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 type, majors and work environments: Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can be interpreted with a career advisor, while Focus 2 allows for a self-guided experience.
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, bring employers to campus for over 50 events annually including MSU On Campus and Local Job Fair, Graduate and Law School Fair, Student Success  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, practice interviewing, a professional photo booth and even a Career Clothing Closet. 

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.


 

The Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) prepares students for lifelong civic and social responsibility by advancing Community Engaged Learning across campus. CCEL-hosted programs throughout the year include, Days of Service and student philanthropy events, pre-professional volunteering with local hospitals, the Spartan Volunteer Corps, community work-study positions tutoring in local schools, student scholar opportunities, the Spartan Volunteer Service Award Program, and more. CCEL also supports student seeking to volunteer outside of courses and programs through our SpartansVolunteer Platform.  Students interested in finding volunteer placements posted by our community partners can start at communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/students/looking-to-volunteer.
 
A Community Engaged Learning orientation is available online in D2L throughout the year to prepare students for their placement and partnership. Students can find this orientation and other resources at https://communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/students/student-support-and-resources.
 
CCEL staff advise three community-engaged registered student organizations - Alternative Spartan Breaks, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Spartans Rebuilding Michigan. Our office also manages the Community Engagement Scholars Program and Spartan Volunteer Corps as opportunities for student leadership in community engagement.
 
Our Academic Programs Team offers their educational expertise to help faculty and students identify and utilize high-impact teaching strategies to maximize community-engaged learning outcomes. CCEL works to facilitate campus and community networking to help faculty, staff, students, and community organizations identify potential partnerships and connect with other like-minded campus/community members.

Transportation assistance is offered to students, including free CATA bus cards available for pickup at our office in the Student Services Building, Room 101. Community-engaged RSOs and professors can also apply for a Transportation Support Award for travel to student volunteer placements. Learn more at https://communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/faculty/transportation-support-award. 
 
Learn more about CCEL at communityengagedlearning.msu.edu.
 

Through collaboration with students, international organizations, alumni, and the Division of Student Affairs, Fraternity and Sorority Life at Michigan State University fosters a holistic college experience by providing opportunities for student success through scholarship, leadership, and community service. These three opportunities have been outlined by our unit as the foundation of healthy and successful fraternity and sorority chapters and advance the missions of each of our chapters. The defining opportunities are in line with the Division of Student Affairs and further the values and goals of Michigan State University.

Since 1872, Fraternity and Sorority Life has been a vibrant part of the Spartan experience. With a rich history rooted in tradition and a future focused on connection, Michigan State’s fraternity and sorority community helps students build lifelong friendships, grow as leaders, and thrive in and out of the classroom. When you join a fraternity or sorority, you gain more than a chapter—you gain a community, a network, and a place to call home. All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity.

For more information, email fsl@sle.msu.edu or visit fsl.msu.edu.
 

MOSAIC Center for Education and Outreach is dedicated to fostering shared responsibility and integrity across intersectional identities by engaging in courageous storytelling and compassionate dialogue to create meaningful connections at MSU and beyond. The MOSAIC Center integrates four initiatives to build a foundation for transformational relationships to enhance student success through: (a) Women and Gender Equity, (b) Global Education and Outreach, (c) Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Identities, and (d) unity coalition efforts.
 
Women and Gender Equity (WAGE): Focused on education and community building initiatives that advance women and gender equity, inclusivity, and leadership for social change and connection through an intersectional lens. Programs included, but not limited to men and masculinities, capacity building, and leadership development.
 
Global Education and Outreach (GEO): Facilitates collaboration, leadership development, and coalition-building among diverse student groups advocating for social and global learning (nationally and internationally) and cultural and intersectional understanding. 
 
Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Identities (RSSI): Connects the members of MSU to worldview communities. Reciprocity between individuals and organizations seek to achieve pluralism by building respecting for individual identities, relationships between individual and communities across worldview difference, and create the capacity for opportunities to work for common good.
 
Unity Coalition: Provide a collaborative space for promoting conversation and action, as well as allyship and advocacy on intersectional topics relevant to MSU members and the broader community.
 
For more information, please email mosaic@msu.edu or find us at https://mosaic.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.


 

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.

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 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.


 

The Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students (CVMAS) 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 or call us at 1-517-884-5973.