Move-In

For students starting in the Fall 2008, Freshmen and transfer students will move in on August 20, 2008 beginning 8 am.  All other students will move in August 21, 2008.

Secrets to a happy move-in:

Only bring what is needed for the first two weeks if possible. Experience tells us that most residents go home for the Labor Day weekend. This could be accomplished with a suitcase, computer and an alarm clock. OK, we’re kidding a little! We know the “needs” are a bit more than that. 

Newly admitted students scheduled to start Spring Semester will receive information on moving in from the hall staff around December 19 via their MSU e-mail account.

Advice for Spartan Moms and Dads:

“Watch the car” while your student hauls everything up the stairs.  After all, you’ve put in 18+ years already!  Find the dining room and have a cup of coffee or a cool drink.  Watch for the Green Team in each hall to help with move-in.

Resist the urge to panic. It will be all right. You’ve raised them this far and they’ll be fine.

Think about doing something special together after the big drop-off. Regardless of what you’re feeling right now, it is an emotional day for most. 

Resist the urge to “drop in” for a visit. Give your student time to adjust and a phone call before you make plans for a visit.

Be patient, flexible and go with the flow.

If you’ve been through this before, lend a hand or an ear to the new Spartan Parents.  We’re all family now.

Advice for Students:

You will be exhausted if you bring everything up in one trip. Most people have ample opportunity to make several trips back home. Pack light!

Ask your parents to do you a big favor and “find the dining room” for you. We’ll give them something to drink and a place to rest while you meet, greet and get your room set up.

Think about doing something special for your parents.  Leave a nice note that they will find when they get home. 

Don’t invite your parents to spend the night.

If you’re a returning student, you know how the new students are feeling. Lend a hand and welcome them to the Spartan family.

The Big Day!

What to Bring Checklist (Go Green publication, page 9) - print it out here.

Bikes

Bicycles must be registered with MSU Police; see this page www.bikes.msu.edu/register/index.html for details. All halls have bike storage just outside the hall. Some advice, this isn't high school; no one really cares what kind of bike you have, but bikes do get stolen frequently, so make sure you lock your bike correctly to a bike rack. See this Web page www.bikes.msu.edu/stolen/locking-tips for more tips on how to correctly lock your bike.

Consider buying a used bike at the MSU Surplus Store (surplus.msu.edu) after you arrive (most of these bikes will need repairs before they're safe and rideable) or renting a bike from MSU Bikes (www.bikes.msu.edu). MSU Bikes also provides full bike repair services and accessories like locks, helmets, tires, etc. to the campus community. MSU Bikes is located just to the south of Bessy Hall near the Red Cedar river.

Bookstore

Conveniently located in the heart of campus. The Spartan Bookstore has all your textbooks, MSU Spirit gear, and all the miscellaneous supplies you need from art supplies to dissecting kits. 

Computer information

High speed data connections are available in Residence Hall rooms via connections to the campus Ethernet. Students are encouraged to bring their own computer to use in their rooms. There are some laptop computers available to check out at the Hall's Service Desk but these have limited availability. Each MSU student has an MSU e-mail account and disk storage space available on MSU's computers that can host their own personal Web page. Access to the Internet is available via your campus Ethernet connection. This access is provided by University Housing with no additional connect charges. Ethernet data access ports are available in all Residence Hall rooms. For Internet access, the student can set up the browser provided on their own computer by following the instructions on the Academic Computing & Network Services Web site. Information regarding the MSU Acceptable Use of Computing Systems, Software and the University Digital Network, go to the Web site at http://www.msu.edu/dig/aup/msuaup.html. If you prefer to have someone set up your computer for you, MSU Academic Computing & Network Services provides technical support for both hardware installation and system configurations for both the MacIntosh and IBM platforms.

Note: Campus Web sites can be accessed via PC's available in any of the campus PC labs.

MSU Federal Credit Union www.msufcu.org

Cash dispensing ATMs are located in or near every hall.  Deposits can be made through ATMs at the International Center Bookstore, Owen Hall, and the MSU Student Union. As an MSU student employee, you have the added convenience of being able to sign up for Direct Deposit through the Credit Union.

Dining

Residence Halls will be open for dining on August 20, 2008 at 8 am for fall freshmen and January 12, 2009 at 7 am for spring semester.

Employment

Make sure you bring appropriate documentation like your ID/license and your original social security card!  Check the HFS Employment page for more information.

Health & Immunizations

The last thing you may expect is illness. Relax, we’ve got it covered! Students have excellent access to minor health services including two free office visits, Pharmacy Services, immunizations and wellness education provided at the Student Health Services - Olin Health Center . The Clinical Center provides medical services as well. The Clinical Center uniquely provides general medicine and a variety of specialty practices both M.D. and D.O.

Laundry

All halls have laundry facilities. Dryers are 25 cents and washers are $1.50 per load.  If your time is too valuable, our on-campus laundry service is available for 60 cents a pound at the Cherry Lane Laundry at the corner of Wilson Rd. and Harrison Rd.

Linen and Carpet

A set of towels, sheets and pillowcase and carpet packages are available through the University Activities Board (UAB). The proceeds from the sale of linen and carpet will fund late night and weekend activities for on-campus residents. Carpet is pre-sold and can be picked up opening day, August 20, 2008.

Lofts

Lofts are not permitted currently in Case, Holmes, Holden, Hubbard, Owen, Shaw, and Snyder/Phillips Halls and University Village. In other halls, loft building is not permitted during opening days, August 20 & 21, 2008. It’s important to keep hallways free of furniture. For information and guidelines for installing a loft, see our Loft Guidelines.

Map of Campus

Opening Activities

• Required sessions
• In hall events
• University sponsored events

Parking

Fall move-in parking passes will be available for 20 minute unloading around the residence halls from on-site parking attendents. Speaking of parking, please do not park vehicles on the grass. It damages our trees and diminishes the beauty of our campus.

Recycling

Cardboard will be collected during move-in. Your hall manager will give you further information on locations of collection bins.

Shipping

Items shipped to the residence halls will be stored at the reception desk for pick-up.  Packages must be labeled with the full name and campus address.

Spartan Cash

MSU’s own declining-balance debit program allows students access to more than 90 options with a scan of their ID card. Check out the Web site at www.spartancash.com for more information.