Q: Can one adult bring two children?
A: Each child must be accompanied by an adult at all times. One adult can bring two children, however, all three would attend all the same classes and stay together as a group. In some sessions, this group may be sharing equipment and working together as one unit.

Q: Must the adult be the child's grandparent?
A: While this program is designed for grandparents and grandchildren, we recognize that some situations may arise where a grandparent is unable to attend and a child's parent or relative may accompany them in the program. The child's parent or legal guardian are required to sign permission forms prior to the event.

Q: What are the age requirements?
A: Children must be 8-12 years old.

Getting Around Campus,
Parking, and
Bikes

Q: How do we get around campus to attend the classes?
A: We will have several buses driving a set route around campus. These buses will be specifically for this program and will stop at predetermined locations. While these buses may not offer door-to-door service, they will reduce the amount of walking.

Q: Can we bring bicycles?
A: Yes and be sure to bring your bike locks and helmets. The MSU Bikes Service Center has adult-size and some youth-size bikes avilable to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis. For information about bike rentals, contact the Bikes Service Center at (517) 432-3400 or bikes@msu.edu.

Q: Where do we park? Can we buy a parking permit?
A: Parking on campus is very difficult and you should plan on parking your car for the entire length of the program. Free parking is available in Lot #91 (one block South of Holmes Hall on Hagadorn Road).

Q: Where can we park if we have a handicap permit?
A: If you have a valid state-issued handicap parking permit, you will still need to obtain a parking pass in order to park on campus. A limited number of spaces are available near Holmes Hall. Please indicate your special needs on the registration form.

Q: What special accommodations can be made for me?
A: Holmes Hall has a limited number of rooms for guests with special accessibility needs. Holmes Hall is barrier free for wheelchair users. Please be sure to indicate any special requests on your registration. Several minivans will be used to assist with getting participants with accessibility issues to and from their classes.

Q: How can I make my child gets into a specific class that they really want?
A: Some of the classes are limited in size due to availability of equipment or size of the room. Class assignments will be made based on the date registration was received. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. No guarantees can be made for any class.

Q: How do I know what classes I will get?
A: Class assignments will be made in the Spring and classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis based on when your paid registration was received. Once all the class assignments are made, every participant will receive their personal schedule with details on the specific classes and times.

Q: How do I tell my child they didn't get a specific class that they really wanted?
A: Unfortunately, some classes are limited in size and our faculty volunteers are often limited in the number of classes they can conduct. The Grandparents University program is all about the inter-generational experience of going to college, living in the dorms, going to class, eating in the dorms, exploring campus and building quality memories with the children and grandparents. Many participants find that while the classes are a major part of the program, the entire experience is what they find enjoyable. Last summer, we heard from many children who went to classes they didn't think they would enjoy, yet when the class was finished they found it to be one of the best experiences they had.

Q: Who decides which classes to offer? How come there is not one from my college?
A: The Grandparents University program is a partnership between many units on the campus of MSU, yet not every college or unit elects to participate. For those units which do participate, faculty and staff specialists are contacted and encouraged to help conduct classes. These instructors are volunteering their time and energy, so depending on vacations, research, and teaching commitments, they may not all be able to participate during the days of this event.

Q: Is there another date and time that this program is being offered?
A: Grandparents University is only offered one time during the summer.

Q: What time should we arrive? When can we move into the dorm?
A: Specific details will be sent to all participants several weeks before the event. It will include instructions and times for move-in, what to bring, and all the other details involving this experience. Until then, see the Schedule for an estimate of times.

Q: I want to stay in a hotel. Is there a discount if I don't stay in the dorms?
A: No. The registration rate is all-inclusive and this program is designed to have participants engaged in the full campus experience which includes staying in the dorms, eating meals in the cafeteria, attending various classes, etc. You are welcome to stay in a local hotel, however, you will still need to pay the full registration fee.

Q: Why is this in Homes Hall and not a different dorm?
A: Holmes Hall was selected based on several important requirements, including availability, accessibility and semi-private bathrooms (one bathroom for every two dorm rooms).

Q: Can I bring an air conditioner?
A: No. MSU does not allow air conditioners due to electrical and safety concerns. We suggest you bring a fan and extension cord.

Q: Do the dorm rooms have refrigerators?
A: No. Holmes Hall does have ice and vending machines. If you have medicine or other health-related items that need to be refrigerated, please indicate this on your registration form and notify us in advance of arriving on campus. Often if we receive advance notice, special arrangements can easily be made.

Q: I have food allergies. What special precautions are being taken in the cafeteria?
A: MSU Housing and Food Service operates the cafeteria and are experienced at dealing with food allergies. There will be several food options for every meal, so participants will have a choice in which foods they eat. The cafeteria staff is good at avoiding cooking with items that are common with allergies. Cafeteria staff will be available at each meal to help you make the appropriate choices.

Q: What is the Cancellation Policy?
A: If individuals need to cancel, a request for a full refund must be made in writing no later than 5:00pm on February 18, 2008. We are unable to issue any refunds after this date since we will have already incurred a majority of the costs for this program.

Q: But something unexpected has come up. Why can't I get a refund after this date?
A: This program is self-funded so as not to take away from the limited resources needed to educate MSU students and much of the costs associated with this event are incurred prior to this event. Also, it would not be fair to the families on the waiting list or who could not register because the event was sold out. While we understand some summer activities may suddenly appear which conflict with these dates, the dates were published seven months prior to the event and all policies were clearly stated during registration in December.

Q: Can I send a substitute person in my place?
A: Substitutions are allowed only if the substitute completes all the necessary forms (and return them to us completed and signed) at least 30 days prior to the program AND the substitute matches the demographic of the person being substituted (an adult for an adult or a child for a child).

Q: I am on a limited income. Are scholarships available?
A: Yes. A limited number of scholarships are available - see the application for details.

Q: How did you determine the rates for this event?
A: This program is self-funded so that it does not take away any necessary support from the colleges involved in the program. Rates are set based on the actual costs of conducting this event, including food, lodging, busing, promotion and many other ancillary items.

Q: What is included with the registration fee?
A: Your registration fee includes 2 nights lodging, 7 meals in Holmes Hall, admission to Grandparents University classes, admission to evening activities, an event t-shirt, special buses around campus, and other event items. You may wish to bring money for vending machines (the cafeteria has limited hours) and souvenirs.

There is not one person who organizes this event. Rather, alumni relations professionals across campus in many different departments coordinate this entire event.

Direct inquiries to:
Grandparents University
c/o College of Natural Science
103 Natural Science Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1115

Email: gpu@msu.edu

Phone (voice-mail only): 800-353-5646