Mississippi State University Students: How They Spend Time

Mississippi State University, also known as MSU, is a public university in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It has a large student population, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,230 as of Fall 2023. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for its students, including over 300 campus clubs, more than 30 fraternities and sororities, and varsity sports teams. With such a variety of options, Mississippi State University students have numerous ways to spend their time outside of the classroom.

Sports and extra-curricular activities

Mississippi State University (MSU) has a strong focus on sports and extra-curricular activities, with a wide range of options available for students to get involved in. The university's intercollegiate sports teams, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, compete in about 15 sports in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs have a rich history, having won numerous national and conference championships over the years. Baseball is particularly prominent, with a dedicated fan culture and the Left Field Lounge being described as an "epicenter of college baseball".

Beyond varsity sports, MSU offers over 300 campus clubs and organisations, including intramural/recreational sports. Students can join fraternities and sororities, with 18% of undergraduate women and 24% of undergraduate men active in the Greek system in 2019. MSU also has a student government, providing opportunities for leadership and representation.

The university is home to a diverse range of extra-curricular activities catering to various interests. Notable groups include the Famous Maroon Band, MSU Road Runners, the Black Student Alliance, the Mississippi State University College Democrats and Republicans, Music Maker Productions, the Baptist Student Union, and the Engineering Student Council.

With a large number of clubs and organisations, MSU ensures that students have ample opportunities to pursue their passions, develop new skills, and build a sense of community during their time at the university.

On-campus housing

Mississippi State University (MSU) offers on-campus housing to its students, with 34% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The university believes that living on campus provides numerous educational and social benefits, and so first-time freshmen are required to live in on-campus residence halls.

The housing application process for new and transfer students opens on October 1st. Students must first apply and gain admission to the university before applying for housing. There is a $100 non-refundable application fee. Once a student has been offered a place, they will be able to sign an MSU Housing Contract, which is a legally binding academic year contract.

Students wishing to live with a specific roommate can request one another via the housing portal before April 1. Students who do not have a roommate in mind can search for one using the Roommate Preference portion of the housing application, which opens in December.

For students with a disability or medical need, the university asks that they register with MSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC), which will work with the Department of Housing and Residence Life to assign students. Accommodation requests must be received before April 1 to be given priority consideration.

For students already living on campus who wish to renew their contract for the following academic year, they can do so through the Room Selection Verification Process (RSVP), which opens in January.

Transfer students and currently enrolled off-campus students will be assigned a bed space after returning residents and first-time freshmen have been placed.

Student demographics

Mississippi State University (MSU) is a public land-grant research university in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It is known for attracting a geographically diverse student population. The student body is comprised of individuals from all 82 Mississippi counties, all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and nearly 90 countries.

In Fall 2023, MSU had a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,230 students, with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female. The racial demographics of the student body are as follows: 16,303 White, 3,451 Black/African American, 373 Asian, 855 Hispanic, 11 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 351 students with other races. There is also a notable international student presence, with the majority of these students coming from India, China, and Nepal.

The student body is split among 37 states, with 40.62% of students coming from out of state, and 0.86% from outside the country. The undergraduate enrollment includes students over the age of 25, as well as part-time students. MSU also has a significant graduate student population, with 4,427 graduate students enrolled in Fall 2023.

MSU's intercollegiate sports teams, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Southeastern Conference's western division. The university's Greek system includes 20 fraternities and 14 sororities, with 24% of undergraduate men and 18% of undergraduate women participating in Greek life in 2019.

Student newspaper

MSU Students: How Do They Spend Their Time?

With a bustling campus of over 22,000 students, Mississippi State University (MSU) offers a wide range of activities to keep its students engaged. From academics to athletics, and social life to student media, there's something for everyone at MSU.

Academics

MSU offers a comprehensive academic experience with over 180 degree programs across 12 colleges and schools. The university's Bagley College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, and business and education programs are particularly notable. The university also has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, which is better than the national average, allowing students to benefit from more one-on-one time with their professors.

Athletics

The Mississippi State Bulldogs, MSU's varsity teams, compete in about 15 sports as members of the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. The university has a strong baseball fan culture, with its baseball team, the Diamond Dogs, being the most successful. Students also participate in intramural sports and recreational activities.

Social Life

MSU has a vibrant social scene with over 300 campus clubs and organizations, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. The Greek system is popular at MSU, with 24% of undergraduate men and 18% of undergraduate women participating. The university also hosts pep rallies, such as The Drill, to kick off the school year and athletic seasons.

Student Media

The student-run newspaper, *The Reflector*, is published twice a week and has consistently ranked as one of the top college newspapers in the South. MSU also has a local radio station, WMSV, and previously had a student-run radio station, WMSB, which operated from 1971 until 1986.

With a diverse range of academic, athletic, and social opportunities, MSU students have a variety of ways to spend their time and get involved in campus life.

Student government

The Student Association at Mississippi State University is a student-led organisation that represents the interests and concerns on campus of the student body, which is made up of over 20,000 individuals. The Association is active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and is focused on celebrating and gathering the Bulldog family.

The Association is one of over 300 student organisations at the university, which also include fraternities and sororities, the Black Student Alliance, the Mississippi State University College Democrats and Republicans, the Engineering Student Council, and the Stennis-Montgomery Association.

The Association's constitution and bylaws are available to view online.

Frequently asked questions