Beyond Orientation

While online Orientation/Class Registration focuses primarily on the academic aspects of your student's University experience, you will find that a lot of what makes MSU “home” takes place outside of the classroom. In this Finding Community section, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the student support, engagement and extracurricular opportunities that Montana State University has to offer! With so many programs to be proud of, we've divided this section into smaller units so you can more easily navigate it.
-Shannon Bangen, Director of Orientation

 

Launched in 2011, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success comprises the Office of Student Success; Career, Internship & Student Employment Services; the Office of Financial Education; the Office of Return-to-Learn and the MSU Hilleman Scholars Program. The Center saw 17,900 client visits last year, with increased growth each year since its inception.

The over-arching goal of the Center is to advance student retention and graduation outcomes by providing access, resources, solutions, and expertise to promote student success through career maturity, learning support, engagement and financial acumen.

AYCSS offers the following services:

  • SmartyCat Tutoring
  • Financial Coaching 
  • ChampChange Program 
  • Career Coaching 
  • Student Employment Opportunities 
  • Job Fairs 
  • And more!

The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) provides and facilitates student engagement opportunities for MSU students through a variety of programs, events, services, and activities.

OSE is THE HUB for students interested in connecting with their fellow Bobcats through student government, student organizations, programs and events, and engaging in service to the community.

Students may explore the Office of Student Engagement webpage here: www.montana.edu/engagement/

The ASMSU Outdoor Rec Program engages, develops and empowers the leaders of tomorrow using the outdoors as their classroom.

Outdoor Rec offers

  • Expeditions MSU
  • Workshops
  • Rental equipment - Very accessible & inexpensive!
  • Student employment
  • And more!

Want to learn how to rock climb? Want to wax your skis on campus? Want to get paid to tune bikes? Explore the ASMSU Outdoor Recreation webpage here: www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/

MSU Library is much more than a space to study!

We provide innovative digital and physical resources for learning and research, flexible spaces where you can work alone or in company, and the technical tools you need to succeed. Explore our extensive collections and services, including public computer workstations, printers, scanners, technology-rich group study rooms, and quiet study areas. Come talk to a live librarian or staff member. We are here to help you do your best work and save you time.

But it’s not just work at MSU Library! We also have spaces for relaxing and socializing. At the library, you can grab coffee, check out popular reading materials in Bobcat Browse, visit the Virtual Discovery Space, and more.

The Spirit of the West Marching Band can be seen and heard at all home football games as well as dozens of other events around campus and in our community, offering unique performances featuring lively and entertaining music, choreography, and field drill in support of the Bobcats!

The band consists of nearly 200 active MSU students, represent a nearly 20 states and over 40 different majors. The "Spirit of the West" is directed by Dr. Nathan Stark with assistant Stephen Versaevel.

To learn more about auditions and view a list of frequently asked questions, please visit: www.montana.edu/music/faq/index.html

MSU has four choirs, all of which are open to non-music majors and first-year students!

For more information, please contact [email protected].

The Montana State community of fraternities and sororities is rooted in more than one hundred years of tradition and excellence, and the hundreds of members within that community continue to have a profound impact in all areas of campus.

The fraternity and sorority experience offers students a unique opportunity to have a balanced college life by emphasizing leadership, scholarship, service, and friendship. Today, and everyday, the members of these historic organizations are tightly integrated into the university system as well as the greater Bozeman community.
 
Sororities at MSU: 

At MSU, we celebrate a rich history of educating American Indian/Alaska Native students.

The American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success Services is currently located in Wilson Hall and excited to be housed in the new American Indian Hall once it opens in Fall 2021.

American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success serves approximately 700 MSU American Indian/Alaska Native students by offering services such as:
  • Advocacy and support for MSU American Indian/Alaska Native students
  • Networking with various American Indian student organizations
  • Native American Studies academic advising
  • Use of the American Indian Student Support Center
  • Computer/printing/copying/fax services
  • Phone for emergency/personal use
  • Tutoring, Counseling, and Referrals
  • Emergency loans
  • Connection to other campus and community resources and supporters

With questions, please contact us by completing the online form here: www.montana.edu/native/contactus.html

The Office of Disability Services is designed to provide access to all college programs, services, activities and facilities for students with disabilities. This includes encouraging self-advocacy for students and connecting them with resources and support services across campus to help them achieve their personal best.

Students may access their webpage for more information here: www.montana.edu/disabilityservices/

We believe that excellence at Montana State University is best achieved through a culture of intellectual and personal growth that is diverse and inclusive.

We prioritize efforts that create and support diverse working, teaching, learning and research environments and opportunities for the people who make up our community. We create an environment that welcomes, respects and nurtures all students, staff and faculty.

We cultivate this inclusive environment by respecting and celebrating the diverse dimensions of people’s identities, particularly as those identities intersect in complex ways. We will continuously promote a culture of intellectual and personal growth for all, attuned to the importance of differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability status, religion and spirituality.

Students may learn about Diversity & Inclusion at MSU here: www.montana.edu/diversity/

In addition, if you are interested in learning about the Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons, please visit: montana.edu/studentdiversity.

Counseling and Psychological Services offers free and confidential personal counseling to students wishing to address a variety of issues. Whether you are in distress or struggling, seeking to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, or working to prevent current concerns from developing into more serious problems.

There are options for individual counseling, group counseling, couples counseling, consultation, as well as seminars and training on special topics. CPS does not prescribe medication, though students can consult about medications at SHP Medical Services.

The Office of Health Advancement educates, empowers, and energizes the MSU community to thrive through a balanced lifestyle.

We promote generalized well-being by educating on topics such as sexual health, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, as well as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. We address primary health and safety risks specific to the college population by applying evidence informed and collaborative prevention strategies.

Students may learn more about OHA at: www.montana.edu/oha/index.html

The MSU VOICE Center provides free and confidential services and information for all people impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment; including friends, family, and loved ones of survivors. Advocates are available 24-hours a day to provide confidential support, information, and discuss different options. The VOICE Center also provides prevention presentations, trainings, and volunteer opportunities for those who want to help support survivors and work to prevent interpersonal violence on our campus.

VOICE Center 24-Hour Confidential Support Line (406)994-7069 (call or text)

Student Health Partners unites the components of the health and well-being for MSU students including prevention, health promotion, public health, medical services, dental services, and counseling & psychological services.

Students may use any of the SHP services on campus!

Students may learn more about Student Health Partners and their services at: www.montana.edu/health/

Montana State offers over 250+ study abroad programs in 60+ countries!

Study Abroad provides resources, advising and support to students in all majors wishing to enhance their college education by studying abroad.

Students may study abroad for a year, a semester or during one of our 6-week summer programs!

Students must be at a sophomore standing to pursue studying abroad. This means that you can start planning and apply your Freshman year!

Below are some helpful resources as you begin exploring!

Use our Find Your Program page to explore what your best options are!

Recreational Sports & Fitness allows students to get active and stay fit!

Recreational Sports & Fitness is comprised of many facilities, efforts and activities including:

The Writing Center is a resource available to any MSU student working on ANY writing.

Our mission is to create a dynamic, collaborative environmental that fosters and maintains a vibrant community of writers across the MSU campuses. Our Writing Center tutors meet individually or in groups with student writers of all abilities and backgrounds at any stage in their writing processes - from invention to revision.

Stop by Wilson Hall to meet a tutor or schedule online at: montana.mywconline.com/.

The Math Learning Center is housed in Wilson Hall and is available to students for drop-in help.

We encourage students who need assistance with math classes to drop-in and meet the tutors!

The MLC is supported directly by student fees associated with the following math and statistics courses:

  • M105, M121, M132, M133, M151, M161, M165, M166, M171, M172, M181, M182, M221, M234, M273, M274, M283, M284
  • STAT216, STAT217, STAT332

 


Questions? We're here to help.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our staff at [email protected], or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.

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