April 12, 2018

Hello Friends and Family,


With only a couple of weeks until the end of the semester, we hope your student is hanging in there and working hard to wrap everything up. A homemade chocolate chip cookie delivery right about now would likely be much appreciated. Also, for last minute help, remind your student to seek out campus resources we've discussed in the past to help with a strong finish.

Pre-advising is in full swing and all students planning to take classes during the summer or fall semesters should have made contact with their academic advisor to prepare for enrollment. Students can locate their academic advisor information on their student myState page.

Finally, if you and your family are planning to attend Commencement, please take a moment to view the below details. (Congratulations!)

Do not ever hesitate to call or email us with any questions or concerns.

Cat Walker and Becky Faulk
Office of Parent & Family Services
662.325.3611 / parents@msstate.edu


April 25
Classes End
&
Deadline to apply for
Spring graduation

April 26
Reading Day

April 27 - May 2
Final Exams

May 3 & 4
Commencement

May 7
Final Grades Due


Click  here  for a full academic calendar
STARKVILLE COMMENCEMENT
Students must apply for graduation with the Registrar’s Office no later than April 25 . All graduates must have a zero account balanc e by May 4. Students planning to walk will need to contact Barnes & Noble to order a cap and gown no later than tomorrow, April 13 .

Tickets or invitations are NOT required for guests to attend the ceremony.

Handicapped seating is available in several areas of the Coliseum. Event ushers can direct guests to these areas. Parking information can be found by visiting Parking and Transit Services .

Additional line up instructions will be made available by the Registrar's Office .

May 3

Starkville Campus Commencement Ceremony 1
(Students begin processional at 3:00 p.m.)

College of Education
College of Business & Adkerson School of Accountancy

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May 4

Starkville Campus Commencement Ceremony 2
(Students begin processional at 9:00 a.m.)

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Architecture, Art & Design
College of Veterinary Medicine

Starkville Campus Commencement Ceremony 3
(Students begin processional at 3:00 p.m.)

Bagley College of Engineering & Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences & School of Human Sciences
College of Forest Resources
General Studies
FINAL EXAM TIPS
Students can visit various locations on campus to receive additional academic assistance while preparing for final exams. The Learning Center in Allen Hall Room 267 supports students in improving academic performance, promote academic excellence, and focuses on enhancing lifelong learning skills.

The Writing Center works with students in developing and supporting ideas for a particular rhetorical writing situation (class assignment, resume, or written presentation). Students can visit   Writing Center   to learn more.

Ten Tips to share with your student:

  • Just get started. Don’t wait until you feel like studying.

  • Create mnemonic devices, such as acrostics, rhymes or acronyms, to help you remember information.

  • Take short breaks. Your brain can process a limited amount of information and benefits from some rest.

  • Stay healthy. Get some sleep and avoid caffeine. Seriously – your brain with thank you.

  • Attempt to answer the questions at the end of the chapter in your textbook.

  • Quiz yourself. Cover up your notes and try to explain them. Create flashcards. If you find yourself struggling to remember, try different techniques to learn the material.

  • Form a last minute study group and develop a practice test together.

  • Manage your anxiety. Listening to calming music, stretching or breathing deeply can help you avoid stress and release negative thoughts.

  • Call your family and tell them about what you're learning. Teaching someone else is a great way to learn.

  • Finally, stay positive and persistent!
SUPER BULLDOG WEEKEND
If you haven't had a chance to visit with your student lately, MSU's annual Super Bulldog Weekend is always a good time!

Super Bulldog Weekend, spring semester’s version of fall homecoming, includes Pig Cooking Sampling of the Grill, baseball games at Dudy Noble, the Maroon & White spring football scrimmage at Davis Wade, the Cotton Districts Arts Festival, and much more.

Visit Hailstate for additional information and a schedule of events. .
RESIDENCE HALL CHECK-OUT
Students living on-campus will need to check out of their residence halls no later than 24 hours after their last final exam. Each student's Resident Adviser will hold a floor meeting to discuss closing procedures. These meetings are mandatory and all students living in the residence hall must attend.

Students will sign up for a check-out appointment time after the floor meeting or at least 24 hours in advance with an RA in their building. Failure to do so will result in an improper check-out charge ($50) . With the exception of graduating seniors, the residence halls will close for summer on Saturday, May 5 , 2018, at 6:00 PM.
Failure to properly clean the room and complete the list of action items above will result in penalties and cleaning charges which will be posted to the student and/or the student's roommate's student account. Any damages to the room will also be charged to student's accounts.  By failing to properly check out, a student is waiving their right to appeal charges, so please encourage students to check out with a staff member before leaving campus.
 
Students in Dogwood and Hurst Halls will be able to use the Express Checkout option. More information about this process will be sent to their email.
STUDENT ACCOUNT CHANGES
NEW for FALL 2018

All statement due dates will move to the 1   of each month.

Students currently receive their monthly billing statement around the 15 of each month, and the balance is due on the 9 th  of the following month.

Beginning July 2018,  students will still receive their statement around the 15 of each month, but due dates will now be on the  1  of the following month. 

EXAMPLE: July 15   billing statement will have a due date of August 1.
Fall bills must be paid by August 1st or enrolled in a payment plan
or class schedules will be subject to cancellation.

Full payment or payment plan enrollment is required by  August 1 , otherwise, your student’s schedule will be subject to cancellation. (Account balances will be reduced by your student’s anticipated aid.) Students will have  one  opportunity to re-enroll if their schedule is canceled. Once their schedule is canceled, it cannot be retrieved. They will be required to rebuild their schedule and are not guaranteed to receive a spot in the same classes.
HELPFUL REMINDERS
Housing & Residence Life

Will your student be enrolled at Mississippi State University as a summer school student? Students enrolled during the summer semester are able to apply for University Student Housing. Students can apply for summer school housing through their  Housing Application .

Financial Aid

The Summer Request Form went live April 1 ! The Summer of 2018 is based on 2017/2018 FAFSA Information. Students interested in receiving financial aid for the 2018 Summer semester will need to have a summer schedule completed before submitting the Summer Request Form. Students must submit the form through their myState and can only submit it one time.

Post Office

Students no longer needing their P.O. Box due to graduation, moving off campus, or transferring, will need to visit the Roberts Building after their last final to check their box one last time and return their key/s.
Don't forget to visit us on social media and at parents .msstate.edu !
Make sure you mention #MSStateFamily when you post on social media.
Office of Parent & Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu |