Community

The Michigan State University campus is located in East Lansing, adjacent to Lansing, the state capital. The University and the surrounding communities offer a variety of very affordable housing options for graduate students and their families, with day care and highly rated schools close by. The University maintains one of the largest campus housing facilities in the nation. Individual rooms are available in Owen Hall, the graduate student dormitory. One and two bedroom apartments are also available on campus in University-operated housing communities. Students may rent apartments or individual houses off campus in East Lansing, adjacent communities, or the nearby countryside. Much of the available housing is within bicycling distance from the campus.

The East Lansing area is a vibrant Midwestern community located within a four hour drive or train ride from Chicago, an hour and a half from Detroit and about five hours from Toronto. The campus is easily accessible by commercial transportation. Capitol City Airport in Lansing is served by several major airlines. Amtrak and bus service is also available to and from East Lansing. The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides convenient local bus transportation throughout the greater Lansing area.

The University and the surrounding community offer many cultural and recreational opportunities. Programs at the University's Wharton Center for the Performing Arts include performances by world renowned musicians and dancers as well as Broadway Shows. Painting, drawing and photography exhibits can be viewed at the Kresge Art Center on campus or at various smaller galleries in the area. East Lansing and MSU celebrate spring with the annual Spring Art Fair featuring arts, crafts and live entertainment. Exhibits on Michigan culture and natural history are found at the MSU Museum.

MSU is well known for its beauty . The Red Cedar River traverses the campus and mature trees provide numerous shady terraces. Included among the multiple gardens is the Beal Botanical Garden which has been under cultivation for 120 years. More than 5,000 acres of contiguous MSU property extend from the main campus and include experimental farms and native woodlots.

Canoes are available for rent on the Red Cedar River that flows through the campus. A bicycle trail runs between East Lansing and Lansing. In Lansing the trail passes the Impression Five Science Museum, R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and The Riverwalk Theater. Also in Lansing are the Michigan Historic Museum and the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. For outdoor enthusiasts there are many local parks for picnics, sports and hiking. Two local parks maintain cross-country ski trails in the winter. Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks are located on campus and in the community. Michigan State Parks and Forests are located throughout the state providing for camping, hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

As a member of the Big Ten conference, athletics have a rich tradition at MSU. Students may participate in some of the 25 different intramural sports while less competitive exercise programs enable students and faculty to maintain their physical health. Overall, the MSU campus is conducive to graduate education and offers a stimulating setting that supports creativity.