We can hardly believe fall semester is quickly ending (though there are still many events in December!). 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 Breslin Dec. 14 for both ceremonies and would love to meet you and congratulate you in person! Check out commencement.msu.edu for all the event details, including parking, accessible seating, door times and more.
Looking for a unique holiday gift for that new Spartan in your life? Or maybe there’s someone who’s been a life-long Spartan who would love an exclusive Spartan gift? Grab one of the Spartan Care Kits for $75, and support Spartan Family Connections programming and events for families and supporters like you!
Winter break for students is from Dec. 13 (or after their finals are done) until Jan. 12. Spring semester begins Monday, Jan. 13. The entire university, including all offices, will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1, reopening Jan. 2, to give university employees time away. And we (Spartan Family Connections) will be taking a little longer break, from Dec. 20-Jan. 2. We wish you a restful break, filled with friends and family, and look forward to seeing you in 2025.
Take care,
Laurin
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Final Examinations
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 organization meetings 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 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, 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 that 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 the website. To learn more about the Office of the University Ombudsperson, please watch a video about them here.
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Residence Halls Winter Break 2024 Information
All residents that are not planning to remain on campus during winter break must be out of residence halls by 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13. The residence halls open for spring 2025 Saturday, Jan. 11 with service centers returning to full service Sunday, Jan. 12. Find information on late stays and winter break housing here.
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Residential Student Leader Recruitment
Applications for 2025-26 resident assistants (RAs) and intercultural aides (ICAs) are open now through Dec. 13. Learn more.
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Resources for Student Stress While Wrapping Up the Year
Is your Spartan struggling with stress, depression or anxiety as we enter the end of the semester and head into the winter holiday season? While wrapping the year can be a lot, your student doesn’t have to go through it alone. University Health and Wellbeing’s Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers Togetherall, a safe and supportive peer-support community — free and available 24/7. Students can visit Togetherall online and register for an anonymized account with their MSU email.
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Impact 89FM Named National College Radio Station of the Year
WDBM-FM, MSU's student-run radio station and media organization has been named the 2024 National College Radio Station of the Year at the Pinnacle Awards presented by the College Media Association. This is Impact 89FM's second time winning the award, previously receiving the honor in 2021.
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MSU Recognized as 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting
Primarily through the work of MSUvote, the university has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation.
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OCAT Office to Manage Operations of New Multicultural Center, Will Rebrand as OMEA
The Multicultural Center (MCC) construction is set to be completed this winter, and the Michigan State University (MSU) Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) will officially take the reins in managing operations of the building. Transitioning into the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy (OMEA), the move to the first-of-its kind facility allows the office to broaden the scope of services and thus, its impact on students.
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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 Kathy C., our November winner!
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MSU Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS)
DPPS extends a warm welcome to the new Police Chief and Executive Director of Public Safety, Mike Yankowski. Mike has held various significant roles throughout his career, including Police Chief, Police Captain, Police Lieutenant, and Police Sergeant at the Lansing Police Department. His extensive background also includes serving as the Institutional Ethics and Compliance Assistant Director at MSU since 2019. In these roles, Mike has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic oversight, and a commitment to fostering an ethical and accountable environment. We look forward to continued collaboration and strong partnerships with MSU DPPS.
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MSU Tech Help
MSU IT can help new and transfer students prepare for the upcoming spring semester in January. A complete guide to student tech is available on the new student website. For more personal help, with items including:
- Password resets and Net ID issues
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Wired and wireless networking at MSU
- Student Information System
- Spartan Mail, OneDrive, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 tools
The MSU IT Service Desk team is available every day the university is open from 7 a.m. to midnight. Contact them at ithelp.msu.edu or 517-432-6200.
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Student ID Cards
The MSU ID Office is here to help new students get their Spartan Card as easily as possible as they arrive on campus for the Spring semester.
Did you know?
Students can upload a photo of their choice which will allow them to have their new Spartan Card ready for pick up when they come to campus. Students can pick up their Spartan Card now if they’re on campus.
Details on how to upload a photo and pick up a Spartan Card can be found here at MSU ID Office New Students.
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MSU Tech Store
Thinking about getting your new or current Spartan a computer or tablet for the holidays? Or do they need new tech before the start of spring semester? Buy it at the MSU Tech Store and get it set up with all the software your Spartan will need. Visit techstore.msu.edu or call 517-432-0700, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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FAFSA Update
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now live at fafsa.gov. A completed FAFSA is required every year to receive federal grants, scholarships and loans. Data from the FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for a variety of MSU and donor awards, so we recommend completing your FAFSA as soon as possible each year. 2025-26 financial aid award packages will be available to view in the MSU student portal before the end of February.
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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. 8: Fall semester classes end
Dec. 9: MSU DPPS Midnight Study Break, 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m., STEM Building
Dec. 9-13: Fall semester final exams
Dec. 13: Residence halls and on-campus dining close for semester
Dec. 13-14: Fall commencements
Dec. 13-Jan. 12: Winter Break
Dec 20-Jan 2: Spartan Family Connections closed
Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2025: University closed
January 2025
Jan. 9: Spring semester billing available
Jan. 12: Residence halls open for spring semester
Jan. 13: Spring semester classes begin
Jan. 17: Last day to add a full session spring semester course
Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, (university closed, residence halls and dining open)
Jan. 21: College Nights at Wharton Center, "Shucked"
February
Feb. 1: Spring semester payment due
Feb. 6: Last day to drop a full-semester course with full refund
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