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August Student Orientation
Program Information
We are so excited that you have chosen Michigan State University! The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) has been designed to help you prepare to begin your course work at Michigan State University. During AOP we will:
- Introduce you to the academics at MSU
- Give you information about your major and how to be successful at MSU
- Help you enroll for your classes
- Introduce you to several campus services and resources
- Address academic and student life expectations and responsibilities
On this page you will find:
Who Attends Orientation
Program Expectations
Arriving on Campus
Things to Bring
Tuition and Fees
One Book, One Community
Meals
Lodging
Strategies for AOP
Information You Can Expect Before AOP
Dates
Schedule
Checking Out
Student ID Cards
August Parent Orientation Information
The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) has been carefully planned to ease your transition into college life at MSU. Attendance at an assigned AOP is required.
Students who live outside of the 500-mile radius of MSU are not required to attend a traditional summer Academic Orientation Program. Although this option is intended to help students avoid excess costs, we encourage these students to attend a summer session. Students who live more than 500 miles from East Lansing and do not participate in
a summer orientation session are required to attend the August AOP session.Because of limited space and a tight schedule of activities, family members or friends cannot attend the program activities with you.
You are not required to attend an Academic Orientation Program if:
- You already have a B.A. or B.S. degree
- You are a Registered Nurse admitted to the baccalaureate completion curriculum and are taking an online class
- You are admitted to an Evening Degree Completion Program
- You are transferring from the two-year Michigan State University Veterinary Technology Program
- You are transferring from the two-year Michigan State University Agricultural Technology Program
Students who are not required to attend the Academic Orientation Program must still log-on (https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/aopsignup/AppLogin.Asp) to the system to communicate that they are excused from attendance.
If extenuating circumstances prevent you from attending your assigned program, please notify us as soon as possible 517/353-5030. If we do not receive notice about a student’s absence from AOP, we assume the student has decided not to attend MSU. Please be advised that Michigan State University reserves the right to cancel a student's admission or defer their arrival on campus should they fail to attend their assigned Academic Orientation Program.
Academic Orientation Program Expectations
- Attendance is required at all activities of the Academic Orientation Program except when otherwise noted. You are expected to be on time for all program activities.
- All cell phones and pagers must be turned off during presentations. No cell phone use is permitted during the advising and computer enrollment processes.
- Only students attending AOP are permitted in the academic advising rooms and areas used for computer enrollment. No family members/friends may accompany you during these sessions.
Any violation of these regulations, or other inappropriate actions as determined by the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education, Director of Admissions and/or Director of Orientation, will result in disciplinary action, which can include dismissal from the Academic Orientation Program with a postponement of enrolling for classes until fall semester or a revocation of admission to the university.
• Orientation parking is in the visitor lot north of the stadium.
• Parking at meters, leased spaces or in areas other than visitor parking lots or the lot designated for orientation parking will result in a parking violation and/or towing. The Orientation Office can not accept responsibility for parking tickets and/or towing fees.
• If you need assistance with parking, please ask during check-in.
• Accessible parking and entrances are available at the entrances of Wells Hall and the MSU Auditorium. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Freshmen are not permitted to have cars on campus. However, during the Orientation Program freshmen can park in the appropriate student parking lot near their residence hall.
- Ask at the residence hall reception desk about the location of the parking lot.
• Freshmen can park at the meters in front of their residence halls to unload only.
- After unloading, students must park in the appropriate lot near their residence hall or they will be ticketed and/or towed.
• Please note that the Orientation Office cannot accept responsibility for parking tickets and/or towing fees.
The AOP staff has put together a list of things that you should bring when you attend AOP. Remember to dress casually and comfortably when you are getting ready. You want to be comfortable during the sessions. Do not bring any valuable possessions with you, because the Academic Orientation Program is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Confirmation of your AOP date - make sure you don’t come on the wrong date! It is in the literature sent from the Orientation Office.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes – you will be glad to be comfortable during the sessions
- Credit Evaluation - if you have college or AP/CLEP/IB/International/dual enrollment credit
- A watch -you must be on time to every session
- Backpack or bookbag - to carry everything that we give you at check-in
- Umbrella - you don’t want to get caught in the rain
- Personal spending money – if you want to grab a snack
- Personal items to move into your residence hall room - you will be able to move into your residence hall after you have completed your orientation. Parents can move items into your residence hall room for you while you are attending AOP. Move-in information can be found on the Housing Website (http://www.hfs.msu.edu/uh/students/movein.html)
The Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED), which secures your spot in the class, includes the fee for your AOP. It is not necessary to pay your tuition and fees at AOP.
Your tuition bill will be ready for viewing online in STUINFO (http://stuinfo.msu.edu) after your Orientation Program. You will receive an e-mail in your MSU account indicating that your tuition bill is ready for viewing. Pay close attention to the payment deadline so you are not charged a late fee.
All entering freshmen are expected to complete the freshman reading assignment by August 30 and bring the book when they return to campus in the fall.
You will receive a copy of the book when you check in at AOP. The discounted cost of the book will be automatically charged to your fall semester bill .
Check out http://www.onebook.msu.edu for more information.
Lunch is provided to freshman and transfer students with campus meal plans in a designated residence hall. Other options will be available for students without campus meal plans. Parents or other family members may purchase a meal ticket from the residence hall front desk.
Remember to bring a snack if you know that you will be hungry!
If you or your family members need to make lodging accommodations in the local area, please refer to the list of area hotels (http://ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/Hotels_MSULocal.aspx).
For residence hall move-in information, please check out the Campus Living Services Website (http://www.liveon.msu.edul).
Strategies for a Successful AOP
- Attend all of the presentations/activities
- Ask questions; ask for help if you need it
- Talk to the AOP staff
- Be prepared to meet with your academic adviser; learn about university resources
Information you can expect before AOP
- Mailings from academic colleges
- Immunization information (https://ntweb1.ais.msu.edu/immunize/) - You must complete this online.
- Financial Aid information (http://www.finaid.msu.edu) -Students can expect to receive their first award letter from MSU before orientation if they have filed FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) correctly.
- Housing Information (http://www.liveon.msu.edu) - You should receive your residence hall assignment by your orientation date (if applicable).
- Fall Welcome Handbook (http://www.studentlife.msu.edu/) – This schedule will be ready for you when you move in to your residence hall. Students not living in the residence halls can pick up their personalized schedule in the Department of Student Life, located at 101 Student Services Building.
The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) will take place on the following dates.
Sunday, August 29th (Freshman and Transfer Students)
In order to meet with an adviser and enroll for classes during orientation, you must attend every orientation presentation. It is not possible to enroll for classes earlier than scheduled. We are unable to alter scheduled times. Please keep this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements.
Below you will find a tentative schedule of AOP. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, so be ready to listen and get involved! Remember that each session is mandatory, and if you skip a session you will not be able to enroll for your classes during the program. Attendance will be taken at various sessions.
The second part of your orientation process takes place during Fall Welcome (http://www.studentlife.msu.edu/). If you will move into the residence halls, you will receive a personalized Fall Welcome schedule waiting for you when you check-in. Students who live off campus should pick up their schedule in 101 Student Services (http://maps.msu.edu/) .
Freshman and Transfer Students (Sunday, August 29th)
SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE
7:00am Check-In Northeast Lobby of Wells Hall
Change Your Major8:00am-8:45am Welcome and Overview of the Academic Orientation Program 8:50am-9:50am Placement Testing 8:50am-9:25am Ways to Assure Your Success 8:50am-9:25am Reapplying for Admission to the College of Business and the College of Engineering 8:50am-9:25am Gaining Admission to the College of Education 8:50am-9:25am Secondary Education Majors and Child Development Majors Meeting 8:50am-9:50am Change Your Major 10:00am College Presentation: What Do I Need to Know to Help Assure Academic Success?
Academic Advising
Class Enrollment
Students beginning AOP on September 1, 2010 and after need to go to room 250 Administration Building to receive a schedule and further instructions.
Every student finishes their AOP at a different time. Once you have completed your class schedule and checked out with our AOP staff members at the designated location, you are free to leave. Some students may finish earlier depending on how quickly they see their academic advisers and computer enroll.
Students may get their ID cards at the International Center (http://maps.msu.edu/), Crossroads Cafeteria from August 30 - September 1, 2010 between 8:00am - 5:00pm (tentative).
Bring with you a government-issued picture ID, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport.
Student ID Card Information: http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/IDcard.asp