Welcome to Michigan State University! Below you will find a checklist of tasks to complete as you begin your appointment at MSU.
Please review the full list as soon as possible. This list is designed to help prepare you for your first semester and provide you with relevant resources.
Prior to Starting MSU
New Hire Paperwork
Work with your department to complete new hire paperwork. The timely filing of this paperwork will permit you to gain access to many MSU systems, including the NetID system.
Office Logistics
Discuss with your department chairperson, school director or designee:
- Office Protocol: location, keys, departmental email, administrator support, supplies, etc.
- Scheduled faculty meetings (department or college) and expectations for attendance
- College and department-specific procedures and policies
- Teaching and other assignments for the upcoming year
Disability Accommodation
If you have a disability that affects a major life activity and believe you will need accommodations to meet the essential functions of your position, register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities to confidentially document and discuss your needs.
Prior to Your Arrival on Campus
Getting your Spartan Card
The Spartan Card serves as an identification card, which distinguishes you as a member of the MSU community.
MSU NetID
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Please note: you will be prompted to set up multi-factor authentication the first time you log in to an MSU system after activating your NetID.
Enterprise Business System (EBS)
EBS is MSU's portal that displays your important employment and personal information . General login instructions can be found here
Parking Pass/Other Transportation Options
Once you have a NetID, password, and your appointment is in the payroll system you may purchase a parking pass using the Online Parking Portal.
Before Classes Start
Familiarize yourself with campus safety
We all play a role in keeping our community safe. If you see something suspicious, report that crime using the contact methods on the Police and Public Safety website; or by texting MSUDPPS to CRIMES (274637) along with your message. You can also call our tip line at 844-99-MSUPD (844-996-7873). Be sure to also review SafeMSU Emergency Preparedness Guidelines posted in classrooms and facility lobbies.
MSU Alert System
The Michigan State University Police Department is responsible for developing and distributing timely warning and emergency notification messages. These messages are intended to warn the community about certain crimes, severe weather, and potentially dangerous situations on or near campus.
You are automatically registered to receive email and telephone calls once you are hired and placed into the Human Resources system. You can register additional devices (home phone, cell phone, texts, other emails, etc.)
Emergency Preparedness
Review the following items within your unit/workspace:
- Business continuity plan in the event of emergency conditions due to weather, natural disaster, major utility failure, health or environmental crisis, or other unforeseen circumstances that might cause a modification or curtailment of operations
- Emergency evacuation plan
- Location of fire extinguishers and fire drill alarms
International Faculty
Check-in with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
Office of International Students and Scholars: 105 International Center.
OISS is happy to provide support to all incoming J-1 scholars to MSU. Review the helpful list of steps you should take prior to your arrival and within your first few days on campus and the Life at MSU webpage to assist in your transition to Michigan State University. Some items included in these resources are:
Required/Recommended Training
New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation
Details for the following programs will be available on the New Faculty and Academic Staff - D2L site soon, below is a preview of upcoming sessions.
- New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation: for all faculty and academic staff who are new to MSU. This event is required for all new incoming academics that are 90% time or greater for two or more semesters on East Lansing’s campus.
- Active Violence Incident (AVI) Awareness training: Open to all staff members new to campus.
- Teaching and Learning Professional Development Opportunities: Suggested for all new instructors.
- SpartansLearn (Collaborative Tools Training): Open to all staff members. These ongoing training opportunities cover topics related to Microsoft 365 tools and Zoom. For information about the collaborative tools training, visit SpartansLearn or email the IT Training Team at train@msu.edu.
- Fall Educator Seminar: Open to all academic staff and faculty members (August 22-23).
New incoming academics will receive an invitation to register to participate in the above orientation activities. If you have not received an email to register or have any additional questions, please email OFASD@msu.edu.
Visit the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development website to learn about additional resources and development opportunities available to you in support of your career at Michigan State University.
Active Violence Incident (AVI) Awareness training
Open to all faculty and academic staff. Recommended for all academics new to campus. You can access the AVI Awareness training by logging in with your MSU NetID and password. Once logged in, click the Launch button to begin the course.
New Instructors and Researchers IT Orientation
The following information is intended to support the orientation needs of all new faculty and academic staff. Please visit our SpartansLearn page by clicking here.
New Employee Onboarding
MSU Onboarding Portal (resource for all new faculty and academic staff)
Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) Prevention Training
Once MSU has processed your employment with Human Resources, you will receive an email notification to participate in the required online Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) prevention training. Training Program Help & FAQ
Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI)
The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI) can provide information on a range of resources, including tips on inclusive teaching and learning strategies, dealing with difficult or controversial topics in the classroom, and access to the Diversity Research Network that provides professional and social support for faculty of color and diversity scholars. Please call 517-353-3924 with questions or email inclusion@msu.edu.
RCPD Disability & Accommodation Training
MSU's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities is committed to expanding education around disability, and we are proud to work with instructors who are lifelong learners.
This course will focus on three areas:
- Disability Education: a brief general introduction into law, history, models, study and language about disability in US culture today
- RCPD and Accommodation Implementation: an introduction to our office as well as information on several common accommodations, student and instructor responsibilities and resources
- Accessibility: best practice suggestions for creating a learning environment that is accessible to all learners, regardless of disability status
Self-enroll to begin this course https://apps.d2l.msu.edu/selfenroll/course/1975097
Some aspects of this course, particularly videos, may function better on the web browser than the mobile app.
A Mile in My Shoes VR application by co-creators Dr. Quentin Tyler and Dr. Linda Nubani creates an immersive 3D experience to demonstrate examples of actual situations many people experience every day.
Title IX
To review the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy click here.
How to Report
MSU treats all reports filed with OIE seriously. Anyone is welcome to file a report with OIE, including students, faculty, staff, and guests. Both reports involving the Anti-Discrimination Policy and Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy may be filed online via the Public Incident Reporting Form or by calling OIE at 517-353-3922 between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information visit the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance.
Occupational Health Requirement
MSU Occupational Health provides medical assessment, monitoring, intervention, and evaluation to MSU employees related to their occupational risks. The office shares responsibility for the health and safety of the MSU community with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) . These services are required by Federal and State laws. If you do not know whether you have occupational health requirements please contact us.
Review Handbooks and Policies
The University has several handbooks and policies that apply to you as an employee. You can find these details by clicking HERE.
We encourage you to become familiar with the following as applicable:
- Registrar’s policy with respect to the Student Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Employment laws and guidelines (federal/state)
- University-wide policies and procedures
- Faculty policies and procedures
- Faculty handbook
- Union for Non-tenure Track Faculty collective bargaining agreement.
MSU Conflict Disclosures and Management Requirements
All faculty should read MSU Conflict Disclosures and Management requirements.
MSU Travel
Teaching at MSU
Syllabus Resources
The Office of the University Ombudsperson has compiled the following information to assist instructors in ensuring syllabi are in line with student rights as outlined in the Code of Teaching Responsibility. As you are creating or reviewing syllabi, we encourage you to consult the resources linked here. In addition, we would be happy to review and provide feedback or give presentations on creating inclusive and comprehensive syllabi.
Additional assistance from the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation for Creating Your Syllabus: Strategies, Resources, and Best Practices can be found here.
Desire2Learn (D2L)
D2L Brightspace (D2L) is MSU’s centrally supported learning management system (LMS). It allows instructors to create and upload course materials, share digital content, and engage with students through discussion forums, email, and announcements. D2L also provides assessment tools including quizzes, assignments, gradebook, attendance, rubrics, competencies, and class progress tracking.
Enroll in the Instructor - D2L Self-directed Training site on the D2L Training page to access how-to videos and other resources.
Ordering Course Materials
Books and other course materials are ordered through the Instructor System, which also provides access to class lists, grades, and administrative actions related to students/courses. See the section on Textbooks and Supplemental Materials.
Note: If you do not have access, please contact the department offering the course.
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. For more information click here.
MSU Code of Teaching Responsibility
This document outlines policies and information regarding your teaching responsibilities at MSU.
Accessibility at MSU
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for full participation in programs, services, and activities. Learn more about MSU’s Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy through the Office of Civil Rights. Access resources for creating accessible content on the WebAccess website. Visit the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) to learn more about the accommodation process at MSU and explore their list of resources that promote and advance accessibility across campus.
FERPA
Student Privacy Rights
Michigan State University ("the University") maintains student education records and is responsible for their access to and release in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ("FERPA"). It is the policy of the University to comply with FERPA.
Michigan State University Access to Student Information is printed in the Academic Programs catalog.
FERPA Training:
A training module regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is now available in Desire2Learn (D2L). To complete the module, please log in to d2l.msu.edu and self-register for the course titled "FERPA for MSU staff and faculty."
Technology Resources for Faculty & Instructors
The Writing Center at Michigan State University provides one-on-one and group writing consultations, various writing-specific workshops, as well as writing groups for graduate students and faculty. We have locations across MSU’s campus serving the needs of all students and campus communities.
Scheduling a Consultation
To schedule a teaching consultation please contact the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development at OFASD@msu.edu.
Mid-Semester Feedback
The purpose of mid-semester feedback is to collect formative feedback on your course to explore possible adjustments. Mid-semester feedback is optional. The feedback comes to you only and is not used for administrative review purposes. For more information click here.
Technology Resources for Faculty & Instructors
Research at MSU
Office of Research Regulatory Support
ORRS is available to support faculty, students, and staff with their research regulatory needs so that they can conduct activities that are safe, legal, and fair.
The Office of Research Regulatory Support (ORRS) is under the Vice President for Research and Innovation and includes: Animal Care Programs (CAR/IACUC), Conflict Disclosures and Management (CDM), Export Controls and Trade Sanctions (ECTS), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), Stem Cell Research and its own administrative and technical staff. ORRS top level organization chart (PDF).
MSU Technologies (MSUT)
As MSU’s technology transfer office, MSU Technologies (MSUT) works with MSU faculty members and researchers on the licensing and commercialization of inventions and copyrightable materials developed at the university. Our goal is to move MSU’s technologies from the lab to the marketplace to advance the common good.
Sponsored Proposals, Awards, and Award Management at MSU - Pre/Post Award Processes:
Award management includes all post-award activities that occur between the time an award/account is established in MSU’s financial system and when the closeout process begins for sponsored program accounts. All CGA groups are involved in the management of your award. Visit the "CGA Department Organization" page for specific information about each CGA group and their contact information.
Tour Campus and Make Connections
Self-Guided Tour of MSU's Campus
MSU is currently offering in-person campus visits that include a guided walking tour. These in-person visit options can be found through our visit page. If you are unable to reserve a spot for a campus visit for any reason, or if you prefer to explore our campus independently, you and your guests are welcome to undertake a self-guided tour.
Campus Connections
Michigan State University is a large campus with many different opportunities. Sometimes, connecting with colleagues who share research interests or values can help make an enormous campus feel more like a community. Click here to find your community.