Apply for free through October 31

Now through October 31, we're waiving application fees for all domestic freshman and transfer applicants!
*Common app code: Central27

Apply for Free!
Back to Main Menu
Home How to Apply Areas of Study Cost, Aid & Scholarships Explore & Visit Information for

Campus is Fired Up and ready. Are you? See where you'll live, all your dining options and even explore student groups to join.

Check out these common questions about campus life.

    The East, South and Towers Housing Communities
    As a campus resident, you’ll be part of a housing community that brings together several different residence halls or apartments. Each housing community give you access to a residence hall director/residence director, a care advocate and an assistant director.

    Living Learning Communities
    Live in community with students who share your interests. Focusing on everything from music to engineering to public service and beyond, our living learning communities give you a built-in support system.

    Interest areas of LLC: Business, Education and Human Services, Health Professions, Honors, Leader Advancement, MAC Scholars, Public Service, Music, Science and Engineering.

    Glad you asked!

    Familiar eats on campus
    Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Ponder, Idli Dosa Indian Restaurant, Shake Smart, Ignite Donuts, Slim Chickens, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Subway, Which Which and Build pizza by design.

    Buffet style or made-to-order options on campus
    Breakfast bars, pizza and pasta, grilled food, bowl recipes made to order (without wheat, gluten and the top 9 allergens), deli, salad bar, vegetarian and vegan selections and a dessert station.

    There are also around 100 restaurants in the Mount Pleasant area to try, not including fast food.

    For starters, student tickets to CMU's Division 1 athletic events are free. There are plenty of student organizations to join (300+), including club and intramural sports. You'll have access to the fitness center's pool, hot tub, sauna, weight room and much more.

    There are also around 500 events that take place locally every year, like concerts, festivals, farmers markets, art walks and more.

    Student life

    Check out the professional, academic, recreational or special interest clubs to find your next favorite student group to join!

    Find your people

    Picture this: Around 300 student organizations, 45+ club sports and 30+ intramural sports. If you want to meet people with similar interests, you can find a registered student organization for that.

    search STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

    Make connections with CMU Greek life, build your network with pre-professional organizations or boot up with our eSports team! There is at least one organization for every area of study, plus ones for social justice, community service and leadership.

    Have an idea for a group that isn’t there? You can start one!

    Make a difference

    Getting involved is a part of your education. Being active in the CMU community is all about meeting new people, hearing their stories and learning how to work with others.

    Find new friends while making a positive impact through community service and volunteering. Spend time giving back to the Mount Pleasant community with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. 

    Want to help out somewhere else in the world? CMU is also a national leader in alternative breaks, giving you the chance to volunteer locally and globally.

    Find out how you can get involved and don't miss out on this huge part of #LifeAtCentral!

    Aerial photo of Towers Community at Central Michigan University.

    Housing

    There are 17 residence halls on campus. Something else that sets us apart – there are no community bathrooms in student housing at CMU. We get it.

    There are also 9 Living Learning Communities open to incoming freshmen who have specific interests – business, health, public service and more. Here, you can live where you learn and learn where you live. Competitive scholarship recipients will also be placed in the Honors Program Living Learning Community.

    EXPLORE LIVING ON CAMPUS

    Student at CMU Dining facility

    Dining

    Each residential community has a connected restaurant, so you’re never more than a quick stroll to your next meal. 

    Pull up a chair! Try our 3 residential dining restaurants. Want something specific? Other dining options across campus include Build Pizza, Freddie’s, Slim Chickens and Shake Smart. Looking for coffee? We have Starbucks, Ponder Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Need a snack on the go? Grab some fuel at one of our 2 markets on campus.

    Food is important to learning, and we believe no student should worry about their next meal. The CMU Student Food Pantry is there to help.

    See CMU Dining

    Staples Endowment Concert: Five Lakes Silver Band

    Details:

    Join us Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Staples Family Concert Hall for the Staples Endowment Concert: Five Lakes Silver Band! Guests are welcome to join us in person at Staples Family Concert Hall as the concert is free and open to the public! Please stay at the end of the concert to enjoy a reception, free, sponsored by the School of Music.

    About Mr. Sam Staples

    Mr. Sam Staples has been a longtime friend and avid supporter of CMU’s School of Music and the College of Arts and Media, and his family is the namesake of a concert hall on campus. Sam has served on the School of Music Opus Committee, the College of Communication and Fine Arts Capital Campaign Committee, and the Michigan Story Festival planning committee.

    He was actively involved with the day-to-day workings of the School of Music and the College of Arts and Media. He has helped develop special instructional initiatives such as guest instructors and special theater organ events. He has helped bring musicians and ensembles to campus, and he has brokered School of Music partnerships with the community.

    In addition to donations to name an office and a practice studio in the Music Building, the Staples family made one of the largest gifts in the history of the School of Music. This gift supports music events and annual masters series concerts. In recognition, CMU named the Music Building’s 500-seat performance venue the Staples Family Concert Hall. Sam and the Staples family are regular and enthusiastic attendees at almost all School of Music concerts and events.

    Sam’s nominator for this award wrote, “Sam, Trudy, Karen, Carl, and the entire Staples family have been invaluable partners in the advancement of the School of Music and have become warm friends to students, faculty, and staff.”

    About the Five Lakes Silver Band

    The Five Lakes Silver Band originally started as Oakland Brass Band and was renamed to provide a distinct identity apart from the Oakland University Brass Band. The Oakland Brass Band was founded in 2006 by several local musicians with the desire to provide Detroit area professional and semi-professional musicians with an outlet for expressing their talent through the brass band style and heritage. By October, 2006, a Board of Directors was created, non-profit status was sought for the organization and a list of interested musicians was developed.

    In 2010, the FLSB recorded their first CD, "Notes from America". Since then, the band has recorded a total of 6 CDs.

    In 2013, the Five Lakes Silver Band captured its first national championship title by taking 1st Place in the 1st Section of the North American Brass Band Association Championships held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The band continues to grow in its popularity, strength of musicianship, and leadership and is emerging as one of the leading brass bands in the country.
    Date: -
    Time: -
    Sponsor: School of Music College of the Arts and Media
    Contact: Director of Music Events Necalli Calavera calav1np@cmich.edu 989-774-3738
    return to top of page