MSU Human Resources

Job of the Week 2/6/2015

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

This week we are highlighting a Residence Education & Housing Services Outreach Assistant (Posting #0803) in Residence Education and Housing Services Administration. The successful candidate will plan, coordinate, assemble, and distribute information pertaining to a department or program in order to develop strong connections and achievement between departmental goals and alignment with globalization and international goals. Also, develops and implements programs and materials in order to inform participants of department and/or university’s innovations, resources, and offerings.

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.

Events Round-Up February 2015

Published on February 5, 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

Friday, February 6

Mid-MI Women’s Expo begins, times vary, Lansing

Saturday, February 7

Free Family Moonlight Sledding, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Williamston

Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea, 2 p.m., Kellogg Center

Friday, February 13

2015 Field and Stream Deer and Turkey Expo begins, times vary, Dimondale

Saturday, February 14

A Valentine’s Day Soirée, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m., Lansing

Thursday, February 19

Festival of Listening, 7 p.m., East Lansing

Friday, February 20

46th Annual Spartan Stampede Begins, times vary, MSU Pavillion

Sunday, February 22

MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kellogg Center

Development, Training, & Wellness

Thursday, February 12

Active Directory Manager With Quest, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Computer Center

Tuesday, February 17

Processing Student Awards and Financial Aid, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Nisbet

Wednesday, February 18

PC Maintenance and Security, 8 a.m. – noon, Computer Center

Thursday, February 19

Culinary Concepts “Breakfast-for-Dinner Meals”, noon – 1 p.m., University Club

Tuesday, February 24

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

2015 Founders’ Day Awards Convocation

Published on February 4, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Upon Governor Kinsley S. Bingham’s signing of state legislation on February 12, 1855, Michigan Agricultural College was founded. The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan became America’s first agricultural college and “mother” of all land-grant colleges in the United States. The college became a university on July 1, 1955, and received its last of six name changes on January 1, 1964, becoming Michigan State University.

MSU Laboratory Row in 1912 — MSU’s Laboratory Row in 1912: Horticulture, Bacteriology, Botany, Dairy, Entomology, and Agriculture. All but Agriculture Hall have since been renamed.

In honor of Michigan State University’s founding in February of 1855, the university honors its faculty and staff in a yearly awards ceremony around the time of its original founding. This ceremony, known as Founders’ Day, recognizes the hard work, dedication and achievements of its faculty and staff. The primary focus of this event is on the people and the accomplishments of this great university. Thus, Founders’ Day provides us with an opportunity to highlight our strengths, particularly the academic strengths of the institution. In past years, students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, private sector partners and other constituents, along with representatives from communities, government and other universities from across the state and around the country, have all been a part of this university event. The 2015 Awards Convocation ceremony, along with President Simon’s State of the University address, will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Pasant Theatre of the Wharton Center. For more information about this event, please visit this website.

Wear Red and Support Women’s Health

Published on January 29, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

13890586638ajmn — Celebrate Go Red Day in recognition of the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Red is a powerful color that is often associated with energy, strength, passion and love. For this reason, and as a result of the fact that heart disease equates to one in three female deaths in the U.S., the American Heart Association uses the color as a mechanism to raise awareness for women’s heart disease each February. The association’s campaign, Go Red for Women, inspires participants to make heart-healthy choices. Initiatives of the campaign include a call for increased research in regard to heart disease as well as a much faster course of action when fighting heart disease. This year, Wear Red Day will fall on Friday, February 6. To show your support for women’s health, consider donning red or participating in any of these steps that support the campaign.

While heart disease exists as a menacing threat, especially for women, it doesn’t have to be. Be a part of the Go Red movement and help inspire change! To learn more, visit the American Heart Association’s webpage. Also, visit MSU’s Health eGuide to discover how women can reduce their risk of heart disease.

Schedule an Office Clean-Out for Recyclemania

Published on January 28, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

RecycleMania is an annual competition that encourages college campuses to rally together in order to increase recycling rates. This year, the event will take place from February 1 to March 28. During the eight-week competition, students are encouraged to be adamant in their recycling efforts. MSU Sustainability will make appearances on campus in order to award those “caught” green-handed.

The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center is encouraging faculty and staff to participate in the festivities by scheduling an office clean-out. Office clean outs include a morning delivery of two hampers to your work space; one for confidential shred, one for everything else including paper, cardboard, boxboard, plastics, books and electronics. The hampers will be available for the entirety of your scheduled clean-out and will be picked up the following morning. Surplus items can also be picked up simultaneously if this need is vocalized in advance.

Office clean-outs present a wonderful opportunity to be Spartan green and to organize your work space. To schedule a clean-out, call MSU Sustainability at 517-355-1751.

For additional information visit http://msusurplusstore.blogspot.com/2013/02/office-clean-outs.html or view the PDF.

A Look Into the Past: MSU Retirement Traditions

Published on January 22, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The tradition of presenting a book to retiring employees is one that MSU HR has carried on for years. Recently, a current HR employee brought in her great-grandfather’s retirement book, circa 1969, to share. Tucked inside the book’s pages were old employee photographs, images depicting the timeless beauty of MSU’s campus and a letter from President John Hannah. Also included was a pamphlet distributed at MSU’s Seventh Annual Retirement and Service Award Ceremony. This recognition program, an integral part of MSU’s dedication to honoring hardworking employees, still occurs annually each spring. Now, employees are able to select a personal gift that fits their unique preferences.

While many years have passed since the first retirement books were passed out (53, to be exact) it is important to note that MSU has stayed true in its values. Technology, fashion and the community are things that change with time, yet MSU’s dedication to employee appreciation is something that will not falter.

President's Letter — A letter from MSU President John A. Hannah

Seventh Annual Retirement Program pamphlet. — Seventh Annual Retirement Program pamphlet

Breathe Easy and Embrace Your Health

Published on January 21, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Do you want to quit smoking but aren’t quite sure what course of action to take? While smoking can be one of the most difficult health behaviors to change, it doesn’t have to be. MSU Health4U has the perfect solution. Breathe Easy, a totally free tobacco and nicotine cessation program, offers behavioral support and medical evaluation to help you kick your bad habits to the curb—for good. One of the best attributes of Breathe Easy is the fact that the program can be tailored to fit the needs of each participant. For example, participants can elect to enact a medication-free quitting plan. In order to participate in Breathe Easy, an employee needs to be benefits-eligible or be the adult, benefits-eligible family member of an MSU faculty, staff, graduate student assistant or retiree.

If you qualify and are ready for the challenge, please register to attend this spring’s pre-enrollment information session on January 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 247, Olin Health Center. Being present at this session does not obligate employees to enroll. Rather, attendees can expect a thorough overview of the program. You may register in person at 330 Olin Health Center, by phone at 517-353-2596 or by email at health4u@msu.edu.

For more information, view the entire PDF.

The minute you quit smoking, you being to regain your health.

New on the Human Resources Website

Published on January 20, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

It’s been a busy month for new items on the HR website.

There’s a new university-wide policy on Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct that replaces the policy on Sexual Harassment. Information surrounding Guidelines for Maintaining Critical Functions and Services at MSU is also now available. The electronic I-9 system is fully implemented and a new page with information about the Form I-9 process, compliance training and system access guidelines has been created.

To help new employees understand the benefits available to them, we have created a Benefits Overview toolkit, a quick reference about benefits available to MSU employees. There is also a complete 27-page presentation that provides information previously given at the benefits/retirement orientations.

Job of the Week 1/16/15

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

This week we are highlighting a Communications Manager (Posting #0688) in Residential & Hospitality Services – Info Services. The communications manager will coordinate, assemble and distribute information pertaining to the division and its operating units, which may include online communications, news and press releases, digital billboards and the full scope of print materials; writes, edits, and proofs copy for online, print, and digital media; plans, creates, produces, photographs, edits, and proofs draft releases and feature materials for online communications, media, and publications to inform the division, university, and public of divisional issues and events; identifies sources of information; will research, survey, and interview to obtain information; will work with colleagues to track projects throughout the creative process; maintains and updates files including statistical report, daily clippings, and monthly media reports; will use AP Style to write press releases, and gain necessary unit, divisional, and university-level approvals and does routine follow-up with all appropriate media; will contribute to weekly online intranet postings, monthly divisional newsletter, and quarterly divisional magazine.

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.

Pay it Forward Weekend!

Published on January 15, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This Friday, January 16, “Pay it Forward Weekend” begins. This celebration is the third of its kind. “Pay it Forward Weekend” urges participants to take part in at least on random act of kindness. The only condition is that this act must be carried out without the expectation of receiving anything in return. Last year, 484,743 individuals participated in this unofficial celebration. This year, organizers hope to increase reach tenfold.

Participating in random acts of kindness creates a ripple effect. We all benefit from good deeds!

So how can you get involved? First, join the event on Facebook. If you are not a Facebook user, don’t worry! You are not barred in any manner from participating. Next, brainstorm an act of kindness. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Pay for someone’s meal in the fast food drive through.
• Leave a bouquet at the hospital for the nurses to distribute.
• If you are in a long line, invite the person behind you to go first.
• Offer to help carry someone’s groceries.
• Tell a manager about how stellar a certain employee is.
• Load extra change into the vending machine.
• Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
• Give a large tip to your server when you dine out.
• Let another driver take your parking spot.
• Leave a copy of a good book with a note on the bus.

This list is just the start- random acts of kindness are simple but their impact is outlasting! Consider challenging yourself to carry out one or more random acts of kindness during “Pay it Forward Weekend” and then extending this altruism throughout the year. In life, the littlest things make the biggest difference. Feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments section of this post.