Academic Programs Catalog

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General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations

Student Services

Michigan State University provides extensive student services and support to assist students in making their educational experiences more engaging and satisfying. While the principal function of the university is to provide a suitable intellectual environment for students through classrooms, laboratories and stimulating members of the faculty, it is recognized that the total development of the individual – personal, social and physical, as well as intellectual – is of equal importance and that learning occurs in many venues.

Academic Student Affairs Offices in the Colleges

Each college, through its dean or an associate dean, maintains an office in charge of academic affairs of students in the college. These offices assist their students in academic matters, such as exploration and goal setting, enrollment, changes of major program, academic advisement, and withdrawal and readmission procedures.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Services

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Services has general administrative responsibility for student matters. The multiple services and responsibilities are carried out through the division’s units: Recreational Sports and Fitness Services, Career Services Network, Center for Community Engaged Learning, The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions, Student Parent Resource Center, Student Veteran Resource Center, Graduate Student Life and Wellness, Student Life, Fraternity and Sorority, The Dean of Students Office, the Community Liaison, Impact 89FM and Women*s Student Services.

Also included are: Fall Welcome, Mosaic-Multicultural Center, student government advising, leadership development, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and activities. For more information, refer to Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services in the Other Departments and Offices for Research and Services section of this catalog or visit www.vps.msu.edu.

Student Health Insurance

Blue Care Network (BCN) of Michigan is the health insurance plan administrator for Michigan State University students and their eligible dependents. BCN coverage provides access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians and affiliated health care professionals in the BCN of Michigan provider network. Providers can be located on the BCN website at www.bcbsm.com/msu.

Graduate Assistants

Students on a graduate assistantship will be automatically enrolled in the insurance plan as a benefit offered by Michigan State University. Eligible spouses and dependents of graduate assistants can be enrolled on a voluntary basis and are partially funded by MSU.

International Students

Most international students who are not on a graduate assistantship are required to purchase the Michigan State University health plan. The charge for health insurance premium will be included on the Registration Billing Statement and the student will be automatically enrolled. A limited number of eligible international students who can demonstrate active coverage under other insurance that meets the applicable waiver criteria, may apply for a waiver.

Human, Osteopathic, and Veterinary Medical Students

All medical students in the Colleges of Human, Osteopathic, and Veterinary Medicine are required to purchase the Michigan State University plan or submit proof of other comparable health insurance. The charge for insurance premiums will be included on the Registration Billing Statement.

All Other Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Students meeting the eligibility requirements may enroll on a voluntary basis. This includes undergraduate and graduate students who are in a degree program or completing certification, as well as College of Law students actively attending classes on the MSU campus.

For further information on student insurance and how to enroll, contact MSU Human Resources at 1407 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, 1-517-353-4434, SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu, or visit https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/students/.

Student Health Services at Olin Health Center and the Neighborhoods

As part of Student Health and Wellness, MSU Student Health Services provides outpatient medical services for Michigan State University students, MSU Law students and their spouse/domestic partner. Primary and ancillary care services are available year-round at Olin Health Center, located on East Circle Drive. Medical services include primary care, gynecologic services, laboratory, physical therapy, radiology, allergy therapy, immunizations, and STI testing. Parking is available in the adjacent parking ramp. A Courtesy Van is available to provide transportation to and from Olin Health Center to patients who, because of illness or injury, are otherwise unable to visit Olin. Additional primary care clinics are located in Brody, Holden, Hubbard, and McDonel halls. The Phone Information Nurse is available for health-related questions 24 hours per day. MSU Student Health Services is staffed with board-certified physicians and certified healthcare professionals. Students are encouraged to secure health insurance coverage. The university will subsidize the first three medical office visits each year for students enrolled in MSU classes (this does not apply to MSU Law students). There will be a bill for the fourth and subsequent visits, as well as for other services. Charges for students with health insurance will be billed directly to the student’s insurance company.

Information about the Student Insurance plan is available through the Michigan State University Benefits Office at 1-800-353-4434. Email solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu or visit hr.msu.edu/benefits/students for more information.

The Michigan State University student or spouse identification card and insurance information should be presented when service is requested. For information regarding appointments, office hours, services and charges, visit the MSU Student Health Services Web site at olin.msu.edu or email olin@msu.edu.

Additional Student Health and Wellness services, including the Health Promotion department, which offers nutrition counseling, wellness coaching, fitness programs, the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) program, Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) are located in the Student Services Building. Visit healthpromotion.msu.edu for more information on all Health Promotion services.

See all Student Health and Wellness services at studenthealth.msu.edu.

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

Michigan State University values and promotes participation by people with disabilities in all aspects of campus life. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) is available to faculty, staff and students to foster understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities under disability-related legislation.

Registration with the RCPD is essential for students and employees with disabilities in order to facilitate timely and effective assistance. Staff at the RCPD are ready with information, resources, and guidance for the campus community in support of full inclusion.

Visit www.rcpd.msu.edu. The RCPD is located at 120 Bessey Hall, 1-517-884-7273 (4-RCPD).

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

CAPS offers registered MSU students assistance for a wide range of concerns, like depression, anxiety, homesickness, issues with adjustment, acculturation, relationships, racial identity and LBGTQ concerns, trauma, eating or body image, and other personal mental health issues. Resources are available on the CAPS website for parents, faculty, staff, friends and others looking to provide support for a loved one. CAPS has a diverse staff engaged in multicultural and collaborative approaches to provide quality care.

Confidential, no-charge counseling services include:

Initial screenings to connect each student to the most appropriate level of care
Individual, group and relationship counseling
Intensive clinical services
Support with clinical coordination and referral
CAPS Connect (free 10- to 15-minute confidential consultations)

Psychiatric services are free for the first three visits for registered students; the fourth and subsequent visits are billed to insurance (patients concerned about potential cost should mention this to their provider).

The CAPS Crisis Line, 1-517-355-8270, is available 24/7 (press 1 at the prompt).

To learn more about CAPS, visit caps.msu.edu.

Center for Survivors

The Center for Survivors works with sexual assault survivors and others affected by sexual violence. They provide free and confidential individual counseling, advocacy, and support groups to MSU students and the community. Trained volunteers are also ready to provide support, crisis intervention, and connection to local resources through crisis hotline and crisis chat services. A 24/7 crisis hotline is available at 1-517-372-6666.

The Sexual Assault Healthcare Program is available for adults who have been sexually assaulted within the past five days. The program — staffed 24/7 by specialized forensic nurses — includes free post-assault care services, like sexual assault kits, prophylactic medication and more. The program is located in suite 237 of the Student Services building (556 East Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824). Designated parking is available on Farm Lane. Patients can use the east entrance buzzer to be let into the building. Call 1-517-353-2700 to learn more.

For more information — or to access crisis chat services — visit centerforsurvivors.msu.edu. Call 1-517-355-3551 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or advocate.

Other Services

Career Services Network

The Career Services Network assists students with career exploration, decision-making, and job search strategies and provides career advising, interest assessments, workshops and networking resources throughout its many locations. In addition, the Network offers opportunities to connect directly with employers for full-time jobs and internships through career fairs, on-campus interviews, company visits and networking events. Students may access most services, including postings for part-time, internship, and entry-level jobs, using the Handshake system. For more information, visit www.careernetwork.msu.edu or contact us at careerservices@csp.msu.edu or 1-517-355-9510.

Student Parent Resource Center

The Student Parent Resource Center (SPRC) coordinates information, resources, and University initiatives to support student-parents managing academics and family life. Students may contact the SPRC coordinator at 1-517-432-3745 or steedkim@msu.edu for information about programs and services, including child care, emergency backup child care, sick child care, student parent support, financial assistance, campus and community involvement opportunities, and other resource referrals.

Early Childhood Units

Two early childhood centers are available to the children of Michigan State University students and faculty. The Michigan State University Child Development Laboratories has two locations, one in East Lansing at 325 W. Grand River Avenue offering full day care for children ages birth through 5 years, and a second site in Haslett at the Wilkshire Early Childhood Center offering half day programming, Monday through Thursday. These two programs are administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Social Science.

MSU Safe Place

MSU Safe Place provides advocacy, shelter, counseling, safety planning, information and referrals to survivors of relationship violence and stalking. Educational scholarships are available to currently enrolled MSU students whose academic pursuits have been affected by intimate partner violence or stalking. All support services are free and confidential. MSU Safe Place serves students, faculty, staff, and their spouses or partners. We serve non-MSU affiliated community members when shelter space and staffing allow. We also provide consultation for parents, friends, and co-workers seeking to support the survivors in their lives. Volunteer and internship opportunities are available. For more information, call 1-517.355.1100, email noabuse@msu.edu, or visit safeplace.msu.edu.

University Ombudsperson

The University Ombudsperson is an independent, neutral, informal and independent resource where students may discuss concerns related to the university, as well understand their rights and responsibilities. Visit https://ombud.msu.edu/. Phone 1-517- 353-8830 or e-mail ombud@msu.edu.

Department of Police and Public Safety

The MSU Police Department serves the community by providing a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to live, learn, and work. Services include police patrol, responding to calls for service, criminal investigations, special event security, emergency management, access control, and parking services. Visit www.police.msu.edu for more information.

Office of Supportive Services

The Office of Supportive Services is a multifaceted, holistic, academic support unit that provides services for students who are first-generation, low income, and/or meet other participant criteria to be part of the TRIO Student Support Services Program. Visit www.trio.oss.msu.edu.

Transportation Services on Campus

CATA Bus Service

The campus bus service is provided by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA). CATA operates fixed routes, serving all university apartments, residence halls, commuter lots, and the main campus 24/7 during fall and spring semesters. Most campus routes do not operate during university breaks or on university-recognized holidays. Additionally, CATA provides direct service to off-campus apartments in East Lansing, Lansing, Lansing Township, Okemos, and Haslett areas year-round as well as many other destinations in the Greater Lansing area. You can learn about fares, tips for new riders and view the CATA service area online. Visit www.cata.org for personal trip itineraries, comprehensive service information and online pass sales.

Weekday Campus Regular Fixed-Route Service - Six routes serve campus Monday-Friday starting at 7:00 a.m. during fall and spring semesters. Service runs until 2:30 a.m. on Route 30-South and East Neighborhoods, Route 31-Brody and East Neighborhoods and Route 39-University Village. Route 38-Spartan Village concludes at 10:45 p.m. Service on Route 33-Union/South Neighborhood ends at 10:30 p.m. Route 32 Commuter Lot/Auditorium/Clinical Center serves campus until 7:00 p.m.

Evening and Late-Night Campus Service Seven Days a Week - CATA offers two curb-to-curb demand-response services within the campus boundaries during fall and spring semester, excluding university breaks and university-recognized holidays. You can call 1-517-432-8888 or 2-8888 from any campus phone to request a ride. With either service, the bus arrives within 20 minutes of your call.

Lot Link operates from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekends. Buses travel between parking lots (#80, #83, #89, and #91). Rides must start or end at one of the four lots. Service is also available to/from Spartan Village Monday - Friday during regular service hours.

The Night Owl operates from 2:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. weekdays (until 9:00 a.m. on weekends). You can also use campus green light phones, located throughout campus, to call for Night Owl service. Passengers may travel between any two locations on campus. Residents of 1855 Place, University and Spartan Village Apartments may also use The Night Owl when traveling to or from any campus location during these hours.

Weekend Campus Service - CATA’s weekend service operates from approximately 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. during fall and spring semesters, excluding university breaks and university-recognized holidays. Weekend service is provided on Routes #34, #35, and #36.

Free-Fare Campus Fixed-Rate Service - Students, faculty and staff ride for free on all campus fixed routes (Routes 30-39) during fall and spring semesters. Note a fare is required when riding LotLink, Night Owl, or any off-campus routes. See below.

Fares and Passes For LotLink, Night Owl and Off-Campus Routes - The student cash fare is 60¢. Cash fare customers must show the bus driver a valid Michigan State University Student ID to qualify for the 60¢ fare. Customers not showing the Michigan State University Student ID will pay the regular fare of $1.25. Free transfers are available on all off-campus CATA fixed-route buses.

Students may also purchase a CATA 31-Day Student Pass for $18 or a Semester Pass for $50. These two passes are good on LotLink, Night Owl and for all CATA fixed-route transportation services off-campus. Passes are sold online at www.cata.org, the MSU ID Office, and many convenient off-campus locations. A lost or stolen Semester Pass may be replaced if the original pass was linked the student’s ID when purchased. Students are allowed one replacement pass free of charge per semester. Contact the MSU ID Office in Room 170 of the International Center for a replacement.

The regular fare for non-student faculty and staff is $1.25 on any off-campus route. A 31-Day Adult Pass is available for $35.

Paratransit Service - (Service for Persons with Disabilities) - Spec-Tran is a CATA curb-to-curb service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use CATA fixed-route service. Spec-Tran customers must be certified to be eligible to use this service. MSU customers must contact the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) 1-517-884-RCPD (4-7273) TTY: 1-517-355-1293 to apply for certification. Spec-Tran ride reservations must be made by 5:00 p.m. the day before a trip is to occur. Rides can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance. Eligible students may obtain free Michigan State University Spec-Tran passes for trips that originate and end on campus by contacting the RCPD office. To schedule a ride, call 1-517-432-8888 or 2-8888 from any campus phone between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.

CATA Information and Assistance - Visit CATA’s Web site at www.cata.org for online chat assistance, a personalized trip itinerary or online bus pass purchases, service and fare information, updates on route detours and service changes, etc. CATA’s Customer Information Center can provide trip-planning assistance in person, by phone or e-mail. Representatives are available to talk, Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Call 1-517-394-1000 or 2-CATA (2-2282) from any campus phone for assistance, or e-mail info@cata.org. CATANOW provides next-bus real-time departures by texting your bus stop number to 76123. Printed bus schedules are available in most residence halls and at other key campus locations. The ADD line is the Michigan Relay Center Voice - 1-800-649-3777. Large-print versions and MP3 files (downloadable at www.cata.org) of all CATA schedules are available for persons with visual impairments. CATA's bus-hailing kits are designed for use at bus stops served by more than one route. The kit allows visually impaired riders to signal the number of their route to operators of approaching buses. Contact CATA Customer Experience at 1-517-394-1000 to request these materials. You can also follow CATA on Facebook.com/rideCATA and Twitter.com/rideCATA.

Transit App - Transit is CATA’s preferred mobile app for real-time bus departures, bus tracking and comprehensive trip planning options. The free app is available on iPhone and Android devices.

MSU/CATA TRANSPORTATION CENTER (MSU-CTC) - This indoor facility is the main boarding center for CATA bus routes serving campus. It is located on the ground level of the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1), between North and South Shaw lanes, just east of the MSU Planetarium. Amenities include phone access to CATA Customer Experience and ride-request phone lines, print maps and timetables, direct access to the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1), comfortable indoor seating areas, a community policing office, ATM, vending machines and restrooms. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those who drive to campus and park in the Shaw Ramp (Ramp 1) can access the MSU-CTC on its ground floor to board a CATA bus for a convenient intermodal commute.

Bicycles

MSU Ordinances require any bicycle possessed or operated on campus be registered. Bikes must be in operable condition, and when parked they must be locked at a bike rack, otherwise they may be impounded and fees assessed for retrieval. Michigan State University, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Lansing Township, and Meridian Township bike permits are acceptable. Permits must be current, valid, and attached to the bicycle frame’s post below the seat, facing the handlebars. Failure to properly display and/or affix the permit may result in bicycle impoundment. Visit www.police.msu.edu to register your bike (make, color, and serial number must be provided upon registration). Bike registration is free of charge. All CATA full sized buses are equipped with bike racks. Each rack accommodates several bikes.

Motor Vehicles, Mopeds, and Electric Mobility Devices

All students whether residing on or off campus must register their vehicle with the MSU Police Department if they operate their vehicles on campus. In addition, mopeds and electric mobility devices such as electric scooters operated on campus must be registered with the MSU Police Department. Failure to do so may result in parking violations and impoundment. Visit www.police.msu.edu for more information.