Middle Tennessee State University 2023–24 Parent & Family Guide

Parent & Family GUIDE

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About This Guide

CollegiateParent has published this guide in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University. Our goal is to share helpful, timely information about your student’s college experience and connect you to relevant campus and community resources.

Please refer to the school’s website and contact information below for updated information in the guide or with questions about its contents. CollegiateParent is not responsible for omissions or errors. This publication was made possible by the businesses and professionals contained within it. The presence of university/college logos and marks in the guide does not mean that the publisher or school endorses the products or services offered by the advertisers.

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Welcome to MTSU

We have a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The University has eight undergraduate colleges, offering more than 40 departments and more than 140 degree programs. Our College of Graduate Studies offers more than 100 degree programs.

When we say, “I am True Blue,” it affirms that we are part of a tight-knit community of fellow students, professors, staff, and supporters, all working for your student’s progress and success.

We offer terrific opportunities, exceptional value, and a beautiful campus. Our undergraduates get real-world experiences that other universities offer only to graduate students.

Your student’s classroom may be behind a camera at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, combing an archeological dig site, helping patients on an underwater treadmill, or adjusting a robot just like those used at state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.

MTSU is the No. 1 choice for our state’s transfer students, the No. 1 provider of graduates to the Greater Nashville economy (second largest producer of graduates in the state), and the No. 1 choice of adults (ages 25 and up) seeking a four-year degree.

We have completed more than $1.5 billion in new construction and improvements on our campus over the last two decades, highlighted by our $147 million state-ofthe-art Science Building, the crown jewel of our three-building Science Corridor of Innovation.

And, in 2022, we opened a cutting-edge, $40.1-million building to house our growing Concrete and Construction Management program. This 54,000 square-foot facility is six times larger than its previous home and will offer high-tech facilities for this innovative and industry-favored program.

All of these investments have provided a remarkable combination of top-notch classroom, research, laboratory, study, and gathering spaces designed to encourage faculty and student interaction.

We are extremely grateful and honored to be entrusted with something as important as the education of your student. On behalf of our university, we are pleased to welcome you as new members of our True Blue community.

Sincerely,

Sidney A. McPhee President

Welcome to the Middle Tennessee State University community! We look forward to your student’s arrival on our campus and will have a variety of activities planned to help ease their transition during the first days and weeks of the term.

Of particular interest to you for 2023–24 will be the events during our opening weekend, August 25 and 26. Parents and family members are welcome to join new students in attending these important activities and getting to know new friends and new campus traditions.

We hope you will join your student in reading our summer book selection, which will be introduced to your student as a part of our CUSTOMS orientation program. Many freshmen classes will use or refer to the summer reading book during the fall term. This year’s selection is Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age, by Bruce Feiler. This will be an important read, designed to help students think critically about how the changes that come with their college transition can become an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Food and fun will be available at the President’s Welcome Back Bash held on Friday night in front of the Student Union on the east side of campus. This activity is free, will begin around 6 p.m. and will last until it gets dark. All students and families are welcome, whether the student will be living on campus, off campus or at home. The author of our summer reading book will attend the President’s Bash to sign books for you or your student.

On Saturday your whole family is invited to attend our opening-of-the-year Convocation, held at 2 p.m. in the Murphy Center, where we will celebrate the arrival of our newest students. All new students are expected to attend Convocation to begin their MTSU academic experience. During the Convocation ceremony, students will join in our tradition of taking the True Blue Pledge. Among other things, students affirm that, as Blue Raiders, they will engage in the life of this community and contribute to its progress and success. Our keynote speaker for Convocation will be the author of our summer reading book — for many students, this will be the first time they’ve had the opportunity to read a book and then meet the author! Parents and family members will sit with their students during the ceremony, and at the conclusion, we’ll take the official new student photo on the main floor of the Murphy Center.

At the conclusion of our Saturday activities, most families will then depart campus, and students will have Sunday to settle in and get ready for classes to begin on Monday, August 28.

The Friday and Saturday events are two of our “Connection Point” activities. During the first several weeks of the semester, new students are encouraged

to complete a variety of Connection Point activities as we work to integrate them into the out-of-classroom life of the MTSU campus. Events will include everything from football games to movies to a comedy show, as well as events to help introduce students to volunteer opportunities, student organizations, and student employment options.

We know that students who are most successful at MTSU balance hard work in the classroom with an active campus life, whether through athletics, band, living and working on campus, or joining a variety of clubs and organizations. Students will receive weekly email updates of upcoming activities so they have no excuse for being bored or failing to meet other students. All that will be required is for them to leave the comfort of their room or apartment and venture out to some of the planned events. When your student wants to take a break from studying, they can log on to the MTSU Campus Life page (mtsu.edu/campuslife) for information about campus programs and events ranging from service projects to concerts to leadership development workshops. Sports fans will also want to keep an eye on the official website for MTSU Athletics, goblueraiders.com

We’re excited for the arrival of our Blue Raider Class of 2027, and staff throughout the Division of Student Affairs and

Enrollment Services look forward to working with your student. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of assistance in the coming year. New freshmen are encouraged to connect to other freshmen by joining the MTSU Class of 2027 Facebook page, and new transfers may join the MTSU Transfer Facebook page. Parents and other family members may connect to other parents by joining the MTSU Parent and Family Association Facebook page. A handful of dedicated MTSU administrators are active on all of those pages to assist in answering questions and helping connect students and families to campus resources.

The MT One Stop will be your resource for all questions specifically related to fee payment and financial aid/scholarships. You may always get their help with an email to MTOneStop@mtsu.edu or via the Virtual Counter, which will create a one-to-one online meeting with an MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor. Finally, general questions and concerns may be sent to us at stuaff@mtsu.edu We will respond to all questions or concerns quickly, and help you find the help you or your student needs at MTSU.

Welcome to MTSU, and best wishes to you and yours for a safe and productive year.

TRUE BLUE!

Parent and Family Association

The Parent and Family Association would like to welcome you to the MTSU family!

The MTSU Parent and Family Association exists to provide a support network for parents and families of incoming and current MTSU students. We believe that their success would not be possible without your support and the support they will receive here on campus. We want to ensure that we are providing you with adequate support as members of the True Blue Family. Join our Facebook Group and start connecting with other families today! Facebook.com/groups/MTSU.PFA

We are always accepting new members. Dues are $30 annually, or a $60 one-time fee good for the entire time your student(s) is/are enrolled at MTSU. You can join online any time at mtsu.edu/parents

What you will receive as a member of the Association:

• A Welcome Kit full of MTSU Proud Parent and Family Member Gear

• Monthly eNewsletters designed to keep parents up to date on happenings at MTSU

• Very Important Parent (VIP) discount card offering discounts to hotels, restaurants, and bookstores in the Murfreesboro area

• Access to scholarship opportunities for your student

• Opportunity to apply and volunteer with our Parent Ambassador program

Family Weekend

Family Weekend gives you a wonderful opportunity to visit MTSU and learn more about the campus where your student’s college life is happening. Enjoy all the events and have a good time together!

Please visit mtsu.edu/parents for up -to - date information about the weekend.

Setting Your Student Up for Success: the Career Development Center

The MTSU Career Development Center empowers students with the tools and strategies to discover and engage in meaningful work and life. This journey begins as soon as the student enters college, with career exploration (what do I want to do?) and major exploration (what can I do with my major?).

Career Advising

The Career Center utilizes Career Assessments, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory (SII) to help students explore their personalities, interests, and career goals and find a major that best aligns with them. Dedicated Career Advisors work with students on all aspects of job search coaching, including strategies, resume/ cover letter formation, networking, and interviewing. Multiple online resources are free to students through the Center, including Handshake and CareerShift for job searching and Big Interview for networking.

In addition to coaching students 1:1, we also work with faculty and staff across campus to provide varying online educational training platforms and professional training to groups, including student organizations.

The Career Closet

The MTSU Career Closet offers professional outfits to students in need. With donations from faculty, alumni, and community partners, we are able to provide a full closet to aid students going for interviews or presentations.

Employment

The MTSU Career Development Center works closely with employers to provide opportunities to students at all levels of education, from internships and on-campus employment to full-time careers. The annual Fall Career Fair brings over 150 employers to campus, allowing students to network with and learn more about the job opportunities available to them.

Your Role in Student Success

What can you as a parent or guardian do to ensure your student’s success in the transition from college to career? Encourage your students to begin thinking early about their career goals and what they can do during college to set themselves up for success, including joining student organizations, networking with professionals, and securing internships. Below is a timeline of recommended goals. Remember, students can meet with Advisors in the Career Center at any time, even as alumni!

Year 1: Self-Assessment

• Identify Interests

• Develop Skills

• Determine Values

• Assess Personality Traits

• Meet with Career Advisor

• Become Familiar with LinkedIn and Handshake

Year 2: Career Investigation

• Research Organizations

• Identify Job Responsibilities and Titles

• Learn from Professionals

• Update LinkedIn and Handshake

Year 3: Skill Building

• Update Resume

• Work a Part-Time Job or Internship

• Maximize Class Projects

• Get Involved on Campus

• Do Undergraduate Research

• Conduct Informational Interviews

Year 4: Job Searching & Networking

• Update Resume

• Conduct Mock Interviews

• Learn Salary Negotiation

• Network On and Off Campus

• Attend Career Events

• Secure Position or Apply to Grad School

Please visit mtsu.edu/career or call (615) 898-2500 for more information about the Career Development Center’s services and resources.

The Partners in Education (PIE) Program

We believe that students are best served by a learning environment that meets their needs as individuals through the integration of student life services and academic programs. Similarly, we believe that many students may also benefit from their participation in a collaborative partnership that includes the student, their family or advocates, and the MTSU staff.

Joining Partners In Education

To participate in the Partners In Education (PIE) program, a student simply clicks on the “Partners in Education (PIE)” link in PipelineMT. Please note that the release does not apply to personal counseling or health information protected by FERPA; however, if students are experiencing problems in these areas, MTSU staff will identify available resources. The student may remove the authorization at any time by simply returning to this link.

Please note that this program does not provide the PIE partner with online access to student information. All information requests are fulfilled through the MT One Stop.

Partners Contact the MT One Stop to:

• Request information on student’s grades, grade point average, and class attendance

• Get assistance to help set up services for the student

• Discuss matters regarding financial aid and billing

Questions, concerns, or problems? Email the MT One Stop at MTOneStop@mtsu.edu and make sure to include your student’s M# and your Partner in Education PIN number.

PIE Partner PIN

The assigned PIN is for the purpose of identifying you as a partner when emailing to request information. Please remind your student to choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember. If you forget your PIN, your student can access this information for you online using their PipelineMT Partners in Education (PIE) link.

What to expect from the PIE program

When a PIE partner contacts the MT One Stop and places a request for information about issues such as grades or attendance, the MT One Stop will contact the necessary parties to fulfill the request and direct to campus resources as needed. When the information requested is available, the MT One Stop will send it via email. Please note that the student is notified and copied on the requests that are made.

Student Authorization for Release of Confidential Information

By adding partners on the “Add/ Update/ Remove my Partners in Education” link, a student authorizes the release of confidential academic, financial aid, student financial account information, academic progress reports and grades (when available) to the person(s) named. This release does not apply to other information (discipline, counseling and health records) protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Authorization is valid as long as the student is enrolled (without a break in enrollment) at Middle Tennessee State

University or until partner is removed via the “Add/ Update/ Remove my Partners in Education” link in PipelineMT.

If you have questions regarding Partners in Education (PIE), please contact the MT One Stop at MTOneStop@mtsu.edu or visit us in the Student Services and Admissions Center (SSAC).

All activities of Partners in Education are directed toward strengthening the collaborative relationship among the student, the family, and Middle Tennessee State University, with the goal of improving the academic success and retention of students.

The Partners in Education (PIE) program helps address the needs of students by creating a partnership, fostering communication between students, their families, and the University.

Through the Partners in Education program, PIE partners can request academic information and suggestions to help them provide effective support for their student.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Parking and Transportation Services office is located in the Parking Services Building

Use map for reference only. Please refer to signage and/or pavement markings for specific

specific designations. Map is subject to change.

Color code for buildings/sports areas

See legend on next page.

Campus Map Legend

For the most current map, please visit mtsu.edu/parking/documents/parking-map.pdf

ACB Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Boulevard, D3

ABER Abernathy Hall, 1719 Alumni Drive, D5

ALOF Alumni Office,2263 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, A5

ALUM Alumni House, 2259 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, A5

AMG Alumni Memorial Gym, 2610 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, B3

BAS Business and Aerospace Building, 1642 MTSU Boulevard, D4

BDA Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building, 615 Champion Way, C3

BH Beasley Hall, 323 Friendship Street, C5

BLH TCWNHA (Black House), 1417 East Main Street, C6

BRAGG John Bragg Media and Entertainment Building, 1735 Blue Raider Drive, D4

CAB Cope Administration Building, 315 Visitor’s Circle, B5

CH College Heights Building, 1607 East Main Street, C6

CKNB Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building, 610 Champion Way, C3

COE College of Education Building, 1756 MTSU Boulevard, D4

COGN Central Utility Plant/Cogeneration Plant, 729 Champion Way, C2

CORL Corlew Hall, 1634 MTSU Boulevard, C3

CSB Central Services Building (Day Care Center), 1835 Alumni Drive, E5

DH Deere Hall, 1619 Alumni Drive, D5

DSB Davis Science Building, 422 Old Main Circle, C4

DYS Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia, 200 North Baird Lane, C6

EHS Ellington Human Sciences Building, 2623 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, A2

EZEL Ezell Hall, 1727 Blue Raider Drive, D5

FAIR Fairview Building, 820 Fairview Avenue, A1

FH Forrest Hall, 543 Champion Way, C3

GH Greenhouse, 1724 Lightning Way, D3

GRH Gracy Hall, 321 Friendship Street, C5

HARR Center for Historic Preservation (Harrison House), 1416 East Main Street, B6

HC Horticulture Facility, 1714 Lightning Way, D3

HMA Housing Maintenance Annex, 657 Founders Lane, D3

HOB Holmes Building (Maintenance Complex), 836 Champion Way, D2

HONR Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, 1737 Blue Raider Drive, D4

ING Sam H. Ingram Building, 2269 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, A5

JACK Tom H. Jackson Building, 628 Alma Mater Drive, B3

JCH Jim Cummings Hall, 1744 MTSU Boulevard, D3

JH Jones Hall, 624 Old Main Circle, C3

JUB James Union Building, 516 Alma Mater Drive, B4

JUDD Judd Hall, 217 Friendship Street, C5

KOM Kirksey Old Main, 612 Old Main Circle, B3

KSHF Emmett and Rose Kennon Sports Hall of Fame, 1320 Greenland Drive, B2

KUC Keathley University Center, 1524 Military Memorial, C4

LH Lyon Hall, 414 Alma Mater Drive, B4

LIB James E. Walker Library, 1611 Alumni Drive, D5

LRC Ned McWherter Learning Resources Center, 1558 Military Memorial, C4

MARY Miss Mary Hall, 414 Alma Mater Drive, B4

MB McFarland Building, 654 Founders Lane, D3

MC Murphy Center, 2650 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, B2

MCH McHenry Hall, 414 Alma Mater Drive, B4

MEC Andrew Woodfin Miller, Sr. Education Center, 503-509 Bell Street, (See inset at top right)

MGB Midgett Building, 612 Old Main Circle, B3

MOH Monohan Hall, 312 Alma Mater Drive, B5

NEO Naked Eye Observatory, 346 Old Main Circle, B4

NICK Nicks Hall, 1715 Alumni Drive, D5

OBS Observatory, 346 Old Main Circle, C5

PCS Homer Pittard Campus School, 923 East Lytle Street, A4

PH Peck Hall, 537 Old Main Circle, B4

PHLP Project Help, 206 North Baird Lane, C5

PKS Parking Services Building, 1403 East Main Street, B6

PSB Printing Services Building, 1756 Greenland Drive, D2

PTS Parking and Transportation Services, 205 City View Drive, F6

REC Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center (Health Services located inside the HWRC), 1848 Blue Raider Drive, E4

REH Reynolds Hall, 312 Alma Mater Drive, B5

RH Rutledge Hall, 526 Alma Mater Drive, B3

ROTX ROTC Annex, 531 Champion Way, C4

SAG Stark Agriculture Center, 651 Founders Lane, D3

SBCH Stephen B. Smith Baseball Clubhouse, 641 Champion Way, C2

SCA Scarlett Commons Apartments 1-9, 1858 MTSU Boulevard, E3

SCC Sports Club Complex, 2111 East Main Street, F7

SCH Schardt Hall, 312 Alma Mater Drive, B5

SCI Science Building, 440 Friendship Street, C5

SCP Satellite Chiller Plant, 215 College Heights, C5

SFA Saunders Fine Arts Building, 629 Normal Way, C3

SIMS Sims Hall, 215 Friendship Street, C5

SL Soils Lab, C6

SMH Smith Hall, 318 Old Main Circle, C5

SSAC Student Services and Admissions Center, 1860 Blue Raider Drive, E4

STRO Strobel Lobby, C4

STU Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Boulevard, E4

TB Telescope Building, 1852 MTSU Boulevard, F4

TENN Buck Bouldin Tennis Center, 1210 Greenland Drive, B1

TCM Telecommunications Building, 732 Champion Way, D2

TLC Tennessee Livestock Center, 1720 Greenland Drive, D2

TODD Andrew L. Todd Hall, 542 Old Main Circle, C4

UP University Police, 1412 East Main Street, B6

VA Vocational Agriculture, 1704 Lightning Way, D3

VET Voorhies Engineering Technology, 1212 Faulkinberry Drive, B3

WANH Internal Audit (Wansley House), 209 North Baird Lane, C6

WC Woodmore Cybercafe, 319 Friendship Street, C5

WH Warehouse (Maintenance Complex), 1672 Greenland Drive, D1

WLA Womack Lane Apartments A-L, 1815 Alumni Drive, E5

WMB Wright Music Building, 1439 Faulkinberry Drive, C3

WPS Wiser-Patten Science Hall, 422 Old Main Circle, C4

WSC Wood-Stegall Center (Development and University Advancement), 120 Old Main Circle, B5

University Police Department and Emergency Notification

The University Police Department at MTSU is a fully functioning law enforcement agency.

MTSU Police Officers are certified by the State of Tennessee as authorized police officers with full police powers including the authority to respond to criminal complaints and emergencies, investigate crimes, and affect arrests.

The department currently consists of 36 commissioned police officers, six full-time dispatchers, approximately 20 part-time student workers, plus fulltime administrative staff. University Police operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It is located at 1412 E. Main Street, Murfreesboro.

University Police has the overall responsibility of helping to maintain the safety and security of the MTSU community; the Police Department is dedicated to creating and preserving a campus that is a safe place to learn and work. In addition, University Police provides several related support functions as a general service to various departments within the University.

These functions include:

• The overall responsibility for promoting the safety and security of persons, buildings, and property on or about the campus of MTSU, including the patrol of the campus grounds on a 24-hour-per-day basis to prevent and control crime.

• The investigation of crimes, the apprehension of criminal offenders, and the recovery of stolen property.

• The preservation of the peace and maintenance of good order.

• Traffic enforcement and the issuance of citations for traffic violations.

• The prime generator of reports, records, and state/federal mandated annual statistics concerning all crimes committed on university property or properties controlled by the University, including reports of missing persons, missing public and private property, accidents, and certain incidents of alleged violations of university regulations.

• The support of special events and activities through the management of contract security personnel, traffic, informational assistance, and the maintenance of an orderly atmosphere.

• The coordination of efforts in areas of common responsibility and concern with other area law enforcement agencies in order to ensure representation of the University’s interests.

Emergency Notification

Rave Alert is part of MTSU’s critical notification alert system, Alert4U. The critical notification system will be used to send text, email, and/or voice alerts to those in the system. The system will be used only under circumstances that pose a threat of imminent danger to the campus community and/or when it is vital to contact members of the campus community as quickly as possible to take some kind of action. All

The Place to Be

staff, faculty, and student email addresses are loaded into MTSU’s alert system automatically. Additional phone numbers for texting and/or voicemail or additional email addresses can be added. For more information about what to do in case of an emergency, go to mtsu.edu/alert4u

Annual Security Report

The Annual Security Report contains information about crime statistics for three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or properties owned or controlled by MTSU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.

The 2022 Annual Security Report is available at mtsu.edu/police/ docs/2022AnnualSecurityReport.pdf.

For more information, visit the MTSU Police Department’s website mtsu.edu/police

Your Top Questions Answered

We know that this is a time of transition for everyone in your family. We have come up with a list of answers to frequently asked questions to help alleviate stress and to help you and your student be successful during this time.

Why can’t I attend my student’s advising appointment during CUSTOMS?

In 1974, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was passed as United States law. FERPA passed the right to privacy onto students when they reach the age of 18 or attend an institution beyond the high school level. Under FERPA, you are not permitted to attend your student’s advising appointment during CUSTOMS. This is a great opportunity for your student

to practice advocating for themselves and it gives them a space to begin building a relationship with their academic advisor. We know being involved in your student’s academic career is important to you. Though you’re unable to attend the advising appointment, you will be able to speak with your student about their schedule once they’ve met with their advisor and scheduled their classes. If you believe a change needs to be made to your student’s schedule, the change can be done online through PipelineMT with the permission of your student’s academic advisor.

When

Fall 2023 registration bills will be available online through your student’s PipelineMT account in July. Bills will not be mailed. For a complete list of important Financial Aid dates and deadlines, please visit mtsu.edu/tuition/dates.php .

How do I pay my student’s bill?

Your student will need to grant you permission to access and pay their bill online through Authorized User Account Information in their PipelineMT account. Once your student authorizes you, you will receive an email with a password and a URL to sign on and set up a personal password. Authorized users can also log in at the Parent/Guardian payment link listed under Quick Links on the mtsu.edu website.

Where should my student live?

Your student has the option to live either on campus or off campus. We strongly encourage students to live on campus during their first year because research shows that students who live

on campus have a higher retention rate, on average, than their off-campus peers. However, your student will need to select the housing situation that works best for them. Here is some information about MTSU’s housing options:

On-Campus Housing: Campus Housing provides your student with opportunities for growth, development, and learning outside of the classroom. We are so much more than a roof over your student’s head! We invite your student to become a part of campus life by joining one of our many Living Learning Communities, participating in their hall’s Programming Council or simply attending one of their RA’s programming events. There are so many ways to contribute to this vibrant community! We welcome you and your student to explore mtsu.edu/housing to find out more about on-campus living.

Off-Campus Housing: There are many different living arrangements for students off campus. MTSU does not endorse or operate any apartment complexes or housing options located off campus. You and your student will need to do some research to see what arrangement may be best for them. Many have transportation to and from campus, and various living arrangements are available.

can I access my student’s bill for the fall semester?

What will my student eat on campus?

Here at MTSU, there are over 20 dining options located across campus for your student’s convenience. Whether they have a meal plan or not, your student is able to eat at any location on campus. From coffee in the morning at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts or a snack before or after class from one of the Provisions on Demand (P.O.D) locations to lunch and dinner in locations such as Chick-Fil-A, McCallie Dining Hall, Subway, Steak ‘n Shake, and many others, your student has plenty of options. For a complete list of dining services, as well as information about meal plans, please visit mtsu.campusdish.com

How will my student be supported academically?

There are many resources offered on campus to help your student succeed academically. Your student will be assigned an Academic Advisor based on their major. This process is meant to foster a collaborative and mentoring relationship among advisors and students to ensure student success throughout their time on campus. Advisors will provide guidance about courses and major progress while supporting students by connecting them to other services that will aid in their success. These services can include free campus and online tutoring, supplemental instruction, and a series of workshops designed to assist freshmen as they navigate their first year in college. Students are also encouraged to build relationships with their professors and seek additional support during their office hours and study sessions when available. Your student can also visit the Office of Student Success for additional support.

Where can my student look for a job on or off campus?

Students can search Handshake for on-campus and off-campus jobs as well as internship/co-op positions that will prepare them for their future careers. For more information and to review job postings, students can join or login here: mtsu.joinhandshake.com . For additional on-campus opportunities, students are encouraged to reach out to the specific department they are interested in working for to see what opportunities might be available.

Can my student earn a degree in four years?

At MTSU, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a 2.00 grade point average. We encourage students to carry a full-time course load of 15 hours per semester in order to complete their degree in four years. This is not a requirement, but if students are fulfilling that 15-hour full-time status, they can easily graduate in four years. Degree requirements do vary from major to major, so please be sure that your student discusses their graduation goals with their academic advisor to create the best graduation plan for them.

Lightning’s Lingo

BlueID is an ID card that identifies MTSU students, faculty, and staff for access to campus services and privileges. With the BlueID card, students can check out books at the MTSU Library, be admitted to the Recreation Center and campus computer labs, and buy tickets to campus events. In addition, students can use the card to receive student health services, use student meal plans, and be admitted to residence halls.

Connection Point provides incoming students a great way to immediately get involved with out-of-classroom activities. Each semester a slate of fun, educational, and athletic events are organized just for your student. In addition to meeting new people and making new friends, they can also win some terrific prizes.

FlexBucks , similar to Raider Funds, are for food purchases only and can be used in any ARAMARK dining location on campus. FlexBucks can be reloaded at any time throughout the semester. FlexBucks attached to a meal plan expire at the end of the semester.

Lightning (MTSU’s Mascot) is a flying Pegasus, a blue, winged horse, born in 1998. Lightning symbolizes the University’s Aerospace program and the Middle Tennessee region’s heritage in the walking horse industry.

M# is a Student ID number that has been assigned to each student to replace the use of Social Security Numbers on campus. This number can be found on the BlueID card and on Pipeline MT.

PipelineMT is the system students use to register for classes, pay fees, check email, and much more.

Raider Funds is the debit card feature of the ID system. Students and employees may deposit money in their personal Raider Fund account and then use their BlueID to pay for fees, meals, vending machines, and photocopiers, and to purchase books, supplies, and personal items at the bookstore.

Raider Xpress is a shuttle service designed to transport faculty, staff, students, and visitors around campus. The service is available only when classes are in session. Current bus routes with construction detours can be found at mtsu.edu/parking/transportation.php

Student Government Association (SGA) Road Rallies are student trips to away football and basketball games offered at a discounted price through the SGA. The package price includes transportation, a hotel room (if an overnight trip), and a game ticket. The Road Rally price usually ranges from $20–$100 depending on the trip. For more information, visit mtsu.edu/sga/rally.php

The Blue Horseshoe The Horseshoe was created by MTSU Student Ambassadors to establish a new campus tradition. A penny from 1911, the year MTSU was founded, was dropped into the ground under the statue and supplies good luck for those who touch the Blue Horseshoe. Alumni, students, and fans are encouraged to

touch the Blue Horseshoe for good luck before an event — such as the big game, performance, student organization function, or even before a test or class presentation.

University Convocation , held before classes begin each fall semester, marks the beginning of a new academic year and the transformation of each student into a contributing member of the MTSU community. It also marks the transformation of our academic community, which will be forever changed by the entrance of each class.

Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2023

Term Dates: August 28–December 14, 2023

DATE EVENT

April 3–14

Priority Registration

August 28 Classes Begin

September 4 Labor Day Holiday — No Classes

October 14–17 Fall Break — No Classes

November 22–25 Thanksgiving Break — No Classes

December 6 Last Day of Classes

December 7 Study Day — No Classes

December 8–14

Final Examinations

December 14 Last Day of Term

December 16 Commencement

December 17 Deadline for Final Grades

Spring Semester 2024

Term Dates: January 16–May 2, 2024

DATE EVENT

November 6–17, 2023

Priority Registration

January 16 Classes Begin (Tuesday after MLK, Jr. Day)

March 4–9 Spring Break — No Classes

April 24 Last Day of Classes

April 25 Study Day — No Classes

April 26–May 2

Final Examinations

May 2 Last Day of Term

May 4

Undergraduate Commencement

May 5 Deadline for Final Grades