June/July
Orientation
June/July
Orientation
Student
Orientation
and May
Orientation
Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions – Parents
AOP Program
- Will I see my student at all during AOP?
- I have been to other universities where the parent and student Orientation Programs are together. Why isn’t it like that at MSU?
- My student has friends or family members on campus or the nearby area. Can he/she visit with them when sessions aren’t taking place?
- Why can’t my student stay with me in a hotel for the night? What harm will it do if they stay with me instead of staying in Case Hall?
- Should I give my student money to pay for classes at AOP?
- Why can’t I be with my student during academic advising and class enrollment?
- Who do we need to contact if my student is in a wheelchair?
- Where do I meet my student after orientation?
Your Student’s AOP Date
- How can students switch their orientation date?
- Is there a wait list for AOP?
- What happens if my student misses their scheduled Orientation Program?
- What happens if my student is going to be late for orientation?
- What if my student gets sick or we have a family emergency during AOP?
- I made travel arrangements that require my student and I to leave early/arrive late, is that ok?
- What if my student has something else planned during orientation i.e., auditions, interviews, physical, equipment fitting, awards banquet, job commitment, etc? Can he/she leave orientation and return after the scheduled events so that he/she can enroll for classes?
- Due to full sessions, my student will have to go to AOP at the end of the summer. Does that mean that my student will get all 8:00am classes or not get required classes?
POP Program
- What is the Parent Orientation Program (POP) fee?
- Do I have to attend Parent Orientation the same time my student is attending his/her freshman AOP?
- I am a parent of a transfer student and interested in attending orientation. Are there POP sessions for us?
- I can’t attend POP, can I get the materials that are distributed?
- Can I bring along small children to the POP sessions?
After AOP/POP
- Once I leave POP, where do I go to get questions answered?
- I heard that I can’t access my student’s grades or see a tuition bill. What is going on?
- What if I don’t like the class schedule that my student brings home?
- Where can I get Sparty Cash for my student?
Will I see my student at all during AOP?
No. Although this may, at first, seem insensitive, the student and parent orientations are purposely designed to be separate from one another. By holding separate orientations the staff is better able to address the unique priorities and questions that students and parents typically have. In addition, orientation is a step in your adjustment to college life, dealing with topics you will encounter sending your student to college while they are also exploring topics they will encounter attending college.
I have been to other universities where the parent and student Orientation Programs are together. Why isn’t it like that at MSU?
Although this may, at first, seem insensitive, the student and parent orientations are purposely designed to be separate from one another. By holding separate orientations the staff is better able to address the unique priorities and questions that students and parents typically have. In addition, orientation is a step in your adjustment to college life dealing with topics you will encounter sending your student to college.
My student has friends or family members on campus or the nearby area. Can he/she visit with them when sessions aren’t taking place?
No. While at orientation, students are required to stay in the vicinity of Case Hall until they have successfully completed the program on the second day. Students are also required to spend the night in Case Hall. Activities in the evening have been planned to give the students a chance to meet new people, relax, and have some fun. They can use this time to talk with AOP staff members, who are a great source of information. Leaving Case Hall will result in the inability to enroll for classes until the week before school begins.
Why can’t my student stay with me in a hotel for the night? What harm will it do if he/she stays with me instead of staying in Case Hall?
Staying the night in Case Hall is a program requirement. The overnight stay has been carefully planned so students who will live on campus room with students who will live in their residence hall in the fall. Students who will commute to campus room with other commuter students. This gives your student a chance to meet new people who they will see again in the fall, right down the hall! There are many activities they can do at night to stay busy and have fun! Karaoke, watching movies, using our new state-of-the-art fitness center, playing cards or board games, or participating/watching volleyball, tennis, or basketball will give the students some time to clear their heads after a busy day. Please be aware that leaving Case Hall and/or not staying the night will result in the inability to enroll for classes until the week before school begins.
Should I give my student money to pay for classes at AOP?
Students will not need to pay for classes at orientation. A tuition bill will be ready for viewing online in STUINFO (http://stuinfo.msu.edu) in August. Your student will receive an e-mail in their MSU account indicating that their tuition bill is ready for viewing. Remind them to pay close attention to the payment deadline so they are not charged a late fee.
Why can’t I be with my student during academic advising and class enrollment?
Orientation begins the first step in your student’s relationship with their academic adviser. This relationship will develop as their academic career at Michigan State continues. The academic advisers have experience and expertise in the course selection in your student’s field of study and graduation requirements at MSU. For this reason, parents or other family members are not permitted to sit in on the academic advising and class enrollment as it detracts from the student and adviser relationship. Students will not be able to enroll for classes with a parent or other family member present.
Who do we need to contact if my student is in a wheelchair?
If your student will require special services during AOP, please notify the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at 517/353-9642 immediately so we can accommodate your student.
For more information on registering a student with a disability, visit http://www.rcpd.msu.edu).
Where do I meet my student after orientation?
Summer Freshmen: Parents can meet their students in the Wilson Hall Center Court unless you have designated a prior meeting location. Although the Resource Fair ends at 12:00pm, the room will continue to be available for students and parents to meet each other.
August, January, or May: Parents can meet their students in the Northeast Lobby of Wells Hall unless you have designated a prior meeting location.
How can students switch their orientation date?
Students can switch their orientation date using the same system they used when they made the AOP reservation. Click on: (https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/aopsignup/AppLogin.Asp) to change their date. Dates are available on a first-come, first-served basis due to residence hall and program space limitations. There is no waiting list for orientation dates.
There is no wait list for AOP.
What happens if my student misses their scheduled Orientation Program?
It is extremely important that students do not miss their scheduled Orientation Program. If the student does not notify the Orientation Office 517/353-5030 (prior to their scheduled date) that he/she is unable to attend their assigned AOP, we assume the student is no longer interested in attending 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.
What happens if my student is going to be late for orientation?
If you and your student are running late, please contact our office immediately at 517/353-5030. At that time our office staff will let you know if your student should come to orientation or reschedule for another time.
What happens if my student gets sick or we have a family emergency during AOP?
We certainly hope this does not happen! If this does occur, please come to/call the AOP office (517/432-2677) immediately.
Students can reschedule and finish completing the program on another date of their choice. Students will make up any sessions missed during the absence. Please remember that attendance at all AOP sessions is required. If these qualifications are not met, students will not enroll for classes.
Note to parents of freshman students with AOP dates in June or July: Students will make up any sessions or overnight stay in Case Hall they may have missed during their absence. After midnight parents can call 517/355-7250 or 517/355-6968 to contact the Orientation Office.
I made travel arrangements that require my student and I to leave early/arrive late-Is that ok?
In order to meet with an adviser and enroll for classes, the student must attend every orientation presentation. It is not possible to enroll for classes early. We are unable to alter scheduled times. Please keep this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements.
Note to parents of freshmen students with AOP dates in June or July: Spending the night in Case Hall is a requirement of the program. If your student does not stay the night in Case Hall, they will not enroll for classes.
What if my student has something else planned during orientation i.e., auditions, interviews, physical, awards banquet, job commitment, etc.? Can he/she leave orientation and return after the scheduled event(s) so that he/she can enroll for classes?
No. Attendance at every AOP session is required. Choose an orientation date when your student can attend the entire Orientation Program. In order to meet with an adviser and enroll for classes, students must attend every orientation presentation. It is not possible to enroll for classes early. We are unable to alter scheduled times. Please keep this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements.
Note to parents of freshmen students with AOP dates in June or July: Spending the night in Case Hall is a requirement of the program. If your student does not stay the night in Case Hall, they will not enroll for classes.
Due to full sessions, my student will have to go to AOP at the end of the summer. Does that mean that my student will get all 8:00am classes or not get required classes?
Your student will not leave AOP without fall semester classes! Your student’s adviser and an AOP staff member will help the new students enroll for classes.
What is the Parent Orientation Program (POP) fee?
Michigan State University provides the Parent Orientation Program as a free service.
Do I have to attend Parent Orientation the same time my student is attending his/her freshman AOP?
No. If you are not able to come to POP on the same day your student is attending AOP, you are more than welcome to attend any program date. Feel free to attend the entire program or any part you believe to be beneficial.
I am a parent of a transfer student and interested in attending orientation. Are there POP sessions for us?
Some parents of transfer students are interested in attending a Parent Orientation Program. You are invited to attend any of the nineteen Parent Programs that take place simultaneously with our freshman Orientation Programs. The program is two days in length. You can attend the entire program or any parts of the program you believe would be beneficial. No reservation is necessary; there is no charge for the program.
I can’t attend POP. Can I get the materials that are distributed?
The best resource the Orientation Office can give to you is the Getting Started Resource Guide and Directory. It is an invaluable tool for both parents and students. Have your student stop by the AOP office to pick one up for you or you can e-mail aop@msu.edu and we’ll send you a copy.
Can I bring along small children to the POP sessions?
We strongly discourage bringing small children/siblings since Parent Orientation is not designed for a young audience. With the limited space available, if you need to bring your children please utilize our “Children’s Room,” located down the hallway from the POP sessions. This room is available for children during the duration of the program on day one. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This room will not be supervised at any time by an orientation staff member.
Once I leave POP, where do I go to get questions answered?
The MSU homepage (http://www.msu.edu) is a great source of information if you have questions regarding academics, residence life, etc. Conducting a search is easy. We have so many great resources on campus for students just waiting to be used!
The MSU Parent website (http://www.msu.edu/parents/index.html) includes resources for parents.
The FYI website (http://www.fyi.msu.edu) is a source of “inside” information regarding academics, college life, family, and money designed by current MSU students. There is a section devoted to family. It includes tips and links to resources from “letting go” to “MSU Family Weekend.” Check out this site.
The Getting Started Resource Guide and Directory is a publication for parents and students regarding academic information, campus resources, and directory information. Parents will receive this publication at Parent Orientation check-in. If you are unable to attend POP, have your student pick-up a copy from the AOP office before they leave orientation. You can also e-mail aop@msu.edu if you’d like a copy of Getting Started.
I heard that I can’t access my student’s grades or see a tuition bill. What is going on?
In accordance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University has established policies governing privacy and release of student records. Your student can print and share grade information with you.
Your student can set up guest access for you through their STU-INFO account, granting access to financial information and tuition bills.
For more information regarding FERPA, please visit the FERPA website (http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/Notices/PrivacyGuidelines.asp).
What if I don’t like the class schedule that my student brings home?
Students prepare their class selections with their academic adviser in order to satisfy both college and MSU graduation requirements and explore various academic programs. AOP staff members then assist the students as they prepare their class schedule based on availability for fall and spring semester. Class schedules cannot be changed by the AOP office once a student leaves orientation. The MSU enrollment system is closed for students until August 26, 2005. If your student has questions regarding their schedule, they should contact their academic adviser.
Where can I get Spartan Cash for my student?
Turn your student’s ID card into quick cash. It's simple! Just deposit funds to a Spartan Cash Debit Account. Students can flash their MSU ID all over campus to conveniently get what they want, when they want it (i.e., food on and off campus and laundry).
Participating Spartan Cash Locations: http://www.spartancash.com/locations.html
Order Spartan Cash: LINK: http://www.spartancash.com/