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Dearest Bulldog Families,

The final stretch! Support your students during this time with positive encouragement and compassion. (Or maybe even some homemade yummies.) Your student can expect their final grades to be posted by 10:00 a.m. on December 13. Remember, if your student has granted you access to the Parent Portal then you will be able to view the final grades, too.

If your student is a first-year student and their semester grades are lower than expected, please keep in mind that grades will often improve moving forward as students adjust to their new life away from home. (Sometimes the transition can be a little tough!) The Center for Student Success  is a great resource for assistance. Also, it's a good time to sit down with your student and discuss what went right, what went wrong, and what adjustments need to be made for the spring semester. Establishing new expectations is super important to your student's success.

As always, remember you can give us a ring if you need anything, even over the break. We leave a little later (December 22) and come back on January 3.

Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and Hail State!

Cat Walker and Becky Faulk
662.325.3611
IMPORTANT DATES
December 1
Classes end

Deadline to apply for December 2021 degree via myState
($50 fee plus $100 late fee)

December 2
Reading Day
(No mandatory class assignments,
requirements, meetings)

December 3
Final Examinations
(December 3, 6, 7, 8, 9)

December 10
Starkville Campus Commencement
(Details Below)

December 13
Final Grades Due

December 14 to January 12
Winter Session
(Classes will not meet December 22, 23, 24)
December 15
Last day to drop or add a course

January 1
Deadline for payment in full or enrollment payment plan. Class schedules subject to cancellation if full payment not made or not enrolled in payment plan.

January 5
Last day to drop a course with a "W" grade

January 13
Reading Day
(No mandatory class assignments,
requirements, meetings)

January 14
Final Examinations

January 18
Final Grades Due - Winter Session

Classes Begin - Spring Semester
COMMENCEMENT DETAILS
Mississippi State University is happy to announce details for the fall 2021 commencement ceremonies. We will be hosting two, in-person ceremonies on Friday, December 10, 2021 in the Humphrey Coliseum on the Starkville Campus.

As of now, facial coverings must be appropriately worn, over nose and mouth, during the entire ceremony (please bring your own). We are monitoring CDC data for Oktibbeha County COVID-19 transmission risk and may make changes to this requirement as appropriate.

For the safety and wellness of everyone in attendance, the following precautions will be taken and enforced during the ceremonies:

  • Security screening will take place upon entry and all bags are subject to search.
  • Please DO NOT bring personal items into the Coliseum. There will not be any storage areas available and anything left in seats will be thrown away.
  • Guest attendance will be limited to 8 guests per graduate and all guests must have tickets to enter (regardless of age). Ticket information can be found below.
  • Guest seating will be general admission and first-come, first-served. Social distancing is strongly encouraged but will not be enforced. Please DO NOT sit in the roped off sections behind the stage.
  • Graduates will be seated after check-in and an entrance processional will not be included in the ceremonies. However, graduates will still walk across the stage as they are announced and congratulated.
  • Graduates will receive a diploma cover as they cross the stage. Physical contact with anyone on stage is prohibited.
  • Once graduates are recognized by walking across the stage, they will not return to their seats. Instead, they will be guided to the photography area where they will take a professional photo before exiting the Coliseum. 
  • Guests are expected to begin leaving the Coliseum once their graduate exits the stage. Please do this quietly with respect to other graduates and guests. 
  • Re-entry into the Coliseum will not be permitted, and each ceremony should last roughly 1.5 hours total.
  • There will be no concessions available during the ceremonies. Guests may bring one clear water bottle into the Coliseum.
  • Custodial staff will sanitize the Coliseum before, during, and after each ceremony with special attention to restrooms, entry areas, and high-touch areas.
  • Please plan to remove all vehicles from the parking areas promptly after the morning ceremony to make space for guests attending the afternoon ceremony.
  • Any guests who are unable to attend may view a livestream of the ceremonies online at the Office of the Registrar.

Professional photography, Pro Pics, will be available at the commencement ceremonies to take portraits of graduates. Photos of the graduates with the President, as well as individual portraits, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremonies. There is no cost for students to have their photo taken and no obligation to purchase. In order to identify your photos and receive proofs, please visit MSU Photos to submit your information. Questions about these photo opportunities can be emailed to Pro USA. 

Ceremony schedule for December 2021:  

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 9:30 a.m.
College of Architecture, Art & Design
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Education
Academic Affairs

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 3:30 p.m.
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Business
Bagley College of Engineering
College of Forest Resources
College of Veterinary Medicine

Doors will open to the Coliseum one hour prior to each ceremony. Please give yourself plenty of time for travel, parking, and for the security screening that will be performed before entering the Coliseum.
MSU FOOD SECURITY NETWORK
The Mississippi State University Food Security Network (FSN) connects students in need to food resources within the community. Many Mississippi State students have significant financial needs and the Food Security Network on campus is working to further investigate this issue.

Here are a few ways your students can help support the MSU Food Security Network:

Donate 1-3 block meals through the Block by Block Program.
The Block by Block Program is a partnership between Aramark, the Dean of Students' Office, and Student Association. It serves to provide short-term assistance by allocating meals to students in need. Any student with a valid meal plan can donate 1-3 block meals per semester to this program. 

As a reminder, block meals do not roll over from semester to semester. Students with remaining block meals can help a student (or students) in need by contributing to the Block by Block Program.

Donate to Bully’s Pantry.
Bully's Pantry is a collaborative effort between the university’s Division of Student Affairs and the Student Association. As part of the MSU Food Security Network, Bully's Pantry provides nutritious food, toiletries, school supplies, and other necessary items to current MSU students free of charge.

As your students start packing up to return home for winter break, please remind them to consider donating their non-perishable, unused goods to Bully's Pantry. Don't waste, donate!
FINAL EXAMS
Final exams are right around the corner. The end of the semester can be a stressful time for your student as they prepare to showcase all that they have learned this semester. Help your student stay on top of their studying and exam schedule.
 
To find out more about final exams at Mississippi State University and to learn how best to support your student, visit the following helpful websites:
 
1. Policies (Mississippi State University Policy and Procedures)
2. Schedules (Office of the University Registrar)
3. Final Exam Student Study Break (MSU Alumni Association)

Students are encouraged to view their course syllabus against the exam schedule and reach out to their instructor/professor with any questions they may have about their schedule for exams. (Triple check exam times!)
MSU WINTER EXPRESS
Winter Express is a great way for students to get a head start on the spring semester, finish core course requirements, take classes within majors or pick up extra credits to accelerate graduation. They also can explore new subject areas, concentrate on difficult courses and benefit from smaller classes taught by MSU’s world-class faculty.

Winter Session will begin December 14 and conclude January 14. The condensed, five-week semester allows students to earn up to six hours of course credits.
Classes will not meet on the holidays, weekends, or Dec. 22-24.

Students can learn more about this program, the courses offered, tuition expenses, financial aid, and more by visiting MSU Winter Express today.
CAREER READINESS AND SUCCESS
College, graduation, and job searching can all seem overwhelming and far away when your student is just starting college. Student’s Career Readiness and Success can move along in a linear path but often times takes many twists and turns. The 4–D Road map to Career Readiness is designed to help keep students on the road to success throughout the twists and turns. The Career Center team is ready and excited to meet your student where they are and help them along their path.

Information sessions, on-campus interviews, and career focused events are all opportunities for your student, regardless of their major, to engage with employers on campus. The information sessions and on-campus interviews occur throughout each semester. Remind your student to log into Connections and watch for details about these opportunities.
MSU Career Center | career.msstate.edu | 300 Montgomery Hall | 662.325.3344
WINTER HOUSING
Winter housing applications are now available for students who plan to spend the winter holiday break at MSU. Applications for winter break housing will close on . Winter housing is only available to current fall residents who will remain living on campus for the following spring semester.

To apply, students will need to visit their Housing Portal. The rate for winter housing is $1,000 and will be charged to any student staying after December 11. Costs will not be pro-rated under any circumstances. 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
November Issue of our e-Newsletter
In our November e-Newsletter, we provided information on various topics that included:

  • Diversity at MSU
  • Message from a Bulldog
  • Ultimate guide to studying from the Princeton Review

If you would like to view the November e-Newsletter, please visit Get Connected.
Conversation Starters
Take time this month to ask your students the following questions:

  1. What are your plans during this winter break?
  2. What plans do you have moving forward to have a successful spring semester?
  3. How would you define success? (Respond with your answer as well.)
  4. How can I (or your family) help support you this upcoming semester?
Final Grades
Final grades are due by 10 a.m. on December 13. As a reminder, the Parent Portal should update within 24 hours of the posting date. Students will receive a more real-time update in their student Banner page. Students can select "view class schedule and grades" on the myBanner for Students page to view the status of their final grades.

Should you need to have your password reset for the Parent Portal or need assistance receiving access, please visit the Office of Parent and Family Services and follow the steps provided.
Student Account Reminders
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 on our website at www.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 December 15th billing statement will have a due date of January 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 payment plan.

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

For questions concerning financial aid call 662.325.2450 between 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday or email financialaid@msstate.edu.
Scholarship Reminders
Students with scholarships are encouraged to review the guidelines to maintain their awards by logging into their MSU Scholarship Portal. As a reminder, the overall GPA  may be defined as an  average  of all  cumulative GPA's  a student has secured in all  semesters  and all the courses in an academic term.
Money Matter$
As a reminder, October 1, the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available to complete. Students can complete the FAFSA online. The FAFSA will ask for income data from the 2019 tax year. Some federal aid has limited funding. Therefore, to receive maximum consideration for all aid types we encourage your student to complete the FAFSA today.
1098-T Form
Form 1098-T is an information tax document to aid taxpayers in determining whether they are eligible to claim a tax deduction or one of the education tax credits. The IRS requires the University to issue Form 1098-T to each student by January 31.

Forms are mailed to the student’s address on file. Students may also access this information using their  myState  portal account. After logging into the portal, go to the Account Information menu, select Tax Relief Act Information, and enter the appropriate year. To access this form electronically, please visit ECSI.
Letter of Good Standing
Students enrolled in a university may need to provide proof of their academic standing. The letter of good standing is an official document prepared and signed by the university a student is enrolled in confirming the academic standing of a student's performance within each semester.

Students may obtain a letter of good standing information by logging into their myState account, clicking on the “Banner” tab, and selecting Letter of Good Standing under the “Enrollment Verification” tab. This information is available to students on all campuses, as well as all off-campus students at any time. If you have access to the Parent Portal, you are also able to obtain this document under the General Information tab.
Mississippi State University (MSU) has launched a new online networking and mentorship platform which will harness the full power and potential of the Mississippi State alumni network and put it at the fingertips of all MSU Bulldogs. Join us and be part of this global Bulldog Network Mentoring Program that offers a digital space to forge meaningful, personal and professional connections.
 
When you join the Bulldog Network Mentoring Program, you will be able to:

  • Connect and network with other Bulldogs
  • Flash mentor with students and alumni
  • Participate in a formal mentoring program to support MSU students and student success
  • Access exclusive professional development resources and discussion forums
  • Post and refer job opportunities to other Bulldogs

Registration is quick and easy! Once signed up, you can network with fellow alumni in the larger community while waiting to be paired with a student in the mentoring program.
 
This program will run in the Fall 2021 academic semester. Mentors and mentees will be required to meet 6 times over the course of the semester. Each meeting will have specific topics, and we'll guide you along the way! 
 
Thank you for your consideration to serve in this meaningful role as a mentor to support MSU students. Learn more about the program.
MAROON FAMILY ALLIANCE
Would you like to make an impact on your student's Mississippi State experience and represent Bulldog Families just like you?

We would like to personally invite you to become an inaugural member of our Maroon Family Alliance. The Maroon Family Alliance will financially support programs and events that enhance your student's experience and our campus community as a whole.
 
The Maroon Family Alliance will meet on a Friday afternoon in both the fall and spring semesters. During these meetings, members will tour some of Mississippi State’s top facilities, learn about innovative programs, hear from dynamic faculty and administrators. Most importantly, members will decide as a group how Maroon Family Alliance funds will be used to strengthen Mississippi State University and its Division of Student Affairs. It is a special way for parents and families to become connected with key University members and other Bulldog families.

You can be a part of the Maroon Family Alliance by following the “JOIN NOW” link below to make your annual contribution of $2,500. You may also call Jana Berkery, Director of Development, at 662.325.9129 to make your contribution by phone.
Visit MFA.MSSTATE.EDU for more information and we look forward to working with the new Mississippi State Maroon Family Alliance!
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