Author: MSU Human Resources

Gain knowledge and skills with elevateU this summer!

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Do you want to learn in a way that’s free, easy and convenient? The e-learning resource elevateU, provided by HR’s Professional Development Services and IT Services, offers free online instructional guides, videos, books and even courses. The tools available in elevateU focus on improving overall work performance, with topics ranging from the development of interpersonal skills to computer literacy.Print

Summer is a great time to catch up on reading. With elevateU, you will never be short of free books. The resource includes Books 24×7, a platform that boasts on-demand access to thousands of books, research reports, best practices and more. On Books 24×7, you can make notations and bookmarks, receive email alerts about new arrivals of books related to your interests, and read on tablets and smart phones. ElevateU will enhance your career through professional certification programs and quizzes.

If you want to sample elevateU before diving into courses and creating development plans, you can try watching the 7-12 minute business impact videos that dramatize frequently encountered business problems and provide solutions. You can also partake in a 15-20 minute challenge in which you analyze and solve a problem. Check out an overview of the elevateU resources here.  For a more in-depth and MSU-specific explanation, watch this video.

All MSU faculty and staff can use elevateU. To access elevateU, log in to EBS, click on the ESS tab, and then click on Professional Development. Look for the elevateU link under Training Opportunities.

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Kick-start your retirement plan at upcoming workshops

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Retirement might be far away for many, but it’s never too early to start planning and preparing. Starting to save and invest now can lead to financial security and a big pay-off in the future. On July 15 and 16, retirement vendor TIAA-CREF is coming to MSU as a part of their Financial Essentials education to provide free workshops to staff and faculty. All sessions take place in the MSU Union. Click the dates to register for one of the sessions.

Jar of change
Start saving now to ensure a comfortable future

The Starting Line: Why and how retirement saving should begin now

Wednesday, July 15, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

This session shows the real effect of time on money, why saving is important and how to plan, and how budgeting can help you find and save. Snacks are provided.

Halfway There: A retirement checkpoint

Wednesday, July 15, noon – 1 p.m. or Thursday, July 16, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

This session provides a mid-year financial checkup that allows you to evaluate current savings, formulate a plan to reach your savings goals and how to manage what might be competing with retirement savings, such as college savings, short-term savings and so on. Lunch is provided at the afternoon session and a light breakfast is provided at the morning session.

Inside Money: Managing income and debt

Thursday, July 16, noon – 1 p.m.

This session demonstrates how to make your money work, the importance of cash flow and how to use it. It describes good and bad debt and ways to help manage it. Lunch is provided.

Register soon! Seating is limited. If you have questions, contact TIAA-CREF at 800-732-8353 or MSU Human Resources at retirementinfo@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

Events Round-Up July 2015

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Here are some events happening over the next month that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff. Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Community Events

Saturday, July 4

Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks, 8 p.m., Adado Riverfront Park

Tuesday, July 7 – Sunday, July 12

Common Ground Music Festival, Adado Riverfront Park

Wednesday, July 8

The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, 7:30 p.m., Wharton Center

Sunday, July 12 – Sunday, July 19

Capital Area Restaurant Week, Greater Lansing

Tuesday, July 14

Play in the Park, 7 p.m., Valley Court Park

Friday, July 17 – Saturday, July 18

Scrapfest, Oldtown

Thursday, July 23

Moonlight Film Series, 9:30 p.m., Valley Court Park

Saturday, July 25

Car Capitol Auto Show, Michigan State Capitol, morning – 3:15 p.m. award show

Taste of Downtown, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Development, Training and Wellness

Wednesday, July 8

Best Doctors Live Q&A of Sports Medicine: Orthopedics, noon, online broadcast

Tuesday, July 14

Creating Accessible PDF Documents, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Wednesday, July 15

The Spartan Experience, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Nisbet

Tuesday, July 21

Relaxing Under the Stars, 12:10 p.m. – 12:50 p.m., Abrams Planetarium

Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23

Influencer, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Nisbet

Thursday, July 23

Boosting Your Career with ElevateU, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nisbet

Reminder: University holiday on July 3

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The American flag
In 1777 the American flag only had 13 stars.

Two hundred thirty-nine years ago the Continental Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.  The Fourth of July is a day to reflect on the birth of our nation and celebrate with family and friends. It’s also a day to eat great food, attend parades and watch fireworks.

The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year, so the university is closed Friday, July 3. The next university holiday is Labor Day on Sept. 7. View the university academic calendar here.

On July 3, all Sparty’s sites and the Riverwalk Market at Owen Hall will be closed, but all other Eat-At-State hours of operation are the same. View the hours of operation for Independence Day here.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Thank you Controller’s Office

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AdminBldg-2009
The Controller’s Office works with numbers in Hannah Administration. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

The Controller’s Office manages MSU’s finances, and is behind every paycheck received by faculty and staff. That may be the favorite feature of this department, but the Controller’s Office is essential for innumerable university functions.

There are many rules, policies and laws that the Controller’s Office must ensure are being followed by the university, its students and its employees. In total, that’s about 60,000 individuals! Its mission is to provide world-class fiscal integrity and service while facilitating MSU’s world-class instruction, research, and public service.

The Controller’s Office performs many services, such as managing business traveling expenses, providing online calculators to estimate tuition, coordinating the MSU Manual of Business Procedures, which outlines policies and procedures regarding proper university business fund allocation, and so on.

In short, the good people at the Controller’s Office meet the constant financial needs of the MSU community. They pay attention to the nitty-gritty details that are vital to the university’s continued world-class fiscal reputation and strive for accuracy and integrity in their work.

Thanks Controller’s Office! You’re a good friend to Human Resources, and we definitely appreciate you!

Fire up the grill for delicious BBQ

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What’s summer without a barbecue? Get out your grill and cook up some savory food to share with family and friends. Residential and Hospitality Services Senior Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski offers a recipe and some tips to make the most of your summer barbecue.

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Rib Rub:Continue Reading… Fire up the grill for delicious BBQ

Congratulations to the “What’s Your Financial IQ?” Winners!

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MSU HR would like to thank everyone who participated in the “What’s Your Financial IQ?” challenge! To celebrate Financial Literacy Month, we teamed up with retirement vendor TIAA-CREF to quiz faculty and staff on their financial knowledge. Beginning on April 1, for 22 days five questions were added each day. The more participants played, the more they were entered to win a tablet computer.

The 1,100 participants, who ranged in age from 18 to over 65, received an average performance of 66 percent on the quiz this year. Participants self-identified their financial subject matter knowledge, ranging from “clueless” to “ready to retire.” MSU employees scored highest on questions related to taxes and lowest on questions related to retirement.

Congratulations to our winners!

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Nicole Martin, Administrative Professional in Faculty and Organizational Development
Mike Rich2
Michael Rich, Senior Specialist in Composite Materials and Structures
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Thomas Ginter, Physicist at National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab

Thanks again to TIAA-CREF for sponsoring the challenge. We hope staff and faculty learned the extent of their financial knowledge, and can study in preparation for next year’s challenge!

Have fun this Father’s Day!

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Experience something new this Father’s Day! On Sunday, June 21, MSU and the Lansing area offer fun events for fathers and their families.

Forest Akers West
View of the 18th hole at Forest Akers West golf course. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Father’s Day Golf at Forest Akers Golf Courses, 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Take dad golfing just south of MSU’s main campus on one of Forest Akers’ two 18-hole golf courses. Those who play on June 20 or 21 on the West Course receive a free photo at The Moore Bridge.

Dad’s Day at the Zoo, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Potter Park Zoo

Dads get in for free this Sunday at Potter Park Zoo, which is home to more than 160 species of animals. Learn all about the characteristics and habitats of these animals, including tigers, penguins, a Burmese python and much more.

Father’s Day in the Gardens, 10 a.m. –  2 p.m., Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden

Families can come for free to the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden on MSU’s campus. Children can learn about the variety of plants in the garden and make something for dad.

Lansing Lugnuts game, 2:05 p.m.,Cooley Law School Stadium

Take dad out to the ball game to watch the Lugnuts take on the Great Lakes Loons. Get there early, because dads and kids can play catch on the field with the Lugnuts players before the game. There will be zoo animals, airbrush tattoos and more on the concourse.

Let your dad know how much you appreciate him by sharing smiles and making lasting memories.

Try biking to work

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Summer is the perfect time for MSU faculty and staff to get into the habit of biking to work.

Biking is a great way to experience the beautiful MSU campus, get exercise, go green and save on gas and parking.

Bikes at College of Engineering
Bikes locked up at the College of Engineering Building. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

“You just see things you don’t get to see when you’re in a car, so I just find it a lot more fun,” said Sustainable Transportation Manager Tim Potter, a year-round bicyclist.

Biking is especially practical because CATA’s Spartan Service, which includes most MSU campus routes and allows MSU regular employees to ride CATA on-campus routes for free, does not operate in the summer. Several East Lansing routes have reduced run times as well. Read about the changes here.

Potter recommends starting with small trips and discovering different routes for beginning bike commuters. The Tri-County Bicycle Association has an updated online map that features bike-friendly streets. The MSU-specific map developed by MSU Bikes is a helpful tool as well.

Do you have too far of a commute to bike all the way to MSU? Try driving to one of MSU’s open summer lots and biking or walking from there! In the summer, lots 89, 91, 83 and 75 are free and do not require a permit. You can also make use of the two membership-based MSU bike garages located inside parking ramps to protect your bike from weather and theft.

There are now eight do-it-yourself bike repair stations on campus and even free lockers.

“You can get an assigned locker inside the IM Circle, which is like a $100 value, for no charge if you commit to being a bike commuter,” Potter said. This allows staff and faculty to shower after a hot commute. Learn how to register for a locker here.

Remember to register your bike. Improve yourself, your wallet and the Earth this summer by leaving your car behind!

Develop your student employee supervision skills

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One of the benefits of working at a university is the ability to work with those attending it. Students bring fresh ideas and skills to the workplace, but working with them can present new challenges and require different methods of supervision.

From June 15 to 18, HR’s Professional Development Services will be hosting the Foundations of Student Employee Supervision Certificate Series. You can take individual courses or all four, which will result in a Certificate of Completion. All courses are located in 10 Nisbet Building.

MSU Greenline 2013 staff and students
MSU Greenline 2013 staff and students. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Find out how to enroll and view more classes on the Professional Development Services website.

Learn the ins and outs of supervising MSU’s greatest resource this month!

Sessions:

Prohibited Harassment: Student Employees
Monday, June 15, 2015 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Investment: Free
Learn how to upholding the university’s policy on prohibited harassment by recognizing and responding to a range of prohibited harassment issues that might arise at work.

Hiring Student Employees at MSU
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 9:30 a.m. – noon
Investment: Free
The hiring process can be lengthy and requires knowledge of correct procedures and forms. This course will guide you through the paperwork and the best ways to communicate with new student employees.

Foundation of Student Employee Success
Thursday, June 18, 2015, 9 a.m. – noon
Investment: $100
Work experience is fantastic learning opportunity for students. Find out how to prepare student employees for their future careers, with lunch provided.

Motivating Student Employees
Thursday, June 18, 2015, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Investment: $100
Regular and student employees are at different points in their lives, and as such require different ways to be motivated. Enjoy the provided lunch while learning the best ways to motivate student employees.