Students and Parents

What you need to know

• While the spring semester will start Jan. 11, the state's extension and broadening of its COVID-19 public health order mean MSU will not resume classes until Jan. 19. All classes will begin online, and in-person instruction begins Jan. 25.
• The undergraduate semester begins Jan. 11 with a “Reading, Reviewing and Reflection” period that does not include any online or in-person class instruction. Faculty are being asked to provide students with syllabi and course schedules to allow students to have this week to prepare for the semester. Students do not need to be on or near campus for that week. 
• Graduate and professional programs continue to have different academic calendars. Those students will hear from their deans and leaders about start dates and class schedules.
• For the spring semester, students living on campus or coming to campus at any point must sign up for mandatory testing via the Early Detection Program by Jan. 11 and must verify they have received a flu vaccine (with some exceptions) before arriving on campus. 
• Additionally, all students returning to the East Lansing area are asked to quarantine for 10-14 days upon arriving.
• Students living in residence halls will start moving in Jan. 15. There are some exceptions to this, and RHS will communicate with students about their exact move-in date to stagger students’ return and ensure appropriate physical distancing during the move-in period. A Move-In 2021 Guide has been created by RHS.
• Spring break is canceled to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus, but the spring calendar does include four midweek days without classes: March 2-3 and April 22-23.
• Students are expected to fully cooperate with the contract tracing process. It is important that you pick up the phone when you see a number from a 517 area code — it might be the Ingham County Health Department or Office of the University Physician contacting you. 
• All students must fill out the health screening form before coming to campus (students living on campus must fill it out daily as well). Additionally, MSU is strongly recommending all students living off campus in the surrounding communities also complete the health screening form every day, even if they will not be on campus that day. 
• Face coverings must be worn by everyone indoors and outdoors while you are on property owned or governed by MSU and while participating in MSU-related or MSU-sponsored activities.
• MSU has posted an FAQ for students and parents on key financial aid concerns.