Preparing Families and Supporters

Engaging with families and supporters is important to the NSO experience. We are excited to provide you with important New Student Orientation information and get all your questions answered. We are excited to bring a virtual family and supporter orientation experience and offer an in-person family and supporter orientation experience.

Virtual Orientation Experience: 

• 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.
• Check out the Family and Supporter Orientation Resource page. This page will not only contains our family webinars, but will also have 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.
• 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 your family and/or supporters all about the family and supporter transition to Michigan State University.
• 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.
• 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.  

New Student Orientation Family & Supporter 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.

Stay Connected with NSO and Your New Spartan Family: 

• 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).