Engaging with families and supporters is important to the NSO experience. We are excited to offer both a virtual family and supporter orientation experience as well as an in-person family and supporter orientation experience. These opportunities will provide you with important New Student Orientation information and get all your questions answered.
Virtual Orientation Experience
Newsletters
Families and supporters will be sent bi-weekly e-newsletters (with March and April being only monthly) from the Office of New Student Orientation starting in March. These newsletters will provide you with important information on your student’s orientation experience, connect you with various resources to help answer your questions during this transitional period, and provide information about engagement opportunities. The newsletter will continue to be shared throughout the summer period. Be sure to view our NSO Communications page to stay updated on all things New Student Orientation.
If you haven’t been receiving newsletters, you can manually sign up with our Family & Supporter Signup form.
*Attention, international Spartan families and supporters! For those of you connected to our new international students, we recommend reaching out to the Office for International Students and Scholars. They will be sharing invaluable information tailored specifically for international students and families.
Family & Supporter Resources
Check out the Family & Supporter Resource page. This page not only contains our family webinars, but our family edition podcasts, key transitional tips, and additional information to aid you as you transition into the MSU community. While the NSO Newsletters will highlight updates and key information from this page, you are welcome to check here to review information and engagement opportunities.
New Student Orientation Resource Guide
NSO encourages you to take a look at the New Student Orientation Resource Guide, which is packed full of helpful resources and information as you and your student transition into the MSU community.
For students, we have an additional guide to share with family and/or supporters all about the family and supporter transitions to Michigan State University.
Virtual Self-guided Tour Experience
Need help with campus wayfinding and finding important areas of interest at MSU? We encourage you to explore the campus using the virtual self-guided tour experience. It’s a great online tool to help map out residential halls, academic buildings, athletic spaces, historic landmarks, and so much more.
Spartan Family Connections
Eager to connect with other families and supporters? Our family engagement office, Spartan Family Connections, manages a Family Facebook page and group where you can connect with other incoming families, current families, and beyond. Additionally, the NSO office will be regularly sharing social media tips, engagement opportunities, and reminders on the platform.
Spring Welcome Experience
As part of the orientation experience, NSO welcomes incoming families, supporters, and students to participate in our Family & Supporter Fall Welcome Experience. For Fall 2025, this consists of our Meet, Greet, and Mingle Resource Fair, Family & Supporter Skate, and much more! Full details will be released in future newsletters and directly via e-communications.
Important Dates
Fall 2025 Important Dates
- March 14, 2025 – First NSO e-newsletter communications
- April 5, 2025 – Admitted Student Day
- May 1, 2025 – Acceptance Fees (AEDs) due for incoming students
- May 2025 – Orientation Experience D2L (Desire2Learn) Course Opens
- June 9 – July 18, 2025 – Advising and Enrollment
- August 8, 2025 – First billing statement available to incoming students
- August 18 – August 23, 2025 – Fall Welcome In Person Programming
- August 25, 2025 – Classes Begin
- September 1, 2025 – Holiday – University Closed
- September 1, 2025 – Tentative first billing due date
- September 18, 2025 – Quarter of Semester
- October 13, 2025 – Middle of Semester
- October 20 – October 21, 2025 – Fall Break
- November 27 – November 28, 2025 – Holiday – University Closed
- December 7, 2025 – Classes End
- December 25, 2025 – January 2, 2026 – Holiday – University Closed
- January 19, 2026 – Holiday – University Closed
Visiting Campus?
Interested in visiting Michigan State? Regardless of when you visit, we encourage families and supporters to check out some fun things to do while visiting the Greater Lansing area.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with New Student Orientation via our social media and engage with various fun and informative posts over fall semester. NSO has a presence on Facebook (@MSUNSO) and Instagram (@msu_nso).