Travel & Accommodation (MSU)

Travel to East Lansing

The closest major airport is Detroit (DTW), which is a Delta Airlines hub. The Michigan Flyer operates as a shuttle between DTW and East Lansing (with stops in Ann Arbor and Howell), and costs $58 round-trip. The Flyer drops off directly in front of the Marriott Hotel Downtown East Lansing. The Graduate Hotel is also very nearby.

The Lansing Airport (LAN) operates several daily flights to/from Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), and Washington, DC (DCA). Occasionally, flying into LAN is more cost-efficient than flying into DTW and taking the Flyer. LAN is a 15-minute drive to MSU’s campus. 

The local public transit authority, CATA, offers a service in which you pre-arrange a shuttle between LAN and MSU’s campus for the cost of a bus ride, which is under $2. The Kellogg Center, Graduate Hotel, and Marriott Downtown EL are all accessible from this route. If your flight itinerary has you go through Chicago, then flying directly into LAN is a good idea.

There are taxis in Lansing, as well as ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft.

Parking & Transportation in East Lansing

Parking on Campus

Visitors are recommended to park at either:

  • Ramp 6 — hourly paid parking spaces on the first and basement floors
  • Lot 62 – hourly paid parking spaces in both the East and West lots

Visitors may park using only available “Pay By Plate” spots. The parking rate for visitors is $2 per hour for 24 hours per day. These can be paid in kiosk machines, which allow you to pay for 2 hours and then extend via text message. The machines accept multiple forms of payment, including cash, coins, and credit cards, however it does not make change. You can also pay and extend your time using the Spot On app, which also allows you to pay for the full day in one transaction.

Accessible parking is located on the east side of the Main Library, and at the South (back) entrance.

Parking lots that provide $15 for 24 hour parking:

Lot 113 (Wilson Rd/Across the street from Fee Hall): payment required 24/7 – allows payment of $15 for 24hrs. This is the closest parking option to Owen Hall.

Lot 83 (Service Road, eastern section of the lot): payment required 24/7 – allows payment of $15 for 24hrs.

Lot 109 (Western end of University Village): payment required 24/7 – allows payment of $15 for 24hrs.

All can be paid via kiosks and with the Spot On app.

More information about on-campus parking may be found here.

Bus Routes to Campus

CATA (Capital Area Transit Authority) is an easy and efficient way to navigate the greater Lansing area, and a good option to get to the campus from the airport (see the Rydz program) or to explore MSU’s campus or downtown Lansing. One-way fare is $1.25, or $0.60 for students, seniors, persons with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Route planning and mobile payment is available through the CATA app or the Transit app.

Accommodation

Hotels

The closest hotels to the Symposium, within a few minutes walking distance to the MSU Library are:

Dormitory

Dormitory options are limited. Please refer to the information below.

A block of rooms in Owen Hall on campus has been reserved for conference attendees. Single rooms are available at a rate of $52-$55/night, and each single room shares a bathroom with one other single room. Please note that bookings have a 2-night minimum stay for the Symposium (as opposed to the usual 3-night minimum). Requests to share space with a particular fellow attendee can be accommodated.

More information on rooms is available below and on this information sheet for visiting scholars. Guests should email Geoff Parkerson (parke219@msu.edu) directly to book a room, but feel free to email GlobalDHSymposium@gmail.com with any questions.

Check-in time: 3:00PM or later
Check-out time: 11:00AM or earlier

  • Suite-style rooms (two rooms are adjoined by a common bathroom)
  • Bedding -Blanket, mattress pad, pillow, pillow case, flat sheet, fitted sheet and towels
  • Wi-Fi is available throughout Owen Hall
  • Small refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Alarm clock
  • Room furnishings – Elevated bed, desk, desk chair, & dresser under the bed.
  • Study lounges on each floor.
  • Entire building and campus is smoke-free as of August 2016 (University ordinance)
  • Community Kitchen
  • Public Computers –Located in the 1st floor lobby
  • Laundry Room –Free with stay

Parking near Owen Hall

Lot 113 (Wilson Rd/Across the street from Fee Hall): payment required 24/7 – allows payment of $15 for 24hrs. This is the closest parking option to Owen Hall.