Please Read

Mississippi State University Office of Parent and Family Services
provides the ONLY official parent/family communications.
 
If you have any questions regarding any Mississippi State University events, programs, policies, or developments, please contact Cat Walker, Director of Parent and Family Services, which is part of the university’s Division of Student Affairs.
 
MSU’s Office of Parent and Family Services official website is family.msstate.edu.
 
@MSStateFamily is our official handle for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dearest Friends,

We are counting down the days!

First things first, please follow us on social media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @MSStateFamily. Social media is a great way to stay up on all the happenings. (Please don't forget to tag us in your posts. #MSStateFamily)

We will work hard to keep y'all in the loop because we want you to feel like a part of your student's college experience. Most days YOU will be MSU's greatest link to our students. So please, help us help you help your student and know that we are here to partner with you every step of the way.

Yesterday a new website at msstate.edu/covid19 (link below) was launched, providing the latest information from Mississippi State related to COVID-19. New features include an updated Comprehensive Health & Safety Return Plan, Campus Testing Data, Instructional Resource Guide for faculty, Cowbell Well information, and new FAQ's for students and employees. Please take some time to peruse through this with your student and bookmark it for future updates.

You may have questions or concerns throughout the year. Life happens to all of us! When you or your student are in doubt, REACH OUT. We are here for y'all and want to make certain each of you has a great and successful experience as an MSU Bulldog. (Yes, new families, you are now an official MSU Bulldog, too.)

As we continue to navigate into this very different fall semester, please know that we are here for you and your student. We will provide you with information as it becomes available. And as always, reach out if you have any questions. We will do our best to help! If it can’t wait until the next business day, you can always call or text me (Cat) on my cell. 662.418.2441

Hail State, y'all!

Dr. Cat Walker & Becky Faulk
Office of Parent & Family Services
662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu

Please Note: This e-newsletter is being sent to new Bulldog families and current Bulldog families. While we understand our current families may have a grasp on much of this information, we hope you find a refresher helpful as we move into a new academic year.
August 15 - 30
Dawg Days
A full schedule of events can be found at dawgdays.msstate.edu.
Students are required to RSVP on Cowbell Connect.

August 17
Classes begin

August 21
Last day to drop a course without a grade (5th class day) 11:59 p.m.

August 24 to October 23
Apply online via myState for December 2020 degree - $50 fee

Last day to register or add a course (6th class day) 8:00 a.m. 

August 24
Last day to request undergraduate academic forgiveness via myState 5:00 p.m.

August 27
Fall Convocation

September 7
Labor Day Holiday - no classes scheduled
Classes begin August 17 and our semester will end November 16 with final exams scheduled from November 18 to 24. We’ll celebrate commencement on Wednesday, November 25. There will be no fall break this semester.
Freshman and Transfer Checklists
We believe that it's important to take some time before classes start to sit down with your student and discuss the upcoming semester. To help start the conversation, we've put together a checklist to help you both navigate through important topics. This will also provide helpful reminders.

Parent and Family Handbook
We want to keep you up-to-date with campus resources, contact information, and other important information so our office works hard with many of the departments on campus to put together this resource for you.

Click the link below to view our Bulldog Checklist for freshmen and transfer students and peruse through our latest edition of the Parent and Family Handbook on our family website.
MVNU2MSU communications for a date and time slot confirmations are out! Students should check their MSU email. Also, if your student requires changes to their scheduled move-in date/time, contact Housing and Residence Life at housing@saffairs.msstate.edu. 

Tips for making MVNU2MSU a smooth process:
  • Download the "Guidebook" app through the App Store or Google Play and search "MVNU2MSU."
  • Ensure you nor your move-in party have not been exposed to or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
  • You have paid or enrolled in a payment plan for your fall student account expenses.
  • Only have up to 4 people in your move-in party (includes the student) and no more than 2 vehicles per student.
  • Have your MSU ID card or at least a picture ID with you to confirm your identity.
  • Bring all your needs in one driving trip from your primary residence. Go shopping for supplies after traditional business hours during move-in days.

Please note - The Housing staff will not be able to accommodate after-hours check-ins. Please contact their office to work with you on a move-in plan for the next move-in or business day.

Everyone (students, family members, etc.) participating with move-in must:
  • Wear a facial covering. A facial covering must be worn throughout the entirety of the move-in process.
  • Participate in and pass the health screening questions.
  1. What is your temperature?
  2. Have you been tested for COVID-19?
  3. Have you been exposed to or spent time with anyone who has been tested, or feels that they should be tested for COVID-19?
  4. Any known or suspected exposure?
  5. Symptom/s verification: Fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, eye redness, skin rash, body aches/chills, shortness of breath, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

You should not come to campus if the student or anyone coming with the student to assist with move-in if you have:
  • Been diagnosed with COVID-19 or had a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Move-in can be rescheduled to a later date.
  • Symptoms. Move-in can be rescheduled to a later date.

When your student needs assistance in their residence halls, who should he/she contact?
Students experiencing issues in their resident hall should always contact their Resident Advisor (RA) first. The RA lives on their floor and can help them with a variety of issues. If their RA is not available, students can go to the front desk and speak with the Information Assistant (IA). The IA will contact the Residence Director (RD) or Community Director (CD) on duty. Following the appropriate channels will result in a quick resolution to most issues.

Fix-It Ticket
When students need maintenance attention in their room, they should always submit a Fix-It Ticket. This lets our Housing Facilities team know that attention is needed in that student’s room and gives us a system to track the progress of the maintenance request.

To submit a fix-it ticket online students will:

  • log on to the Housing Portal at my.housing.msstate.edu
  • select “Fix It” from the black menu bar at the top of the page
  • select “New Job”
  • complete the form and submit it.

Once submitted, students can track the progress of their maintenance request by contacting Housing Facilities by calling 662.325.2190 or by emailing hfacwo@saffairs.msstate.edu.
The best way to stay informed about the services provided by Student Counseling Services (SCS) is to visit counseling.msstate.edu.

For the fall students will need to request services via the link for Doxy found on the above web site where they will remain in a virtual waiting area until they can complete an initial assessment with the next available clinician. They will be assigned a time to meet either virtually or in person from the assessment depending on the needs of the student.
 
Virtual Workshops afford students the opportunity to learn new or improve existing self-care skills. As we all adjust recent changes in the world, Coping with Covid and Transitioning to Online Learning has been added to popular existing workshops like Changing Unhelpful Thoughts, Relationships 101, and The ABZzzzzzzs of Sleep. (More information will be coming out on this soon!)
 
Let’s Talk is not counseling but it does allow an informal meeting with an SCS clinician. The SCS clinician(s) were initially in 3 common areas on campus each week and students could walk-in to these spaces for a 15-20-minute informal consultation (time dependent on students waiting). The reason for Let’s Talk, which was introduced at Cornell University in 2008, is to provide a counseling outreach service to reduce the stigma and increase the access to collegiate counseling centers. Statistically, the rate of mental health concerns for college students is high and while college counseling centers serve a large sample of these populations there are still students who may never enter the SCS office to receive services. Additionally, marginalized student populations are more likely to attend a Let’s Talk session as opposed to walking in at SCS, hence our only location for Let’s Talk is at the Holmes Cultural Diversity center one to two days a week.
 
Recently, to respond to the racial injustices and recent publicized killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, SCS has formed Let’s Talk: Black Mental Health edition. Let’s Talk: BMHe is for Black, African-American, or students of African descent and follows the same concept as Let’s Talk. Due to the current national climate, we felt it was necessary for our student population to have a safe space to voice feelings associated with these stressors. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Let’s Talk and Let’s Talk: BMHe are conducted via a HIPAA compliant platform (doxy.me), this will also be used for other services offered at SCS in an effort to maintain the health and safety of our students.  
What should you do if your student calls or texts you one day in a panic about something that happened with a class assignment, instructor, roommate, or life in general? Before jumping in to fix it, take a deep breath and try to follow these guidelines:

  1. Listen. And then listen some more.
  2. Ask questions. Who at MSU have you spoken to about this? What resources have you utilized? What can you do to resolve this issue? Etc.
  3. Discuss. After you've listened, discuss why your student is upset. Everyone gets upset; understanding why helps students rationalize the situation.
  4. Offer guidance. But, please, let your student do the heavy lifting to muddle through it.

Honestly, most of the time your student simply wants to vent a bit and be heard. Think about the tools you are helping them develop for their toolboxes by letting them figure it out. Priceless. These tools will benefit your student for life, both professionally and personally.

College is a different Bulldog (pun intended) from high school. Students are expected to make decisions about their academic path, social life, personal well-being, and classroom outcomes. Decision making skills aren't just college-based skills that will end once they've graduated; they are transferable skills that will help them throughout life. Try not to be their google. (And try to remember this advice. We know firsthand how tough it is to not jump in and take control, trust us.) Don't worry, they will figure it out.
College is completely different from high school and community college. It may take a bit of time to figure out all the new pieces. Rest assured, parents and families still play an important role in the future of their student's academic success...it just looks a bit different.

For example, students will go to bed on their own time. They will eat at odd hours throughout the day. More likely than not, they will procrastinate, and some may even put in just enough effort to get by. Phone calls home may not be frequent, text messages may go unanswered, and visits home may not be often. These are just some of the changes you may notice.

While many students start the semester off knowing by the end of the academic year, they must have a specific GPA in order to keep their scholarships, financial aid, or external funding, help students understand what is expected of them by discussing:

  1. What type of student do you expect them to be academically and personally? Do you expect perfect attendance and a 4.0 (and is this realistic?)
  2. How often do you expect calls home, text message responses, and visits home? College is a full-time job for students; availability may be limited.
  3. How to be resourceful! The internet has so much information today that students can literally Google anything and find an answer. Remind students to utilize their resources (not just the internet, but people!) before panicking. Make every effort to not be their google. (See above, FIO.)
  4. In case of an emergency, can your student get in touch with you? Do they know your contact information should they lose, misplace, or become separated from their cell phone?
  5. Consequences - What happens if your student gets a parking ticket, misses 3 or more classes, doesn't get involved/engaged, etc.? Be sure to set expectations.
Students may start the academic year off with high expectations (along with their family's expectations.) When the first sign of defeat occurs, students may begin to experience a range of emotions that can sometimes feel unfamiliar. Anxiety, lack of appetite, sickness, sleepless nights, and disassociation are just a few common issues students face when their goals or their family's goals (academically and/or personally) are not met.

Remember, college is transitional. Students have left the safety and comfort of home and are trying to figure out what they want to do in life, which academic path to pursue, and what interests them the most. Trying new things will likely come with a few bumps.

How can you help your student prepare for ups and downs? H.E.L.P.
  • Help shape their perception. Students need to understand that experiencing perceived failures are a part of the learning experience.
  • Expect bumps. Have a game plan! Discuss steps your student should take immediately following a bump in the road.
  • Learn to process the good and the bad. Focus on strengths to help you and your student discuss weaknesses.
  • Praise them, too. Students need to know what they've done successfully.

In the words of Albert Einstein, " Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
Social media is likely a big part of your student's existence. Posting a range of personal information comes with pros and cons. Start having conversations with your student about social media and how he/she can make smart, discretionary posts. Not only will it help your student become aware of the potential implications of a social media footprint, it may help keep your student safe.

It's also important to remember, a simple photo or post that seems funny at the time, might not be so funny when a future prospective employer is checking you out online. Many articles have been written about employers actively using social media to evaluate a potential job candidate. Help your student understand the value of pondering their post before they hit enter. Being respectful and responsible on the internet has long-term benefits.
"Secrets to College Success"
  • Be active in class - either in person or virtually!
  • Ask for help
  • Study
  • Practice time management
  • Start strong!

Remind students of these 4 very basic items regularly. This simple strategy will guide all students on the path to success at MSU.

Services Offered:
  • Freshman Year Navigators - Every freshman on our campus has a navigator that reaches out to them on a weekly basis through email, text, phone calls and one-on-one meeting, offering help and assistance with any issue a student may have. Remind your freshman, "Have you talked to/asked your navigator?"
  • FYE & LSK Classes - Several hundred freshmen will be placed automatically in this course to ensure they get a good head start here at MSU. These 1-hour courses teach items from study skills to finding your fit on our campus.

Tips to help your student succeed in the classroom:
  • Get to class ON TIME (be sure to scan in if your class has a scanner or log on before the lecture begins).
  • Bring materials to take notes, and actually take them! If your class is virtual, that means making sure you have your notebook, textbook, and any writing materials you may need while you’re at your computer.
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help. Students should reach out to faculty if they need extra help in a class. This is done easily through email. Don't be scared!
  • Use your resources. Whether you need tutoring from The Learning Center, help from the Math Domain, or tips from the Writing Center, we offer plenty of resources to help students academically.

Students should attend all SI courses on their class schedule.
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a free academic program designed to help students succeed in historically difficult courses. This semester we are offering courses in person and online. The goal of SI is to help students integrate course content and study skills while working together. Be sure your student knows what time their SI class meets by visiting The Learning Center today.
The Mississippi State University Library is available to assist students online and at any one of our facilities. The Mitchell Memorial Library will provide approximately 540 seats, appropriately distanced, to allow students a place for research and study. 

Located throughout the library are individual study rooms, available on a first-come-first-serve basis. A small number of other spaces may be reserved for scheduled use.

To facilitate access to online courses, the library provides an open computer lab and will, for the first time this fall, open two additional computer labs for students to use on the first floor. Students will need to provide their own microphone and/or headphones. 

Other unique spaces are newly available, including the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center’s AV Studio. This space may be reserved and allows users to easily record audio or video presentations. For more information, please visit the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center. 

In addition to the Mitchell Memorial Library, the MSU Libraries maintains a number of other branch libraries and locations. For example, the Old Main Academic Center includes 14 reservable group study rooms with screens and laptop connections. A complete list of additional libraries and centers are available here by visiting the Mitchell Memorial Library.  
MSU can help your student get around campus and the Starkville community (including the Golden Triangle Regional Airport) on the Starkville MSU Area Rapid Transit, better known as SMART.

SMART is absolutely FREE! To view and track all of the routes and stops, students can download the DoubleMap app on their smartphone or computer. Students can also text their Stop ID to 662.268.5180 to request an ETA. Visit smart.msstate.edu for more information.

Parking Tips - Help your student avoid a citation.

  1. All vehicles parking on campus must have a valid permit.
  2. Students living on campus should not have to move their vehicle in order to get to class. Each residence zone has a SMART bus stop that can help get students closer to the core of campus for classes. Encourage your student to walk to class and enjoy our beautiful campus!
  3. Students with a valid MSU permit should always park in their designated parking zone. If your student's zone becomes full at any time, students should park in the available North and South zones shown on MSU's parking map.
  4. Before parking in ADA-accessible spaces, students must register their state-issued placard or plate with MSU Parking and Transit Services. In the event a disability-related accommodation is needed to obtain access to another zone, please contact the Director of Parking and Transit Services at 662.325.1827 or by email at jpd1@msstate.edu. Requests for parking accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the nature of an individual’s impairment and the availability of suitable parking spaces.
  5. Regardless of the time of day, parking in spaces designated as Exclusive Service, Service Parking, Reserved, or Handicap is never allowed. 

Operating Guidelines
  1. All buses will be operating at 50% capacity.
  2. Larger buses with two doors will load and unload at different doors in an effort to maximize social distancing.
  3. All bus occupants must wear a mask. Those who are sick should not enter the bus.
  4. Buses will be cleaned twice a day.
  5. Due to capacity limitations, riders on high-demand routes should plan their travel times accordingly.

Students and parents should visit Parking Services for up-to-date information and links to parking's social media.
Join us  October 23-25  for a weekend with your student as the MSU Alumni Association and Foundation joins the Office of Parent and Family Services to host our Fall Bulldog Family Weekend. Register today by clicking the button below.
Enrollment Verification
Are you needing to submit documentation to an employer, insurance agent, or tax assessor to verify your student's enrollment status at MSU? You can print off your student's enrollment verification form by logging into the Parent Portal, selecting your student's name, and clicking the "General Information" tab.

Post Office
All students residing on campus are strongly encouraged to reserve a United States Postal Service (USPS) box to receive mail and packages sent via the carrier. Students may complete an application online or in person at MSU's USPS located in the Roberts Building (next to Steak n Shake) at 414 Lee Blvd. For instructions on how to send mail to your student visit MSU's Housing and Residence Life.

Longest Student Health Center (LSHC)
The LSHC Pharmacy is a complete outpatient pharmacy staffed by licensed pharmacists who fill prescriptions written by both LSHC medical staff and outside physicians. Over-the-counter items such as cold medications, pain relievers, first-aid products, etc. can also be purchased. 

2020-2021 Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan
For many years, the Student Association of Mississippi State University has sponsored an optional health insurance plan for students and dependents. Students with existing health insurance should have no need for this coverage. For more information visit the Longest Student Health Center site today.
MSU Dining has gone CASHLESS!

What this means for your student...
Faster Service: Eliminates cash related bottlenecks so guests can enjoy meals sooner.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Less time counting change means more time for guests and more time coaching and ensuring excellence within the MSU Dining team.

Safer Environment: No cash exchange means a safer environment for our MSU Dining staff and quests. Less contact overall.

Cash Exchange
Students can exchange their cash for a Flex Card in the MSU Dining Office located between Subway and Moe's Southwest Grill.

A message from MSU Dining Services:
"Mississippi State University Dining Services’ commitment to the safety and health of our students and faculty and staff, our associates, and the surrounding community we serve has never been more crucial. We will continue our efforts to achieve the highest levels of workplace and food safety as we navigate our new normal in delivering experiences that enrich and nourish lives. The details of our robust re-open strategy are outlined in this guide."
We are in constant consultation with medical experts as we continue to plan for the fall semester. Recently we had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Thomas Dobbs from the MS Department of Health, and Dr. Allen Sills, an MSU alum who is the Chief Medical Officer for the National Football League. 

A few take-aways from those conversations:

  • We must view this through the lens of a long-term strategy, not just for the fall. The statement that struck me the most is that we must learn how to co-exist with COVID-19. Hoping for a vaccine is not a plan, it’s a wish. This can markedly change our thought process and strategy if we are thinking beyond just the start of the fall semester.

  • We should be focused on risk mitigation, not risk elimination. For all the reasons mentioned in last week’s message, it is very important for our students to have a combination of a safe and healthy environment, but in the context of an on-campus experience.

  • We should strongly encourage our incoming students to self-quarantine for two weeks prior to coming to Starkville and campus. This can greatly reduce the number of infected individuals who bring the virus to campus initially. As a result of this recommendation, Regina Hyatt sent the following message out to all students late last week.

Importantly, for all students who plan to return to campus this fall, we are asking you to self-quarantine at your home for the 2 weeks immediately prior to your move to campus and/or Starkville. This recommendation comes from our Mississippi Department of Health Director, Dr. Thomas Dobbs. If you will self-quarantine for this period, it will greatly reduce the possibility of your being infected with COVID-19 and therefore, reduce the possibility of your spreading it to your fellow students. We understand this is a big request but ask that you please do this to help ensure our ability to have a safe return to campus.

By far the most important efforts we should promote:

  • Sick people need to stay home! This points to why we are doing daily screens and making sure that students know that it is ok to miss class and watch online when they have any symptoms at all. For the foreseeable future, we must assume precaution for any COVID-19 symptom and self-quarantine if anyone, employee, or student, experiences any one of the symptoms.

  • Face coverings are critical. We now have clear medical evidence of the importance of face coverings and will be emphasizing them as strongly as possible.

  • Ventilation is important. As a result, we have revisited all ventilation systems to maximize airflow, ensure filtering systems are working at their best, and installing UV light sterilization systems in as many of them as possible.

  • Dr. Dobbs suggested we think about a 2 week online-only/self-isolation in response to a COVID outbreak on campus versus moving completely online for the rest of the semester.

Our entire team is tirelessly gathering information so that we can make the best plans possible for the fall and beyond. We appreciate the countless hours so many of our faculty and staff are spending in ensuring the safest return possible for our students.
Stay Healthy and Hail State!

David R. Shaw, Provost and Executive Vice President
Your safety and your student's safety and well-being are of upmost importance! As the MSU community comes together for a fall semester that will be unlike others in the past, we are asking everyone to practice healthy behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We have identified 7 Cowbell Well practices we expect all our students (and visitors) to participate in:

Wear a face covering. This is always required inside campus buildings and outside whenever you are not physically distanced.

Complete a daily self-screening. Instructions will soon be provided about our new app, Everbridge SAFETY CONNECTION. This app will facilitate daily self-screening and contact tracing. (Visit msstate.edu/cowbellwell for more details.)

Observe physical distancing. Staying 6 feet apart, even with your mask on, is a good practice. Without a mask, a minimum of 6 feet is required. Avoid large gatherings.

Wash your hands often. The Hail State Fight Song works well to sing as you are washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Use of hand sanitizer is a good substitute. 

Stay home if you feel sick. It is very, very important that you stay in your room/apartment/home if you have any COVID-19 related symptoms. Monitor your symptoms and if they continue, contact the Longest Student Health Center.

Practice self-care. This is a difficult time for many reasons. We understand the regular pressure that comes from being a student along with the added stressors of COVID-19, ongoing concerns around racial injustice, and the expectations for keeping yourself and others safe. Exercise, eat healthy, talk to your friends & family, and use our many campus resources.

Sanitize surfaces. When you enter class, grab a sanitizing wipe, and wipe down your desk and surrounding area. In your residence hall, regularly clean surfaces you and your roommate touch frequently. 
The fall class schedules have been updated to reflect the adjustments made to the method of delivery.

When viewing the schedules, please look at the delivery method column for one of the following codes:

  • F - Face to Face
  • O - Online with no set meeting days/times
  • Q - Hyflex
  • Z - Synchronous online with set meeting days/times

Also, in order to provide enough time for travel between classes in the fall, the time between classes has been expanded to 20 minutes. Schedules should now reflect these new times. Students are encouraged to view their schedule for possible conflicts and work with their advisor to make any necessary adjustments.

If your student has questions or needs assistance, contact registrar@registrar.msstate.edu.
All faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to wear face coverings. Acceptable face coverings include surgical masks, N95 masks, cloth masks, or face shields and are required inside campus buildings when physical distancing (6 feet or more) cannot be achieved. Face coverings must be worn in classrooms, labs, and shared office spaces regardless of physical distancing.
Funding is available to subsidize the rental of books or the purchase of needed technology. Requests for assistance will be made available beginning August 10 via a webform entitled "Book Voucher Request" at students.msstate.edu.

For any other requests related to COVID-19, please email tsl57@msstate.edu along with documentation of your need(s).

Regretfully, we do not have funding available to assist with lost wages, rent, or tuition costs.
  • Remind students to check their MSU Student Email - Microsoft O365 daily.

  • MSU QuikPAY and the MSU Parent Portal are two different systems, requiring two different logins. 

  • Students can walk to any academic building on campus in less than 10 minutes. Another option is our free shuttle system. Students should not expect to get a parking spot in front of class. This will cause unnecessary stress and likely result in a parking ticket. Students will want to keep their vehicles parked and enjoy our beautiful campus!

  • Don't fall for "There is nothing to eat on campus and I need money to go out to eat." With over twenty options, there is something for everyone. Check out MSU Dining to learn more. (A budget will help.)

  • It's not too late to set (realistic) expectations for the 2020/21 academic year. Students tend to rise to (and exceed!) expectations. Having these important conversations may save y'all from scrambling at the end of a semester. We love a good if/then statement. i.e. If you get a parking ticket, then you will pay for it. 

Check out our student checklist at family.msstate.edu for some conversation starters.
While succeeding academically is probably your student's main goal, encourage your student to seek out opportunities to get involved, too. Not only are college years about learning academically, they also consist of learning experiences outside the classroom. 

What will differentiate your graduate from another graduate with the same degree? We want students to leave MSU with the proper tools, prepared for a diverse, complex world.

Getting involved in student organizations, campus programs, or even taking time to attend a campus event, will help students discover new interests, rediscover old interests, find their social group, and connect with campus staff. Students who focus solely on their academics may find themselves under-performing academically and unhappy in their current environment. (Think old adage, you get out of life what you put into it.) Students who put in an effort to find "fit" tend to develop an affinity for the university and enjoy their time at MSU more, while successfully maintaining academics.

Help your student understand the importance of campus involvement and engagement by checking out the Student Organizations link and discussing ways to become a part of MSU.

Students can also download the CORQ app where they can discover amazing events and groups around campus from their mobile deice. In addition to being your student’s hub for getting involved, the Center for Student Activities is also home to the Student Association (SA), Music Maker Productions (MMP), Lyceum Series, Involvement Ambassadors, Dance Marathon (DM) and pageants. 
MSU Fall Primary Recruitment 2020 Update

Due to ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, the MSU Panhellenic Council Executive Board and 8 Panhellenic chapters have decided to implement a structured virtual model for Recruitment 2020. Per this plan, all Recruitment rounds will take place virtually which will include live conversations and prerecorded videos.

Move-in, Recruitment, and Bid Day dates have been slightly adjusted according to this updated structure (see below). We feel that this is the safest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community while simultaneously ensuring a positive Recruitment experience for all participants.

 More information will be emailed to students throughout August.

August 5
Virtual Parent Informational Session at 5 p.m.

August 11
On-campus t-shirt pick up at 5 p.m. followed by Virtual Student Orientation at 6 p.m.

August 12 (morning)
Virtual Go Greek Round at 8:30 a.m.
(Students will view pre-recorded videos from each chapter)

August 12 (afternoon) - August 13
Virtual Philanthropy Round (attended on Zoom)

August 14
Virtual Sisterhood Round (attended on Zoom)

August 15
Virtual Preference Round (attended on Zoom)

August 16
Bid Day
Students will receive a digital bid to their new organization and attend individual bid day celebrations in accordance with University Policy.

All new recruits should be receiving communications regarding the schedule and access to virtual sessions. If you have questions, please have your student reach out to her Gamma Chi or email Lindsey Jenkins, Director of Recruitment, at panrecruitment@saffairs.msstate.edu.
All students residing in on-campus residence halls are highly encouraged to obtain a P.O. Box to receive USPS mail. To obtain a P.O. Box, a student must complete an application (applications are available at the MSU Post Office) and turn it in to USPS staff. Two forms of identification are required to apply. Fees begin at $20, depending on the box size. Two keys are provided to each box holder. 

Please note:

  • Most online shopping is delivered by the Post Office and is dropped off by FedEx and UPS to the Post Office, so it is very important that your student has their own P.O. Box.

  • The MSU Post Office will also accept packages from UPS, FedEx and DHL addressed to a student’s P.O. Box. All packages are held at the Post Office until the student comes by to pick up.

Students without a P.O. Box are not guaranteed the delivery of their package(s) to their residence hall. Providers such as DSL, Fed Ex, or UPS do have national contracts with USPS. Often times these providers will have USPS deliver these packages on their behalf. With that being said, sometimes even if a package is from DSL, Fed Ex, or USP, it will be delivered to the Post Office (USPS) and the Post Office (USPS) will then become responsible for the delivery/pick-up of that package. It’s best for students to have a P.O. Box while on campus for this reason.
Make sure your student gives you access to BOTH QuikPAY® and Parent Portal.

QuikPAY®: View and pay your student's account. Learn how to get access by visiting MSU's Office of the Controller and Treasurer.

Parent Portal: View general information like available midterm grades, class schedules, and meal plan balances. Learn how to get access by visiting the Office of Parent and Family Services.

TIP: Bookmark the login pages to both portals and keep your login information in a safe spot that you can access easily (and remember).
MSU students are treated as adults and the university complies fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, typically referred to as F.E.R.P.A., which protects student records.

Students may view their grades by logging into their personal account via the campus intranet. While parents should encourage their student to share the grades, federal law makes records distribution illegal to any person other than the recipient. Although a student may access his or her own university records, with limited exception, the university will not disclose, without prior consent, record information to anyone, including parents.

However, students may authorize MSU to grant a parent or family member access to certain educational records through the University’s Parent Portal online system. Learn how you can get Parent Portal access by clicking the button below.
In an effort to foster responsible financial management and reduce student debt, we would like to remind you about important payment requirements related to student accounts.
 
Payment plans are available 
MSU is pleased to offer payment plans that will allow you to pay tuition, residence halls, meal plans and other expenses through monthly installments. Learn more at paymybill.msstate.edu.
 
Payment due dates are the 1st of each month.
Your monthly billing statement will be available around the 15th of each month, and the due date is the 1st of the following month. For example, a July 15 billing statement will have a due date of August 1st.

Bills must be paid before the semester begins or your student’s schedule will be subject to cancellation.
Before classes begin, you must pay the full balance on your student’s account (net of aid) or be enrolled in a payment plan. Otherwise, your student’s schedule will be subject to cancellation, and if they are living in campus housing, they will not be permitted to move into their residence hall.

PLEASE NOTE: If your account balance is displayed in (parentheses), it means you have a (credit balance), and MSU owes you a refund. A (credit balance) means you do not need to make a payment or enroll in a payment plan. Learn how refunds are issued by visiting Account Services.

For questions concerning billing statements or tuition and fees call Account Services at 662.325.2071 between 8:00 and 5:00 Monday through Friday or email studentaccounts@msstate.edu.

For questions concerning financial aid call us at 662.325.2450 between 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday or email financialaid@msstate.edu.
Accepting/Declining Offered Loans
Students who have been offered Federal Loans (Unsubsidized or Subsidized) can log into their myState to accept or decline the loan offers. Students will need to select Banner in the left drop-down menu, select myBanner for Students, and click the link labeled "Award Notification Letter/Supplemental Information Form."

FAFSA
Starting October 1, students can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov for the fall semester of the next school year. Students should apply and turn in any required documents as soon as possible to be sure their funds are ready by the beginning of the next academic year.

State Aid
Starting October 1 , Mississippi residents can apply for need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships at msfinancialaid.org for the following academic year. Students must apply each year and be enrolled in (and pass) 15 hours.

Other ways to pay for school
Students have the opportunity to be reviewed for additional scholarships after each spring semester. Students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, complete 12 or more hours each semester, and complete their general scholarship application in their myState portal. 

Locate scholarships outside of MSU with search engines like fastweb.com or the U.S. Department of Labor Career One Stop.

For additional loan options visit the Student Financial Aid website to get information on the federal Parent PLUS loan and compare private loan options. Students can look for an internship, co-op, or part-time job by visiting the MSU Career Center.

The GI Bill is available for Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Reservists. The Army or Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC) helps pay tuition and books while providing a monthly stipend. Contact the MSU Center for America’s Veterans for more details.

Students can have their out-of-state fees waived if you seek a degree not offered in your home state. Check here for details about the Academic Common Market.

Finish in Four
Finishing school in four years can save thousands in tuition, room, and board! Students can plan accordingly through their departmental academic advisor & the CAPP in their myState portal.
NOTE: We will continue to update you with more information as it becomes available during this extremely fluid situation and as every situation is reviewed.
Visit us on social media and at family.msstate.edu. Make sure you mention #MSStateFamily when you make a post.
Office of Parent and Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu