Having problems logging in?


Follow the simple steps below to successfully register and log in.

Members

a) Click the little triangle-arrow next to the text titled: "Forget Password? New Registrations" in the upper right area of the home page and then...
b) Enter your first name, middle initial, last name, and Membership # (found on your Membership card; middle initials are not displayed on Membership cards, but you must enter one in the form if you have one). NONE of the other fields are necessary to find your record. Click here for more information on how unique names are handled. If you get a "No matching alumni record was found..." error click here for more help.
c) Create a username and password of your choice following the on-screen instructions.
d) Update your address information as applicable, and click on "Submit" to save your changes.
e) Use your username and password to access the Members Only areas.

Non-Members

a) Click the little triangle-arrow next to the text titled: "Forget Password? New Registrations" in the upper right area of the home page and then...
b) Enter your first name, middle initial, last name (click here for more information on how unique names are handled) date of birth, zip code & MSU student ID. Fill out all fields that you can; they don't all have to be entered to get a match. Country of Origin is not for US residents. If you get a "No matching alumni record was found..." error click here for more help.
c) Update your address information as applicable, and click on "Submit" to save your changes.
d) Note that while you can create and register a username & password you will NOT be able to log in to the site (Members Only area) until you're a current member of the MSUAA.

Friends

No registration required to surf the web site in areas available to non-members.

Still have questions not answered by this document? Call toll-free 877-MSU-ALUM (678-2586) (M-Fri 8-5, EST) or if you can't call during those hours please Click here to submit all required information from the registration form and we'll try assist via email.

Q: Why doesn't my previous username/ password work anymore?

A: You'll need to re-register your username/ password if you haven't registered since mid-October 2002.  In other words, any previous usernames and passwords you may have registered on the web site in the past will no longer work on the current system.


Q: I'm entering my name & ID number as it appears on my MSUAA membership card and it's not working; what's wrong?

A: The way your name appears on your membership card does not necessarily match how your name officially appears on the MSUAA online directory. Please use your official name at the time of graduation. In most cases it is the way your name appears on university mailings (like the postcard recently mailed to you by the MSU Alumni Association).


Q: I've completely filled every field on the registration form with information. I know it is correct and the online system is telling me the record can't be matched. How is this possible?

A: The information used for the MSUAA online directory comes from the main MSU database and is not always up to date with your current information. If you are a member and know your membership ID #, then enter only your first name, middle initial, last name, and Membership ID #. NONE of the other fields are necessary to find your record. If you are NOT a current member of the MSU Alumni Association, it is possible that some of the other items are missing from your MSU alumni record (i.e. date of birth, student number, etc). In such cases please contact the MSU Alumni Association at 877-MSU-ALUM (678-2586) (M-Fri 8-5, EST) so your record can be updated. If you can't call during those hours please click here to submit your personal information and we'll try assist via email.

Q: I login to your web site and then go to another section or page within the Members Only area and I'm no longer logged in. Why do I have to keep logging in?

A: You may need to delete all of the cookie files and temporary internet files from your computer, close your web browser and then reload the www.msualum.com web site, relogin and retry. Also make sure that you are logged onto the msualum.com web site and NOT msualum.com from an old bookmark. If you login to the old address and then switch to another page with msualum.com in the address the security does not pass thru and essentially breaks your "logged in" status.

Q: Does the MSUAA online directory recognize uppper case/ lower case letters for usernames/ passwords?

A: Usernames are NOT case sensitive; passwords ARE case sensitive so be sure your CAPS lock key is not on when logging in.


Q: Does the MSUAA online directory accept symbols, spaces and other characters for usernames?

A: In general, no. While it is possible to submit incorrect usernames they will not work when you attempt to login; click HERE for the rules for usernames.


Q: I know I am using the correct username and password; why isn't the web site letting me login? (I am a current member)

A: There's a chance that you entered the password differently (caps lock key was on, etc.); you can reset the password and check your username by clicking here and going through the online registration process again.

Q: I know I'm using the correct username and password; why isn't it letting me login? (I am not a member)

A: While it is possible to create a username and password as an MSU alumnus/ae or friend of the University, only current members can login to the Members Only area successfully.


Q: I want immediate access to the Members Only area; what's the best way to join?

A: Only MSU alumni and friends of MSU who join online can gain immediate access to the Members Only area of the web site.

Q: I mailed my application (or faxed, or walked-in and applied) for membership a week or 2 ago and your system still doesn't recognize me as a member; how long does it take to get access to your Members Only area?

A: Please allow up to 3 to 4 business weeks for processing new memberships submitted via US mail, phone or walk-in before trying to register on the web site.


Q: I'm a recent graduate and received a letter at commencement which stated I've received a free year of membership to the Alumni Association. I've tried to register in your online directory and I keep getting the error "No matching record was found." When will I be able to get access to your online Members Only material?

A: Your complimentary membership takes roughly 8-12 weeks after graduation to process and get loaded into our online system. There are several university offices that need to process your graduation records before we can issue your membership.

Still have questions not answered by this document? Call toll-free 877-MSU-ALUM (678-2586) (M-Fri 8-5, EST) or if you can't call during those hours please Click here to submit all required information from the registration form and we'll try assist via email.

Q: I (or the person I'm searching for) have a nickname or a name with a suffix (Jr., Sr., III, etc.) and/or punctuation and I can't find myself; how should I enter the name?

A: Please try all combinations before giving up or calling for assistance. Nicknames, suffixes, non-US English characters or other punctuation (apostrophes, etc.) are not recognized by the system. Example: last names like O'Keefe or D'Angelo should be entered as "Okeefe" & "Dangelo". Names like St. Johns could be entered as "stjohns", "st johns" or "st. johns". Non-English characters should be entered as close to the English alphabet as possible.


Q: How do I find myself or search for someone possibly with a name change after graduation?

A: First, please try all possible combinations of the name(s). Try searching for the first or more letters of the first or last name; all matches will be shown for you to choose from. If the name has been changed since graduation, search for the official name at the time of graduation.


Q: Why isn't the USA listed on the "Countries of Origin" on the form where I authenticate myself?

A: If you are a US resident do not use the Country of Origin field; this is only for use by non-US residents. To reset this field for US residents scroll to the very top & highlight "--Please Select a Country--"

Miscellaneous:

Q: Are cookies used by the MSUAA registration process?

A: Yes, in order for the registration process to recognize that members are logged in a very small cookie needs to be set on your computer. Your computer's web browser needs to be set to accept cookies. If you're unsure about how your cookies are set on your web browser check with your technical support or call toll-free 877-MSU-ALUM (678-2586) (M-Fri 8-5, EST) and ask for Tim.

Q: I just re-registered a username matching my old username and password and changed my preferred email address and tested the email forwarding service but it doesn't seem to be working. Why doesn't it work?

A: Until January 1, 2003, the old email forwarding system will forward emails to the previous email address you used for email forwarding. After January 1, 2003, the new Online Directory system will be used for email forwarding and this service will become a Members Only service. Changes to your preferred email address in the online directory will NOT take affect until the new email forwarding service is running. After January 1, 2003, the new username and email forwarding address will be used. Click HERE for more information on our email forwarding system.


Q: When shopping in the ROOTS shopping area I'm not able to login. Why won't it accept my username / password?

A: The username/ password used in the ROOTS shopping cart is separate from the Members Only system.  You may use the same password if you wish.  The ROOTS shopping database maintains your preferred billing/ shipping information for added convenience for repeat shoppers.


Still have questions not answered by this document? Call toll-free 877-MSU-ALUM (678-2586) (M-Fri 8-5, EST) or if you can't call during those hours please Click here to submit all required information from the registration form and we'll try assist via email.