. 25 to Jan. 2: A number of University Health and Wellbeing services will be closed between Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 2. Olin Health Center will also be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24. Crisis services will remain available 24/7.
Spot the Signs, Start a Conversation — virtual mental health crisis training for students: As part of MSU’s commitment to prioritizing the mental health of our campus community, University Health and Wellbeing has launched a free, one-hour virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) mental health crisis training in MSU’s Ability Training Compliance platform (My Menu > My Requirements).
Designed to help students recognize warning signs, offer hope, and connect a friend or classmate in crisis to support, QPR is much like CPR, but for mental health. This recommended training will help build confidence in having open and compassion conversations with friends, roommates or classmates about their mental health. Learn more about virtual QPR, including where to find similar trainings for the greater Lansing community.
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Preparing for Winter Break
If your student will not be staying on campus during winter break, please ensure they leave their residence hall by 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12.
Residence halls will reopen for the spring semester Saturday, Jan. 10, and service centers will resume full operations Sunday, Jan. 11.
Students do not need to move out completely. Their belongings can remain in their room over break. However, remind them to take any essentials they will need while away, such as medications, chargers, important documents and other personal items as rooms will not be accessible during break.
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Residence Hall Late Stays
Some students may not plan to stay on campus for the entire winter break but may need to remain a day or two longer or return a day or two earlier. If this applies to your student, they can log into their My Housing account and select a late stay or early arrival option. Costs are as follows:
Staying until Saturday, Dec. 13: No additional fee
Staying until Sunday, Dec. 14: A one-night charge will be applied to the student account
Arriving Friday, Jan. 9: A one-night charge will be applied to the student account
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Winter Break Housing and Dining
Winter break housing will be available from Saturday, Dec. 13, through Friday, Jan. 9. Whether your student stays the entire time or only part of the break, the cost is a flat rate of $400, which includes both housing and dining.
The dining plan includes 41 meal accesses at a variety of campus locations such as Brody Square, 1855 Starbucks, Sparty’s Market at 1855 Place, and Sparty’s in Owen Hall. Updated dining hours can be found here.
To apply for winter break housing: Students should log in to their My Housing account and select winter break housing.
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Current First Year Residence Hall Sign-Up for 2026–27
Current first-year students will select housing for the 2026–27 academic year during the spring semester. In the meantime, please remind your student that first-year students should not sign any off-campus leases, housing agreements or contracts this fall.
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Winter Break Dining Hours
Fall semester dining plans end Friday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. Dining options will be available throughout the winter break for those who remain on campus. The full schedule may found at Winter Break Dining Hours 2025–26.
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Financial Aid
The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available at fafsa.gov. Completing this application each year ensures students are eligible for any student financial aid that requires the FAFSA, including federal student loans. Students or new Contributors completing the FAFSA for the first time need to set up the required FAFSA ID.
Adjustments to your financial aid package (due to changes in enrollment, updated residency, addition of an award, etc.) are communicated through your confidential student financial aid portal. No emails or texts are sent alerting students of changes to their financial aid package.
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Give Your Spartan the Tech Advantage This Holiday Season!
Looking for the perfect gift for your new or current Spartan? Whether it’s a computer, tablet or essential tech for spring semester, the MSU Tech Store has you covered.
Shop with confidence knowing we can set up your student’s device with all the software they need to succeed.
Visit: techstore.msu.edu
Call: 517-432-0700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start next semester stress-free by giving your Spartan the tools to thrive!
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Impact 89FM Named National College Audio Outlet of the Year
WDBM-FM, MSU's student-run radio station and media organization has been named the 2025 National College Audio Outlet of the Year at the Pinnacle Awards presented by the College Media Association. The entire organization as well as individual staff members were recognized for their work with national awards by both CMAs Pinnacle Awards and the College Broadcasters, Inc. National Student Production Awards. Learn more about the award recipients here.
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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., Dec. 31 for a chance to win two coupons to enjoy a single scoop on us!
Congrats to Lisa H., our November winner!
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Undergraduate Action Items
On a monthly basis, Undergraduate Education, 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
December
7: Fall semester classes end
8–12: Fall semester final exams
12: Residence halls close for between semester break, limited dining available
12: Deadline to apply to graduate for fall semester 2025
12–13: Fall semester commencements
25-Jan 2: Winter break for university employees (university closed)
January
10: Spring semester billing available
10: Residence and Dining halls open for spring semester
12: Spring semester classes begin
14: College Nights at Wharton: Back To The Future
16: Last day to add a full-session class for spring semester
19: MLK Jr. Day (university closed, residence halls and dining open)
28: Springticipation, 6:30–9:30 p.m., STEM Building
February
1: Initial spring semester payment due
5: Last day to drop a full-session class for a full refund
28–March 8: Spring break
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