2024 GPU Guide to Application & Enrollment

This how-to guide outlines important information about the program and how to successfully apply, enroll in your classes and evening activities and complete payment.

GRANDPARENTS UNIVERSITY Guide to Application & Enrollment June 25-27, 2024

GRANDPARENTS UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW

Since 2005, Michigan State University has welcomed Spartans to campus for a unique inter-generational program. Grandparents University is a three-day campus experience that actively engages participants in MSU academics while creating lasting family memories. Grandchildren and their grandparents participate in three classes and unique evening programming with ample time allocated for exploring all that campus has to offer and experience college life by living and dining in an MSU residence hall. The program is open to children ages 8-13 who are accompanied by a grandparent who is an alum or friend of MSU. Each year, more than 1,000 participants from around the country and world join us.

PROGRAM COST • Child: $250 • Adult: $350

Cost Includes: • Three Grandparents University classes • Two nights lodging in Holmes or Akers Hall • Unique evening programs • Six meals in MSU’s award-winning dining services • Campus transportation

APPLICATION AND ENROLLMENT There are two steps to register: • Step 1: Application — opens March 20 at 10 a.m. E.T. At this time, we collect pertinent information for each child and adult participant. • Step 2: Enrollment — opens March 22 at 10 a.m. ET. At this time, participants select their classes and evening activity.

Registration is completed online only. Please review what’s needed for application and enrollment in advance to ensure that you are prepared and avoid experiencing any delays.

QUESTIONS For full program details and frequently asked questions, check out the Grandparents University website.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ADULT/CHILD REQUIREMENTS Grandparents University is open to children ages 8-13 who are accompanied by a grandparent who is an alum or friend of MSU. • Due to the educational nature of the program as well as limited capacity, children must be within the age range during the dates of the program. We cannot make exceptions to the age range for children. • Because this program is designed to bridge the gap between the generations, parents of children cannot attend in place of, or in addition to, a grandparent. • We recognize that there may be situations where a grandparent cannot attend, so please contact the MSU Alumni Office to discuss potential options. Requests must be approved in writing by the MSU Alumni Office prior to registration. All children must always be accompanied by an adult, no exceptions. • No more than two children can be accompanied by one adult. If two children attend with one adult, everyone must attend the same classes and stay together as a group. In some classes, this may necessitate sharing equipment and working together as one. • If two children attend with two adults, each adult/child pair may attend a different class. • No more than two adults may accompany one child. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OF THE PROGRAM Grandparents University is an active program with events that take place in a variety of locations across campus. Although there is bus transportation, walking is the primary means of getting around and walking distances may be up to several miles per day in various weather conditions. Participants are not permitted to drive their own vehicles to classes and evening activities. See “getting around campus” section in the frequently asked questions for additional details. We strive to treat all participants fairly and equally and keep everyone safe while enjoying the program. We respectfully request that prospective participants honestly consider the physical activity level and whether this program is a good fit for them. If there are any questions, we encourage prospective participants to contact the MSU Alumni Office prior to registering for the program.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONT.

ACCOMMODATION Michigan State University encourages all individuals to participate in our events and we strive to treat all participants fairly and equally and keep everyone safe while enjoying the program. Both Holmes and Akers Halls have a limited number of barrier-free rooms and classrooms that are accessible. Any accommodation must be requested in writing during step 1 of the application. Requests may also be submitted or reiterated when completing the expectations and consent form or by contacting the MSU Alumni Office by April 22. The MSU Alumni Office cannot provide any ongoing assistance to participants, nor can we accept responsibility for any participant who does not communicate such requests prior to the program. This will ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the program for all participants. Any requested accommodation will be kept confidential and shared only with relevant MSU Alumni Office and university staff to ensure participants’ requests are met to the best of our ability.

If there are any questions, we encourage prospective participants to contact the MSU Alumni Office prior to registering for the program.

PROGRAM HANDBOOK Participants should review the Grandparents University program handbook to familiarize themselves with the code of conduct, terms and conditions and rules and policies for Grandparents University. All participants will be required to sign an expectations and consent form that acknowledges that they have read and reviewed the handbook. CANCELLATION POLICY After the registration fee is paid, a request for a full refund must be made in writing by April 22 and will result in a $50 administrative fee per person. We cannot issue any refunds after this date since we’ve already incurred expenses for the program.

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STEP 1: APPLICATION

Step 1 is scheduled to open March 20 at 10 a.m. ET . Utilize the link at the top of the webpage to complete step 1. At this time, we collect pertinent information for each child and adult participant. • All applicants will be prompted to create a new account with a password. • To help avoid any complications during step 2, take note of your login information so you can quickly login on March 22. • If you’ve attended Grandparents University in the past, you will not need to remember a previous username or password, since all applicants will create a new account. • Only one email address is able to be used per account/per family. If a family is registering separately, be sure to have different email addresses ready to create your accounts. • You will indicate all members of your family that will be attending Grandparents University by entering first and last name and indicating if they are an adult or child. You can add or remove registrants as needed. • Once you click “Next” you will be prompted to provide information for each registrant individually. INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS IN STEP 1 • Name • Address, City, State, Zip • Parent/Legal Guardian First and Last Name • Email Address (for children, this should be the email of their parent/legal guardian) • Phone Number (for children, this should be the email of their parent/legal guardian) • Age • Number of Years Attended Grandparents University • Shirt Size (both youth and adult sizes are available) • Gender • Accommodation and Dietary Requests (accommodation refers to accessibility, not housing) NEXT STEPS Once you “Submit Application,” you will receive a confirmation email with more information about required forms and step 2 opening on March 22 at 10 a.m. ET.

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STEP 2: ENROLLMENT

Step 2: Enrollment — scheduled to open March 22 at 10 a.m. ET . At this time, participants select their classes and evening activity and pay the registration fee. Payment of the registration fee must be completed at the time of enrollment and failure to pay will result in the participants’ classes and evening activities being canceled. • Use the class wish list worksheet on pg. 18 of the class catalog to create a wish list of some of the classes you are interested in at Grandparents University. • Select four to five options for each class session and two to three options for the evening activity. • During enrollment, have this worksheet completed next to you to help you choose your classes and evening activity quickly. • Having options will make the enrollment process more efficient, and you’ll be prepared in case an option isn’t available. • You will reserve classes in order of sessions. • You will see a list of available classes that you can choose from. Select the class you would like to reserve. After you choose the class, you will be able to select who is attending that class. • You will repeat this step for all three class sessions. • While enrolling in classes, you can view what your family has enrolled in by clicking to expand the bottom timeslots. • If you receive an error notification that states, “The selection of who is attending is not valid with the number of spots reserved,” check to make sure you selected one adult and one child. If you still receive this error, then the class does not have enough seats for your family. • After selecting your courses, you will have the opportunity to select the evening activity you would like to reserve. • Once you select an evening activity, you will be shown your classes and evening activity summary. • If you want to make a change to your class or activity selections, you can select “Change Class” or “Change Evening Activity.” • When you click “Next” you will be able to review your registration. Please read this page in its entirety before clicking on to the next page. • Once you have read the page, you will be prompted to complete enrollment and pay your registration fee.

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STEP 2: ENROLLMENT CONT.

• Complete enrollment and pay registration fee. • At the bottom of the page, there is a summary of the total amount that will be due for your Grandparents University registration. If you have a scholarship code, enter that code below. • When you click the “Submit Enrollment” button, you’ll be directed to a page with your balance due, a Registration ID and link to CashNet, the university’s secure, PCI-compliant online payment site. • Write down your balance due and your Registration ID number. You’ll need this information to complete payment. • Click the CashNet link and input your balance due, Registration ID and the phone number for the primary contact of your family. • Payment of your registration fee must be made at this time. We can only accept credit card payments. Failure to pay the registration fee will result in your classes and evening activities being canceled. • The entire fee must be paid at one time – we cannot split payments between multiple persons or multiple credit cards. • After your registration fee is paid, the primary contact for the group will receive a confirmation email sent to the email address provided when registering. Please do not contact the MSU Alumni Office to confirm if your enrollment and payment was received. • You will receive an email confirmation for completing enrollment with information on your enrolled classes and a confirmation of completing the registration fee. NEXT STEPS • Following your enrollment and payment of your registration fee, you’ll receive an email from the MSU Alumni Office by April 1 that includes links to required forms. • Adults: Adult Participant Expectations and Consent Form • Children: Child Participant Expectations and Consent Form and Child Medical Consent Form. Both forms must be completed and signed by a parent/legal guardian for the child. • All forms will be available online and will need to be completed by April 22. QUESTIONS • If you have any questions, please take a look at the information on our website which includes a frequently asked questions page. • You may also contact Nikki Hawthorne via email. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can, but understand we have a large volume of applicants for Grandparents University. Please, no phone calls.

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