MSU Human Resources

Want to Win a Tablet? Put Your Financial Knowledge to the Test!

Published on April 6, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

160x600_TIAA_CREF_whiteboard The What’s Your Financial IQ 2.0 challenge, sponsored by one of MSU’s retirement plan vendors TIAA-CREF, just might be the easiest way to win a free tablet computer. From April 1 to April 22, participate by answering questions that will help you learn important information regarding financial planning. Every day, What’s Your Financial IQ 2.0 will feature new topics and questions, allowing you to show what you know. Every time that you play, you will be entered to win one of three tablet computers. The more that you play, the better your chances are to win. Sign on frequently to keep the odds in your favor! Don’t worry if you aren’t in the financial know either, all responses are completely confidential.

So go ahead, get started today! Topics vary and will cover retirement, taxes, healthcare and privacy. All MSU employees are eligible to win. You can see last year’s winners here.

Job of the Week 4/3/2015

Published on April 3, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week we are highlighting an Administrative Assistant I/S (Posting #1092) at Kellogg Center. The successful candidate will oversee all administrative functions of the Spartan Hospitality Group Sales Office; supervises part-time and full-time support staff; collects and interprets information to produce a wide variety of sales reports for Spartan Hospitality Group; provides direct support to the Director of Sales by assisting with creating department plans, goals, budgets, and other various reports and projects; assists with booking and coordinating MSU student groups at Kellogg Center; updates social media Web sites for Kellogg Center and other departments within SHG; enters bookings into Opera computer program as needed; serves as the Newmarket Systems Analyst for Spartan Hospitality Group; consistently works in a positive and professional manager with all members of Hospitality Sales and Spartan Hospitality Group.

For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.

April is the Month to Truly Go Green

Published on April 2, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Earth Day will celebrate its 45th anniversary on Wednesday, April 22. In honor of this milestone, MSU will be hosting a wealth of events all month long. Most notably, President Lou Anna K. Simon will address the university in an annual conversation about the future of energy at MSU on Wednesday, April 8. Simon, along with a panel of distinguished experts, will discuss the strategic course of action set in place to position MSU as a leader in terms of energy infrastructure. The conversation begins at 10:15 a.m. Feel free to tune in via webcast or use #MSUEnergy to pose questions on Twitter.

Other events include observing live insects, garden shopping, a bicycle info session and an award ceremony. On April 15, the MSU Science Festival Open House will kick off its festivities at The Bug House. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Department of Entymology. On April 18, the MSU Horticulture Club will hold a public plant sale with outstanding deals on perennials, herbs, grasses and more off of Bogue Street. Be green and invest in the environment! On Earth Day itself, MSU bikes will host a Bicycle Information Open House at the MSU Main Library. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to join to learn more about bicycling as a sustainable and viable transportation method within Greater Lansing. MSU Sustainability will also hold its 2nd Annual Earth Day Gala. The gala will serve as an award ceremony to honor members of the MSU community and the significant contributions made toward creating a more sustainable campus.

Events Round-Up April 2015

Published on April 1, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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

Monday, April 6

Spring L.A.B.S. at Impression 5 begins, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lansing

Wednesday, April 8

Visiting Chef Series Spring 2015 Cooking Demonstration, 7 p.m., Kellogg Center

Thursday, April 9

Capital City Film Festival begins, times vary, Lansing

Saturday, April 11

MSU Women’s Chamber Ensemble and Women’s Glee Club, 8 p.m., Fairchild Theatre

Wednesday, April 15

MSU Science Festival begins, times vary, East Lansing

Thursday, April 16

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, 7:30 p.m., Wharton Center

Saturday, April 18

2015 Lansing Baby Fair, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., East Lansing

Capital Area Humane Society’s Fur Ball Gala, 6 p.m., Bath

Saturday, April 25

Beerfest at the Ballpark, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Lansing

Development, Training, & Wellness

Thursday, April 7

Road Next Traveled: 3 – 7 Years to Your Retirement, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet

Wednesday, April 15

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

Thursday, April 16

The Spartan Experience, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet

Monday, April 20

Web Design With HTML and CSS3 Level 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., New Horizons

Tuesday, April 21

Kitchen Skill Drill: “Quick Meals”, 12:10 p.m. – 12:50 p.m., McDonel Hall

Tuesday, April 28

Active Directory Manager With Quest, 8 a.m. – noon, Computer Center

Combat Back Pain With a Healthy Spine

Published on March 25, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Do you suffer from back pain? If so, you’re not alone. Statistically speaking, 85 to 90 percent of those reading this article have been or will be affected by back pain. You may have heard of disc degeneration or spinal arthritis. These ailments become more common as we age and can be attributed to the changes that the bones and discs in our spine experience. So, what can you do to avoid spinal pain and the resulting health implications?

General health and wellness contribute to overall spine health. — General health and wellness contribute to overall spinal health.

Exhibit good posture. Always sit up as straight as possible. (Yes, always.) When standing upright, bend your knees slightly to take pressure off of your lower back.
Avoid twisting your spine. Twisting your spine can lead to debilitating pain down the road.
Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend your knees and hips to squat down to what you are carrying. Keep your load close to your body and straighten your legs to lift.
Exercise your core. Your core is your lower back, abdomen, hips, and gluteal area. Focus on strengthening these parts to support your spine.

To view the entire article by Best Doctors, click here.

If you are experiencing back pain or are facing a medical decision, Best Doctors is here to help. Call 866.904.0910 or visit bestdoctors.com/members.

SPARTANS WILL. POWER Global Day of Service

Published on March 24, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The third annual SPARTANS WILL. POWER Global Day of Service returns on Saturday, April 18, 2015, bringing together Spartan alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff from around the world to serve their local communities. In 2014, Spartans donated approximately 5,000 hours of service to their local communities through this initiative! Sign up for a volunteer opportunity on their website, which lists worldwide projects that are being hosted. The last day to register for the Global Day of Service is April 14. We hope that you’ll be part of this effort to magnify the power of the Spartan Nation for the benefit of our communities. Who will? SPARTANS WILL.

Promote the event using the hashtag #MSUServiceDay on social media!

Relaxing Under the Stars

Published on March 18, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Recently I attended the “Relaxing Under the Stars” program and found it very beneficial and intriguing. Not only that, I was able to truly relax and gaze at the stars for some time, something we all probably haven’t done since summer or early fall of last year. I encourage all faculty, staff, graduate student employees, retirees and the spouses/partners of these groups to join Health4U and Abrams Planetarium for “Relaxing Under the Stars” to re-capture that feeling of relaxation and wonderment of the Universe.

Abrams Planetarium’s entrance brings you right into the world of astronomy.

The first 20 minutes consists of a guided constellation tour using the impressive Digistar 5, the new computer-graphics-based planetarium projector updated in the summer of 2014. This is truly an impressive piece of technology allowing the presenter to easily point out the constellations and give directions on how to find them during your own stargazing opportunities. The second half of the program features relaxing music to complement your stargazing experience. The particular session I attended culminated with a magnificent grand finale known as the “Spartan Star-Tacular,” which geared me and other attendees up for the rest of our work day.

The next show will be on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Visit the Health4U website for more information and future dates.

Girls Get Going 2015

Published on March 16, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Involvement in sports provides many long-term benefits for girls.

MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness is holding its 12th annual Girls Get Going event on Saturday, March 28. Girls Get Going is a program that was created with the goal of providing educational sports experiences to girls in order to increase their interest in participating in sports over a lifetime.

If your wants to learn and develop sports skills, Girls Get Going is the perfect opportunity! Participants will be able to play flag football, volleyball and basketball as well as take part in Zumba and taekwondo. MSU athletes, students and community leaders will assist. A circuit training method will be employed which allows girls the opportunity to participate in all five activities. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and activities will commence at 9:00 a.m. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Four forms must be filled out per child, available at www.recsports.msu.edu. Registration must be completed by March 16 to ensure that attendees will receive a t-shirt.

The Inspirational Woman of the Year Award Reception

Published on March 11, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The Inspirational Woman of the Year Award Recognition Reception will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the University Club and is free to attend.

The Inspirational Woman of the Year Award recognizes three MSU-affiliated women who have demonstrated professional achievement, community engagement, or have created a culture of empowerment. This year’s award honors, in each category:

Dr. Karin Wurst, one of the recipients of this year’s award recipients. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy,

Professional Achievement, Dr. Jeanne Wald, Professor, Department of Mathematics;
Community Engagement, Ms. Audrey Bentley, Community Outreach Senior Coordinator, Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives;
Culture of Empowerment, Dr. Karin Wurst, Advisor to the Provost for Intercultural Learning and Engagement, Office of the Provost.

Join us for a reception honoring the accomplishments of these three award recipients. RSVP to wrc@msu.edu or 517-353-1635. For more information visit the Women Resource Center’s event page.

Personalized Cancer Care Webinar: A Look at Targeted Treatments

Published on March 10, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you interested in learning more about some of the recent developments in personalized cancer care? On Friday, March 27, 2015 at 1 p.m. you can listen in on a webinar presented by Best Doctors where you will learn what personalized cancer care is, how it is different from current practices, what types of targeted cancer therapies are available and who can benefit the most. An expert panel of leading specialists in the field of oncology will host the webinar and help you get the most out of your experience.

You can register for the webinar by visiting this link. View the full release here.