Arrival Information

Note: Some activities are required. Please look at the complete Fall Welcome schedule of events at fallwelcome.msu.edu. To access your personalized Fall Welcome schedule visit the Fall Welcome website at fallwelcome.msu.edu. Your personalized schedule contains all of the times and locations of the Fall Welcome sessions that you are expected to attend.
We are glad that you are here!

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT’S HAPPENING
Your MSU email is the best place to keep up to date on what is happening in your neighborhood and at MSU. Be sure to check your MSU email daily, follow @MSULiveOn on social media and visit liveon.msu.edu to stay in the loop. You’ll also see events on bulletin boards, table tents and digital screens in your halls. New students are encouraged to participate in Spartan Compass first-year experience programming. Learn more about this program and other hall and campus resources at liveon.msu.edu. The State News is a great way to stay current with campus and is available in residence hall lobbies, entrances to academic buildings and online at statenews.com. Your subscription to The State News is included in your MSU registration.

RESIDENCE HALLS
Incoming students will live on campus for two years as part of the two-year live-on requirement. During your time at MSU you will be part of many different communities. You will connect with fellow Spartans on your floor and residence hall, in your MSU Neighborhood and across campus. Representatives from your hall’s student government and caucuses, as well as hall staff will be happy to answer your questions and help you get settled at MSU. The On-Campus Housing Handbook is a great resource for rules and policies: liveon.msu.edu/Documents.

Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS) and the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) staff are dedicated to creating a safe, sustainable, and inclusive residential environment. These teams are here to help you be academically successful, explore new ideas, nurture your passions, create new traditions, embrace your independence, persist toward graduation and ultimately, have an outstanding Spartan experience.

MAIL AND CARE PACKAGES
liveon.msu.edu/hall-life Mail should be addressed to an individual student resident or MSU employee working within a residence hall using the residence hall room number and appropriate ZIP+4 code.
STUDENT’S NAME (Please use the name on student’s MSU ID card)

HALL NAME
STREET NUMBER AND NAME
HALL NAME AND ROOM NUMBER
EAST LANSING, MI 48825

To locate the street number and name, go to the campus address page and put the name of the residence hall in the field box at the bottom of the page.

ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
Student Life & Engagement is the largest employer on campus. We hire thousands of Spartans each year in the residence halls, dining services, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, Recreational Sports and Facilities Services, Breslin Student Events Center, and various administrative offices. Starting a job early in the semester can help you acclimate to campus while meeting new people, building relationships and establishing a schedule. For more information or to apply online, visit jobs.sle.msu.edu.

LINEN, LAUNDRY AND YOU
If you live in the residence halls, you are able to participate in the free linen service. A linen package includes two sheets, one pillowcase, and two towels. You can pick up your first package from the Service Center when you check in and then exchange it weekly. You need to supply your own pillow, blanket and comforter.

Did you know? In addition to free linen service, all on-campus residents have access to FREE laundry machines in each residence hall! Students supply their own detergent, and they should follow the laundry instructions and tips posted in each laundry room.

ON-CAMPUS DINING
At MSU, Spartans have access to some of the best dining available on college campuses. Our award-winning dining program, with a team of chefs, bakers and sous chefs, strives to meet the ever-changing needs of student nutrition. So, whether you seek grab & go meals, a satisfying sit-down meal, gluten or nut-free options, vegetarian or vegan, we’re able to accommodate you. Each dining hall features their own unique restaurants. There’s also Sparty’s mini-market locations, Sparty’s Market grocery store, and additional retail locations such as food courts, Panera and Starbucks, so there are plenty of options to suit your taste. Additionally, we’re very proud of our award-winning all-you-care-to-eat dining hall, Thrive at Owen Hall. It’s an allergen-free dining hall certified free from the Big 9 allergens (eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame), and gluten. MSU Bakers, which provides baked goods to the dining halls, is also nut-friendly.
Dining options are available from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., daily. Select retail locations are open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., so no Spartan will ever go hungry! Plus, our Transact mobile app makes it even easier to get a custom meal ready to pick up when you need it. For more information about dining at MSU, please visit eatatstate.com.

SPARTAN CASH
Spartan Cash is a debit program that is available to all students. Accounts can be used at over 100 locations – both on- and off-campus. View a complete list of participating vendors and open your Spartan Cash account online at spartancash.com. Make your MSU ID card work for you!

NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT CENTERS
At MSU, every undergraduate student is a part of a Neighborhood where they have access to resources to succeed academically, gain global perspectives, make connections, learn by doing, and live a healthy life. The Neighborhoods bring MSU resources to where students live and connect. The Engagement Centers are unique spaces located in each neighborhood and serve as the main access points to important resources such as neighborhood advisors, tutors, help rooms, health practitioners, and other resources that can help you navigate through your college career. Services available in the neighborhoods include: academic advising; assistance with math coursework, writing papers, and other academic subjects; recreation and fitness programs; health clinic; intercultural dialogues; and exploring majors and careers. When you have a question, need support or want to connect with other Spartans, visit the Engagement Center in your neighborhood.

THE NEIGHBORHOODS
BRODY: Emmons, Bailey, Armstrong, Bryan, Rather, Butterfield, Apartments
NORTH: Abbot, Mason, Phillips, Snyder, Campbell, Gilchrist, Landon, Mayo, Williams, Yakeley, Off Campus Students
RIVER TRAIL: McDonel, Shaw, Owen, Van Hoosen Apartments, Hubbard, Holmes, Akers
SOUTH: Holden, Wonders, Case, Wilson

STUDENT IDS
Each student of Michigan State University is issued a Spartan Card following initial enrollment which is your university identification (ID) card. This card is valid throughout your entire academic career at MSU.
Library privileges, access to university buildings, facilities and classrooms, and purchase of tickets and entry to athletic and entertainment events may require the possession and presentation of the ID card upon request. The card is also used for meal plans and Spartan Cash. The ID is the property of Michigan State University and is non-transferable.

Alteration, falsification, or misuse of the ID card is a violation of General Student Regulation 5.00 and other regulations as applicable. Each student is responsible for all use of the ID card whether authorized or unauthorized. The ID card should not be loaned or left where it might be used by an unauthorized person.

Your first ID card is issued to you at no cost. Replacement cards are $20.
Undergraduate students who are admitted to MSU should receive an email by July 1 which will allow the students to reply with a photo to upload to their ID card. Students who submit an approved photo by August 15 will have their cards available for expedited pick up at 1201 STEM building August 26-29th. Students who did not participate in online photo submission or were not eligible can go to the ID Office located in the International Center, 427 N. Shaw Lane, Room 170. A government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, State ID or passport is needed to obtain your ID.

For more information, you can call (517) 355-4500 or send an email to idoffice@msu.edu. Please visit our website: idoffice.msu.edu for our list of current operating hours.

BIKE, BUS, FEET AND SOMETIMES CAR
The question to this answer is: “How do I get around on campus?” Bikes are a great way to move from place to place on campus. They should be registered with the MSU Police Department or the City of East Lansing, if you are living off-campus. You’ll want to buy a good lock for your bike—the Community Police Officers at MSU recommend that you buy a U-lock. Some residence halls have indoor storage areas for your bike.

If you are stuck in bad weather while biking or need to get your bike to campus or the River Trail, you and your bike can take a Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus. All large buses have bike racks that can accommodate up to three bikes. In a few seconds you can load your bike, board the bus, and be on your way! There is no charge for using the bike rack.

CATA keeps MSU moving with bus service on-campus, 24 hours, seven days a week during fall and spring semesters. An agreement with MSU provides free on-campus service to all students, staff and faculty. Free rides are offered on Routes (#30-36, 38 & 39).

Weekday campus service —Six routes (#30-33, 38 & 39) serve campus Monday - Friday starting at 7:00 a.m. Service runs as late as 2:30 a.m. with some routes concluding earlier in the evening.
Weekend campus service — Three routes (#34-36) operate from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Lot Link is a curb-to-curb service operating 7:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. weekends. Buses travel between parking lots #80, 83, 89 or 91 and any campus locations. All rides must start or end at one of the four lots. Service is also available to/from Spartan Village Monday through Friday during regular service hours. Call (517) 432-8888 to request a ride.

Night Owl serves campus when the other routes conclude for the evening. Service operates from 2:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. (until 9:00 a.m. on the weekends). Rides are curb-to-curb on a request basis by calling (517) 432-8888.

Both Lot Link and Night Owl require a 60-cent student cash fare, $1.25 regular cash fare or bus pass to ride.

Schedules are subject to change without notice. Customers are encouraged to visit cata.org for the most current service information.

CATA also has off-campus routes serving campus. You can take buses to class, visit friends, go to the mall, see a movie—just about anything you need to do to learn, work or have fun! Off-campus routes will require a cash fare or bus pass to ride. Students pay 60-cents to ride when they show their valid MSU ID. Transfers are free when you ask for a transfer upon boarding your first off-campus bus. If you plan to ride off-campus often, student bus passes are easy and affordable at $50 for a semester pass and $18 for a 31-day pass. Passes are sold online at cata.org, MSU ID Office, and select area merchants.

WAYS TO OBTAIN BUS SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Transit is CATA’s recommended app for real-time departures, bus tracking and comprehensive trip planning options. The free app is available on iPhone and Android devices. Trip planning is also available online at cata.org. For next departures, text your bus stop number to 76123 to receive next bus real-time departures from your location. Printed schedules and maps are located in most residence halls and key locations across campus. CATA Customer Experience Representatives are also available weekdays from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on weekends to assist customers. Call (517) 394- 1000 or email info@cata.org. Walking is probably the most common form of transportation on-campus. It is the most reliable mode (no flat tires) and it is great exercise! Freshmen living on-campus can’t have cars. Other students must register their cars with the Vehicle Office of the MSU Police Department. Be sure to read parking policies carefully and pay close attention to signs when you, your family or friends park on-campus.

The MSU/CATA Transportation Center - This indoor public transit facility is the main boarding center for CATA bus routes serving campus. It is located on the ground level of the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1), between North and South Shaw Lanes, just east of the MSU Planetarium.

Convenient amenities include phone access to CATA Customer Experience Representative and ride request line, printed maps and timetables, direct access to the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1), comfortable indoor seating areas, ATM, vending machines, and restrooms. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Those who drive to campus and park in the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1) can easily board a CATA bus from the same location for a convenient inter-modal commute.

Transportation for students with disabilities, call CATA at (517) 432-8888 for information on Spec- Tran curb-to-curb transportation. Students must be certified as eligible to ride Spec-Tran at the campus Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). Call RCPD at (517) 353-9642.

ASMSU SAFE RIDE PROGRAM
Safe Ride is a service provided to members of the Michigan State University community as a safe and free alternative to walking alone after dark. University Safe Ride programs are proven to reduce assault-related dangers and drunk driving both on- and off-campus. The service is provided through the ASMSU Student Tax. For more information visit asmsu.msu.edu/services/safe-ride/.

PREVENTION, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) Department educates the campus community about sexual and relationship violence prevention. Their work is driven by their mission to empower community commitment to prevent gender-based violence through education, outreach and social change. In their first academic year at MSU, all first year and transfer students will enroll in a one-time training designated to promote safety, improve quality of life and empower them to be active bystanders against violence within their community. Additional trainings are provided for specialized populations and communities around campus. POE also employs students as Peer Educators and convenes a student advisory council as a platform to inform prevention initiatives at MSU. For more information please visit poe.msu.edu.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
MSU values and promotes participation by people with disabilities in all aspects of campus life. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) upholds a mission to lead MSU in maximizing ability and opportunity for full participation. The RCPD is available to faculty, staff and students to foster understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities under disability-related legislation.
Registration with the RCPD is essential for students and employees with disabilities in order to facilitate timely and effective assistance. Staff at the RCPD are ready with information, resources, and guidance for the campus community in support of full inclusion. Visit us at rcpd.msu.edu or call (517) 884-RCPD for further assistance.

STUDENT VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
Veterans, active service members, and spouses and dependents enrolled at MSU who are seeking information for both on- or off-campus services, including VA benefits and programs, are encouraged to visit SVRC or call (517) 884-5973 for more information. The Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) is in room 8 of the Student Services Building. The SVRC offers a lounge area, free printing, study rooms, and conference room for student use. The SVRC also provides information for the family members of service members and veterans. Visit our website for more information at veterans.msu.edu or email veterans@msu.edu.