This is our favorite time of year as campus comes alive with students arriving for the fall semester to learn, grow and connect with one another. It is our goal to help you be successful in your academic endeavors. Each month, we send an email like this one in which we share events and resources arranged into six categories to help you navigate MSU and ensure you have a safe, productive and enjoyable year. 

1) Take care of yourself and others.

• View helpful resources to support your physical and emotional transition to MSU from University Health and Wellbeing.
• Pronouns are now available on Microsoft 365. Spartans now have the option to add pronouns in apps like Microsoft Outlook and Teams, fostering a more inclusive MSU digital environment.
• Review helpful safety tips from the Department of Police and Public Safety, and download the SafeMSU app. 
• Care for your mind and body at the Beal Botanical Garden with outdoor yoga, botanical tours, live music and more!
• Check out the Neighborhood Student Success Center resources available across the on-campus neighborhoods.

2) Engage in your academic experience.

• Visit the University’s Academic Calendar as you make plans for the fall 2023 semester. Choose "Academic Year 2023-2024" to view fall 2023 important dates. Reminder: First day of classes is Monday, Aug. 28. 
• Access the Student Information System to do important academic things like:

3) Find your way and make connections.

• Fall Welcome, presented by MSUFCU, kicks off Aug. 22, with Fall Convocation taking place Aug. 24 and Spartan Spectacular Aug. 27. Visit MSU’s Fall Welcome page to see the full schedule of events, FAQs, convocation details, information about getting around and more. From welcome brunches and cookouts to resource fairs and game nights, a large number of events offer something for everyone.
• Incoming international students have orientation Aug. 18-20 through the Office of International Students and Scholars. Incoming domestic students have orientation programming through New Student Orientation.
• We encourage you to visit Involve@State, MSU’s student engagement portal that connects you with student clubs and groups. You can search for Registered Student Organizations to join, events to attend, campus updates and more.
• Invite your family, however defined, to join you for Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU, Nov. 3-5. Show your supporters around your campus home and find some new places together! More details coming soon to family.msu.edu.

4) Get involved outside the classroom.

• There are many on-campus positions now taking applications for fall semester! View Student Life & Engagement job postings.
• Recreational Sports and Fitness Services (RSFS) offers three indoor intramural facilities on campus, a new turf field, IM sports, group exercise classes and more! Learn more and activate your membership on the RSFS website.
• The Career Services Network hosts resume workshops throughout the school year. Schedule a meeting with a career adviser in preparation for fall career fairs.
• The MSUvote Initiative invites all Spartans to make their voting plan ahead of the 2023-24 election season! MSUvote will help you create a plan at Convocation, Sparticipation and in the STEM Building at ID pick up.
• The MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning and MSU Alumni invite you to participate in the 15th Annual “Fill the Bus” event, giving local students and families an equal start to the new school year! Visit the CCEL website to learn more about the event and how to help.

5) Connect with important resources.

• For students living on campus, it’s time to prepare for fall move-in. Move-in is Aug. 22-24, and students self-select their specific move-in time, based upon availability for their hall.
• Student ID cards will be available for expedited pick up during move-in at the STEM Building if you have submitted a photo online by Monday, Aug. 14. If you do not meet this deadline, you will need to visit the ID Office, where they will take a photo for you and print your card; please be prepared to wait in line.
• Students living off campus should check out the College Life East Lansing guide for helpful resources on how to be a great community member.
• Learn more about on- and off-campus dining plans. Update your on-campus dining plan in your My Housing account or purchase an off-campus dining plan now.
• No-cost training from MSU IT is available for Microsoft 365 applications including Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote at spartanslearn.msu.edu.
• The Career Services Network kicks off its new Career Closet this month, providing students with gently-used professional attire. This new service impacting students from disadvantaged backgrounds offers clothing for career fairs, interviews, and networking events. A ribbon cutting ceremony to open the “closet” will take place Friday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m., in the CSN Suite.
• MSU Athletics has sold out of football, basketball and hockey season tickets. All other regular season sporting events on campus are free for MSU students!
• You can also take advantage of world-class Broadway shows, concerts and more right here on campus at Wharton Center. Discounted tickets for MSU students are available now.
• New students at MSU should review MSU’s Laptop Requirement. The MSU Tech Store is available to assist with your technology needs. Online at techstore.msu.edu or stop by in-person on campus at the Computer Center, Room 110.
• Have a tech problem? Need to reset a password? Problems with Wi-Fi? The MSU IT Service Desk is here to help.

6) Billing and financial aid updates.

• Need to make a payment? Learn more about fee schedules, and everything you need to know about paying your bill for the fall 2023 semester.
• Look for an upcoming email informing you that a new bill for fall semester is ready to view. Payment is due by Aug. 25. You may either pay in full or sign up for a payment plan.
• If you would like a parent, other family member or anyone else to be able to view and pay your bill, you must set them up as an authorized guest in the Student Information System. The Student Accounts Office will not be able to discuss your account with anyone else unless they are an authorized guest. To initiate or make changes to guest access, click on the “My Profile” tile, then “Share My Info Electronically” in the left navigation to update your options. Authorized guests will receive emails in the future whenever a new bill is produced.
• Questions about billing can be directed to the Student Accounts office at Student.Receivables@ctlr.msu.edu or 517-355-3343.
• Check the status of your financial aid via the MSU Financial Aid Portal in the Student Information System to review your financial aid package and act on any loans if needed.

• Questions about your financial aid can be directed to finaid@msu.edu or 517-353-5940.

If you have any questions about anything related to MSU, please email sle@msu.edu.

For those of you returning, thank you for your academic efforts, your help in keeping campus safe and the inspiring example of community you have demonstrated. To our newest Spartans, we know the array of resources and things to do here at MSU can be intimidating. Please let us know if you need someone to point you in the right direction. We hope you have a wonderful fall semester!

Sincerely,

Vennie Gore
Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement

Mark Largent
Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Education