We are grateful you have entrusted us to assist your student in navigating this phase of their life’s journey and your student’s health, safety, and well-being is of primary importance to everyone on campus. To that end, we have many resources devoted to assisting your student in achieving their optimum health and well-being which are being highlighted here in this month’s newsletter. From recreational activities to counseling services to student healthcare, we are actively engaging your student in health and well-being related information and activities.
We also are continually evaluating how to help our campus be as safe as possible and it is an obligation we all take very seriously and hope your student does as well. We all contribute to campus safety and here are a few things your student can do to ensure their personal safety:
- Register for Maroon Alert by visiting the Personal Information section in Banner.
- lock their residence hall rooms and vehicles when left unattended
- walk with someone else at night or call Safe Walk for an escort
- be aware of their surroundings at all times by leaving headphones off and looking up from phones/electronic devices when walking, crossing the road, etc.
- use Maroon Alert as the primary source of emergency information on campus.
NOTE:
Parents can register for alerts by texting MAROONALERT to 888777.
Students who are healthy, well, and have a safe environment to live, study, and learn are more likely to succeed in their academic pursuits so we look forward to engaging your student in these efforts.
Hail State!
Regina Young Hyatt, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
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September 2
Labor Day Holiday - no classes
September 19
Deadline for undergraduate students receiving incomplete grades in a previous semester to submit the coursework
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October 2
First
progress grade reporting deadline
(30th class day)
October 10 & 11
Fall Break – no classes scheduled
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October 25 - 27
Bulldog Family Weekend
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MSU Parents and Family Members,
We hope your students have successfully tackled their first full week of school and are easing into a good routine.
Each month we will send y'all a special edition e-newsletter, focusing on various areas we think will assist you in helping your student be successful, both personally and academically. Mississippi State University cares about the health, wellness, and safety of our students so this month we reached out to our departments on campus that specialize in this area. These folks work day in and day out to make sure your students have a well-rounded experience and the resources they need to stay healthy.
Announcements and Reminders
are at the bottom.
Please contact us, or the respective departments, if you have any questions. And remember, we are
always
here to lend an ear and point you in the right direction.
Cat Walker and Becky Faulk
662.325.3611
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HEALTH, WELLNESS, & SAFETY CONTACTS
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Center for America's Veterans
662.325.6719
Collegiate Recovery Community
662.325.3192
Dining Services
662.325.7120
Health Promotion and Wellness
662.325.7545 or 662.325.2141
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Longest Student Health Center
662.325.2431
Maroon Alert
662.325.4521
Student Counseling Services
662.325.2091
University Police Department
Non-Emergency: 662.325.2121
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University Recreation
662.325.7529 (PLAY)
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Benefits of an Active Lifestyle
Students who participate in collegiate recreational opportunities experience a number of benefits from being physically active, including increased retention rates and improved health and wellness. Those who participate often and in a range of activities benefit even more. An active lifestyle can contribute to reduced stress and anxiety, improved self-confidence, better sleep, and more mental clarity and focus.
MSU offers a wide variety of sports and recreation opportunities, such as traditional intramural sports, group exercise classes, and adventure trips. Whether students want to continue playing the sports they played in high school, take up new hobbies like ballroom dancing, or simply stay in shape and relieve stress, MSU has the people, programs, and facilities to make it happen.
Encourage your student to visit the
U
niversity Recreation Center
to learn what programs and activities are offered so health is a priority.
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STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES
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Student Counseling Services (SCS) offers a variety of
free
services to help students in all walks of life.
Starting this Fall, SCS will offer walk-in service consultations. Students can visit SCS between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a brief consultation with one of the clinicians.
Students are welcome to come ready to talk about their goals! Student Counseling Services clinicians will help students pick from our menu of services to help get them where they want to be.
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Let’s Talk
is an outreach program that offers students convenient access to brief informal consultations with a Student Counseling Center clinician at different sites across campus. MSU students are encouraged to drop by and talk about what is important to them during a 15-20 minute conversation.
Clinicians will listen to your student's concerns and may offer support, information, and resources. Consultations are free and confidential. No appointment is necessary as students are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Let’s Talk
clinicians may provide insights, solutions, and information about other resources to address concerns such as:
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- Academic struggles
- Relationship and family issues
- Financial concerns
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- Stress
- Transitional anxiety
- Feeling sad
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Let’s Talk
is not a substitute for individual therapy or other mental health treatment. A
Let’s Talk
consultation helps a student know what it might be like to speak with a clinician and may help a student decide whether formal therapy at SCS may be more beneficial.
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CENTER FOR AMERICA'S VETERANS
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The Center for America’s Veterans honors the legacy of the 1943 Mississippi State alumnus and 15-term U.S. congressman who authored the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Gillespie V. “Sonny” Montgomery.
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The Center is recognized as a national leader in providing individualized and comprehensive support through focused programs and services. The services and amenities are designed to ensure all MSU military connected students have a successful transition into academic life and beyond.
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Services
- Veteran Affairs Educational Benefits (G.I. Bill), counseling and processing
- Processing of all VA medical, disability, and other claims
- Scholarship opportunities
- Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
- Priority registration (G.I. Bill recipients)
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Amenities
- Computer lab
- Private study rooms
- Complimentary printing, copying, faxing, and scanning
- Student lounge with television and dining area with kitchenette
- Multipurpose meeting room
- Student Veterans Association (SVA) office
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There are numerous opportunities available through the Center to help students find their fit at MSU. Our programs and initiatives serve a variety of interests, which include:
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- Student Veteran Association
- MSU Veterans Golf Program
- MSU Veterans Horsemanship Program
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The staff welcomes the opportunity to assist students transitioning into college life. Our doors are open from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
during the semester. To learn more about the services offered, visit the Center of America's Veterans website by clicking the link below.
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LONGEST STUDENT HEALTH CENTER
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MSU has its very own Health Center located conveniently on-campus. Walk-ins are allowed but making an appointment is preferable. However, if a student needs immediate attention, emergencies will always take precedent.
The Longest Student Health Center is not open 24/7. Students who become ill when the Health Center is closed should consider visiting one of Starkville's urgent care facilities or the Oktibbeha County Hospital, if it's an emergency and cannot wait.
If a student has been seen by an allergist and prescribed allergy injections, the Health Center can obtain that information from their allergist and arrange to administer those injections in the clinic. Students can simply call and ask for an appointment in the allergy clinic.
Help your student stay healthy by encouraging:
- regular exercise, at least 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes (a few laps around the Drill Field or a stroll across campus)
- healthy eating habits
- lots of sleep
- smart choices
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Safe Walk
provides campus with an escort service at night to help people to and from their cars or buildings. Upon request, Safe Walk employees will be sent to walk students to their destination. They are equipped with two-way radios and wear reflective vests. In addition, they patrol the campus on foot and golf carts in an effort to provide an extra set of eyes and ears for the Police Department and report any activities that the Police need to respond to. Hours of operation vary but typically begin at dark and last through the early morning hours.
Call or text
662.325.2121
to request a Safe Walk escort.
As an added security measure, “Emergency Blue Light” non-dial, outdoor emergency telephones are located at strategic points throughout campus. The phones are easily identified by their distinctive blue lights that can be seen both day and night.
When the button is activated/pushed or the receiver is lifted, the caller is immediately placed in contact with MSUPD Dispatch Center. In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, the dispatcher will also know the caller’s precise location. These Emergency Blue Light phones are checked regularly by MSUPD personnel and are for emergency use only.
The MSU Police are committed to helping our students stay safe!
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HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS
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The Department of Health Promotion and Wellness understands health and well-being are essential for student success, engagement, and retention, which are all integral to the core business of the university. Education and awareness are cornerstones of prevention and recovery support. MSU has implemented various prevention measures to promote responsible decision-making, reduce the likelihood of harm, and support the creation of a healthier campus culture.
The transition to college life comes with all sorts of challenges, but we are here to create a culture of wellness for our students. Students can contact us at
662.325.2090
for upcoming events or if they need prevention and/or recovery support information.
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MSU's community is filled with a variety of students living on and off campus. Since this will be the first time many of our students will be living away from home, we want to encourage each student to make good decisions that will ensure academic success and enhance personal safety.
Severe weather occurs throughout the year in Mississippi. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to always be aware of changing weather conditions and take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
Maroon Alert
is the best way for faculty, staff, and students to stay informed and receive official university instructions during an emergency. Families who wish to stay up-to-date regarding campus emergencies can follow
@maroonalert
on Twitter or visit the MSU homepage for web banner updates.
To help campus prepare for weather alerts, severe weather warning sirens are tested at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. Siren tests are only conducted during good weather. If a test is not possible on the first Tuesday, it may be conducted on the second Tuesday.
What do students need to do if a tornado warning is issued?
- Move quickly to a room with few or no windows, preferably in the lower level of a building.
- Cover your head and wait for the tornado warning to pass.
- Do not attempt to drive during severe weather.
Students living off-campus should know where their safe zone is prior to a weather emergency.
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COLLEGIATE RECOVERY COMMUNITY
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MSU houses one of the most holistic and encompassing Collegiate Recovery Community’s (CRC) in the Southeast and the Nation. The CRC program supports students that are in recovery from alcohol, other drugs and process addictions. With the preventative measures on campus through our Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention team, our highest hope is that a student will never have to suffer the negative repercussions that come with a substance use disorder.
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The CRC at MSU hosts a wide array of events to normalize the recovering college experience - anonymous meetings, back to school socials, graduation celebrations, family weekends, sober tailgates, speaking events, de-stressor activities and life skills workshops.
No student should ever feel that they are alone. They can achieve recovery and academic success at Mississippi State. From our family to yours, know that it “takes a family” and that your student is never alone in their collegiate journey. If there is ever any way we can support your student please reach out to us at
662.325.3192
or visit our website for more information at
recovery.msstate.edu
.
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MSU Dining supports students who have food allergies by providing information and knowledge that is necessary for a student to make informed food choices at each dining location. The dining staff considers each individual student’s personal dietary needs to make every effort in providing helpful information to students with food allergies.
The goal of MSU Dining
is to provide students with the tools they need to be active in the management of their food allergy or food-related medical condition while eating on campus. Students needing to develop a plan that fits their dietary needs can contact MSU's Dining Registered Dietitian, Jill Hamilton. To set up an appointment, students should email
Pichardo-andrea@aramark.com
.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
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Join us
October 25 - 27, 2019
for a fun-filled weekend with your student as the MSU Foundation and Alumni Association partner with the Office of Parent and Family Services to host Fall Bulldog Family Weekend.
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The Honor Code Office and Parent and Family Services within the Dean of Students Office is partnering with Holmes Cultural Diversity Center. Check out what events are on this semester's calendar and encourage your student to attend.
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Students are invited to join MSU's Career Center for the Career Expo!
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When?
Tuesday, September 24
&
Wednesday, September 25
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Where?
Humphrey Coliseum
What Time?
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
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Graduation Details
We know it's early, but seniors need to be making plans now for December graduation. Students planning to graduate in December can begin applying
NOW and must apply by October 18
to avoid late fees.
Students planning to graduate in December will need to complete the following:
- Confirm with advisor that all degree requirements have been met. CAPP degree audit system is a guide for this, but we recommend consulting advisors to be sure.
- Log in to myState (Banner) and select “Apply for a degree.”
- Complete ALL steps of the application and select SUBMIT.
- Students will receive a confirmation number signifying the application was successfully submitted.
Other graduation notes:
- Students must have their account balance paid in full in order to graduate. This includes everything from tuition to parking and library fines.
- Students with an unpaid balance will not receive a diploma.
- Students who plan to walk in the December commencement ceremony must order caps and gowns through Barnes & Noble bookstore at gradsupply.com/msu.
- Students who have taken courses away from MSU at any time (summer courses at home, etc.) need to have all transfer transcripts sent to MSU. If a transcript containing a required course has not been received, a student may not be eligible to graduate.
- Invitations are not required for attendance. Family and friends are all welcome!
Visit the MSU Academic Calendar (posted above) for December commencement dates and times.
No applications will be accepted for fall graduation after December 5
.
**Students graduating in May will apply in the Spring semester.**
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ALUMNI DELEGATE TUITION DRAWING
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The Mississippi State University Alumni Delegates will hold its 13
th
Tuition Drawing in November to give one student the opportunity to win one academic semester of free
in-state tuition
. Students
returning for the spring 2020 semester are eligible to enter. The winner of the drawing will receive
one semester
at MSU paid in full. Purchase tickets today by visiting the
Alumni Association
.
Brittany Corder, President of Alumni Delegates, is thrilled to continue the drawing and provide a positive impact to the student whose lucky ticket is drawn. “We are so excited about this unique fundraiser here at MSU to support a student with a semester of tuition,” Corder said. “Our hope is that we will raise funds exceeding the cost of a semester of tuition and be able to use the proceeds to benefit programs and scholarships at Mississippi State.”
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MSU hosted Dawg Days the week of August 19. Click on the link below to visit the official MSU Facebook page to view photos of students getting involved.
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Make sure you mention
#MSStateFamily
when you make a post.
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Office of Parent and Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu
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