Last Steps

Important Reminders

Your student is almost a Bobcat! Below are some important reminders and last steps that your student should take before the school year begins.
-Shannon Bangen, Director of Orientation

MSU CatCard

Students may view detailed instructions on how to get an MSU ID, known as one's CatCard, online: www.montana.edu/catcard/account.html

Students that will be residing in the Residence Halls on campus will pick up their student ID at Move-In. Students who will be residing off-campus will pick up their student ID at the CatCard Office located in Miller Dining Commons.

Parking Permits

We encourage students and their family to discuss if they would need and actively use a vehicle on campus. 

There are many ways students can get to and navigate campus. Students often bike, walk and take the Streamline Bus. There are even shuttles that run students up to our local ski hills! You may learn about the various transportation options in Bozeman on the Sustainable Transportation webpage.

A permit or payment is required every time you park on campus. If you plan on bringing a car with you to campus, please purchase a parking permit on our webpage: www.montana.edu/parking/.

Please keep in mind that parking permits sold out extremely quickly last year! Permits are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parking permits will be accessible to incoming students beginning July 15th and between 24-72 hours after they register for classes.

Student Code of Conduct

Students are essential members of the MSU community and are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis of the Code of Student Conduct.

The student conduct process at MSU is not intended to punish students; rather, it exists to challenge those whose behavior is not in accordance with our policies and to foster a better understanding of the expectations that exist for members of our academic community. Sanctions are intended to improve the students’ moral and ethical decision-making and to help them learn more about what is expected as members of our community.

By enrolling at Montana State, students are agreeing to abide by the Student Code of Conduct. We encourage students to Know Your Code!

Please review the Student Code of Conduct at: https://www.montana.edu/knowyourcode/

In addition, there are FAQs available here: https://www.montana.edu/knowyourcode/students.html

Campus Map

Finding one's way around campus can be challenging sometimes! Below are two resources we encourage students to review in their first few days on campus. There will also be tents and staff members on Centennial Mall on the first day of school if students have questions or get lost.

Students may view an interactive campus map here: www.montana.edu/campusmap/#!/

Students may view a list of building abbreviations at: www.montana.edu/registrar/Handbooks.html#Building%20Abbreviations

MSU Bookstore

The MSU Bookstore, Inc. is a resource providing a comprehensive and diverse offering of goods, services, information, and advice to the University Community.

Students may explore and purchase items online at: www.msubookstore.org/

Students can check out what materials they will need for their classes by using our search feature here: www.msubookstore.org/adoption-search

Diversity & Inclusion

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

Montana State University is located on the original homelands of Native peoples and acknowledging this rich history is central to our commitment to learning from the past. 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 identifies, particularly as those identifies 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 identify, sexual orientation, ability status, religion and spirituality.

It is important to us at MSU that students feel supported and welcome. We encourage you to view the diversity and inclusion student resources available at: www.montana.edu/diversity/resources/students/index.html

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.