Arrival in Springfield, Missouri

How to get to Missouri State university

The Missouri State Office of International  Services (IS) provides complimentary transportation services using staff and graduate assistants to meet flights and bus arrivals during the two weeks prior to the beginning of classes.  This is possible ONLY if we have advance notice of your arrival day and time.

Be sure to contact us with your arrival date and time and mode of transportation.  If you arrive without notice, we will be unable to serve your transportation needs, and you will be required to pay for public transportation to campus.

Staff and graduate assistants will meet new students at the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) free of charge.  If you will be arriving by air, we will need to know which airline, flight number(s), date and time of arrival.  If this should change for any reason (missed your flight, flight delayed, placed on the wrong flight, plans changed, etc.), please call or fax us a message.

Come to the International Services Office in the Jim D. Morris Center, Suite 101,  to check in Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. after you arrive in Springfield. You must bring your passport with your visa, your I-94 and your I-20 or DS-2019 with you.

The IS Office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).  Contact numbers are:

Phone Hours Phone Number
During Office Hours 417-836-6618
During Office Hours Fax Number 417-836-7656
After Office Hours/Weekend
*Office of Transportation Services		 417-836-5509
After Office Hours/Weekend Fax Number
*Office of Transportation Services		 417-836-4663

*The Office of Transportation Services is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  They will contact an IS volunteer to assist you.  Please do not call the Office of Transportation Services during IS business hours.

If you would like to take a public transportation to the campus, please refer to the following information:

  • Taxi from the airport - Taxi cabs are usually waiting outside the baggage claim area.  If no taxis are present, call the following cab company:
    • Yellow 417-862-5511
    *The charge is about $20-$25 for a ride to Missouri State with $.50 for each additional person.  It is customary in the U.S. to tip taxi drivers 10% to 15% of the price plus a little more if the taxi drive is helpful in carrying heavy luggage.
  • Taxi from the bus station - From the Greyhound bus station a taxi will take you to campus for approximately $5-$10.

If you arrive after the IS office hours or on the weekend and need more information about where you should stay, please contact the Office of Transportation Services at 417-836-5509.  The office is located at 744 E. Cherry in the Missouri State/Springfield Police Department Substation.

The Office of International Services wants to welcome you to Missouri State.  Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Please call and let us know you have arrived.

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Temporary housing

Fall semester

On-campus temporary housing is only available prior to the beginning of each fall semester. Therefore, only students who begin their studies at Missouri State in the fall semester will be able to make arrangements to stay in on-campus Temporary Housing.

Early Arrival/Temporary housing for the Fall 2015 semester will be available beginning Saturday, August 1 at 10:00 a.m. in Freudenberger House (Freddy). The earliest date students may arrive and go STRAIGHT to their fall permanent assignment rather than a temporary spot is Sunday, August 9 after 2:30 p.m. Any student arriving before this date will be placed in a temporary spot in Freddy and transitioned to their permanent assignments (for the academic year) on Monday, August 10 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.  If the student is not living on campus for the academic year, they will need to vacate their temporary housing on Monday, August 10 by 8:00 p.m. The rate for temporary and early arrival housing for the Fall 2015 semester is $20 per night which will be charged to the student's account unless alternate arrangements are made.  Linens are not provided in the rooms, but if students need them, they will be available for check-out at the front desk at no additional charge.

Spring 2016 semester

If you need temporary accommodations after you arrive, prior to the opening of MSU residence halls, Winter Break housing will be available at the University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy at a special USD rate of $69.00 per night plus tax for 1-2 people, the rate includes breakfast daily. Contact the University Plaza Hotel directly at 417-864-7333 to reserve your space and make sure to mention that you are a Missouri State student in need of Winter Break housing. Please call to reserve your room as soon as you are able so that you can ensure you will have accommodation when you arrive in Springfield. All charges must be paid directly to the University Plaza and cannot be billed to your student account. Roommates must be determined BEFORE check-in at the University Plaza. If you are assigned to an open building [Hammons, Hutchens, Sunvilla, Monroe, or Kentwood] you may move in early for a daily rate (which varies depending on building) as long as your room is vacant and available.  If you are assigned to live in a building that is closed during the break [Freudenberger (Freddy), Wells, Woods and Blair-Shannon], you may move into your space as early as Thursday, January 7, 2016 after 2:00 p.m.

Food

Food is not included in the rates for on-campus temporary housing or motel and hotel rooms.  A campus residence hall cafeteria will serve 3 meals each day at a cost of $3.50 (breakfast), $5.50 (lunch) and $6.00 (dinner/supper), if cafeterias are open; you must have cash or credit or debit card.  An alternative is the food court in the Plaster Student Union.  Several fast-food restaurants are also conveniently located near the campus.  Most motels and hotels are located near fast-food and other restaurants.

Cost of an average fast-food breakfast is approximately $5-$6, with a lunch or dinner in the $6-$7 price range.  You should be able to eat three meals off-campus with between-meal soft drinks and snacks for a total approximately $20 each day.

Staff in the International Services and Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services

The staff in these offices are here to assist you with any problems or concerns you may have during this time.  Please contact one of these offices for assistance.  Anyone in the office can listen to your problem and either help you or refer you to one of the persons specifically trained to assist you with living arrangements and adjustment to your new university home.

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