Welcome to Michigan State University, Where Students Come First
Fall 2008 Residence Hall Move-In
Early August
Students will be notified of fall room assignments and roommate(s) contact information via their MSU e-mail accounts.
August 18
University Village Apartment residents move in.
August 20
New students move in. Students have been assigned a two-hour block of time to check-in to assist in the flow of traffic in and outside of the hall, and will make it so that roommates both are moving in during the same time frame. Please note that check-in does not end at 4:00 p.m. and staff is available throughout the evening. So if a student is running late, please do not rush, he/she may still check-in after the designated check-in time.
The last digit of the student’s room number determines his/her check-in time.
| Last Digit of Room Number | Scheduled Check-In Time |
| 1.5.9 2,6,0 3,7 4,8 |
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to noon Noon to 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
August 21
Returning students move in anytime after 8:00 a.m.
What to Expect at Move-In
- Students will be issued a 20-minute unloading parking permit on-site.
- Students check into the hall with a swipe of their MSU ID and quick verification of some information and the room keys are theirs.
- Note: if a student has forgotten his/her MSU ID or has not had one issued yet, that is not a problem. We just need to see an official photo ID such as a drivers license or passport.
- After unloading vehicles, staff will direct driver’s to a long term parking lot. Shuttles will be available back to the hall.
Dining
- Residence halls will be open for dining on August 20, 2008 at 8 a.m. for fall freshmen.
- During the hall opening days (August 20-24) parents/families are welcome to enter the dining room without a meal ticket for a cool drink, snack or meal.
- Student’s use their MSU ID card for access into the dining room. New students who have not had their MSU ID photo taken yet, or those who have already misplaced their MSU ID, can request a temporary meal pass from the dining host or the hall’s housing office.
- Want to get a preview of what the dining hall will be serving, go to www.eatatstate.com where menus are updated weekly.
Recycling During Move-In
Each residence hall has a designated recycling area for cardboard/boxboard, carpet tubes and Styrofoam™. If you have empty water bottles in your vehicle from the trip, there is even a place to recycle those.
Looking for a great deal on a used bike, furniture, printer supplies and everything in between? The MSU Surplus Store will have special public sale days on August 19, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and August 20-22, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For up to date information on current inventory, please check out their Web site at www.msusurplusstore.com.
University Stores--saving you money and keeping you green!
University Stores is a great place to shop for school supplies. They even carry recycled paper and Energy Star™ microwaves and refrigerators. For more information, please visit their Web site at http://universitystores.msu.edu/html/stock/movein.asp
Lofts
University Housing does not encourage lofts, but they are permitted in all units except Case, Holmes, Holden, Hubbard, Owen, Shaw, Snyder/Phillips, University Village and University Apartments. Loft construction is not permitted on August 20 and 21. For instructions and permit forms, check out the Loft Guidelines (PDF).
UAB Carpet & Linen
Pickup locations are available on campus for students who purchased carpet from the University Activities Board. Extra carpet will be available for purchase. If both a student and their roommate ordered carpet, the vendor will provide a refund for returns.
Pickup locations for carpet:
- North Campus (Campbell, Landon, Yakeley, Gilchrist, Williams, Mason, Abbot, Snyder, Phillips) – MSU Union Abbot Road door entrance
- South Campus (Case, Holden, Wilson, Wonders) – Parking Lot # 70 off Birch Road at the entrance to Cherry Lane apartments, across from Wonders Hall.
- West Campus (Emmons, Bailey, Armstrong, Bryan, Butterfield, Rather, University Village Apartments) – North side of Emmons Hall across from the Kellogg Center parking ramp.
- East Campus (Akers, Hubbard, Holmes, McDonel, Shaw) – Parking Lot #29 at East Akers.
Pickup hours for carpet:
- Tuesday, August 19, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 21, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday, August 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Activities During Opening Days
Do not worry about your student sitting in their room not having anything to do until classes start; there are many activities to keep them busy.
Thursday, August 21
University Welcome and Engagement Sessions for New Students; Midnight Madness Shopping Spree with free bus transportation provided to free activities and food.
Friday, August 22
Student Engagement Sessions continue for new students; U-Fest free event for students with food, fun, prizes – held in the MSU Union, go to www.uabevents.com for more information.
Saturday, August 23
Sparticipation 6pm-10pm - Event where students can get information on many of the campus 600+ student groups and other on/off-campus resources; Free outdoor concert featuring The Spill Canvas with special guest STUEDABAKERBROWN 10:30pm-1:30am on Munn Field - go to http://www.hfs.msu.edu/entertainment/ for more concert information.
Smoking
Effective August 1st all residence halls, including Owen Graduate Hall and Van Hoosen Apartments are smoke-free. Smoking is allowed outside, 25 feet away from building or apartment entrances.
The Big Day!
What to Bring Checklist (PDF - Go Green publication, page 9 - print it out and keep on hand.)
Tips and 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.
Advice for Spartan Parents and Guardians
"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.
Bikes
Bicycles must be registered with MSU Police; see the MSU Bikes Web page at www.bikes.msu.edu/register/ 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 the MSU Bikes Web page at www.bikes.msu.edu/stolen/locking-tips/index.htm for more tips on how to correctly lock your bike.
Consider buying a used bike at the MSU Surplus Store after you arrive (most of these bikes will need repairs before they're safe and rideable) or renting a bike from MSU Bikes. 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 Bessey 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, Internet and Hookup
Computer information high speed data connections are available in residence hall rooms via connections to the campus Ethernet. 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 Technology Services Web site and information about computers will be in your room. Information regarding the MSU Acceptable Use of Computing Systems, Software and the University Digital Network, go to the Web site at www.msu.edu/dig/aup/msuaup.html. If you prefer to have someone set up your computer for you, Academic Technology 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 PCs available in any of the campus PC labs.
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.
Employment
Make sure you bring appropriate documentation like your ID/license and your original social security card. Check the H&FS Employment Web 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 three 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 50 cents and washers are $1.50 per load. If your time is too valuable, our on-campus laundry service is available for 75 cents a pound at the Cherry Lane Laundry at the corner of Wilson Rd. and Harrison Ave., open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 517-432-2694.
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.
