Hello everyone; Welcome to Tristin’s Travels! My name is Tristin Cathcart and I am one of the Orientation Assistants for this year’s SOAR Program. With this series, I hope to shed some light on the amazing resources available to us on Missouri State’s Campus, and make incoming students feel like they know all that is available to them to help make their Missouri Statement!
First up on our travels is the Plaster Student Union, widely known as the PSU on campus. The PSU is the hub for student life on campus, and arguably one of the best spots to hang out and take a break. The PSU offers a wide range of food vendors including Chick-fil-a, Subway, Panda Express, Starbucks, Queen City Soul Kitchen, and the newest addition to the family, Sushi Do! These spots accept regular forms of payment as well as Dining Dollars and Bear Bucks, and are a great resource for when you’re hungry but may be in a pinch!
Another great aspect of the PSU are the convenience store, Bear Necessities, and the on-campus boutique, Madison Avenue. These are especially helpful for those students who are living on campus and may need some last minute necessities (see what I did there) or may need to add something to their wardrobe. For the students that do not live on campus, we also have the Commuter Corner! This is a newer addition that provides lockers, microwaves, and a quiet studying spot for the students who don’t live on campus, but may need to heat up their lunch or need a place to store their stuff that isn’t their car.
If you venture downstairs to the first floor of the PSU, you will also find the Multicultural Resource Center, an area on campus that welcomes any and all students to collaborate and work together. The MRC houses the office of LGBTQ+ student services, and offers a transition closet for any students in need of clothes during a transition period in their life. You can also head down there for quiet rooms to study, free printing, and to attend any of their wonderful events throughout the semester such as the Thrift Store or their ‘Chat-Tea’ event!
Another awesome spot on the first floor of the Plaster Student Union is the Bear Pantry. This is a completely free pantry on campus, offering canned and boxed goods, frozen food, hygiene products, and even freshly grown produce from the campus garden! Any MSU student or staff member can access this pantry, no questions asked. They hope to help end food insecurity on campus and are always looking for volunteers to forward their mission.
So, to conclude, the Plaster Student Union is the hub of student life here on Missouri State’s campus. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or just need a place to study, the PSU has it all. Don’t miss out on using all of the resources that the PSU has to offer to the best of your ability, and make the most of your time here at MSU! Go Bears!