June/July
Orientation
June/July
Orientation
Student
Orientation
and May
Orientation
Orientation
June/July Freshman Program Information--Parents
Welcome to the Spartan Family! We are so excited that your student has chosen Michigan State University! We understand the important role you have played in preparing your student to attend college. We also know how important it is for parents, the university, and the student to work together. For these reasons, we invite you to attend the Parent Orientation Program (POP).
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 student’s adjustment to college life dealing with topics he/she will encounter in college.
We strongly discourage bringing small children/siblings since parent orientation is not designed for a young audience. With the limited space available, you need to register for POP prior to attending.
During POP, you will have the opportunity to:
- Acquaint yourself with various aspects of the university’s academic, residential, and student life
- Visit with members of our faculty, administrative staff, and the MSU student body
- Receive an enriched sense of sharing in your student’s college life
On this page you will find:
Arriving on Campus
Things to Bring
Costs
Meals
Lodging
Information Your Student Can Expect Before AOP
Dates
Schedule
Meeting Your Student
Exploring MSU and the Surrounding Area
Orientation Welcome Tent (Located near the Orientation parking lot) An Orientation staff member will welcome students and parents, give directions to the program locations (Student-Case Hall, Parent-Kellogg Center) and respond to general questions. At this point students and parents will go to their respective programs.
All parents should come to MSU on the date of the Parent Orientation Program that they have signed up for, park in the area designated and proceed to the Kellogg Center Lobby for program check-in at 9:00am.
The first session begins at 10:00 am.
AOP check-in begins at 8:00am for students needing to take placement tests and 10:00am for students who have already taken the placement tests in North and South Case Hall Lounges.
The Academic Orientation Program (AOP) staff has put together a list of things that you should bring when you come for Parent Orientation (POP). Remember to dress casually and comfortably when you are getting ready to pack. 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.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes – We do a lot of walking at MSU! You will need to walk from the parking lot to the program location. You can also take a self-guided walking tour.
- Paper and pen – You might want to take notes during the sessions
- Watch – We try to start every session on time
- Umbrella - You don’t want to get caught in the rain
- Spending money – Grand River Avenue has many restaurants and shops
Michigan State University offers the Parent Orientation Program as a service to parents in conjunction with the Academic Orientation Program. There is no charge for the program.
Lunch is available for purchase in the Kellogg Center State Room and River Cafe. No reservation is necessary for the River Cafe.
A lunch break is provided at 12:10pm during the program. There is also a scheduled break at 2:55pm.
Remember to bring a snack if you know you will be hungry!
Parents are encouraged to stay at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center (location of the Parent Orientation Program on campus). Ask for the Special MSU Parent Rate.
For reservations call (517) 432-4000 or (800) 875-5090 http://kelloggcenter.com/
Parents or other family members will need to make their own accommodations at local hotels for the night (http://ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/Hotels_MSULocal.aspx). Friends or family members are not permitted to stay the night in Case Hall with students.
PLEASE NOTE: All students, including those students who live in the local area and/or students who will commute to MSU in the fall, must spend the night 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 with students who will live in their residence hall in the fall. Students who will commute to campus room with other commuter students. If students do not stay the night in Case Hall, they will not be able to enroll for their classes on day two of the program.
Information Your Student Will Receive Before Orientation
- Mailings from academic colleges
- Immunization Information (https://ntweb1.ais.msu.edu/immunize/) - Students must complete this online. This is a university requirement.
- Financial Aid Information (http://www.finaid.msu.edu) -Students can expect to receive their first award letter from MSU by mid-April, if they have filed FAFSA (link: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) correctly.
- Housing Information (http://www.uh.msu.edu) - Students should receive their residence hall assignment by the end of May. Students will receive their roommate assignment in August.
- Early Course Reservation – If students took the Math Placement test before the given date listed in the admission packet, students will receive information regarding any pre-scheduled courses.
The following dates include a Parent Orientation Program (POP). If you are not able to come to POP on the same day your student is attending AOP, you must switch your reservation date to one that you can attend. Feel free to attend the entire program or any part you believe to be beneficial.
| June 14-15, 2010 | July 6-7 | |
| June 15-16 | July 7-8 | |
| June 16-17 | July 8-9 | |
| June 17-18 | July 13-14 | |
| June 21-22 | July 14-15 | |
| June 22-23 | July 15-16 | |
| June 23-24 | July 19-20 | |
| June 24-25 | July 20-21 | |
| June 29-30 | July 21-22 | |
| July 1-2 | ||
| August 29 (MSU Auditorium) | ||
Schedule for June/July Freshman Parent Orientation
The Parent Orientation Program covers a wide range of topics which address campus resources and transitional issues related to academics, residence hall living and the campus scene for both parents and students. Listed below is a tentative schedule of activities.
Day One
9:00 am - 10:00 am Check-In: Kellogg Center Lobby/Hallway 10:00 am - 10:05 am MSU Welcome 10:05 am - 10:10 am City of East Lansing Welcome 10:10 am - 10:15 am Program Overview 10:15 am - 11:05 am Academic Programs and Academic Success 11:25 am - 11:40 am Student Billing/Student Work 11:00 am - 12:10 pm Financial Aid 12:10 pm - 1:05 pm Lunch - Kellogg Center 1:20 pm - 1:55 pm Housing and Campus Life Resources 1:55 pm -2:05 pm Bus Transportation on Campus 2:05 pm - 2:55 pm Health, Safety, Security and Transitions in a Student's and Parent's Life 2:55 pm - 3:05 pm Break 3:05 pm - 3:35 pm Student Panel 3:35 pm – 4:00 pm Computing and Technology
Day Two
9:30 am-10:30 am Residence Hall Tour 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Resource Fair
On day two of the program, each student receives a personalized schedule (including academic advising, class enrollment, and our MSU Resource Fair). The order of these events, therefore, vary. We are unable to alter scheduled times. Please keep this in mind when you are making your travel arrangements. Most students finish and check-out of orientation by 1pm.
Exploring MSU and the Surrounding Area
http://www.fyi.msu.edu/college_life/things_to_do.html
Want to get out and explore? The Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, and Lansing has a lot to offer! Whether it be walking around campus, going to the movies, or in search of a mall, we want you to make the most of your time in the area. You might pick up a couple of ideas to share with your student!