General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations

Michigan State University reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, and rates for fees, deposits, tuition, and housing. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.

Application Processing Fee

An application fee, not applicable to any other charge and not refundable, is required of everyone requesting admission as an undergraduate, graduate-professional, or graduate student. Payment must accompany the application which is submitted to the Office of Admissions. A person requesting admission as an undergraduate, graduate-professional, or graduate student who is financially unable to submit the application processing fee may request an application fee waiver.

All entering undergraduate students are required to pay a $250 Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED). Payment by the student confirms acceptance of admission,  reserves the student a place in both the entering class and a residence hall (if student chooses to live on-campus), and allows the student to register for a required Academic Orientation Program which fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. An admitted student who is financially unable to submit the AED may request a deferral.  The $250 AED is fully refunded to fall domestic freshman students who cancel their admission prior to May 1.  There is no refund for other semesters, transfer students or international students.

Each student is assessed charges each semester on the basis of the credit value (or credit value equivalent of zero credit hour carrier courses) of all courses carried and state residence. Charges will be assessed on a credit hour basis, except for graduate-professional student fees which are assessed on a semester basis and some graduate student fees which are assessed on a semester or program basis.

If there is any question of the student's right to an in-state classification, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Associate Registrar for Registration Services at least one month before enrolling.

As amended by the Board of Trustees in the 2012-13 Budget Guidelines. Amounts subject to change for future years.

On-Campus Course Fees and Tuition

Undergraduate¹

Graduate¹

Graduate-Professional¹

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Medicine Clinical Year 

Medical Student in College of Human or Osteopathic Medicine

Extended Curriculum Program, Medical Student in College of Human or Osteopathic Medicine

Dual Degree Medical Scientist Training Program Medical Student in College of Human or Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Student in College of Veterinary Medicine

Teacher Certification Internship Year

Online Programs

¹Course Fees and Tuition are charged on a per credit hour basis unless noted as semester or program basis.

Students pursuing Graduate Certification are assessed course fees of $597.25 per credit for Michigan residents and $765.50 for Out-of-State. Graduate Certification students are not assessed student taxes. All International students are assessed an International Student Registration Fee of $25.00 per semester.  

Undergraduate and graduate Lifelong Education students  are assessed course fees of $597.25 per credit for Michigan residents and $765.50 for Out-of-State. Lifelong Education students are not assessed student taxes. Certain lifelong-education online university courses may be assessed additional tuition fees of $50-150 per credit hour.

All doctoral students must register and pay for a minimum of 24 credits of doctoral dissertation research (course number 999).

All students using university services (faculty consultation included) must be registered each semester. Minimum registration consists of one course, one credit. 

Late Enrollment

Fall and Spring Semesters:

Summer Sessions:

Enrollment After the End of the Term of Instruction Initial Enrollment and Course Add Fees:

These fees do not apply to students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.

Late Registration Fees

Students who fail to return their payments or confirm their attendance (if no payment is required) by the registration bill due date will be assessed a late registration fee.  If your Minimum Amount Due (MAD) is $0.00, you must respond to the registration bill by confirming your attendance in STUINFO.  Failure to make payment by the due date will result in a $50 Late Registration Fee.  Failure to respond to a $0.00 MAD by confirming your attendance in STUINFO will result in a $25 Late Registration Fee.

Bad Check and Late Payment Charges (Includes rejected electronic checks, i.e. ACH)

The rates listed below are for the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 year. In addition, students living in undergraduate housing will be charged a Residence Halls Association tax of $25 per semester.  Students living in Owen Graduate Hall will be assessed a $5 Owen Graduate Association tax per semester, and students in University Apartments will be charged a University Apartments Council of Residents tax of $3 per semester.

Dining Service for 2013-2014 includes expanded serving hours of 7:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, in at least one location per residential zone (East, South, Brody, North, and River Trail). Choices include cooked-to-order stations, retail coffee shops, grab-n-go options, pizza and subs, as well as new selections reflecting emerging dining trends. Note: All plans include free daily access to a Combo-X-Change meal at any of the Sparty's, Union Pizzeria, Serrano's, Union Deli, or Riverwalk Market retail dining locations on campus.

    Silver Plan - Anytime access. This is the base plan.
    Gold Plan - Anytime access, four guest meal passes and $150 per semester in Spartan Cash.
    Platinum Plan - Anytime access, eight guest meal passes and $300 per semester in Spartan Cash.

Residence Halls — Room and Board (per semester)^{1, 2, 3}

*  Designated Single Room (add $1,336 per semester)
    Permanent Single Room (add $820 per semester)

Owen Graduate Hall (per semester)^1,2,5

University Apartments (monthly rates)^2,4,6

University Village Apartments (monthly rates)

 ¹    Although these rates are for each semester, the Housing Contract is signed for fall and spring. To determine costs for fall and spring, multiply the rate by two.
²    The Housing Contract details the contract termination procedure. Further appeals shall be subject to judicial review as provided in Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University.
³    Rates do not include resident student government taxes of $25 per semester for undergraduate students who live in residence halls. 
⁴    Quoted rates are student rates.
⁵    Rates include $300 Owen Dining Credit plus 75 residence hall access passes but do not include student government taxes of $5 per semester for students who live in the graduate hall.
⁶    Rates do not include $3 per semester for University Apartments Council of Residents tax. The University Apartments Council of  Residents tax for Summer session is $2.

For more information on living at MSU visit www.liveon.msu.edu. 

Field Trips

Certain courses require field trips. The costs must be paid by the participating students in addition to the usual course fees.

Administrative Fee for Sponsored International Students

Health Insurance Program

International students, and students in the Colleges of Human, Osteopathic, and Veterinary Medicine are required to purchase the Michigan State University health insurance plan unless they have other comparable insurance coverage. Health insurance coverage is provided from August 15 through August 14. Insurance premiums for student annual coverage are collected in two installments.

Student Motor Vehicle Registration^{2, 3}

Vehicles operated or parked on MSU property by MSU students must be registered with the MSU Parking Office. Failure to do so may result in parking violations and/or visit www.police.msu.edu  to register your vehicle and to view the Student Parking and Driving Regulations. Refer to the Web site for dates to register vehicles.

2012-2013 STUDENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES

Bicycle Registration

Any bicycle possessed, operated, or left unattended on campus must be registered, parked and locked at a bike rack and in operable condition; otherwise, it may be impounded and fees assessed to retrieve it. MSU, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Lansing Township and Meridian Township registrations (permits) are acceptable. Permits must be current, valid and adhered to the biike's stationary frame-post below the seat, facing the handlebars. Failure to properly display and/or affix the permit may result in bicycle impoundment. Visit www.police.msu.edu to register a bike (make, color and serial number must be included). There is no charge for the permit.

Campus Bus Service⁴

All campus bus service is provided by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) . CATA  bus service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to all University apartments, residence halls, commuter lots, and the main campus during fall and spring semesters.

All fares and passes (with the exception of the Commuter Lot Route pass) are good for all on and off-campus fixed route transit service
in the greater Lansing area with CATA.

Paratransit Service is curb-to-curb service designed for persons with disabilities. The CATA cash fare for this service is $2.50 per trip.
Discount fare cards are available for certified students through MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Passes are available online at www.cata.org. After August 10th, it is recommended students purchase a bus pass on campus at: select  Sparty Store locations in each neighborhood or DPPS. For more information, e-mail CATA at info@cata.org or call 1-517-394-1000.

Spartan Marching Band Fees

Student Activity Admission

Student discounts on tickets at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts:

MSU students are able, WHEN APPLICABLE, to purchase up to two $15.00 Performing Art Series and up to two $25.00 MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway tickets per valid ID.

Athletic Event Admission

Students who are assessed fees for 12 or more credits (6 or more credits for doctoral students) are eligible for:

• Student discounts on football, basketball, and/or hockey season tickets for themselves and their spouses.
•  Free admission to MSU Olympic Sports regular-season, non-championship home games when presenting a current MSU Student ID card.

 ¹    For additional information refer to Student Health Service at Olin Health Center  in this section and in the Other Departments and Offices for Research and Services section of this catalog.
²    Permits purchased subsequent to fall semester are reduced in price proportionately.
³    Freshmen residing in Residence Halls are not eligible to operate a motor vehicle on campus.
⁴    For additional information refer to the Transportation Services on Campus section of this catalog.

If a student withdraws from the university or drops a course, the refund policy will be:

1. For changes made through the first ¼ of the term of instruction (measured in weekdays, not class days), 100 percent of the semester course fees and tuition for the net credits dropped will be refunded.
2. For changes made after the first ¼ of the term of instruction and through the end of the session, no refund will be made for any credits dropped.  Any courses approved for late add will be billed in the next monthly bill.

When dropping a course, the date the notification from the department is received in the Office of the Registrar will determine the amount of refund applicable.

Appeals concerning the refund policy should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.

Net refunds due to a drop of credits or withdrawal from the university are processed daily and posted to students' accounts. Amounts due students will be applied against outstanding balances owed the University or returned to students. Questions regarding account balances should be referred to the Student Accounts Office, 140 Administration Building.

Dropping Credits

1. Students may be billed for a portion or all of their financial aid awards if they drop credits or do not carry the minimum number of credits required for aid eligibility.
2. The value of Federal Pell Grant, Michigan State University Student Aid Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Michigan Competitive Scholarship is determined each semester at the end of the 100 percent refund period (first ¼ of the term of instruction). Students will be billed for aid adjustments caused by the changes in enrollment status.

Withdrawal from the University

1. In addition to billing for the dropping of credits associated with withdrawal, there may be additional billing, particularly if a student has received federal financial aid funds (including Federal Stafford Loan), which were to have covered the entire semester educational costs. Refer to the next section for more detailed information on Title IV withdrawal refund rules.
       Withdrawal up until the end of the first quarter of the term of instruction will result in 100 percent billing of federal grant aid (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Pell Grant) and Michigan Competitive Scholarship and may also result in a partial or complete billing of loan aid (Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, and other financial aid).
2. The bill calculated as a result of withdrawal will depend on the official date of withdrawal and/or the last date of attendance and the percentage and amount of institutional refund to be received.
3. Withdrawal for any semester during the aid year may result in cancellation of a student's financial aid award for the remainder of the aid year. If a student wishes to reapply for funds for spring semester, a written request must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid within 30 days of withdrawing from the university.

Return of Funds Policy for Title IV Aid Recipients Who Withdraw

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998, as well as the program integrity regulations in 2010, set forth regulations governing the treatment of Title IV funds when a student withdraws from an institution.

There are three types of withdrawals that fall under the return to Title IV (R2T4) federal calculation regulations:

1. Official Withdrawals – student contacts the Registrar’s Office or their advisor to initiate an official withdrawal for a semester, or the student drops all of their courses using the online enrollment system.
2. Unofficial Withdrawals - If a student begins to attend class, receives federal Title IV aid, but then ceases to attend class without providing official notification to the University, the Federal Government considers this to be an "unofficial withdrawal". For Title IV purposes, the withdrawal date for students who unofficially withdraw is considered to be the midpoint of the semester unless a documented last date of attendance can be determined. However, if the University determines that a student did not provide official notice of the intent to withdraw due to illness, accident, grievous personal loss or other circumstances beyond the student’s control, the University may use a date that is related to that circumstance. The refund rules for Title IV aid recipients who withdraw are then followed to determine the unearned portion of Title IV aid that must be returned to the appropriate aid program(s).
3. Modular withdrawals – If a student is enrolled in a standard, term-based program offered in modules (subterms) and ceases attendance at any point prior to completing the payment period or period of enrollment, unless the school obtains written confirmation from the student at the time of the withdrawal that he or she will attend a module that begins later in the same payment period or period of enrollment, the student is considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes.  If written confirmation of future attendance is received from the student but the student does not return as scheduled, the student is considered to have withdrawn from the payment period or period of enrollment and the students withdrawal date and the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment would be the withdrawal date and total number of calendar days that would have applied if the student had not provided written confirmation of future attendance.

When a student is considered to have withdrawn, as described above, during an enrollment period in which they have begun attendance and received federal Title IV financial aid, Michigan State University is required to determine the amount of earned and unearned Title IV aid. A student is only eligible to retain the percentage of Title IV aid disbursed that is equal to the percentage of the enrollment period that was completed by the student (calculated daily). The unearned Title IV aid must then be returned to the appropriate federal aid program(s). If more than 60% of the enrollment period has been completed by the student, no Title IV aid needs to be returned.

According to university policy, when a student withdraws prior to the quarter of the semester and/or receives a 100% tuition refund from the university, all of that semesters federal Title IV grant aid (SEOG, Pell Grant, Federal Teach Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant) will be billed back to the students account. Most non-federal aid will also be billed back to the students account. All Title IV aid will be included in the calculations outlined below. Depending on the results of the calculations, some or all of the federal grant aid may be re-disbursed to the student account.

The following steps will be followed when determining the amount of Title IV aid to be returned upon withdrawal:

1. Determine percentage of enrollment period completed by student. Divide the number of days attended by the number of days in the enrollment period. If the calculated percentage exceeds 60%, then the student has earned all Title IV aid for the enrollment period.
2. Calculate the amount of earned Title IV aid. Multiply the percentage of the enrollment period completed by the total Title IV aid disbursed (or could have been disbursed as defined by late disbursement rules).
3. Determine amount of unearned aid to be returned to Title IV aid program accounts. Subtract the amount of earned federal aid from the total amount of federal aid disbursed. The difference must be returned to the appropriate Title IV aid program(s).
4. Return of Title IV funds by institution and student:
   1. MSU will return unearned Title IV aid up to an amount that is equal to the total institutional charges for the payment period multiplied by the percentage of the Title IV aid that was unearned. Generally, a student’s tuition and fee refund and/or University Housing refund will satisfy this liability. On occasion, however, particularly when the student remains in University Housing beyond the withdrawal date, a bill will result.
   2. The student will be responsible for the balance of unearned Title IV aid. In most cases, this will be the amount of federal aid funds a student received in the form of a refund for non-institutional expenses multiplied by the percentage of Title IV aid that was unearned.
      1. If the student’s portion of aid to be returned is a loan, then the student is not immediately required to repay the loan. The terms of the original loan repayment agreement will apply.
      2. If the student’s portion of aid to be returned is an overpayment of a grant, the student is required to only repay the amount exceeding 50% of the total grants. MSU will restore the grant funds to the appropriate federal account, with a resulting charge to the students account. The student will be responsible for repaying MSU for the grant overpayment.
5. Unearned Title IV Funds will be returned to federal programs in the following order:
   1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
   2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
   3. Federal Perkins Loans
   4. Federal Parent PLUS Loan
   5. Federal Pell Grants
   6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
   7. Federal Teach Grants
   8. Iraq and Afghanistan Grant
   9. Other Grants

Example of a Title IV return of funds calculation for a Title IV recipient who is considered to have withdrawn:

Institutional Charges         $5,000
Title IV Loans                  $2,000
Title IV Grants                 $1,000
Total Title IV Aid              $3,000

Student withdrew on 35th day of a 110 day enrollment period.

Percent Earned   35/110 = 32%

Percent Unearned   100% - 32% = 68%

Amount of Title IV aid unearned $3,000 x 68% = $2,040

MSU is responsible for returning the lesser of unearned Title IV aid ($2,040 from above) or unearned institutional charges ($5,000 x 68% = $3,400). MSU will return aid as follows:

Title IV Loans $2,000 (students remaining loan debt = 0)
Title IV Grants $40

The students responsibility is amount of aid unearned ($2,040) less school responsibility ($2,040), which is zero.

The example shown above does not reflect every student refund situation that may exist. More detailed calculation examples are available in the Student Accounts Office, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Rm 140, East Lansing, MI 48824, 1-517-355-5050, Fax 1-517-353-9640. Questions regarding the Return of Title IV Funds Policy for students who withdraw should be addressed to the Student Accounts Office.

The University reserves the right to amend the Title IV Return of Funds Policy at any time in order to comply with Federal regulations.

Refund Rules for Other Fees, Taxes, Assessments

The Engineering Program Fee, Science and Technology Fee, Health Science Program Fee and Broad College of Business Program Fees or the differential is refunded in the same percentage as course fees when withdrawing from the University or dropping from above 4 credits to 4 credits or less.

Student government taxes, FM Radio tax, and The State News assessments are refundable upon presentation of the appropriate receipt at the respective organization's office.

Late registration fees will not be refunded.

Residence hall housing fees are refunded on a pro-rata basis, based on certain variables.  Generally, the cost of the room will be prorated as of the day following departure and meals will be prorated based on number of meals eaten and/or day of departure. Details and procedures are found in the Housing Contract.

University apartment rent refunds are pro-rated from the day following the official check-out time.

In general, all fees collected by Michigan State University and their respective refund policies shall be subject to judicial review as provided in Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University.

1. Each student of Michigan State University is issued an identification (ID) card following initial enrollment.
2. The ID card is the property of Michigan State University.
3. Library privileges, access to university buildings, facilities and classrooms, and purchase of tickets and entry into athletic and entertainment events may require the possession and presentation of the ID card upon request.
4. Alteration, falsification, or misuse of the ID card is a violation of General Student Regulation 5.00 and other regulations as applicable.

1. Each student is responsible for all use of the ID card whether authorized or unauthorized. The ID card should not be loaned, or left where it might be used by an unauthorized person.
2. In case the ID card is lost, go online at www.spartancash.com  to deactivate meals and Spartan Cash and call the main Library 1-517-355-2333 immediately. Each student is responsible for all materials checked out of the libraries with the ID card.
3. Replacement Costs -   $20.00 Replacement ID cards are made in the MSU ID office, 170 International Center. Pictured ID is required. The charge will be applied to a student receivables account.

Spouses of registered students may obtain IDs entitling them to certain privileges. The student and spouse must appear in person in  170 International Center and present the student’s Michigan State University ID and proof of marriage. There is no charge for the initial spouse card.

A.    AUTHORITY FOR HOLD USE

1. Financial Holds
   The Vice President for Finance and Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody, and accounting for all monies due the University. Holds may be employed to collect any financial obligations due to the University's operating funds or to student loan funds.
2. Judicial Holds
   The procedures for student discipline are specified in Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University, Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities, and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities. Administrative officers and judicial bodies are specifically authorized under this administrative ruling to request of the Provost or the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services the use of the judicial hold to enforce a 'suspension' decision against a student, and to contact a student to notify him or her of an alleged violation of a regulation and pending judicial or administrative proceedings.
3. Academic Holds
   Academic holds are used to assure that students abide by reasonable rules and regulations as a condition of admission to and retention in the University. Agencies of the University and academic administrators are authorized under this administrative ruling to initiate use of the academic hold for this purpose.
4. Administrative Holds
   Administrative holds are also used to assure that students abide by reasonable rules and regulations as a condition of admission to and retention in the University. Agencies of the University and academic administrators are authorized under this administrative ruling to initiate use of the administrative hold for this purpose.

B.    CRITERIA FOR HOLD USE

1. Financial Holds
   Criteria for use of the financial hold shall be as follows:
   1. Holds may be employed to collect any financial obligations due to the University's operating funds or to student loan funds.
      Examples of these obligations are: student tuition, residence hall room and board, deferred payments, traffic violations, charges for damages to University property, University housing apartment rent, past due loans, library fines, bad checks cashed by students or presented in payment of student indebtedness, charges originating in various operating units (such as the Health Center, MSU Union, Veterinary Clinic, etc.), overdrafts in student organizations accounts, etc.
   2. Holds may not be used for collection of debts owed to any non-University agency. For purposes of this administrative ruling,
      registered student organizations, student government organizations, and student newspapers are defined as non-University
      agencies. (Exception:  ASMSU Student Loan Fund.)
   3. Except in the case of bad checks, holds may be used only in those cases in which the student has been given or sent adequate notice of his or her indebtedness and warning of hold use prior to issuance of the hold.
   4. A current list of all University agencies authorized by the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer to issue
      financial holds shall be maintained by the Student Receivables Division, Controller's Office.
   5. Students are entitled to appeal the legitimacy of charges placed against them through established due process procedures.
      Students are expected to exercise these rights at the time of original notification of indebtedness.
   6. A student will not be permitted to enroll for courses, be registered, be readmitted to the University, have an application for
      admission to a new program of study processed, or receive services such as transcripts and diplomas, if a financial hold has
      been placed on the student. Additionally, in some circumstances, financial aid processing may be withheld if a financial hold has been placed.
   7. If a student has enrolled for courses and has not paid the financial obligation which created the financial hold by a specified due date, the student will be dropped from the courses in which he/she is enrolled.
2. Judicial Holds
   Judicial bodies and administrative officers may make use of judicial holds in two cases:
   1. Holds may be issued against a student who has been suspended, under the procedures outlined in Academic Freedom for
      Students at Michigan State University, Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities, or Medical Student Rights and 
      Responsibilities, to prevent the student's reenrollment and/or registration.
   2. Holds may be issued against a student in order to require the student to appear at an administrator's office so that the student
      can be provided with a written statement of an alleged violation of regulations and impending judicial or administrative
      proceedings when attempts to reach the student by certified mail and by telephone have proven unsuccessful.
   3. A judicial hold may prevent a student from being readmitted to the University, having an application for admission to a new
      program of study processed, enrolling in courses, and registering (paying of fees) depending upon the time within the academic semester when the hold is placed.
   4. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services or the Office of the Provost shall authorize each instance of judicial holds under the terms of the criteria in the above sections.
3. Academic Holds
   1. The Provost and College deans and their designees are authorized to issue an academic hold which prevents a student from
      enrolling in courses and registering (paying of fees) because the student (1) has not met or needs to complete an academic
      requirement, e.g., has not declared a major, has failed to meet conditions of reinstatement or readmission, has failed to take the international student English proficiency test, has failed to supply required transcripts; (2) has been recessed or dismissed; (3) needs to see an academic advisor due to academic-related issues; or (4) has not met or needs to complete a recognized obligation incurred in the regular course of an academic program or in using an academic service.
   2. The student shall have had reasonable opportunity to be informed of and to comply with the academic requirement and shall have been given or sent warning prior to issuance of a hold.
   3. To ensure that the above conditions and criteria are being met, the persons and agencies authorized to issue academic holds
      shall provide a copy of their hold use procedures to the Office of the Provost for review and approval.
4. Administrative Holds
   1. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services will authorize agencies which may place an administrative hold which prevents students from enrolling in courses and registering (payment of fees) and/or financial aid processing.
      Administrative holds are placed on students who have failed to meet a requirement which has been established by University
      policy or regulation such as, but not limited to, financial aid requirements, student housing policy, and international student health insurance. Within this category are those regulations with which a student must comply prior to enrollment. A current list of all University agencies authorized by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services to issue administrative holds shall be maintained by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services.
   2. The student shall have had reasonable opportunity to be informed of and to comply with the administrative requirement and shall have been given or sent warning prior to issuance of a hold.
   3. To ensure that the above conditions and criteria are being met, the persons and agencies authorized to issue administrative 
      holds shall provide a copy of their hold use procedures to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services for 
      review and approval.

C.    FURTHER GENERAL STIPULATIONS

1. Agencies and authorized personnel of the University shall make every effort to minimize the use of holds and shall employ alternative methods to accomplish their purposes whenever feasible.
2. Procedures for financial hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. Procedures for judicial hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and the Office of the Provost. Procedures for academic hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Provost. Procedures for administrative hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services. All procedures shall include provision for the following:
   1. Adequate prior notice to the student (including all pertinent details) of pending placement of a hold, prior to issuance except in the case of bad checks.
   2. Procedures for the student to challenge the placement of a hold, prior to the issuance of a hold.
   3. While a student is in the process of appealing the case in question, the hold will not be issued.
   4. Review by the offices responsible for developing hold use procedures to ensure that the administrative ruling on holds is being accurately and consistently followed.
3. When a student has satisfied the conditions which precipitated a hold, the responsible agency or administrator placing the hold will ensure that the hold is removed.

D.    JUDICIAL REVIEW
        This administrative ruling and all procedures and administrative decisions stemming therefrom shall be subject to
         judicial review as provided in Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University.

A person enrolling at Michigan State University shall be classified as an in-state or out-of-state student for the purposes of administering admission, fees, and tuition charges. It is the student's responsibility to register under the proper in-state or out-of-state classification. If a student has a question regarding his/her classification, the student should contact the Office of the Registrar at least one month before registering.

The following regulations set forth the major points governing determination of in-state and out-of-state status and the payment of out-of-state tuition.

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
   1. Students who are domiciled in Michigan are eligible to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
      1. For University purposes, “domicile” is defined as the place where an individual intends his/her true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment to be, and to which the individual intends to return whenever he/she is absent from the University.
      2. An individual whose activities and circumstances, as documented to the University, demonstrate that he/she is domiciled in Michigan will be eligible for classification as an in-state student. An individual whose presence in the state is based on activities or circumstances that are indeterminate or temporary, such as (but not limited to) educational pursuits, will be presumed not to be domiciled in Michigan and will be classified as out-of-state. In order to rebut this presumption, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he/she is domiciled in Michigan and, thus, eligible for in-state classification.
   2. For tuition classification purposes:
      1. A student is presumed to be a dependent of his/her parents if the student is 24 years of age or younger and (a) has been involved primarily in educational pursuits, or (b) has not been entirely financially self-supporting through employment.
      2. The domicile of a dependent student is presumed to be the same as that of the student's natural parents. If only one natural parent is domiciled in Michigan, the student will be presumed to be a Michigan domiciliary regardless of whether that parent is the student's custodial parent.
      3. The domicile of a dependent student's legal guardian will be presumed to have the same evidentiary effect as that of a dependent student's natural parent, and references to parents in these regulations shall include legal guardians, only when (a) the student is the dependent of the legal guardian, and (b) such guardianship has been established due to the complete incapacity or death of the student's natural parent(s). A parent's inability to provide funds necessary to support a college education shall not qualify as complete incapacity. 
   3. Before it grants a student in-state status for tuition purposes, the University will usually require that student to have continuously resided in Michigan for one year immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term in which the student is applying for in-state classification. The year of continuous presence is never the only criterion used for determining in-state classification and, in itself, will not qualify a student for in-state status. Nor will a student's failure to have continuously resided in Michigan for one year automatically prevent the student from obtaining in-state status. If the student presents clear and convincing evidence which demonstrates the establishment by the student of a Michigan domicile, the student will be eligible for in-state classification even if the student has not resided in Michigan continuously for one year prior to the first day of classes in the applicable term.
2. ESTABLISHING MICHIGAN DOMICILE
   An applicant or student may provide any and all evidence that he/she believes will prove that he/she is domiciled in Michigan. No one type of evidence will be considered dispositive of the issue of domicile. Rather the University will consider all of the evidence provided to it concerning a claim of domicile.
   • Circumstances which may demonstrate Michigan domicile. The following circumstances and activities, though not conclusive, may lend support to a claim to eligibility for in-state classification. This is not an exhaustive list.
     • In the case of a dependent student, at least one parent domiciled in Michigan, as demonstrated by the parent's permanent employment, establishment of a household and severance of out-of-state ties.
     • Student employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent job, provided that the student's employment is the primary purpose for the student's presence in Michigan.
     • Student's spouse employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent job, provided that the spouse's  employment is the primary purpose for the student's presence in Michigan.
   • Circumstances which do not demonstrate Michigan domicile. The circumstances and activities listed below are temporary or indeterminate and, in and of themselves, do not demonstrate domicile in Michigan:
     • Enrollment in a Michigan high school, community college or university
     • Employment in Michigan that is temporary or short-term
     • Military assignment in Michigan
     • Employment in Michigan in a position normally held by a student
     • Ownership of property in Michigan
     • Presence of relatives (other than parent for a dependent) in Michigan
     • Possession of a Michigan driver's license or voter's registration
     • Payment of Michigan income or property taxes
     • The student's statement of intent to be domiciled in Michigan 
3. PRESUMPTIONS OF IN-STATE CLASSIFICATION
   A student will be presumed eligible for in-state classification in the following circumstances:
   1. If a student, the spouse of a student, or the parent of a dependent student, is an active member of the regular armed forces who maintains Michigan as his/her official home of record, is registered to vote in Michigan and files a Michigan income tax return as a resident, the student shall be classified  as in-state.
   2. If a student,  or the parent of a dependent student, is domiciled in Michigan but has been temporarily transferred outside Michigan by his/her employer (but has not become domiciled outside Michigan), the student shall be classified as in-state.
   3. If a student, or the parent of a dependent student, is a missionary funded by  a Michigan church, and the student or parent was 
      domiciled in Michigan at the time he/she went on the mission, the student shall be classified as in-state.
   4. If the parent of a dependent student, or an independent student (as defined by The Higher Education Act of 1965, section 480(d)), has been employed as a migrant worker in Michigan for a minimum of two (2) months each year for three (3) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state classification or for a minimum of three (3) months each year for two (2) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state classification, the student shall be classified as in-state. Proof and verification of employment is required.  A migrant worker in Michigan is defined under these Regulations as an individual who travels from location to location pursuing seasonal agricultural or related industry employment.  The term migrant worker does not include any family member of a person who owns or operates a farm, ranch, or other agricultural (or related industry) business.
   5. A student, the spouse of a student, or the parent of a dependent student who, is a veteran of at least 12 consecutive months of active United States military service prior to honorable separation, or as a member of the Reserve or National Guard, was mobilized for at least 12 months of active military service, and who moves to Michigan with the intent to become a domiciliary of Michigan within 90 days following discharge or return to non-active duty, shall be classified as in-state.
   6. A member of the armed forces in active or reserve duty status attending Michigan State University in a degree program funded by the Department of Defense shall be classified as an in-state student, as will his or her spouse and his or her dependent children. If the service member leaves the state of Michigan, this in-state status will continue for the service member, spouse, and dependent children as long as those who are students conform to the continuous enrollment rule in Section 6.A below.
   7. A student who is a veteran of Peace Corps service who moves to Michigan within 90 days following satisfactory completion of
      his/her Peace Corps contract with the intent to become a domiciliary of Michigan will be classified as in-state.
   8. A person who physically resides in Michigan for 12 consecutive months without enrolling in any academic courses at any two-year or four-year degree granting institution may matriculate as an in-state student immediately thereafter.
4. NON-U.S. CITIZENS 
   Among non-U.S. citizens, only persons who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States are eligible for in-state status classification at the University. These individuals, like U.S. citizens, must still prove that they have established a Michigan domicile as defined in these Regulations. In other words, having the privilege of remaining permanently in the United States is a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition to obtaining in-state classification at the University. At present, non-citizens who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States include:
   • Permanent Resident Aliens: must be fully processed and possess Permanent Resident Alien card or stamp in passport verifying final approval by filing deadline for applicable term.
   • Refugees: I-94 card must designate "Refugee."
   • A, E (primary), G and I Visa holders: Based upon current law, these non-immigrant visa classifications are the only ones that permit the visa holder to establish a domicile in the United States. The Registrar shall update this list as changes occur in applicable law. 
5. RETURNING MICHIGAN RESIDENTS
   1.  If a student is claimed as a dependent for federal tax purposes, graduated from a Michigan High School, and the student’s parents have been continuously domiciled in Michigan from the date of the student’s high school graduation to the present, the student shall be classified as in-state.
   2. If a student is not claimed as a dependent for federal tax purposes, graduated from a Michigan High School, has been residing in Michigan for 12 consecutive months, and the student’s parents have been continuously domiciled in Michigan from the date of the student’s high school graduation to the present, the student shall be classified as in-state.
   3. If a student is claimed as a dependent for federal tax purposes, the student’s parents have moved out of Michigan after the completion of the student’s sophomore year in a Michigan high school, the student and his/her parents resided in Michigan for a minimum of 10 years prior to their departure, and the student attends Michigan State University the fall semester following high school graduation, the student shall be classified as in-state.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
   1. If a student, or the parent of a dependent student, moves out of Michigan during the time he/she is enrolled at the University, the student's in-state classification will be maintained as long as he/she continues to be enrolled. If a student moves out of Michigan for more than 12 months while enrolled as a less than full-time student, the student will be reclassified to out-of-state status, unless  the student presents clear and convincing evidence that he/she has maintained his/her domicile in Michigan despite the move.
   2. The in-state status of a prospective student domiciled in Michigan will not be affected by that student's full-time attendance, prior to enrolling at MSU, at a non-Michigan college or university.
   3. If the family of a dependent current student or of a dependent prospective student who has completed at least the junior year in high school moves out of Michigan during the time he/she is a student, the student's in-state classification will be maintained as long as he/she continues to be enrolled on a regular school year basis in a Michigan high school, college or university.
   4. Applications for reclassification may be filed at any time. However, reclassification to in-state status applies only to whole semesters. Students will not be reclassified to in-state status within a semester.
   5. In situations where a student provides evidence that he/she was eligible for in-state tuition in a prior semester, the student may seek retroactive reclassification and a refund of the out-of-state tuition differential.
   6. A graduate student is subject  to these Regulations, except that a Graduate Assistant will pay in-state fees during the period of 
      his/her appointment.
   7. If a student (or the spouse, parent or legal guardian of a dependent student) is employed full-time by Michigan State University, the student shall be eligible for in-state fee classification.
   8. The domiciliary status of any person, other than a parent, who may furnish funds to a student for payment of University fees shall not have any presumptive effect on the classification of that student.
   9. If a student has accepted a bona fide offer of permanent, full-time employment in Michigan following graduation, the student may seek a refund of the out-of-state tuition differential paid in any semesters falling completely within the 12 months preceding the date of the student's acceptance of the offer of employment. Students who received financial aid during this 12-month period will have their eligibility recalculated and their tuition refund will be reduced by the amount of aid for which they are determined ineligible. 
   10. The University will correct errors that may occur in classifying a student. Further, the University reserves the right to audit enrolled or prospective students at any time with regard to eligibility for in-state status and to reclassify students who are registered in an improper classification.
7. RECLASSIFICATION APPLICATION PROCEDURE
   Any student classified as out-of-state who believes he/she should be classified as in- state under the Regulations listed above should submit a letter explaining why the student believes that he/she is domiciled in Michigan and provide evidence to support his/her claim. All documentary evidence supporting the student's claim should be attached.
   
   When a student files a Request for Classification to In-State Status, the student must submit the following documentation:
   • for all students: a copy of the driver's license of the student and, if applicable, of the person or persons upon whom the student is basing the claim to in-state status.
   • for all students: copies of the front and signature pages of the most recent year's federal and state income tax returns and W2's for the student and, if applicable, of the person or persons upon whom the student is basing the claim to in-state status.
   • for students born outside the U.S.: verification of U.S. citizenship or visa status.
   • for students who are dependents: copies of the front and signature pages of the most recent year's federal and state income tax returns of the person claiming the student as a dependent.
   • for students whose claim to eligibility for in-state classification is based on their permanent, full-time employment or that of another person: a letter from the employer, written on letterhead (including phone number), stating the student or other person's position, status and dates of employment. The letter should be accompanied by a copy of the most recent pay stub showing Michigan taxes being withheld. 
     
     Students are also responsible for providing any additional documentation necessary to support their claim to in-state status eligibility if such documentation is requested by the University .
     
     The Request for Classification to In-State Status with attached documentation should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building, at least one month in advance of the semester in which reclassification is sought. 
     
     The Request for Classification to In-State Status and accompanying documentation will not be returned. The student is advised to keep a copy for his/her records.
     
     The Request for Classification to In-State Status will be given to a Review Committee comprised of at least three members including the University Registrar. In cases where documentation appears to be unclear or incomplete, a member of the Review Committee will attempt to contact the student and explain the need for further clarification and/or supportive documentation where possible.
     
     Documentation supporting a claim of Michigan domicile must be detailed and complete. If, in the opinion of the Review Committee, the documentation submitted is not sufficiently detailed and complete, the student will be so notified in writing. In that written notification, the student will be invited to discuss any remaining questions with an Office of the Registrar staff member.
8. APPEAL PROCEDURE
   Any student desiring to challenge the decision of the Review Committee shall have the right to appeal the determination. The appeal will be reviewed by the Out-of-State Fees Committee.
   
   The appeal should be submitted  to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. The Out-of-State Fees Committee consists of the Vice President for Finance and Operations, Chairperson; the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services; the Associate Controller; the Dean of The Graduate School; the Dean of Undergraduate Studies; one undergraduate student representing ASMSU; one graduate student representing COGS; the Director of Admissions, ex officio; the University Registrar and his/her designee, ex officio. Ex officio members are non-voting.
   
   If a student's appeal is denied by the Out-of-State Fees Committee, the student may ask to appear in person before the Out-of-State Fees Committee to further clarify the documentation previously submitted. A student wishing to appear in person should file a written request with the Office of the Registrar. The request should specify the documentation about which the student intends to speak.
9. FALSIFICATION OF RECORDS
   According to Article 5.01 of the University's General Student Regulations, "No student shall provide false information for the purpose of gaining benefit for oneself or others to any office, agency, or individual acting on behalf of the University."

Michigan State University offers housing for undergraduate and graduate students in 26 residence halls and two apartment communities. In these facilities, multiple housing options are available including living learning communities, flexible housing, alcohol-free, and quiet floors. Upper-class students may choose apartments in Akers, Van Hoosen, or rooms/apartments without a dining plan in Williams, and University Village. Students in the residence halls receive free weekly linen and towel service and on-site free laundry facilities. Many of the residence halls offer community kitchens and cardio rooms in addition to student lounges and other spaces to enhance the Spartan experience.

Spartan Village offers accommodations for married students, single parent families, single graduate students, and some single undergraduate students. Recreational and adult enrichment programs are offered for students and families.

Michigan State University offers students, faculty, staff and guests award winning on-campus dining in a variety of facilities across campus. Dining halls are located in each Neighborhood There are 19 coffee shops and convenience retail shops throughout campus. The residence hall community at MSU is based on the Neighborhood concept; a program that brings resources directly to students where they live in the residence halls. These resources including tutoring, advising, Nurse Practitioners, Counseling Center staff, free fitness classes, and staff from across campus encouraging intercultural development and communication. The MSU Neighborhood model is a state-of-the-art housing concept created to help students learn, develop, and persist to graduation. Residence Education and Housing Services staff fosters living environments that support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students. Residence Education and Housing Services focuses on a variety of areas impacting students' overall on-campus living experience at MSU, including: residence education, housing assignments, housing operations, facilities, maintenance and conference management. Staff members provide educational programs, advise student groups, mediate interpersonal disputes, facilitate community standards, and serve as liaisons and referral agents for students seeking additional campus or community resources.

All residence halls will be closed at the following hours: 12 midnight to 7:00 a.m. seven days a week except for Butterfield, Campbell, Mason-Abbott, and Williams, which are locked 24/7. All residential living wings are locked 24/7 and are restricted to resident access via an electronic card swipe system.

Residence Education and Housing Services reserves the right to adjust building hours based upon safety and security concerns for our residents and property.

Residents contract per semester. For the most up-to-date housing information, contract information, and rates, housing options, room rates, and meal plan information, visit www.liveon.msu.edu.

Residence Education staff includes the Community Director, Assistant Community Director, and the Resident Assistant staff in each residence hall.  This live-in staff is responsible for community building, linking students to the range of resources across campus, and to responding to emergencies that arise in the building.

The MSU Residence Halls Association (RHA) is the on-campus student government at Michigan State University. Representing more than 14,000 students, MSU RHA is one of the largest Residence Halls Association in the country. MSU RHA is dedicated to improving the on-campus living experience, and providing many services to students. Campus Center Cinemas, RHA TV, and RHA Movie Offices are all services that are provided to the students by the RHA.

Michigan State University’s living-learning, academic and special interest programs allow students who share similar academic interests, or interests in multi-cultural living experiences, to live together in a designated residence hall or on a particular residence hall floor. Many of the living-learning options allow students to attend class with the same group of peers in their residence hall, which enhances friendships, networking and facilitates ease of gatherings and study time. For more information on Living –Learning Programs at MSU, visit http://liveon.msu.edu/livinglearning.

New students including transfers and graduate students receive housing application information after being admitted to the university.  Applications for housing at Michigan State University are completed online thru the iLiveOn site.  If there are any questions regarding the housing application process, please contact the housing office at 1-517-884-LIVE (5483) or 1-877-9 LIVE ON or email liveon@msu.edu.

Housing is available for summer session, although reservations are handled separately from those for the regular school year.  Students can apply for summer session in February of the spring semester. At the end of summer session, students must move out of their summer residence hall and move to their fall placement.

The Off-Campus Housing Office, 101 Student Services Building, has current listings of housing available to all members of the University community. Staff members in the office also provide general advice and information to persons with problems arising from off-campus housing situations. Off-campus meal plans are available for purchase. 

Many of Michigan State University's 52 nationally and internationally affiliated fraternities and sororities offer chapter houses in which their members may live. Chapter members are responsible for the business aspects of managing a chapter house, as well as providing activities addressing leadership development, community service, sports and recreation, social life, alumni relations, accountability and responsibility for their members.  For more information on this collegiate living experience, contact the Department of Student Life at 1-517-355-8286.

A unique type of living experience for Michigan State University students is provided in student housing cooperatives. Students own and operate their own houses and are responsible for governance, maintenance, budgeting and meal planning. Cooperative principles affirm democratic control and open membership to any interested student.

The housing cooperatives are all located near the campus and vary in size from 12 to 50 members. Additional information about cooperative housing may be obtained from the Intercooperative Council Office, 317 Student Services Building.

In general, living in religious living units is similar to living in other residences with the addition of a denominational religious experience. These units include Living ROCK (men),  East Lansing Student Living Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and the Hillel Jewish Student Center.

University Housing Assignments Office

Housing Assignments Office
219 Wilson Road, Room C-101
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48825-1208
Telephone:  1-517-884-LIVE (5483) or
877-9 LIVE ON (954-8366)
E-mail: liveon@msu.edu
Web: www.liveon.msu.edu

Culinary Services

Culinary Services Office
37 W. McDonel Hall
East Lansing, MI 48825
Telephone:  1-517-353-1616
E-mail: info@eatatstate.com
Web: www.eatatstate.com

Off-Campus Housing

Off-Campus Housing Office
101 Student Services Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1113
Telephone:  1-517-355-8303

As members of a learning community, students may be asked to participate in periodic and ongoing institutional self-studies designed to promote program improvement.  Michigan State University continually assesses itself in order to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs.  Students are expected to participate in these assessment efforts should they be selected to do so.

A full-time faculty member of Michigan State University may not carry course work in residence, or in absentia, amounting to more than an average of four course credits a semester with a maximum of eight credits during fall and spring. There is no maximum number of master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research credits that may be carried each semester. See Admission of Faculty Members of Michigan State University to Graduate Study in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

LEGAL NAME. Students are required to provide their legal name at the time of application and to process official name changes while enrolled, as appropriate. Name change requests must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with appropriate documentation. Documentation generally consists of, but is not limited to, a current driver’s license, official state ID card, Social Security card, certified copy of marriage license, court order, dissolution decree, current passport, or official proof of identity certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the United States.

DIPLOMA NAME. Students indicate their diploma name on the Michigan State University Application for Graduation. The student name listed on a diploma or certificate must match the legal name as it is recorded on the student’s official university record, with the following exceptions: option of first name or initial; option of middle name or initial; inclusion of former or maiden name(s); and inclusion of proper capitalization and accentuation of name.

PREFERRED NAME. The university recognizes that many of its students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Students may indicate their preferred first name on the Michigan State University Application for Admission or by accessing STUinfo (http://stuinfo.msu.edu).

Once established, preferred name will be used across university systems, where possible. The university reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation. The legal name will continue to be used for certain university records, documents, and business processes such as reporting, financial aid, official transcripts, and other records where use of legal name is required by law or university policy.

Students may update or remove their preferred name via STUInfo or in person at the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-2603.

No person is allowed to attend a class unless officially enrolled on a credit or non-credit basis with the appropriate fees paid. Students who attend, participate and strive to complete course requirements without formal enrollment will not receive credit for their work.

There is no university-wide regulation requiring class attendance. However, attendance is an essential and intrinsic element of the educational process. In any course in which attendance is necessary to the achievement of a clearly defined set of course objectives, it may be a valid consideration in determining the student's grade. It is the responsibility of the instructor to define the policy for attendance at the beginning of the course.

REPORTING NON-ATTENDANCE. In compliance with federal regulations governing financial aid and veterans education benefits, instructors are required to report students who stop attending or who have never attended class. After the first week of classes, through the middle of the term of instruction, instructors who identify a non-attending student should notify their departmental office. Upon receiving a report of non-attendance, departmental representatives are encouraged to initiate an administrative drop.

Attendance is defined as physical attendance or participation in an academically related activity such as submission of an assignment, an examination, participation in a study group or an online discussion, etc. Instructors who do not take attendance may utilize key assessment points (e.g. projects, papers, mid-term exams, and discussions) as benchmarks for participation.

DROP FOR NON-ATTENDANCE. Students may be dropped from a course for non-attendance by a departmental administrative drop after the fourth class period, or the fifth class day of the term of instruction, whichever occurs first.

CLASS NOTES AND UNIVERSITY SUPPLIED MATERIALS. As a condition of continued course enrollment and allowed class attendance, a student will refrain from commercializing notes of class lectures and university-supplied materials, by direct sale or by contract with a third party or otherwise, without the express written permission of the instructor. Students may be removed from a class only after a hearing in the department or school, as described in the Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University, Article 2.4.

FIELD TRIPS. Field trips involving absence from classes must be authorized in advance by the dean of the college in which the course is given. The cost of field trips which are part of organized courses of instruction must be borne by the participating students and are additional to the usual course fees.

Students who must change from one section to another in the same course may do so using the enrollment system through the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters).  After the period ends, changes of section must be made in the department responsible for teaching the course.

TO DROP A COURSE OR WITHDRAW FROM THE UNIVERSITY AFTER THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM OF INSTRUCTION. A student may drop a course or withdraw after the middle of the term of instruction only to correct errors in the enrollment or because of events of catastrophic impact, such as serious personal illness. If the student is passing the course, or there is no basis for assignment of a grade at the time of the drop, a W grade will be assigned. If failing, a 0.0 (or N in a P-N graded course) will be assigned. The course will remain on the student’s academic record.

Undergraduate Students: To initiate a late drop or withdrawal, the student must obtain approval from the office of the associate dean of his or her college or the Undergraduate University Division. Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities, and students in Engineering who have been admitted earlier than 56 credits.

Graduate Students: To initiate a late drop or withdrawal, students must obtain approval from their advisor or major professor and their graduate program director. 

DROPPING ALL COURSES. See the statement on Withdrawal from the University.

Cancellation of enrollment includes the administrative cancellation of a student's registration due to nonpayment of fees, or because of academic recess or dismissal. Courses in which the student is enrolled will be deleted from the official record. The cancellation of a student's registration may be processed by the Office of the Controller or the Office of the Registrar.

WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM OF INSTRUCTION. A withdrawal from the university occurs when students drop all of their courses within a semester. Students may drop all of their courses through the middle of the term of instruction using the online enrollment system or in person at the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. For withdrawals that occur before the middle of the term of instruction, courses in which the student is enrolled will be deleted from the official record.

Undergraduate students are strongly advised to seek guidance regarding the impact of withdrawal from the university by contacting either the associate dean of their major college or academic advisor. For most students who have fewer than 56 credit hours, the Associate Dean’s function is served by the Undergraduate University Division (UUD). Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities, and students in Engineering who have been admitted earlier than 56 credits.

Graduate students should consult with their advisor, major professor, or graduate program director; this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.

Additionally:

• Fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.
• A student living in a residence hall should consult the manager regarding the policy on the refund of room and board fees.
• A student living in an off-campus organized living unit should consult the individual unit for policies regarding room and board refunds.
• A graduate student appointed as graduate assistant forfeits his/her assistantship upon withdrawal from the university and must notify the Graduate School in writing of the withdrawal.
• Any student whose enrollment at this university is interrupted for any reason so that he or she has not been enrolled for three consecutive semesters, including the summer sessions should submit a readmission to the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu.

WITHDRAWAL AFTER THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM OF INSTRUCTION. A student may drop a course or withdraw after the middle of the term of instruction only to correct errors in the enrollment or because of events of catastrophic impact, such as serious personal illness. If the student is passing the course, or there is no basis for assignment of a grade at the time of the drop, a W grade will be assigned. If failing, a 0.0 (or N in a P-N graded course) will be assigned. The course will remain on the student’s academic record.

Undergraduate Students: To initiate a late withdrawal, the student must obtain approval from the office of the associate dean of his or her college or the Undergraduate University Division. Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities, and students in Engineering who have been admitted earlier than 56 credits.

Graduate students should consult with their advisor, major professor, or graduate program director; this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.

There is no formal procedure for withdrawal at the end of a semester; however, a student living in university housing should notify the manager of the appropriate unit.

UNAUTHORIZED. Students who leave the university during a semester or summer session without officially dropping their courses will be reported as having failed those courses and will forfeit any fees or deposits paid to the university. The withdrawal procedure will not take place automatically for the student who leaves campus because of illness, of either one's self or family member, or for interim or final suspension for disciplinary reasons, but must be initiated by the student. Fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.

INVOLUNTARY. Students who are called into the armed forces during the semester should submit a copy of their orders to the Office of the Registrar for appropriate action.

ACADEMIC RECESS OR DISMISSAL. If a student is academically recessed or dismissed, courses in subsequent semesters are dropped without grades and fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.

In keeping with university practice, entry into, and participation in, course examinations is controlled through electronic and visual means and by proctored examination site procedures.

In certain courses, such as those offered online, an individual student may be required to arrange to take examinations in a proctored environment on or off campus. Any costs associated with taking such proctored examinations are the responsibility of the student. The Michigan State University Testing Office is a proctored-testing site for distance learning, www.testingoffice.msu.edu/. It is a member of the Consortium of College Testing Centers which is a free referral service provided by the National College Testing Association to facilitate distance learning, www.ncta-testing.org.

During the final week of each academic semester all courses shall meet for one 2-hour period. For fall and spring, dates and times are listed in the  Final Examination Policy and Schedule on the web at www.reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/Calendar/FinalExam.asp. During summer sessions, final examinations are scheduled in the last class sessions.  This period should be used for examination, discussion, summarizing the course, obtaining student evaluation of the course instruction, or any other appropriate activity designed to advance the student's education. If an instructor requires a written report or take-home examination in place of a final examination, it shall not be due before the final examination period scheduled for that course. Exceptions to this paragraph may be approved by the department or school chairperson, or in a college without departments, by the dean.

In the event that a final examination is deemed appropriate by the instructor, it may not be scheduled at any time other than the date and hour listed in the Final Examination Policy and Schedule. Any deviations from the final examination schedule must be approved by the Office of the Registrar based on the recommendation of the assistant/associate dean of the college responsible for the course offering.

No student should be required to take more than two examinations during any one day of the final examination period. Students who have more than two examinations scheduled during one calendar day during the final examination period may take their class schedules to the Academic Student Affairs Office in their colleges for assistance in arranging for an alternate time for one of the three examinations.

The final examination schedule shall be systematically rotated in an effort to distribute the 2-hour final examination periods from semester to semester equally. This will also apply to common final examinations.

Faculty members shall schedule office hours during the final examination period (or in some other way attempt to make themselves accessible to their students) as they do in the other weeks of the semester.

Common final examinations are scheduled in certain courses with several class sections. In case of a conflict in time between such an examination and a regularly scheduled course examination, the latter has priority. The department or school giving the common  examination must arrange for a make-up examination.

A student absent from a final examination without a satisfactory explanation will receive a grade of 0.0 on the numerical system, NC on the CR-NC system, or N in the case of a course authorized for grading on the P-N system. Students unable to take a final examination because of illness or other reason over which they have no control should notify the associate deans of their colleges immediately.

For information on examinations other than end of the semester, see the Undergraduate Education and Graduate Education sections of this catalog.

All currently approved courses can be found in online Course Descriptions at: www.reg.msu.edu/Courses.

For current scheduling information for all courses, visit the Schedule of Courses at www.schedule.msu.edu.

001-099 Non-Credit Courses

Courses with these numbers are offered by the university to permit students to make up deficiencies in previous training or to improve their facility in certain basic skills without earning credit.

For information about remedial-developmental-preparatory courses, consult the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

100-299 Undergraduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for undergraduate students. They carry no graduate credit, although graduate students may be admitted to such courses in order to make up prerequisites or to gain a foundation for advanced courses.

For information about remedial-developmental-preparatory courses, consult the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

300-499 Advanced Undergraduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for advanced undergraduate students. They constitute the advanced portion of an undergraduate program leading to the bachelor's degree. A graduate student may carry 400-level courses for credit upon approval of the student's major department or school. In exceptional cases, a graduate student may petition the dean of his or her college, in writing, for approval of a 300-level course for graduate credit.

500-699 Graduate-Professional Courses

Courses with these numbers are courses in the graduate-professional programs. A graduate student may carry these courses for credit with approval of the major department or school.

800-899 Graduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for graduate students. Advanced undergraduates with Honors College status or a grade-point average in their total programs equal to or greater than the minimum requirement for graduation with honors may be admitted to 800-899 courses. The student must obtain approval of the relevant department. More than half of the credits of the total required for a master's degree shall be taken at the 800-and 900-level except as specifically exempted by the dean of the college.

900-999 Advanced Graduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are exclusively for graduate students and primarily for advanced graduate students. A master's degree student may take these courses with the approval of the major department or school, with the exception of courses numbered 999 (doctoral dissertation research). Admission to a doctoral degree program is a prerequisite of all courses numbered 999.

Courses at Michigan State University are given on a  "semester" basis, and credits earned are semester credits. To convert semester credits to the “term” or “quarter” basis employed in certain other institutions, multiply by 3/2. To convert term credits to semester credits, multiply by 2/3.

Each course usually carries a specific number of credits based upon the number of instructional contact hours and study hours required each week per semester. The earning of a credit requires, as a minimum, one instructor-student contact hour per week per semester plus two hours of study per contact hour; OR two hours of laboratory contact hours per week per semester, plus one additional hour spent in report writing and study; OR other combinations of contact and study hours which constitute an equivalent of these experiences. In all courses taught in the time frame of the regular semester, regardless of format, provision will be made for contact hours and/or study hours which reflect optimal use of the class and study time provided for in the official university calendar. In courses in other time frames provision will be made for contact hours and study time in a combination, which is equivalent to the semester experience.

The number of credits normally carried in a semester is defined in the Undergraduate Education and Graduate Education sections of this catalog.

Persons who are assessed fees for 7 or more credits (6 or more credits for doctoral students) in a semester:

1. Are subject to the housing regulations as stated in University Housing Policy.
2. May utilize the facilities of the Olin Health Center. Information on services available and the charges made may be obtained at the Olin Health Center.
3. May purchase football, basketball, and/or hockey season tickets for themselves and their spouses at 50 percent of the public rate.
4. Are eligible for free admission to other regularly scheduled athletic events.
5. Are eligible for student discounts on series tickets to professional performing arts events at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.
6. Are eligible to purchase one guest ticket to professional performing arts events at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Institute for Arts and Culture. One validated student ID card must be presented with every two student-rate tickets when attending a performance.

For each variable credit course, the range of credits for which a student may enroll in a given semester and the maximum number of credits that a student may earn in a course with a reenrollment provision shall be specified.

The formats described in this document apply to courses in which credits are earned. (For the definition of a credit, refer to Credits.)

In all courses for credit, regardless of format, there will be instructor evaluation of individual learning. In this document, instructor is defined as a person authorized to teach the course by the administrator of the academic unit that administers the course.

The formats acceptable for courses offered for credit are those listed below. Two or more of the formats listed may be combined; for example, lecture and laboratory, discussion and online and/or lecture and hybrid.

Lecture
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which the instructor takes the dominant role and the primary emphasis is on transmitting a body of knowledge or information and explaining ideas or principles. Student comments or questions will be accommodated as circumstances permit. In some courses, students may be expected to participate in classroom activities by means appropriate to the subject matter, such as discussion, performance, etc. Information regarding required text and reading list is provided.

Discussion
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which a group of students, under the direction of the instructor, considers predetermined topics, issues, or problems and exchanges evidence, analyses, reactions, and conclusions about them with one another. Papers, projects, etc., may be assigned.  A list of topics for discussion; basic texts, reading list, or other materials are specified. Enrollment normally limited.

Seminar
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which a small group of students is engaged, under the leadership of the instructor, in research or advanced study. Topics may be interdisciplinary or highly specialized. Maximal opportunity for peer exchange is provided. Instructor provides broad outline of possible topics and procedures. Enrollment normally limited to 15 students.

Laboratory
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class with primary emphasis on learning by doing or observing, with the burden of course activity placed on the student, under the direction and supervision of the instructor, for the purpose of giving first-hand experience, developing and practicing skills, translating theory into practice, and developing, testing, and applying principles.  Manuals, needed materials, instruments, equipment, and/or tools are provided, or recommendations are made for their acquisition.

Studio
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class with primary emphasis on student activity leading to skill development and the enhancement and encouragement of the student's artistic growth. Needed materials, instruments, equipment, and/or tools are provided, or recommendations are made for their acquisition. Evaluation of individual learning may include public display of proficiency and/or evaluation by faculty other than the student's instructor. Each student receives from the instructor an end-of-semester assessment of accomplishment.

Online
Definition:  A class in which all instruction is delivered in an online environment. Texts, reading lists, in-person orientations, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated. Online courses are classified as on-campus courses.

Hybrid (Blended)
Definition:  A class that blends online instruction with required or scheduled in-person contact, including examinations, laboratories, etc. At least 50% of the class is delivered through online instruction. Proctored examinations, texts, reading lists, and/or other materials are stipulated. Hybrid courses with on-campus meetings are classified as on-campus courses.

In the following course formats (except master's thesis research and doctoral dissertation research), a minimum combined total of 30 instructor-student contact hours and student class/study/work hours per credit per semester is expected. The division among these hours will be determined by the instructor, in consultation, as needed, with other qualified supervisors.

Workshop
Definition:  An organized learning experience with the same purposes and methods as the laboratory or studio, usually offered in a concentrated period shorter than a semester. Broad outline of possible activities and procedures is provided.

Institute
Definition:  An organized learning experience which brings together specialists in a given area for instruction for a concentrated period shorter than a semester. Broad outline of possible topics and procedures is provided.

Field Study
Definition:  A learning experience arranged by an instructor for a student or group of students to carry out a project outside the classroom by observation, participation in a work experience, or field research.  Advance planning, involving instructor and students, for activity are required.

Professional Practicum
Definition:  Professional practice under supervision of an instructor, assisted, where necessary, by additional experienced professionals. Broad outline of possible topics and procedures is provided.

Clinical Clerkship
Definition:  An organized learning experience which employs professional practice as a means to acquire clinical skills and apply knowledge. Broadens knowledge acquired in prior course work by providing additional instruction and experiences. Activities include supervised clinical practice, small-group instruction, lecture, independent study, etc. Instruction is delivered by multiple faculty and/or other qualified professionals in a campus or community-based clinical facility (hospital, ambulatory care center, health professional's office, practice environment, etc.) Objectives, instructional materials, and evaluation procedures are determined by faculty assigned to the clerkship.

Internship
Definition: Professional activity, under general supervision of an experienced professional, in a job situation which places a high degree of responsibility on the student. Specific job description must be approved by instructor or instructional unit. Evaluation by instructor with assistance of supervisor.

Teaching Internship
Definition: Sustained observation and practice in a classroom under supervision of an experienced teacher and a university field supervisor.  Careful advance planning involving a university field supervisor, the school system and supervising teacher, as well as procedures for evaluation by the field supervisor, with the assistance of the supervising teacher are required.

Independent Study
Definition: Planned study, highly individualized, which is not addressable through any other format. Advance planning between instructor and student, with goals, scope of the project, and evaluation method are specified in writing. At least two contact hours are required for the first credit of Independent Study. Contact hours thereafter are to be determined by agreement between instructor and student.

Competency-Based Instruction (CBI)
Definition: Objectives, materials, procedures, and methods of evaluation are specified at the beginning of the course. The requirements are satisfied at the student's own pace, subject to arrangements with the course supervisor and to the university's time-period requirements. This format, as distinguished from Independent Study, will ordinarily be used in established courses. Courses by correspondence and some online courses are generally included in this format. Instructional materials and procedures developed by instructor. Frequency and nature of student-faculty contact determined at the beginning of the course.

Master's Thesis Research
Definition: Highly individualized, investigative study, usually continuing over more than one semester. Subject of research agreed to by student and research supervisor (instructor), in consultation, when required, with guidance committee. Grade deferred until completion of master's program. Exclusively 899 course number. Advance planning occurs between research supervisor (instructor) and student, with goals and scope of project prearranged; minimum contact hours per semester determined by agreement between supervisor and student.

Doctoral Dissertation Research
Definition: Highly individualized, investigative study, usually continuing over several semesters. Subject of research agreed to by student and research supervisor (instructor), in consultation with student's guidance committee. Grade deferred until completion of doctoral program. Exclusively 999 course number. Advance planning occurs between research supervisor (instructor) and student, in consultation with guidance committee.

The university offers selected degree programs, certificate programs, minors, and individual courses online. All university regulations, policies, and procedures described in this catalog that apply to on-campus programs also apply to online programs, unless specified otherwise. For more information about online learning, visit http://www.reg.msu.edu/ucc/OnlinePrograms.asp.

Michigan State University courses offered online are considered on-campus courses. Applicability of specific online Michigan State University courses is determined by the requirements of specific programs. For more information about course formats and credits, visit https://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Text.asp?Section=112#S506.

Distance education includes face-to-face, online, and hybrid instructional delivery.

For a face-to-face program, participants meet for instruction at an off-campus site.

For an online program, instruction is offered totally online. Texts, reading lists, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated.

For a hybrid program, online instruction is blended with required or scheduled in-person contact, including examinations, laboratories, etc. At least 50% or more of the courses required for the degree or certificate are delivered through online instruction. Texts, reading lists, in-person orientations, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated.

Online and hybrid programs are classified as on-campus programs.

The terminology below is used to describe majors, specializations, teaching minors, and sub-categories within them as noted.

For detailed information on academic program terminology, visit www.reg.msu.edu/Read/UCC/terminology.pdf

Area of Emphasis

A set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses exclusively for teacher certification programs. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Cognate

A set of related disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Concentration

A set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses within a major. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Graduate Certificate

Constructed in selected fields as complements to degree programs or as distinct offerings. Issuance of a graduate certificate signifies completion of course work, specified professional training, skills, or competency levels.
Type 1 - Directly related to a degree program as part of the degree program's requirements. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.
Type 2 - Distinct entity not related to a degree program. Final approval may be separate from or concurrent with the degree certification process.
Type 3 - Distinct entity not related to a degree program. Final approval is granted by the academic unit.
Type 4 - Distinct entity at the University level not related to a degree program. Final approval is recommended by the administering unit and The Graduate School and is separate from the degree certification process.

Major

A primary field of study named as a specific degree program. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Minor

A secondary field of study at the undergraduate level. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.

Graduate Specialization

An interdisciplinary program of thematically related courses. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.

Teaching Minor

A group of single subject or group subject courses required by the State of Michigan exclusively for teacher certification programs.  Final approval is separate from the degree certification process.

Undergraduate and graduate-professional students who receive benefits under programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs must carry a minimum of 12 credits a semester in fall and spring semesters, and in a full summer session to be certified as a full-time student. Six credits is considered full time for a half summer session. The credits must be in courses that are in accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs regulations to receive full benefits under the government assistance programs.

Master's level students who receive benefits under programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs must carry a minimum of 9 credits a semester to receive full benefits under the government assistance programs, and doctoral level students must carry a minimum of 6 credits a semester. The credits must be in courses that are in accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs regulations. Only courses required for the master's or doctoral degree may be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students receiving Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits are held to the same standards of academic progress and social conduct as all other students.

All enrollment changes (drops and adds) and withdrawal from Michigan State University must be processed promptly.

Michigan State University provides information about students receiving educational assistance benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in accordance with federal mandate and university policy.

A person may be permitted to enroll in credit courses as a visitor on a non-credit basis with appropriate approval. Credit may not be earned in courses taken as a visitor except by re-enrollment for credit in the course, and completion of the course with a satisfactory grade. See the Grading Systems section for additional information.

Students enrolled as visitors are expected to attend classes regularly. Those so enrolled who do not attend regularly may be dropped from the class at the request of the instructor.

To be enrolled as a visitor, a student must enroll in the same manner as for credit courses at the university. Students enroll for the course through the enrollment system and then contact the Office of the Registrar to have the visitor code added to the record. Enrollment in a course may not be changed to or from a visitor basis except during the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters). Such credits as the course normally carries are included as part of the total credit load for which fees are assessed.

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) was created by a national task force. CEUs are granted by a large number of colleges and universities. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) provides compliance guidelines and certification of CEU programs. Michigan State University follows the CEU guidelines developed by IACET in awarding CEUs.

Definition:  One CEU equals 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. CEUs and academic credits are separate and distinct measures of participation in instructional experiences.

The CEU exists to: 1) establish permanent records for noncredit education experiences, 2) provide a basis for uniform data for institutional program planning, and 3)  provide data for  national analysis and policy development related to continuing professional development.

For information about the criteria for both Michigan State University and Michigan State Board of Education CEUs and administrative procedures related to CEUs, visit the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu. You may also contact the Coordinator of Continuing Education Units at 1-517-432-3987, or in 150 Administration Building.

For information regarding guest status at Michigan State University, see the Lifelong Education Status section in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section.

Lifelong Education enrollment status is designed to provide all non-Michigan State University degree students, with the exception of High Achieving High School Students (see the Opportunities for High Achieving High School Students section of this catalog), access to Michigan State University courses. It is important to note that Lifelong Education is not a college, a major, or an office on campus. It is an enrollment status and the term Lifelong Education is applied to students who are not pursuing a university degree or an Agricultural or Veterinary Technology certificate.

Students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status should complete the application available on the web at www.reg.msu.edu. From the selections "Undergraduate, Graduate, and Lifelong," select "Lifelong." Indicate undergraduate or graduate level on the form.

The Lifelong Education enrollment status permits and facilitates access to Michigan State University courses and workshops (on-campus, off-campus, online, and Study Abroad) for persons not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate Michigan State University degree.This status is limited to persons who have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Students who have obtained a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. All others will be enrolled under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status.

A person who has been denied admission to an undergraduate degree program at Michigan State University may not enroll under the Lifelong Education enrollment status until at least two years have elapsed from the date of the denial.

Students pursuing Michigan State University degree programs, students pursuing programs in the Institute of Agricultural Technology or English Language Center, students pursuing the Veterinary Technology certificate program, and students who have been recessed or dismissed from Michigan State University or any other college or university are not eligible for enrollment under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.

Rules of Application, Enrollment, and Fees:

1. Students wishing to enroll under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  This information is collected as part of the application procedure.  The high school transcript is not normally required as proof.
   
   Students with a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. This information is collected as part of the application procedure. The degree granting transcript is not required as proof.
   Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status who wish to be admitted as undergraduate or graduate degree candidates must make regular application for their desired degree programs with the Office of Admissions. They must do so in accordance with established application deadlines for the given semester
2. All students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are assessed fees at the Lifelong Education rates. These rates are set at a per credit amount. There are no additional fees associated with this status (i.e., no registration or late registration fees, etc). There are surcharges on some online courses.
3. Prerequisites, grading standards, class assignments, and attendance requirements   of a course apply to all students in that course including those enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
4. Colleges, departments, and schools determine rules of access to courses for which they are responsible, and may limit enrollment of students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
5. The Coordinator of Lifelong Education Student Affairs will monitor students’ academic progress each semester to ensure that once nine or more credits have been attempted, acceptable progress has been maintained.
   1. An undergraduate student enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 2.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating he/she is no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An Academic Advising hold is placed on the student's record.
   2. A graduate student who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 3.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating he/she is no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An Academic hold is placed on the student's record.
6. Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are not eligible for most sources of financial assistance including federal financial assistance programs, graduate assistantships, and most fellowships. The Mildred B. Erickson Scholarship is an exception; for information, contact the Women's Resource Center at 1-517-353-1635 or visit www.wrc.msu.edu.  
7. Students who have completed course work while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who contemplate subsequent admission to degree programs must seek advice from the admitting department or school and college as to the applicability of courses/credits taken while under the Lifelong Education enrollment status. There is no guarantee that these credits will be acceptable. Applicability is subject to the following general limits.
   1. No more than 16 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the undergraduate degree program.
   2. No more than 9 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the graduate degree program. Refer to the Graduate Education section of the catalog for the aggregate limit.
   3. Courses taken under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may not be transferred to Human, Osteopathic, or Veterinary Medical Programs but may be used to waive program requirements at the discretion of the college.

For information regarding study abroad, see Study Abroad in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

Satisfaction of teaching responsibilities by instructional staff members (herein referred to as instructors) is essential to the successful functioning of a university. This University conceives these responsibilities to be so important that performance by instructors in meeting the provisions of this Code shall be taken into consideration in determining salary increases, tenure, and promotion.

1. Course content:  Instructors shall be responsible for ensuring that the content of the courses they teach is consistent with the course descriptions approved by the University Committee on Curriculum and the University Council. Instructors shall direct class activities toward the fulfillment of course objectives and shall evaluate student performance in a manner consistent with these objectives.
2. Course syllabi:  Instructors shall be responsible for distributing a course syllabus (either in print or electronic form) at the beginning of the semester. The syllabus shall minimally include:
   (a)    instructional objectives;
   (b)    instructor contact information and office hours;
   (c)    grading criteria and methods used to determine final course grades;
   (d)    date of the final examination and tentative dates of required assignments, quizzes, and tests, if applicable;
   (e)    attendance policy, if different from the University attendance policy and especially when that attendance policy
            affects student grades;
   (f)    required and recommended course materials to be purchased, including textbooks and supplies; and
   (g)   any required proctoring arrangements to which students must adhere (effective Spring 2013). 
3. Student Assessment and Final Grades:  Instructors shall be responsible for informing students, in a timely manner so as to enhance learning, of the grading criteria and methods used to determine grades on individual assignments.  Instructors shall be responsible for assessing a student’s performance based on announced criteria and on standards of academic achievement. Instructors shall submit final course grades in accordance with University deadlines. Assessment methods (effective Spring 2013) should be appropriate to the learning objectives of the course. In that context, instructors are expected to take reasonable steps to create an assessment environment that promotes academic integrity. When proctoring or other security measures are necessary to ensure integrity of assessments, then such measures should be administered in a manner consistent with the design and delivery of the course.
4. Testing Documents:  Instructors shall be responsible for returning to students student answers to quizzes, tests, and examinations with such promptness to enhance the learning experience.  Instructors shall retain final examination answers for at least one semester to allow students to review or to retrieve them.  All testing questions (whether on quizzes, tests, or mid-semester or final examinations) are an integral part of course materials, and the decision whether to allow students to retain them is left to the discretion of the instructor.
5. Term Papers and Comparable Projects:  Instructors shall be responsible for returning to students student term papers and other comparable projects with sufficient promptness to enhance the learning experience.  Term papers and other comparable projects are the property of students who prepare them.  Instructors shall retain such unclaimed course work for at least one semester to allow students to retrieve such work.  Instructors have a right to retain a copy of student course work for their own files.
6. Class Meetings:  Instructors shall be responsible for meeting their classes regularly and at scheduled times.  To allow units to take appropriate action, instructors shall notify their units if they are to be absent and have not made suitable arrangements regarding their classes.
7. Applicability of  the Code of Teaching Responsibility to Student Assistants:  Instructors of courses in which assistants are authorized to perform teaching, grading, or other instructional functions shall be responsible for acquainting such individuals with the provisions of this Code and for monitoring their compliance.
8. Instructor Accessibility to Students:  Instructors shall be responsible for being accessible to students outside of class time and therefore shall schedule and keep office hours for student conferences.  Office hours should be scheduled at times convenient to both students and instructors with the additional option of mutually convenient prearranged appointments for students whose schedules conflict with announced office hours.  Each teaching unit shall determine the minimum number of office hours for instructors in that unit.  Instructors who serve as academic advisors also shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate office hours before and during enrollment periods.  In addition to office hours, instructor accessibility through e-mail and other means is encouraged.
9. Commercialization of Course Notes and Materials:  The University prohibits students from commercializing their notes of lectures and University-provided class materials without the written consent of the instructor.  Instructors may allow commercialization by including permission in the course syllabus or other written statement distributed to all students in the class.

Hearing Procedures

1. Students may register complaints regarding an instructor's failure to comply with the provisions of the Code of Teaching Responsibility directly with that instructor.
2. Students may also take complaints directly to teaching units' chief administrators or their designates. If those persons are unable to resolve matters to the student's satisfaction, the student must submit a written, signed statement to the chair of the hearing board of the department/school within which the violation is alleged to have occurred (see AFR Article 7 III. A. and B.) A copy of any complaint transmitted shall be sent to the instructor. A written report of the action or recommendation of such groups will be forwarded to the student and to the instructor.
3. Students wishing to appeal a teaching unit action or recommendation may do so as outlined in Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University, Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities, or Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Such complaints must normally be initiated no later than the middle of the semester following the one wherein alleged violations occurred. Exceptions shall be made in cases where the involved instructor or student is absent from the University during the semester following the one wherein alleged violations occurred.

Preamble

The principal objective of the student instructional rating policy is to secure information which is indispensable to implementation of the University's policy of providing its students with instruction of the highest quality. This information is put to two principal uses:  (1) providing instructors and teaching units with an accurate account of student response to their instructional practices, to the end that classroom effectiveness be maintained at the highest level of excellence; and (2) providing teaching units with one kind of information to be considered in deciding on retention, promotion, salary, and tenure, to the end that effectiveness in instruction constitutes an important criterion in evaluating the service to the University of members of the teaching faculty. In order to accomplish these objectives more fully, the following procedures were established.

1. Every teaching unit shall approve one or more common student rating instruments through its own channels of participation, in accordance with unit bylaws and customs of collegial decision making. Regardless of the type of instrument adopted, it must prominently display the following notation:
       The Michigan State University CODE OF TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY holds all instructors to certain obligations with respect to, 
       e.g., course content consistent with approved descriptions, timely statement of course objectives and grading criteria, regular class 
       attendance, published office hours, and timely return of examinations and semester papers. This Code is printed in full in the 
       Academic Programs catalog or is available online at https://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Text.asp?Section=112#s514. It 
       includes specifics about complaint procedures available to students who believe that their instructors have violated the Code.
2. Each teaching unit shall make regular and systematic use of student instructional ratings as part of the unit's evaluation of instructional performance. Each teaching unit shall formulate and promulgate a comprehensive policy covering all aspects of student instructional rating procedures, and shall be responsible for implementing that policy within the framework of the provisions contained in this document. Students shall not be required or requested by faculty members to identify themselves on the rating forms.
3. All instructors, regardless of rank, including graduate assistants, shall use unit-approved student instructional rating forms in all classes (every course, every section, every semester). For team-teaching situations, units shall develop procedures consistent with the intent of these provisions.
4. Individual instructors may use other instruments to gather additional information.
5. Results of student instructional ratings shall be used in accordance with the following provisions:
1. Results shall be returned promptly to the instructor for information and assistance in improving course design and instruction.
2. Instructors shall have the opportunity to comment, orally and/or in writing, upon the ratings received. These comments shall be taken into account by persons or groups charged with making or advising on personnel decisions.
3. Results of student instructional ratings shall be systematically consulted, with due regard for strict confidentiality, in conjunction with other means for assessing individual effectiveness, according to the review criteria promulgated within each unit. Other means might include, e.g., classroom visits or consideration of course syllabi, assignments, and examinations.
6. Procedures for implementing the rating process and for utilizing the results shall be promulgated by each teaching unit, subject to the following provisions:
1. Duly promulgated unit procedures shall be filed in the offices of the appropriate Dean and the Provost, where they will be matters of public record.
2. Unit administrators are responsible for implementing in their units SIRS procedures which follow fully the requirements of this document.
3. Teaching units may have the required SIRS instruments administered by a person other than the instructor. If the unit does not administer the instruments, instructors are obligated to do so, and to return all results to unit offices within the time period specified in the unit procedures.
4. At the time instruments are administered, students shall be informed who will have access to the results and how the results will be used.

Preamble

The following policy operates as a complement to the Student Instructional Rating System (SIRS) policy to provide selected public information for students as an aid to choosing courses.

Policy on the Student Public Evaluation System

Students at Michigan State University have an interest in being able to make informed judgments in selecting courses and faculty members as students pursue their academic programs. To this end, the University Committee on Undergraduate Education has framed a set of questions that should provide the type of information that students seek. In order to facilitate the transmission of this information to the students, the following procedures are established:

1. In addition to using standard university or unit-based SIRS forms in every class each semester in compliance with the Student Instructional Rating System policy, faculty members at the rank of instructor or above, and specialists who are assigned to teach, shall administer a standard form (Student Opinion of Courses and Teaching) in all of their regular undergraduate classes.
2. The SOCT forms shall be administered within the last two weeks of classes. Instructors should leave the room until the forms have been completed and collected. The forms should be collected by a neutral party, turned in to a predetermined location, and should not be accessible to the instructor until grades are submitted. 
3. Results will be disseminated in summary form, displayed by instructor and department, once per year through a Web site, https://rateyourclass.msu.edu, accessible to students and other members of the University community with the appropriate identification. A maximum of two recent semesters taught by that instructor over a maximum of two years with a minimum of five student responses will be displayed.

The credit-by-examination option is available to qualified students. Examination may take the form of course or laboratory projects, written or oral reports, evidence of satisfactory skill performance, etc. Enrollment is subject to the provisions detailed below.

Some courses are especially designated for credit by examination in the Schedule of Courses (sections numbered 999). Students who wish to avail themselves of this option must do so through the regular enrollment procedure.

The credit-by-examination option may also be made available in courses not so designated in the Schedule of Courses. Instructors will consider requests from interested students, and may recommend to the unit administrator the offering of an ad hoc credit-by-examination section to accommodate the needs of particular students. Following approval by the unit administrator, regular enrollment procedures apply.

Provisions

1. The credit-by-examination system is designed to serve students who have the capability and discipline for independent learning. Students who are in academic difficulty should not use it.
2. Enrollment must be by approval of the department or school. Before approval is given, department and school offices and/or designated instructors will provide the student with a written statement of the materials and skills to be mastered, and the manner in which proficiency is to be demonstrated.
3. The credit-by-examination procedure is not intended, and should not be construed, as a tutorial system, or as a system comparable to regular class enrollment: students must not expect tutorial assistance from professors, and professors must not expect students to attend class.
4. Units should exclude from this option those courses in which class attendance and participation are an integral part of the instruction.
5. Academic standards shall be comparable to those applying to regular courses.
   5.1    A failing grade should be reported to the Registrar in cases of failure to appear for the examination, or failure to demonstrate stipulated minimum proficiency. The I-incomplete or DF-deferred or ET-extension symbol for the postponement of a grade may be used in extraordinary circumstances, providing appropriate documentation is placed in the record by the instructor and approved by the assistant or associate dean.
   5.2    Credit-by-examination may not be employed as a means of repeating a course in which a low or failing grade was received, either through regular enrollment or by examination.
6. Implementation of the policy is the responsibility of unit administrators, Deans, and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers the option of a waiver examination in CSE 101 for students whose programs (a) require the course and (b) are willing to accept passage of the waiver examination in place of the actual course. Students who wish to explore this option should do the following:

1. Consult Academic Programs or the academic advisor in your major program to determine if the waiver examination is acceptable for purposes of the major.
2. For information regarding examination information such as time, date, location, and cost of examination as well as examination contents and preparation information, visit https://cse101.cse.msu.edu.

Students may take the waiver exam only once. It must be taken prior to enrollment in the course. Pre-registration is required. The exam is proctored and administered once per semester. No make-up tests are provided. Successful completion of the test waives the requirement for participating programs but does not produce academic credit or a grade. A transcript notation will indicate the CSE 101 Waiver.

Credits Passed

Total Michigan State University credits passed on the numerical system, the Credit-No Credit (CR-NC) system, the Pass-No Grade (P-N) system, and by examination plus all credits accepted in transfer from other institutions. For a course that was repeated, only the credits associated with the last enrollment are counted in the total number of credits passed.

Credits Repeated

Total credits repeated at Michigan State University and all Michigan State University credits repeated at and accepted in transfer from other institutions.

Credits Attempted

Total Michigan State University credits for which a grade was recorded or for which the W (no grade) symbol was recorded. Credits accepted in transfer from other institutions are included in the total number of Michigan State University credits attempted. Credits in courses taken on the CR-NC system count as credits attempted irrespective of whether the outcome is CR or NC. Similarly included are all credits in courses taken on the P-N system. Credits in courses for which a V symbol was recorded are not included in credits attempted.

Grade-Point Credits

Total number of credits in all Michigan State University courses for which a numerical grade was recorded.  Credits for courses repeated on the numerical system count only for the last grade recorded.

Grade-Point System

The grade-point system and the  numerical grading scale are identical. Grade points for each course are determined by multiplying the numerical grade by the number of credits for the course.

Grade-Point Average

A measure of the student's  academic performance in Michigan State University courses for which the student received a numerical grade.

Semester

To compute the grade-point average for a semester, divide the total grade points for the semester by the total grade-point credits for the semester.

Cumulative

To compute the cumulative grade-point average, divide the total grade points for all semesters by the total grade-point credits for all semesters.

A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required for graduation from the university for bachelor's degrees.  A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required for graduate degrees.

For information on Grading Systems and Repeating a Course, refer to those statements.

Definition

At Michigan State University, Independent Study is planned study, highly individualized, not addressable through any other course format, proposed in writing by the student on a standard form, accepted for supervision by a faculty member, and approved by the student's academic advisor and the teaching unit at the beginning of the semester.

Guidelines

Independent Study should:

1. Consist of work not described in the university catalog in any other format;
2. Be taken under a course number commensurate with the student's class level, major field, and experience;
3. Relate to a subject for which the student has adequate preparation;
4. Be directed by a faculty member with whom there is periodic contact and consultation throughout the study;
5. Not exceed 8 semester hours of credit in a single semester or summer session;
6. Not exceed 10 percent of the credits earned in a bachelor's program;
7. Be applied for on the form provided by the department or school or college;
8. Be approved on this form before the student enrolls for the course; registration should be completed by the end of the period for adding courses.

Michigan State University employs three systems of grading: a numerical system, a supplemental credit-no credit system, and a limited pass-no grade system.

All grades are final and may not be changed by re-examination or by the submission of additional work. See Repeating a Course.

The numerical system consists of the following scale. 4.0 - 3.5 - 3.0 - 2.5 - 2.0 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 0.0.

Grading Procedure of the Numerical System:

1. Credit is awarded at the following minimum levels:
   1.0 for undergraduate students.
   2.0 for graduate students.
   However, all grades are counted in the calculation of the grade-point average (GPA).
2. The minimum cumulative grade-point average required for graduation is a 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students.
3. In particular graduate programs the number of 2.0 grades acceptable for credit may be expressly restricted and/or levels higher than the 2.0 minimum may be established for the fulfillment of degree requirements.
4. Grades given in courses completed under enrollment on the numerical system cannot be converted to credit or no-credit under the credit-no credit system.

The credit-no credit system is intended to allow students to study in areas outside the major field of study without jeopardizing their grade-point averages. In the credit-no credit system the following symbols are used.

CR-Credit—means that credit is granted and represents a level of performance equivalent to or above the grade-point average required for graduation. Thus, undergraduate students must perform at or above the 2.0 level before credit is granted; graduate students must perform at or above the 3.0 level.

NC-No Credit—means that no credit is granted and represents a level of performance below the grade-point average required for graduation, i.e., below 2.0 for undergraduate students, below 3.0 for graduate students.

Grading Procedure of the CR-NC System

1. Grades on the CR-NC system are not included in computing the semester or cumulative grade-point average.
2. Enrollment on a CR-NC basis is recorded with the academic advisor and with the Registrar. The instructor's class list does not indicate which students are enrolled on CR-NC basis.
3. When the course is completed, all students are graded on the numerical system.
4. The Registrar then converts the numerical grades to credit or no credit in accord with the definitions of CR-NC stated above, but retains the numerical grades in the student's academic records.
5. When a student changes a major preference or a major, the Registrar will convert those letter grades to numerical grades in courses that are necessarily graded on the numerical system in the new major upon request by the student's college.

Enrollment in the CR-NC System
Enrollment on a CR-NC basis is open to students, at their option, subject to the following conditions:

1. Course prerequisites and other criteria for enrolling in any course shall be determined by the department or college offering the course and apply equally to both the numerical and the CR-NC systems.
2. The choice of numerical or CR-NC system does not affect admission to the course.
3. All courses in every department and college are available on a CR-NC basis unless these courses are:
   1. Used to satisfy the Tier I writing requirement, the Tier II writing requirement, the university mathematics requirement, and Integrative Studies Program requirements, or
   2. Designated as Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 courses under the remedial-developmental-preparatory course policy.
   3. Specifically excluded from CR-NC enrollment by the department, school, or college of the student's major preference or major, or the unit recommending the student for certification.
4. Limitations:
   1. No undergraduate student may enroll in more than a total of 20 credits on the CR-NC system.
   2. The limitations on the number of credits a graduate student may take in a given semester on the CR-NC basis, and the total number of credits that may be taken in a given degree program on a CR-NC basis, shall be established by the college, department, or school, or the unit recommending the student for certification in which the student is a major.
5. Each department, school, or college, or the unit recommending the student for certification shall designate those courses that its majors or candidates for certification may not take on the CR-NC system.
6. Choice of the CR-NC system must be communicated by the student to the Office of the Registrar within the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters) and may not be changed after that date.
7. Any course taken more than once must be repeated on the same grading system under which the course was completed the first time, except where standard requirements to the contrary must be satisfied in order to meet graduation requirements.

This system is used only in courses specifically approved by the University Committee on Curriculum. Non-credit courses and those involving field experience are the usual types of courses approved for P-N grading. Courses approved for P-N grading are so marked in the Schedule of Courses on the web.

In the pass-no grade system the following symbols are used:

    P-Pass—means that credit is granted and that the student achieved a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the instructor.

    N-No Grade—means that no credit is granted and that the student did not achieve a level of performance judged to be satisfactory by the 
    instructor.

The Conditional Pass (CP) marker is used only for graduate-professional students in the College of Human Medicine when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The student is enrolled in a 500- or 600-level course that is administered by the College of Human Medicine. The University Committee on Curriculum approved the use of the Pass-No Grade (P-N) grading system for College of Human Medicine students who are enrolled in 500- and 600-level courses in this college.
2. The student has either:
   1. met almost all of the course objectives (criteria for passing), but is deficient in a specific, definable course segment; or
   2. completed all of the course requirements but failed to meet the overall pass level by a narrow margin (e.g., received a 68 percent overall score where 70 percent is the pass level).
3. The course instructor believes that the student's overall performance has been such that the student should not be required to repeat the entire course and that the character of the deficiency is specific and identifiable and is likely to be remediable within a foreseeable time span and through specifiable action by the student.

The required work must be completed and a grade (P or N) must be reported to the Office of the Registrar no later than the middle of the student's next semester in attendance, if that semester is within one calendar year following the receipt of the CP. An exception may be made if an instructor submits an administrative action form stating that the course structure necessitates delay of remediation grading until the end of the student's next semester in attendance (summer session excluded).

When the specified remediation activity is completed or the time allowed for remediation has expired, the grade of P or N is assigned. The Conditional Pass marker remains on the student's academic record. Thus, the completion of the remediation activity within the time allowed results in a grade of CP/P, and failure to complete the specified remediation activity by the due date results in a grade of CP/N.

The V-Visitor—is recorded on the transcript in credit courses for students enrolled as a visitor on a non-credit basis. Choice of the V-Visitor must be communicated by the student to the Office of the Registrar during the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters) and may not be changed after that date.

When special or unusual circumstances occur, the instructor may postpone assignment of the student's final grade in a course by use of an I-Incomplete, a DF-Deferred, or an ET-Extension marker.

The I-Incomplete may be given only when: the student (a) has completed at least 6/7 of the term of instruction, but is unable to complete the class work and/or take the final examination because of illness or other compelling reason; and (b) has done satisfactory work in the course; and (c) in the instructor's judgment can complete the required work without repeating the course.

Provided these conditions are met, the instructor electing to give an I-Incomplete files an Agreement for Completion of (I) Incomplete at the time course grades are due. This agreement specifies what the student must do, and when, to remove the I-Incomplete. The department or school office gives a copy to the student, and retains a copy for at least one year.

The required work must be completed, and a grade must be reported to the Office of the Registrar, no later than the middle of the student's next semester in attendance (summer session excluded) if that semester is within one calendar year following receipt of the I-Incomplete. Exception to this deadline:  An instructor may submit an Administrative Action stating that course structure necessitates delay of make-up grading until the end of the student's next semester in attendance.

Failure to complete the required work by the due date will result in a grade of I/0.0, I/NC or I/N, depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled. (A student who does not register for Michigan State University courses subsequent to receipt of an I-Incomplete has one calendar year to complete the required work; after that, the I-Incomplete will become U-Unfinished and will be changed to I/U on the student's academic record, and the course may be completed only by re-enrollment).

An extension of time for completion of the required work may be approved by the college offering the course only by means of an Administrative Action documenting physician-certified illness or other extraordinary circumstances.

An Extension of Time is a formal agreement between the instructor and the student. After an Extension of Time has been filed, the work must be done by the deadline determined by the instructor or the I-Incomplete will be changed to I/0.0, I/NC, or I/N depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled.

The DF-Deferred applies to the numerical, the CR-NC, and P-N grading systems.

Given only to graduate students who are doing satisfactory work but cannot complete the course work because of reasons acceptable to the instructor.

The required work must be completed and a grade reported within six months (190 calendar days from the last class day of the term of instruction), with the option of a single six-month extension (190 calendar days). If the required work is not completed within the time limit, the DF-Deferred will become U-Unfinished and will be changed to DF/U. This rule does not apply to graduate thesis or dissertation work.

The ET-Extension applies to the numerical, the CR-NC, and P-N systems.

Given to undergraduate, graduate, and graduate-professional students only in courses specifically approved by the University Committee on Curriculum. Approval requires specification of the time period within which work must be completed. Courses that involve field experience or thesis work and courses in which work normally extends beyond one semester are the types of courses normally considered.

A final grade must be reported upon completion of the final course in the sequence or in the time approved for the completion of the work. If a final grade is not reported in these periods, the ET will be changed to ET/0.0, ET/NC or ET/N, depending on the grading system under which the student was enrolled.

An undergraduate student who received a grade of 2.0 or above, CR, or P in a course may not repeat the course on a credit basis. An undergraduate student may repeat no more than 20 credits in courses in which grades below 2.0 were received.

A  graduate student who received a grade of 2.0 or above, CR, or P in a course may not repeat the course on a credit basis with the following exception: with the approval of the associate dean, a graduate student may repeat a course in which a grade of 2.0 or 2.5 was received.  The number of credits that a graduate student may repeat is determined by the student's academic advisor or guidance committee, in accordance with unit policies.

Whenever a course is repeated on a credit basis, the last grade and credits earned completely replace the previous grade in the satisfaction of requirements and computation of the cumulative grade-point average. All entries remain a part of the student's permanent academic record. 

Any course repeated for credit must be taken on the same grading system under which the course was taken the first time, except where standard requirements to the contrary must be satisfied in order to meet graduation requirements.

Credit by Examination may not be used to repeat a course in which a grade below 2.0 was received.

A student who has taken a course as a visitor may subsequently enroll in the course for credit with the approval of his or her advisor.

Financial Aid and Repeats

Federal financial aid regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course.  The following guidelines apply to students eligible for federal aid.

1. A student may receive aid when repeating a course for the first time.
2. A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed (received a 0.0 or No Pass), regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
3. A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time.
4. Once a student has completed any course twice with a passing grade, he/she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.
5. If a student retakes a course that is not aid eligible, a recalculation of aid is done to exclude the credits for the repeated course.  Students are notified by the Office of Financial Aid if their aid needs to be reduced.

Once recorded in the Office of the Registrar, a student's grade may not be changed unless the first grade was in error.  An Administrative Action must be submitted certifying the reasons why the first grade is in error. The request must be approved by the instructor, the chairperson of the department or school offering the course, the associate dean of the college in which the course is offered, and the student's associate dean. The time limit for the correction of grades is 30 days after the start of the subsequent semester or summer session.

The Office of the Registrar reserves the right to audit student records and to correct them as necessary.

1. The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of scholars. The university expects both instructors and students to honor these principles and, in so doing, to protect the validity of university education and grades. Practices that maintain the integrity of scholarship and grades include providing accurate information for academic and admission records, adherence to unit-approved professional standards and honor codes, and completion of original academic work by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. To encourage adherence to the principles of truth and honesty, instructors should exercise care in planning and supervising academic work, and (effective Spring 2013) implement proctoring standards appropriate to the design of the course.
2. If an instructor alleges a student has committed an act of academic misconduct, the instructor is responsible for taking appropriate action. Depending on the instructor’s judgment of a specific instance, the instructor may give the student a penalty grade. A penalty grade may be a reduced score or grade for the assignment or a reduced grade for the course. [For a definition of “penalty grade”, see Academic Freedom Report (AFR) 8.1.15 and Graduate Students Rights and Responsibilities (GSRR) 8.1.15.]
3. When an instructor gives an undergraduate or graduate student a penalty grade for academic misconduct, the instructor must provide a written description of the details of the academic misconduct to the student and to the student’s academic dean. The student’s academic dean will add the written description to the student’s academic record, where it will remain, unless the student successfully grieves the allegation.
4. In notifying the student’s academic dean of the student’s act of academic misconduct, the instructor may request the student’s academic dean to initiate an academic disciplinary hearing to impose sanctions in addition to, or other than, a penalty grade.
5. When in the judgment of the student’s academic dean, a sanction in addition to, or other than, a penalty grade is warranted (e.g., dismissal from a unit or program), the dean may call for an academic disciplinary hearing. In calling for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean may act independently or in response to a request by the instructor. [See AFR 4.3.1.1, GSRR 5.5.2, and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities (MSRR) 5.1.3.1.]
6. A student accused of academic misconduct may request an academic grievance hearing to contest the allegation before the appropriate hearing board of the department, school, or college in which the alleged academic dishonesty occurred. In cases involving academic misconduct, no student may be dismissed from a course or program of study without an academic disciplinary hearing.
7. On the first offense of academic misconduct, the student must attend an educational program on academic integrity and academic misconduct provided by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies for undergraduate students and the Dean of The Graduate School for graduate students.
8. In cases involving undergraduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will refer the case to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. The Associate Provost will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to determine the appropriate judiciary for the hearing. [See AFR 4.3.1.1.]
9. In cases involving graduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will refer the case to the Dean of The Graduate School. The Dean of The Graduate School will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to determine the appropriate judiciary for the hearing. At this meeting, the student will be asked to select either an administrative disciplinary hearing conducted by the Dean of The Graduate School or a disciplinary hearing conducted by the college hearing board within the student’s college. In cases of ambiguous jurisdiction involving graduate students, the Dean of The Graduate School will select the appropriate judiciary. [See GSRR 5.5.2.]
10. Either party may appeal a decision of an administrative disciplinary hearing or a disciplinary hearing board to the appropriate appellate board. [See AFR 2.4.7.1, GSRR 5.5.2.1, and MSRR 5.8.1.]

The principles of truth and honesty are fundamental to the educational process and the academic integrity of the University; therefore, no student shall:

17.01 Unauthorized attainment of
17.02 Unauthorized transfer of
17.03 Prima facie evidence

.01 No person shall procure in any unauthorized manner any examination question or answer related to any course of study offered at Michigan State University, regardless of the form or format in which such question or answer may originally have been maintained.

.02 No person shall furnish to any unauthorized person any examination question or answer related to any course of study offered at Michigan State University, regardless of the form or format in which such question or answer may originally have been maintained.

.03 The unauthorized possession of any of the aforesaid examination documents shall be considered prima facie evidence of an attempt to violate the provisions of this section.

The university expects student conduct and behavior to reflect qualities of good citizenship. The out-of-classroom activities of Michigan State University students should reflect favorably upon the institution and should indicate the personal integrity of the individual.

See Spartan Life for specific policies, ordinances and regulations that define some of the relevant university expectations. Visit http://splifestudentlife.msu.edu.

A Grade Report of a student's grades earned in each course is available to the student at the end of each semester or summer session electronically at www.stuinfo.msu.edu.

Due to unsatisfactory work, a student may be warned, placed on probation, academically recessed, or academically dismissed from the university.

A permanent record of all the student's courses, credits and grades earned is kept in the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. The permanent record reflects all courses taken while enrolled at any academic level at Michigan State University. Records are regularly audited and corrected as necessary. The student should maintain a record of courses, credits and grades each semester or summer session and check from time to time to see that this record agrees with that of the university. The record may also help the student determine eligibility for any activity that requires meeting specific scholastic standards.

A copy of a student's complete permanent record is available to the student upon receipt of a request. The permanent record reflects all courses taken while enrolled at any academic level at Michigan State University.  Transcripts can be requested at www.reg.msu.edu/Transcripts. Requests can also be made in person or by writing to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-0210. The university reserves the right to withhold the transcript in case of delinquent student indebtedness to the university. However, the Student Accounts Office may authorize release of a transcript directly to a prospective employer on an exception basis.

A certified copy of the student's diploma is available to the student. The student must bring the original diploma and the twenty-five dollar fee for each copy to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. (See Costs in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section of this catalog.)

Michigan State University has been awarding honorary degrees since 1885 to honor distinguished persons for their contributions to their field and to society. Nominees exemplify the values inherent in MSU’s mission. Past recipients include accomplished scientists, humanists, scholars of the arts, members of the professions, and persons in public life or business. Invitations to nominees are issued only by the President.

For more information on the nomination process, visit www.msu.edu/~vprgs/honorarydeg/HonoraryDegrees.htm.

Michigan State University complies fully with the letter and spirit of the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA) which governs access to, and confidentiality of, student records.

As a means of complying with this act, the university has developed the Michigan State University Access to Student Information. These Guidelines are reproduced below.

1. To protect a student’s right to privacy of information in the University’s possession concerning the student; and 
2. To provide guidance on release or disclosure of student information required by law and as necessary for the effective functioning of the campus community.

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.
2. The right to request amendment of education records the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
3. The right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information from the student’s education records is disclosed except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning any alleged violation of the student’s rights under FERPA.

1. Disclosure to School Officials. Personally identifiable information from education records may be disclosed without written consent to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records. These records may be disclosed only on a need to know basis. Specifically, a school official requesting information must have a legitimate need for the requested information for the effective functioning of his/her position or office.  Determination as to whether the need to know requirement has been satisfied is made by the head administrator for the unit retaining the information or by the Office of the Registrar. All information released may only be used for the purpose intended.
   
   For purposes of the school official’s exception, education records may also be disclosed without consent to contractors, consultants, and other outside parties to whom the University has outsourced institutional services or functions that it would otherwise use employees to perform, provided that the outside party is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of the education records and subject to the same conditions governing the use and redisclosure of education records that apply to other school officials. The outside party must sign a statement indicating its compliance with the non-redisclosure provisions of FERPA prior to receiving any student information. 
2. Disclosure to Officials of Another School. Personally identifiable information from education records may be disclosed to officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
3. Disclosure of Directory Information.Information that the University has designated as directory information in the Michigan State University Notice of Directory Information may be disclosed without the student’s consent.
4. Disclosure pursuant to Judicial Order. Personally identifiable information from education records may be released to comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena. As permitted by law, reasonable attempts will be made to notify the student of the judicial order or subpoena in advance of compliance.
5. Disclosure pursuant to Requests for Financial Aid.  Personally identifiable information from education records relevant to the student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid may be disclosed if the information is necessary to determine eligibility, determine amount or conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
6. Disclosure to Federal and State Authorities.  Authorized representatives of the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local educational authorities, may have access to education records. Disclosures under this provision may be made in connection with an audit or evaluation of federal- or state-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of personally identifiable information to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf.
7. Disclosure to Accrediting and Professional Associations. Designated representatives of accrediting and other professional organizations with which the University is affiliated may have access to personally identifiable information to the extent necessary to fulfill the obligation of that accreditation or affiliation. 
8. Disclosure pursuant to Student’s Delinquency on Payment. Personally identifiable information from education records may be disclosed as necessary to effect collection of a student’s financial obligations to the University.
9. Disclosure pursuant to Litigation against the University. Personally identifiable information from education records deemed necessary for the defense of the University in a suit filed by a student may be disclosed to attorneys representing the University. 
10. Disclosure pursuant to the University’s Obligations to Support Study and Research.  The University may disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records without consent if the disclosure is to an organization conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the University to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction.  Requests for access to student education records under the studies exception must be approved by the Office of the Registrar.  Such requests will be fulfilled, if possible, by information from which all identification of the student has been removed.
    
    The written agreement between the University and the organization conducting the study must specify the purpose, scope, and duration of the study and the information to be disclosed; require the organization to use personally identifiable information from education records only to meet the purposes of the study; limit any disclosures of personally identifiable information to individuals in the organization who have a legitimate interest in the information; and require the organization to destroy all personally identifiable information within a specified time period when the information is no longer needed for the purposes of the study.
    
    For information related to conducting approved research involving surveys, please review the “Procedure to Request Confidential Student Data in Support of University Research” (http://reg.msu.edu/read/pdf/ResearchProcedure.pdf). For information concerning mass e-mail distribution related to approved research, please also review the “Appropriate Use of MSU E-mail Services by Internal Users on MSUNET” (http://vplits.msu.edu/guidelines-policies/bulk-email.html)
11. Disclosure to Protect the Health and Safety of an Individual. The University may disclose personally identifiable information from education records to appropriate parties including, but not limited to, parents of an eligible student, whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or another individual if there is a significant and articulable threat to the health or safety of a student or other individual, considering the totality of the circumstances. The University must record the articulable and significant threat that formed the basis for the disclosure and the parties to whom the information was disclosed. 
12. Disclosure Pursuant to the Wetterling Act, 42 U.S.C. 14071. The University may disclose without consent personally identifiable information received under the Wetterling Act about a student who is required to register as a sex offender.
13. Disclosure of Results of a Disciplinary Proceeding. The final results of a disciplinary proceeding may be disclosed if the school determines that the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him/her. 

Functions, services, and processes of the University must be protected if the institution is to be effective in discharging its responsibilities; therefore, no student shall:

14.01 False copy
14.02 Possession of false copy
14.03 Unauthorized keys

.01  No person with intent to injure or defraud shall falsely make, forge, manufacture, print, reproduce, copy, tamper with, or alter, any writing, record, document or identification used or maintained by Michigan State University.

.02  No person shall knowingly possess, display or cause or permit to be displayed any writing, record, document, or identification form used or maintained by Michigan State University knowing the same to be fictitious, altered, forged, counterfeited or made without proper authority.

.03 No person without proper authority shall knowingly possess, make, or cause to be made, any key, card, or unlocking device, to operate any lock or locking mechanism used or maintained by Michigan State University.

It has always been the policy of the University to permit students and faculty to observe those holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith.

The faculty and staff should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so that students who absent themselves from classes on these days are not seriously disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. It is also the responsibility of those faculty who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their chairpersons, who shall assume the responsibility for covering their classes.

As Michigan State University has become increasingly multicultural, the incidence of conflicts between mandatory academic requirements and religious observances has increased. In the absence of a simple and dignified way to determine the validity of individual claims, the claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value. Be aware that some degrees of observance may have a more extensive period of observance. Instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of requests by any one student. Some instructors attempt to cover all reasons for student absences from required academic events such as quizzes or exams with a blanket policy, e.g., allowing the student to drop one grade or two quizzes without penalty. If this is meant to extend to religious observances, the instructor should state this clearly at the beginning of the term. If instructors require make-up exams, they retain the right to determine the content of the exams and the conditions of administration, giving due consideration to equitable treatment.

Borrowers are responsible for understanding the policies related to any library material they check out. Disregard for library policies may result in permanent suspension of MSU Library borrowing privileges.

Items on open shelves are available for anyone to use in the library.  However, to check out material (or use material on reserve, in the Digital and Multimedia Center or behind a service desk), an MSU ID or a library card and picture ID must be presented.  Material may not be taken from the library without being checked out.

Borrowers are responsible for knowing the date material is due and returning (or renewing) it promptly.

Material may not be checked out for others.  A borrower is financially responsible for all material checked out using his/her card. Therefore, theft/loss of an MSU ID or library card must be reported immediately by calling Circulation at 517.355.2333.

Borrower Responsibilities and Lending Policies

1. Care of Material
   
   Material must be returned in the same condition as when it was checked out.  Borrowers may not write in books, turn down page corners, or use “post-it”-type notes/flags.  Borrowers are financially responsible for  damage that occurs while material is checked out to them.  To protect themselves, borrowers who notice damage before checking out material should bring it to the attention of the Circulation Supervisor, who will note the damage and flag it for repair upon return.  Borrowers are also financially responsible for material that is lost or stolen while checked out to them, so checked out items should never be left unattended.
   
   Checked-out material will be recalled if requested by another and may be given an earlier due date.  These must be promptly returned to avoid recall fines.  To prevent recall fines while away from MSU (breaks between semesters, vacation, sabbatical, university business, etc.), material should be returned before leaving or arrangements made for someone to watch your mail for recalls, have access to your checked out material, and return recalled items.
   
   
2. Returning Material
   
   Please return DVDs, videos, CDs, records, ILLiad/MeLCat items, laptops and items from Reserve, Reference, Art, Maps, Music, and Software to the desk where they were checked out.  Place other material in any book return, at the Main Library (24 hour drops are at both entrances) or a branch -- or mail it to: Book Returns, Circulation, MSU, 366 West Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824; insurance of at least $50 per volume is suggested.  (If overdue fines are involved, the postmark will be considered the date of return.)
   
   If you need confirmation of the return of library material, please take it to the Main Library Circulation Desk and request a receipt from the Supervisor.
   
   
3. Address Responsibilities Regarding Circulation Notices
   
   Borrowers are responsible for fines resulting from un-received or un-read mail or e-mail. Therefore, you must keep the University/library updated with your current address.  Library addresses for MSU students are loaded automatically from MSU Registrar records. MSU students are required to keep local and permanent addresses updated using the "address change" link in STUINFO or at 150 Administration Building.  If a student does not move, the Registrar requires reconfirmation of local address at the beginning of each summer and fall semester.  If a student does not reconfirm, the local address expires and mail is sent to the permanent address. Faculty/staff members must update home addresses in the 'Personal Information' section of the ESS tab of EBSP. Consult your MSU departmental secretary to update your campus address.  Community borrowers must report changes in e-mail and postal address at the Main Library Circulation Desk or via e-mail to CircAdm@mail.lib.msu.edu.  (We cannot take address changes over the phone.) 
   
   
4. E-mail Responsibilities Regarding Circulation Notices
   
   Borrowers must assure that e-mail from msu.edu e-mail addresses is not diverted to spam quarantine files.  Notices about library material are sent to the MSU e-mail addresses of students, faculty, and staff, so you must read MSU e-mail often or set your MSU e-mail to forward to an e-mail account that you read regularly. 
   
   
5. Renewals, Overdue Fines and Bills for Replacement of Long-Overdue Material
   
   Fines and bills are the responsibility of the borrower regardless of being away from campus for breaks between semesters, vacations, exams, illness, car trouble, sabbatical leaves, unread MSU e-mail, late or never-received reminder notices, etc.  Fine amounts are not calculated until after material is returned.  Material returned after closing is not considered returned until the next day the library is open.
   
   If a borrower owes money, privileges are suspended without notice. Payment may be made by mail (address at the end of these policies), at the Main Circulation Desk, or by calling 517.355.2333 with Visa/MasterCard/Discover.
   
   No fines are charged for most material in the MSU Libraries, but overdue fines are charged for the following high-demand material items when returned after the due date.
   
   Reserves: $1.00 per hour.  Laptops (available in some branches) and Collaborative Technology Lab material: $6.00/hour.  NOTE: Our system considers an item that is one minute overdue to be a full hour overdue. Therefore, the full hourly amount is assessed for any portion of an hour overdue, even one minute.
   
   Recalled material, software, CDs, records, videos, DVDs, 7-day items:  $1 per day.
   
   Material borrowed from other libraries (interlibrary loan, ILLiad, Uborrow, or MeLCat):  $2 per day.
   
   When an item is significantly overdue, the borrower is billed for its replacement and borrowing privileges are suspended without notice until the account is paid in full or material is returned or replaced by the borrower.  Holds are placed on MSU student enrollment, registration, diplomas, and transcripts at the same time.
   
   Minimum replacement charges are $50 for a book, $75 for a periodical, $100 for an item not found in Books in Print. Current market value is charged whenever it is higher than the minimum replacement charge.
   
   Billed material cannot be renewed online. It must be brought to Circulation or a branch library for renewal.
   
   When a billed item is returned, the replacement charge is cancelled but overdue fines may be charged.
   
   Unresolved bills may be turned over to a collection agency any time after 30 days from date of issue.
   
   
6. Recall of Checked Out Material
   
   The library usually has only one copy of each title to support the information needs of the entire MSU community.  Therefore, we will recall any checked-out material if it is requested by someone else.  Recalled material cannot be renewed.  If the original due date is more than fourteen days in the future, the recall notice will include a new due date (earlier than the original due date).
   
   If a recalled item is not returned by the specified date (which is usually fourteen days after item is recalled), the borrower's library privileges will be suspended until it is returned and recall fines of $1 per day will be charged.  Fines for items returned after the recall due date are the responsibility of the borrower regardless of being away from campus for breaks between semesters, vacations, exams, illness, car trouble, sabbatical leaves, off-campus university business, unread MSU e-mail, late or never-received recall or reminder notices, etc.  If a borrower will be away, that person must assure that checked out material will be available to others during the absence. Material should either be returned before leaving or arrangements made for someone to watch the borrower’s mail for recalls, have access to checked out material, and return recalled items.
   
   If you need an item that is checked out, please request a “recall” at the Main Library Circulation Desk, a branch library, or by using the recall request form (http://www.lib.msu.edu/howto/recall.jsp).  Circulation staff will send the borrower a recall notice, indicating that the material must be returned within fourteen days or be subject to fines of $1 per day.  When returned, the material will be held at its owning location for ten days and you will be notified where to pick it up.
   
   
7. Library Cards/MSU ID Cards for MSU Students, Faculty, and Staff
   
   Material may not be checked out for others.  A borrower is financially responsible for all material checked out using his/her card. Therefore, theft/loss of an MSU ID must be reported immediately by calling Circulation at 517.355.2333.  Library privileges expire when an individual leaves MSU, but a community library card may be requested if the individual resides in Michigan.
   
   MSU IDs (available for students, faculty and staff at the MSU ID Office, Room 170 International Center,) are issued with a library barcode. When a registered MSU student or a current MSU faculty/staff member with an MSU ID card activates his/her MSUnet ID, the barcode number is entered automatically into library records.
   
   If a borrower’s library card or MSU ID lacks a picture, another photo ID is required to check out material.
   
   
8. Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities
   
   Accommodation related to checking out library material may be requested calling 517.884.6458 or by e-mailing atc@mail.lib.msu.edu.
   
   
9. Library Cards for Michigan Residents
   
   Michigan residents at least eighteen years old (who are not current MSU students, faculty, or staff) are eligible for community library privileges if they show a valid Michigan driver’s license or State of Michigan picture ID card (available from the Michigan Secretary of State). If the individual has no outstanding charges from a previous MSU library account, a library card will be processed within a few business days and mailed to the address on the license/ID.  Nothing can be checked out until the library card is received.  Community borrowers may have no more than 25 items checked out at one time and are not eligible to check out periodicals or laptops.
   
   
10. Checking Out Material
    
    Each time a borrower wishes to check out material, he/she must present his/her own current MSU ID or library card and a photo ID card.  One’s library card and a photo ID are also required to use Reserve material, items in the Digital and Multimedia Center, or any other material requested from library staff.
    
    
11. Main Library Loan Periods
    
    Some materials cannot be checked out at all, including high-use periodicals published within the last ten years, Art journals, Reference material, Special Collections material, microforms, etc.  Limiting use of these high demand materials to the library provides availability to all users.  Reserve materials circulate to all borrowers for 2 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days (as specified by the MSU instructor).  NOTE: Reserve material with a “two hour no overnight” loan period is library-use only. Policies differ in some areas and in some branches.
    
    Loan periods for most other types of library material are below:
    Faculty, Staff, and Faculty/Staff spouses/Domestic partners: 180 days
    Graduate Students: 180 days
    Undergraduates: 21 days
    Student Spouses/Student Domestic Partners and Community Borrowers: 14 days
    
    For detailed policies, call Circulation at 517/355-2333.
    
    
12. Michigan Law and University Policies
    
    Michigan Compiled Law (MCL750.391) defines damaging library material (or keeping it overdue) as larceny.
    
    The confidentiality of library records in the state of Michigan is protected by "The Library Privacy Act," Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL 397.601-606, Act 455 of 1982).  Federal law may supersede Michigan Law.
    
    Removing material from the MSU Libraries without checking it out may result in criminal charges.
    
    MSU ID cards are property of MSU; if used by anyone other than the owner, an MSU ID will be confiscated.

Students expecting to graduate in a given semester must file an application on or before the end of first week of the semester to assure a certification check and listing of their name in the commencement program. Summer graduates must apply by the first week of spring semester.

Applications must be filed with the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu.

Degrees are granted with a fall, spring, or summer effective date when all graduation requirements are met. Michigan State University supports fall and spring commencement exercises for the awarding of bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Transcripts and diplomas are held until all financial holds have been paid in full. However, the Student Accounts Office may release a transcript directly to a prospective employer on an exception basis.

Visit www.commencement.msu.edu.

The Michigan State University campus in East Lansing occupies 5,239 contiguous acres and has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the nation. The developed campus comprises 2,100 acres, and the remaining 3,139 acres are devoted to experimental farms, outlying research facilities, and a 36-hole golf course. Combined, the developed campus and farms area also contain 27 natural areas which encompass more than 700 acres.The gently rolling campus is graced by a park-like landscape, traversed by the scenic tree-lined Red Cedar River. Campus beauty is enhanced by a mature collection of trees, shrubs, and woody vines that serve teaching, research and outreach functions with over 36,000 plants accounted for in an interactive digital database. Planting of trees on the arboretum-like campus began shortly after its founding in 1855. A more formal collection of trees was initiated on campus in 1874 in what is known as the the Campus Woody Plant Collection. The rich campus open space complements and unifies the 559 permanent university buildings that provide over 22.8 million gross square feet of space to serve the institution’s land-grant mission.

The spacious arboretum-like campus is punctuated at intervals by focal points of plant interest.  Notable among these are the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, the 4-H Children’s Garden, the C.E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum, the West Circle Drive loop, and the Sanford, Red Cedar, Baker, Beal Pinetum, Bear Lake, and Toumey Natural Areas. The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, established in 1873 to support teaching and research Campuswide, is recognized as the oldest botanical garden on a North American university campus and is the place modern hybrid corn was first developed. It includes approximately 2,500 taxa organized in economic, systematic, ecological, and landscape groupings and participates in the global botanic garden community through information, plant and seed exchanges. The Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, which showcase beautiful displays of over 1200 varieties of flowering plants, are used for instruction and demonstration and for testing the performance of plants in the climate of central Michigan. They include both All-American Trial and Euro-Select Trial Gardens for annual plants and an All-American Display Garden for roses. Natural areas on the campus are protected vestiges of our natural heritage and include Toumey Woodlot, an old-growth beech-maple forest designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a Natural Landmark. Management of the natural areas is held to a minimum necessary to assure that their manifold teaching, research, recreational, and inspirational values will continue to serve generations of future students, staff, and faculty.

Abrams Planetarium, with its panoramic space theater, is an acknowledged leader in the popularization of astronomy. The facility opened in 1964 and was financed by alumni and friends of the university through contributions to the Michigan State University Development Fund. Original gifts included $250,000 from Dr. and Mrs. Talbert Abrams. The building features a 140 seat Sky Theater housing the planetarium projector, a black-light art gallery and gift shop.

This exciting astronomical and multimedia facility presents university instruction, public sky shows, observing sessions, and programs tailored to the needs of visiting elementary and secondary school children.

Star shows and other events are offered to the public on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for most of the year. The lobby and gift shop hours are from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Call 1-517-355-4672 for recorded public show information, and 1-517-355-4676 reach the planetarium office. For further information visit www.pa.msu.edu/abrams.

Intercollegiate Athletic facilities at Michigan State University are described briefly in the statements that follow. The Jenison Field House has complete synthetic surfacing for track and a seating capacity of 5,017 for volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling events. The Breslin Student Events Center and Berkowitz Basketball Complex, a multipurpose building, has two auxiliary gymnasiums for practice. Breslin has a seating capacity of 14,759 for basketball games and other student events. The Munn Ice Arena is available for ice hockey, skating, and athletic events with a seating capacity of 6,470. The Indoor Tennis Facility has eight courts and a seating capacity of 1,200. Twenty varsity and recreational tennis courts are located south of the Duffy Daugherty/Skandalaris Football Center. Spartan Stadium has a playing area covered with grass and is used for football games and for large outdoor occasions. It has a seating capacity of 75,005. The Duffy Daugherty Building/Skandalaris Football Center has a full-size indoor football field and a 16,500-square-foot weight room. The two 18-hole Forest Akers Golf Courses were financed in part through a gift from Forest Akers, a long-time member of the University governing board. Included with the courses are driving ranges, practice greens and the Rearick Golf Complex. Old College Field is the location of the Secchia Stadium for softball, DeMartin Soccer Complex and McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field. The field hockey, track and field facility, known as the Ralph Young Field, has an all-weather track and artificial turf infield available to students and faculty. Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center is a 31,000-square-foot facility that houses a computer lab with 74 stations, a 210-seat auditorium, two 70-seat study areas, 10 individual tutorial rooms and 10 staff offices.

Both Fairchild Theatre (596 seats) and the main Auditorium (3,737 seats) feature a variety of performing arts events as well as formal lectures and commencement ceremonies. The classrooms, studios and offices of the Department of Theatre are in this building. The main Auditorium and Fairchild Theatre are managed by Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

This familiar landmark stands on the site of the first building in America where agriculture was taught as a science on a university campus. The tower contains a 49-bell carillon.

Opening in Fall 2012, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is the art museum of Michigan State University. As an engaged public institution, The Broad at MSU  is a contemporary museum devoted to the art of our time. Expressly dedicated to exploring international  contemporary culture and ideas through the probing gaze of artists, The Broad is a place where artists’ ideas, words, and actions create a vibrant center for questioning and understanding the modern world. Dedicated to experimentation and study, The Broad  is a laboratory for the new,  grounded in a deep appreciation for the historical. With a study collection containing objects from the Greek and Roman periods through the Renaissance and on to the Modern, The Broad  is uniquely able to contextualize the wide range of contemporary art practices within a firm historical context.

For further information visit www.broadmuseum.msu.edu.

Built in 1963, and substantially expanded in 2002, the Delia Koo International Academic Center continues to be the hub of international activity at Michigan State University. Housed within the International Center is the Office of International Studies and Programs (ISP), a university-level office, led by a dean who supports and encourages international activities throughout the institution. Within ISP are offices with responsibility for study abroad, international students and scholars, international research and Peace Corps recruiting, as well as area studies centers focusing on Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Russia, Eurasia and Latin America and the Caribbean. ISP has strong ties to thematic international units across the campus focusing on international agriculture, business, education, engineering, gender, health, and languages. Additionally, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at MSU, Global Center for Food Systems Innovation, Visiting International Professional Program, the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, the Office of International Research Collaboration, the International Teaching Assistants Program, Community Volunteers for International Programs, and visiting international scholars affiliated with the international and thematic centers also have offices here. The building features office areas, and meeting rooms. The International Center also houses the Volunteer English Tutoring Program, a language-tutoring program for the international community, and is available for use by Michigan State University's many other international centers and institutes. ISP hosts myriad international conferences, seminars, colloquia, and workshops. Other companion residents include the Cross Roads Food Court, MSU ID office and the Michigan State University Spartan Bookstore. Adjacent to the lobby area is room 115. Primarily used as a classroom, room 115 is available for large meetings and is often the site of academic governance sessions during fall and spring semesters. To request use of room 115, contact classroom scheduling in the Office of the Registrar. Registered student organizations may request to use the lobby area through the Department of Student Life for various cultural, social and recreational activities. Similarly, the International Center is one of the sites hosting Campus Center activities.

Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center plays a key role in the fulfillment of the university’s land-grant mission.  Built in 1951 in partnership with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kellogg Center has been a model facility for continuing education.

Today, Kellogg Center serves as the primary location for university sponsored seminar and outreach programs, extending expertise and resources to the entire state and around the world. Each year, over 400,000 people participate in conferences and workshops.  Available to the public as well as the university community, the Kellogg Center is a hub for community activities, corporate meetings and social events, serving an additional 400,000 annually.

Kellogg Center is a full-service conference center and hotel with 160 guest rooms including 5 suites, 35,000 square feet of flexible function space, 24 meeting rooms, 8 banquet rooms and professional conference and event coordinators.  Also located in this state-of-the-art conference facility are the teaching laboratories for The School of Hospitality Business.

A gift of the S. S. Kresge Foundation, this building houses the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Among its resources are lecture classrooms for art history and disciplinary studios for ceramics, drawing, electronic art and intermedia, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Other resources housed within the Kresge Art Center include: a woodshop, a professional lighting studio for documentation of artwork, two digital labs, a print lab, a state-of-the-art electronic fabrication, prototyping and sculpture facility, a visual resource library, and an art store/café. The Department of Art, Art History, and Design Gallery 101 and 114 provide additional exhibition space and feature rotating exhibits throughout the year. All gallery exhibits are open to the public. For additional information call 1-517-355-7610, e-mail art@msu.edu or visit www.art.msu.edu.

See the Other Departments and Offices for Research and Services section for a description of Libraries.

The Michigan State University Museum is the science and culture museum at MSU. The museum delivers programs in education, exhibitions, research; provides experimental exhibit space for university classes and collaborations; and builds and stewards collections that focus on Michigan and its relationship to the Great Lakes and the world beyond. For more information, visit www.museum.msu.edu; call 1-517-355-7474 for recorded information (exhibits and events) or 1-517-355-2370 for the Museum directory, or e-mail pr@museum.msu.edu for general inquiries.

The MSU Union is a busy life-style center offering shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation, flexible function space and convenience amenities designed to serve the Michigan State University community. Located at the corner of Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue, it is easily accessible by all methods of transportation. The MSU Union is the entrance to north campus, offering a park-like atmosphere. In keeping with our storied past, the MSU Union acts as a central meeting place for students, faculty, staff, and university guests to experience cultural, education, and social activities. Services available at the MSU Union are:

The MSU Union also provides campuswide student activities through the University Activities Board (UAB). Events are held at the International Center, MSU Union, and a variety of other campus locations. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) use the MSU Union for their regular meetings and special events.

The MSU Union is available for meetings, conferences, and special social events. Catering services are provided in the building and across campus. MSU Union office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Contact the Sales Department at 1-517-432-3086 to schedule.

For additional information, e-mail union@msu.edu or visit the web at www.msuunion.com.

The Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education opened in 1997 and combines auditorium, classroom, arena, and exhibit spaces. Exhibit space covers 66,240 square feet and can accommodate 368 animal stalls which can be removed to create open space for a variety of events from industry trade shows to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources annual AutumnFest celebration. The arena seats 2,000 people and has a show floor of 28,670 square feet. The auditorium seats 400 and is used for meetings, auctions, and livestock industry events. An event office, showers, livestock wash racks, public address system, Michigan State University concession stand, and recreational vehicle hook-ups are available for Pavilion events.

Recreational Sports facilities include four buildings, four pools, and 27 acres of outdoor space, fields for softball, flag football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee among others.

IM SPORTS WEST, an accessible facility, provides courts for paddleball, racquetball, handball, and squash; gyms for basketball, volleyball, and badminton; a turf arena for tennis and club activities; indoor and outdoor swimming pools; a cycling studio and a contemporary fitness center.

IM SPORTS EAST provides barrier-free accessibility for basketball, volleyball, paddleball, racquetball, wally ball, and squash; a four-lane running track; an exercise-fitness room; a cycling studio and a multipurpose room for aerobics and sports club use.

IM SPORTS CIRCLE, an accessible facility, contains gymnasiums for basketball, volleyball, and badminton; a swimming pool;  and a multipurpose activity room.

DEMONSTRATION HALL arena is used for indoor soccer and roller-hockey and for community and student special events. The MSU Sailing Center provides learn-to-sail classes for adults and children and open sailing hours. For more information visit www.recsports.msu.edu or call the main office at 1-517-355-5250.

The Student Services Building houses the offices of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, Office of Financial Aid, Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions, Counseling Center, Lesbian Bi Gay Transgender Resource Center, Career Services Network, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, and Student Life.

The Associated Students of Michigan State University, the Council of Graduate Students, other major student governing groups, and some student organizations have their offices in this building.

The building also houses Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum offices.

Wharton Center for Performing Arts is Michigan’s largest and most diverse presenter of performing arts and arts education programming. From the best of touring Broadway to superstars and rising stars of performing arts, Wharton Center offers a full schedule of events in venues throughout campus – Cobb Great Hall and Pasant Theatre (Bogue St/Wilson Rd), the MSU Concert Auditorium and Fairchild Theatre (Farm Ln/Auditorium Rd), and live entertainment at the Breslin Students Event Center.  These state-of-the-art facilities also showcase performances by the Department of Theatre, College of Music, and the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, as well as many community and university events.  Innovative arts education programming is offered through its Institute for Arts and Creativity to enrich and enhance the academic experience with workshops by world-renowned performers, preview lectures prior to many performances, and much more.  Full-time MSU students receive substantial ticket discounts, including $25 to most Broadway shows and $15 to most performing arts events presented by Wharton Center. For details, call the Ticket Office at 1-517-432-2000 or visit www.whartoncenter.com. 

Michigan State University is a community which provides diverse co-curricular opportunities. There are excellent professional programs provided through seminar series sponsored by departments and schools and supplemented by open lectures on a variety of current topics. Lectures, music, theatre, art, recreation, athletics and the programs of student organizations offer opportunities for pursuing individual interests.

The Campus Center at the International Center is the venue for student-focused programming on Friday and Saturday nights until 2 a.m. Most activities, including movies, music and entertainment performances are free to students. Events are also held in Wells Hall Auditoriums, Erickson Kiva and the Engineering Building. All programs at the Campus Center are planned by the University Activities Board. The office is located at 323 MSU Union, 1-517-355-3354.

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design sponsors rotating student exhibitions in Gallery 101 and Gallery 114, a diverse group of visiting artist and scholar lectures, and art events during the fall and spring semesters. Annually, the department features student research in the Undergraduate Exhibition, Art History Symposium, and a fashion show highlighting the designs of Apparel and Textile Design majors. The Master of Fine Arts Exhibition is also held annually in the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.  All students are welcome to view exhibitions, attend lecture series, participate in numerous student clubs, and join in art activities offered by the department. For additional information call 1-517-355-7610, e-mail art@msu.edu or visit www.art.msu.edu.

The Department of Theatre sponsors a wide variety of productions including dance-related events. Productions occur on the Pasant Theatre stage at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts the Arena Theatre in the Auditorium, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities Auditorium, and site-specific locations. Graduate and undergraduate talent is featured in these productions, and all students of the university are invited to participate.

Student theatrical productions occur throughout the year in the Arena Theatre. Dance performances are also sponsored by the Michigan State University student dance association, ORCHESIS. Summer Circle Theatre offers students the opportunity to be involved in theatre production during the months of May and June. For additional information, call 1-517-355-6690, e-mail: theatre@msu.edu, or visit www.theatre.msu.edu.

The College of Music offers many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to hear and participate in a variety of musical ensembles. All qualified students are welcome to audition regardless of their fields of study.

Vocal groups include the MSU Chorale, State Singers, Collegiate Choir, Women's Glee Club, Choral Union, Women's Chamber Ensemble, and Men's Glee Club. The University Symphony Orchestra, and the Concert Orchestra present numerous concerts throughout the year. The University Bands  include the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, Campus Band, several Jazz Bands and combos, the 300-member Spartan Marching Band, and three Spartan Brass Bands that perform at basketball and hockey games. Additionally, there are several chamber music groups including Musique 21, Percussion Ensemble, Trombone Choir, and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. For additional information call 1-517-353-5340 or visit www.music.msu.edu.

The purpose of athletics at Michigan State University is to encourage all students to participate in some form of physical recreation. The intercollegiate program provides men and women with competition in 25 sports programs. All students have the opportunity to participate in the wide array of individual and team intramural sports.

Michigan State University, a member of the Big Ten Conference, has varsity competition for men in baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, ice hockey, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and wrestling.

Michigan State University has a developed and diversified intercollegiate athletic program for women athletes. Varsity competition for women is offered in basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis,  indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball.

The Michigan State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to operating an athletics program that pursues excellence with integrity, produces a positive public identity for the university and the surrounding community, promotes good sportsmanship and ethical conduct, and acts in compliance with all pertinent regulatory agencies. In addition, the department supports and encourages equitable treatment and opportunities for all student-athletes and staff regardless of gender or ethnic background and places emphasis upon individual accountability.

The mission statement for MSU Athletics is: "We gather and engage our community to teach, support and celebrate our student-athletes in their quest for excellence."

The Senior Class Council consists of up to twenty-five seniors chosen to represent the views of and initiate activities for all Michigan State University seniors. During the year, the Senior Class Council is involved in sponsoring career workshops, selecting and raising funds for a class gift, working with the Commencement Committee, selecting the 25 most outstanding seniors, and coordinating special projects. For more information, contact ASMSU at 1-517-355-8266, or www.asmsu.msu.edu.

The University Activities Board (UAB) is the premiere programming organization on-campus that provides movies and entertainment for all MSU students as well as events that are social, cultural, educational, and recreational.  Programs include live music, comedy, craft nights, and Campus Center Cinemas showing first-run films in conjunction with the Residence Hall Association (RHA) that are free to MSU undergraduate students living in the residence halls.  UAB membership is free and open to all MSU undergraduate students all year long.  Follow UAB on Twitter @UABatMSU or “like” our page on Facebook and search for “The University Activities Board at Michigan State University.”  Visit www.uabevents.com for more information.

Recreational Sports and Fitness Services are dedicated to promoting learning experiences by engaging the university community in healthy lifestyles through sport, fitness and recreational opportunities.

Programs are facilitated through three indoor intramural facilities, one multipurpose arena, 27 acres of outdoor recreational field space, an offsite sailing center and shared campus facilities including tennis courts, golf courses, and an ice arena.  Program- specific functions include informal or drop-in recreation at any of these facilities; structured competitive intramural sports; programs dedicated for health, wellness and fitness; club sport opportunities; non-credit instruction for acquiring new skills such as sailing and learn to swim; and unique opportunities targeted for persons with disabilities.

Individual events and tournaments include tennis, golf, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, and the all-campus swim meet.

Special activities include group exercise classes, step aerobics, zumba and yoga, kayak and canoe rentals at the MSU Sailing Center and Self-Defense classes.

For more information, visit us at www.recsports.msu.edu  or like us on Facebook at MSU-Recreational-Sports-And-Fitness-Services.

Michigan State University considers that one of its responsibilities is to maintain an atmosphere of religious freedom for the individual.

There are many student religious centers in East Lansing, devoting their facilities to meeting student needs. These have staffs of ministers, priests, rabbis, and directors of student activities. The groups provide Michigan State University students with the chance to participate in programs of religious worship and the opportunity to meet other students through social activities. See Student Organizations for the current list of student religious groups.

The Alumni Memorial Chapel, on campus, is available for public services of a religious nature. It is also made available to students wishing to enter the sanctuary for private devotions. For scheduling, contact the MSU Union, 1-517-355-3464. For more information, visit www.hfs.msu.edu/union/services/alumni_chapel.html.

The MSU Reflection Room, located in 1277 Anthony Hall, provides a quiet space for individual reflection, meditation, and prayer. The ecumenical environment welcomes all and embraces understanding and the furthering of knowledge associated with differing perspectives. We believe the MSU value of inclusion is evident in the unity of spiritual reflection and connection that can occur in this space. The harmony of the MSU community allows us to personify co-existence in the Reflection Room, which is open during regular building hours as posted.

Michigan State University's yearbook, The Red Cedar Log, is published by students under the auspices of the Associated Students of Michigan State University. The yearbook is free to MSU students. Other student publications include those maintained independently, or within colleges, departments, schools, living units, and student organizations. The State News, a daily newspaper distributed widely to students, faculty, and staff, is published by The State News, Inc. The corporation is separate and independent from the university; however, its staff is composed largely of Michigan State University students.

The Mission Statement of MSU Student Radio is Diversity in Programming, Professionalism in Presentation and Education.  WDBM-FM, better known as IMPACT 89FM, is an FCC licensed non-commercial educational station that operates 24/7/365 and covers the mid-Michigan area around Lansing.  It may also be heard via streaming audio and video at www.impact89fm.org.  WFIX, the training station, streams online at www.fix.org.  A fee collected from all students each semester supports the stations.

Any student, regardless of major, may apply to work at the station either as a volunteer or paid Director.  Positions range from disk jockey to producers, engineers and promotion people.  The offices and studios are located in G-4 Holden Hall, 1-517-884-8900, and are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Michigan State University's enrollment totals over 47,000 students including the off-campus programs. Over 36,000 are undergraduates with the remainder in graduate and graduate-professional programs. Over 80 percent of the new undergraduates enter as freshmen from Michigan high schools or as transfer students from the Michigan community-junior colleges or other colleges and universities in the state. These students come from throughout the state and represent the smallest as well as the largest communities. The remaining students enter from high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and the world. During the Fall 2011 semester, over 5,900 international students from over 120 countries were enrolled. Approximately 52 percent of the undergraduate and graduate students on the East Lansing campus were women. 

On March 16, 1967, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University approved a document entitled Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University. The report established guidelines to identify rights and duties of students in regard to conduct, academic pursuits, the keeping of records, and publications. It provided for structures and procedures for the formulation of regulations governing student conduct, for the interpretation and amendment of the guidelines, for due process in the adjudication of student disciplinary cases, and for channeling to the faculty and administration student complaints and concerns in the academic area.

The original document has been amended several times, most recently in 2010. The revised edition incorporating all amendments as approved by the Board of Trustees is included in Spartan Life. Visit http://splife.studentlife.msu.edu.

On June 18, 1971, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University approved a document entitled Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities. The document established guidelines to identify rights and duties of graduate students in regard to such matters as academic programming, conduct, support, and the keeping of records. This document provided for structures and procedures for formulating regulations governing student conduct, for amending the document, for considering grievances, and for providing due process in the adjudication of cases involving graduate student rights and responsibilities.

The original document has been subsequently amended. The revised edition incorporating all amendments as approved by the Board of Trustees is included in Spartan Life. Visit www.vps.msu.edu/SpLife/index.htm.

On June 6, 1986, the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University approved a document entitled Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities. The document established guidelines to identify rights and duties of medical students in regard to such matters as academic programming, conduct, support, and the keeping of records.This document provided for structures and procedures for formulating regulations governing student conduct, for amending the document, for considering grievances, and for providing due process in the adjudication of cases involving medical student rights and responsibilities. 

This document as amended and as approved by the Board of Trustees is available from the offices of the Deans of the Colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine; the Office of the Graduate School; the Office of the Provost; the Office of the Ombudsperson; and and online at www.vps.msu.edu/SpLife/index.htm.

Graduate or undergraduate student programs may involve the use of human subjects in research. "Human subject" is defined as a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual or (2) identifiable, private information. Federal regulations and/or university policies require all proposed research projects involving human subjects to be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board prior to the initiation of such studies. An official MSU Institutional Review Board determination letter must be obtained before involving human subjects in research and this letter may be required by other University offices. At Michigan State University, the Boards are the Biomedical and Health Institutional Review Board (BIRB), Community Research Institutional Review Board (CRIRB), and Social Science, Behavioral, and Education Institutional Review Board (SIRB).

Specific information regarding procedures for obtaining appropriate review of proposed research projects involving human subjects is available from the Human Research Protection Program Web site at www.humanresearch.msu.edu, E-mail irb@msu.edu, or call 1-517-355-2180.