Academic Programs Catalog

The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC), leads and collaborates on university initiatives to prepare students to thrive in a diverse world. We enhance the campus climate, as well as academic and support services for students marginalized by their sexuality or gender identity. We serve as a hub for information, resources and opportunities for LGBTQIA2S+ students, such as social, academic and community organizations, counseling and other advocacy. We provide consultation to faculty, staff and student leaders regarding individual student issues; creating inclusive and affirming practices; and curricular and cocurricular learning around sexuality and gender.

For more information, contact the GSCC at 1-517-353-9520; email gscc@msu.edu; or visit www.gscc.msu.edu.

The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) supports students as they navigate cross-cultural encounters and develop a cultural identity. OCAT engages students on issues related to academic transitions, culture, race and ethnicity. Specifically, OCAT prompts students’ involvement in broad-based university learning experiences (e.g., education abroad, alternative spartan breaks, internships, etc.), while also connecting them to campus resources, people and programs that lead to deeper student learning and personal success. In part, the office accomplishes this by building critical alliances and connections with academic units. OCAT strives to bring together individuals and groups of students from diverse racial, ethnic, international and domestic backgrounds for meaningful interactions.  CAT employs multiple strategies to accomplish these goals, including signature programs, such as Maximizing academic Growth in College (MAGIC), Council on Racial Ethnic Students (CORES), Spartan Remix, and more. Visit www.ocat.msu.edu.
 

The Career Services Network (CSN) helps students in all stages of their professional development – from the early stages of exploring career options and choosing a major, to internships and job searches. CSN support includes

1. One-on-one advising appointments with career advisors to assist students in self-assessment, career exploration, decision-making, resumes and cover letters, job search strategies, interview preparation and negotiating offers.
2. Career assessment tools to help students align interests and preferences to job types and work environments: Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Choices 360. Assessments are interpreted with a career advisor.
3. Career exploration events, such as guest speakers, alumni panels, networking sessions and industry trips (e.g., Spartan Start-Up entrepreneurship; sports careers; entertainment journalism; careers within government; careers in non-profits).
4. Workshops ranging from resume writing and career exploration to networking and interviewing skills.
5. Career Fairs, including MSU Fall Career Days, Graduate and Law School Fair, Diversity Career Fair, Summer Job and Internship Fair, Teacher and Administration Career Fair and more.
6. On campus interviews with employers for entry-level and internship positions with over 10,000 interviews conducted annually.
7. Career resources:  including Handshake, an interactive system that manages job, internship, part-time campus employment listings, on-campus interviews, as well as a comprehensive calendar of career events and workshops. 

The Director of Community and Student Relations serves Michigan State University students and the community with respect to MSU student-related topics, by fostering effective interactions and increasing open communication with the Mid-Michigan community. For more information, call 1-517-432-7527 (TTY 353-6651); visit 556 E. Circle Drive, Student Services Building, Room 113; or visit www.collegelifeel.msu.edu.

OFF-CAMPUS listing service. An off-campus housing listing Service, endorsed by MSU, is available to assist students with locating apartments, houses and roommates based on personal preference and budget. The search begins at offcampushousing.msu.edu.


 

Recreational Sports and Fitness Services (RSFS) provides safe, supportive and active environments for the diverse fitness needs of the MSU community. RSFS engages the community through sports, fitness and recreation opportunities through a variety of ways, including club and intramural sports, fitness programs and numerous other opportunities. Three intramural buildings provide space for more than 25 organized intramural sports and over 28 student sports clubs. MSU students, faculty, staff, retirees and alumni may choose from a diverse array of activities, including formal league and tournament play to less competitive and informal recreational activities, exercise and fitness programs. RSFS’ Adaptive Recreation provides spaces and opportunities for persons with disabilities to take join in the activities, from hand cycles that can be checked out, to drop-in adaptive recreation, such as Boccia Ball, Pickleball and Badminton, as well as blind soccer and adaptive shooting.

For information, refer to Recreational Sports and Fitness Services in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section of this catalog, call the Recreational Sports office at 1-517-355-5257,  or visit www.recsports.msu.edu.

Refer to the statement on Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities in the General Information section of this catalog for additional information.

The Office of Spartan Experiences engages MSU students in active learning, leadership development and enhancing their education for their success. Fall Welcome and Spring Welcome events are organized by Spartan Experiences to promote academic, cultural, recreational, and personal programs that help ease students’ transition to the university.

Spartan Experiences also offers programs throughout the year to help students find opportunities to be engaged and grow while at MSU. For more information, call 1-517-355-8286 (TTY 355-2217) or visit studentlife.msu.edu.

FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE. Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) staff serves as liaisons between the university and the collegiate chapters, parents, alumni/ae and (inter)national organizations to provide educational programs, services and resources to support the ideals of Greek Life. The work of the staff and student members of FSL provides experiences that merge nearly every segment of the MSU campus community into one cohesive program, promoting self-governance, leadership development, academic achievement, community service and friendship. Staff assist the four major governing boards individually responsible for managing and providing services to their member organizations.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT and STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISING. Staff members assist student government leaders by advising, consulting, and serving as a resource on university policies and procedures.  Staff also register over 1000 student organizations, as well as the programs and events sponsored by these groups, and provide consultation to enhance student group development.  Leadership training and development programs help those in student government and other organizations increase their effectiveness as leaders.


 

The Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) supports MSU faculty and students  through its programs and resources to both advance community engaged learning and prepare students for lifelong civic and social responsibility. They also support MSU faculty and academic staff to create course-based community engaged learning opportunities.

The center encourages students to develop academic, personal, professional and civic skills while making a positive difference by contributing to the common good of local, national and international communities through service.

Students can learn about volunteer opportunities at communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/students/looking-to-volunteer.

Transportation assistance is offered to students, including maps, free CATA bus tokens and shuttle rides to select service sites in Greater Lansing. Learn more at communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/students/student-resources.

Service-Learning Orientations are hosted throughout the semester, to help students learn more about the “Tools of Engagement” (http://tools.outreach.msu.edu) which are vital for meaningful and effective community engagement experiences. 

Advisors are available to assist MSU service/civic-oriented registered student organizations. The office has long-standing advising relationships with several prominent MSU student organizations (e.g., Alternative Spartan Breaks, Spartans Rebuilding Michigan, etc.) and we are eager to connect with and support other similar student groups.

Academic Consultants offer their educational expertise to help faculty and students identify and utilize high-impact teaching strategies to maximize service-learning outcomes.

Campus and Community Networking to help faculty, staff, students, and community agencies identify potential partnerships and connect with other like-minded campus/community members.

Learn more about CCEL communityengagedlearning.msu.edu.
 

MSUvote is a non-partisan campus committee focused on increasing registered student voters and informing and educating students on candidates and issues to bolster student participation in elections. MSUvote provides resources on registering to vote and voter guides for each state and Washington D.C. For questions or information about MSUvote resources and services, visit the Student Services Building, or visit msuvote.msu.edu.


 

The Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) supports and helps military personnel and their families find and navigate information, resources and others who will support their success at Michigan State University.

The center provides numerous services and support, including space for meetings, studying and socializing; VA benefits and health information; financial aid application support; transition services; career development and employment/internship opportunities; and referrals to programs and services, both on and off the MSU campus.

Find more information at veterans.msu.edu. where messages can also be sent to the team under the About Us tab. 

 

The Student Parent Resource Center (SPRC) provides support, resources and campus and community connections for MSU student parents. While that looks different for each family, SPRC, located in the University Village Community Center, this team of three works supports MSU student parents, so they can focus on academics, their experience and development, successfully reaching graduation and their families.

SPRC helps student parents meet and build their community with other student parent peers, integrate with the rest of MSU and fulfill needs that are outside of the classroom and college experience, such as food, diapers and childcare.

Learn more at studentparents.msu.edu. Contact the office at 517-432-3745 or sprc@msu.edu.


 

Women*s Student Services (WSS) works to promote diversity, equity and inclusion for a safer, more respectful, and more welcoming campus. The center provides a variety of programs and services, including workshops focused on leadership and mentoring, the WILD Conference and Fem Fest.

Learn more at wss.msu.edu. To contact the office, call 1-517-355-8286 or email wssmsu@gmail.com.