Frequently Asked Questions

Students and employees with a disability who wish to utilize a service animal in the classroom or University office must register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). For use of a service animal by a resident or potential resident in University housing, see Policy, Guidelines and Procedures for Residents with Service Animals in University Housing

The MSU Grounds Department is responsible for snow and ice control in support of the University's daily academic operations, conferences, sports events and evening programs. This must often be accomplished under extreme weather conditions and involves work on approximately 26 miles of roads, 100 miles of sidewalks, 25,500 parking spaces, and over 130 acres of parking areas for a daily community of up to 55,000 people. Ground Maintenance is responsible for first clearing roads (activated by the MSU Police Department), then parking lots (snow fall above 2"), snow priority routes for residence halls/disability routes (beginning at 5:30 am), the exterior areas of paved CATA bus stops, priority sidewalks (5:30 am), and the continued clearing of sidewalks and curb cuts on campus. The priority sidewalk clearing maps will be posted on the Grounds Maintenance at www.grounds.msu.edu.

If students or employees encounter areas where snow removal has not been sufficient on sidewalks, MSU bus stops, pedestrian crossings or barrier-free parking areas, please report the area using the "comments" box at www.grounds.msu.edu or call (517) 355-7750.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides fixed route services on and off campus, covering all of Ingham County. CATA buses are equipped with ramps or lifts, and run every 7 to 35 minutes depending on the route. CATA also provides a curb-to-curb, advanced reservation (1 day prior) transit service for persons with disabilities, called Spec-Tran. For more information about CATA, visit their website at www.cata.org.

• If the book is already in books.rcpd.msu.edu, RFB & D, or any number of other sites described on the Accessible Textbooks/Media page, than the answer is almost immediately. For books not already prepaired, RCPD produces texts on a first come, first serve basis for books not previously produced, but gives priority to projects for students with no access to printed materials other than through recording, e-text, or readers.
• A specific time line for completion of RCPD produced materials is unavailable as each project has specific factors affecting production. RCPD strives to meet student goals regarding the completion date for a given project. Early submission of materials is a key factor for timely production of alternative formats.
• In order to speed up the time for students to gain early access to scanned e-text, RCPD will upload a draft (non-edited) file onto books.rcpd.msu.edu while the whole textbook is being edited. Most students have found the draft files are good enough for regular reading purposes.
• After the book is done being scanned, it will take approximately an additional two weeks for the cut book to be rebound by an external printing service. Some students do not want the cut book rebound, while other students want to use the cut book first, and ask for it to be rebound toward the end of the semester. Communicate with RCPD Media Specialist your special request in regard to the book re-binding service.

An array of equipment, facilities, and services are also available at the MSU main library to enhance access. For more information visit the main library Assistive Technology Center Web page.

1. The PSYCHIATRIC-PSYCHOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION form completed by a mental health professional to document your psychiatric condition.
2. A letter written by your mental health professional on his/her professional letterhead explaining in detail why you need a housing accommodation due to your psychiatric condition.
3. A letter signed by you (with your MSU PID #) OR an email from you using your MSU email account (with your MSU PID #) requesting a housing accommodation and explaining in detail why you need this accommodation due to your psychiatric condition.
   

Once you have all these documents, please contact the psychiatric disabilities specialist to schedule an appointment. The specialist will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

The MSU Grounds Department is responsible for snow and ice control in support of the University's daily academic operations, conferences, sports events and evening programs. This must often be accomplished under extreme weather conditions and involves work on approximately 26 miles of roads, 100 miles of sidewalks, 25,500 parking spaces, and over 130 acres of parking areas for a daily community of up to 55,000 people. Ground Maintenance is responsible for first clearing roads (activated by the MSU Police Department), then parking lots (snow fall above 2"), snow priority routes for residence halls/disability routes (beginning at 5:30 am), the exterior areas of paved CATA bus stops, priority sidewalks (5:30 am), and the continued clearing of sidewalks and curb cuts on campus. The priority sidewalk clearing maps will be posted on the Grounds Maintenance at www.grounds.msu.edu.

If students or employees encounter areas where snow removal has not been sufficient on sidewalks, MSU bus stops, pedestrian crossings or barrier-free parking areas, please report the area using the "comments" box at www.grounds.msu.edu or call (517) 355-7750.

Visit Architectural Accessibility at MSU to find an accessibility map, barrier free access statement, projects summary and offer suggestions to improve accessibility on campus. This page also includes specific information regarding entrances without steps and power entrances to buildings on campus.

Special parking requests can be made if necessary by completing an application form for your vehicle and registering with MSU Police and Public Safety.

Visit the Michigan Department of Human Services DHS to identify sources of PCA funding in Michigan. Other sources include:

• Michigan Medicaid and Medicare Assistance Program
• Tri-County Office on Aging (Project Choices: for individuals with severe physical disabilities older than age 18)
• Michigan Community Mental Health (Developmental Services – all disabilities acquired prior to age 21)

You will also want to contact local resources in your community prior to arriving on campus.

The MSU Grounds Department is responsible for snow and ice control in support of the University's daily academic operations, conferences, sports events and evening programs. This must often be accomplished under extreme weather conditions and involves work on approximately 26 miles of roads, 100 miles of sidewalks, 25,500 parking spaces, and over 130 acres of parking areas for a daily community of up to 55,000 people. Ground Maintenance is responsible for first clearing roads (activated by the MSU Police Department), then parking lots (snow fall above 2"), snow priority routes for residence halls/disability routes (beginning at 5:30 am), the exterior areas of paved CATA bus stops, priority sidewalks (5:30 am), and the continued clearing of sidewalks and curb cuts on campus. The priority sidewalk clearing maps will be posted on the Grounds Maintenance at www.grounds.msu.edu.

If students or employees encounter areas where snow removal has not been sufficient on sidewalks, MSU bus stops, pedestrian crossings or barrier-free parking areas, please report the area using the "comments" box at www.grounds.msu.edu or call (517) 355-7750.