Gear up for the Bicycle Friendly America Conference

The event will close with a bike ride around MSU’s beautiful campus, led by Tim Potter from MSU Bikes!
The event will close with a bike ride around MSU’s beautiful campus, led by Tim Potter from MSU Bikes!

Spring feels like it’s been a little late to start this year, but pleasant weather, perfect for biking around campus, is just around the corner. Michigan State University was named a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists last November, and seasonal bikers now have the opportunity to test out the university’s new status while zooming down MSU’s streets and bike lanes.

In order to assist other campuses, communities and business with achieving a bicycle-friendly status, MSU will host the Bicycle Friendly America Conference on Thursday, May 19, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kellogg Center. There will be presenters from the League of American Bicyclists, the League of Michigan Bicyclists, the State of Michigan, other universities (including the Platinum level University of Minnesota), as well as Michigan State University and local communities and businesses.

Register by April 15 to for a reduced fee.

Earth Month events at MSU

Text and graphic image provided by BeSpartanGreenEarth Month graphic

At MSU, green is always in season.

Even though April 22 is Earth Day, there are numerous campus events happening all month to celebrate and raise awareness about environmental issues.

The campus community is encouraged to attend an event, check out campus sustainability resources and share photos throughout the month using the #bespartangreen hashtag.

For more information, visit http://bespartangreen.msu.edu/events.php.Continue Reading… Earth Month events at MSU

Take the Square Up Your Savings Challenge

TIAA square up savings graphic
TIAA will reveal the locations of the virtual hidden savings and winning squares at the end of the challenge!

MSU Human Resources is pleased to announce that we’ve teamed up with one of our retirement vendors, TIAA, to bring you the “Square Up Your Savings” challenge.

April is Financial Literacy Month, and Square Up Your Savings is a fun way to learn important strategies to boost your savings know-how.

Take the challenge through April 30, 2016, by completing one of 10 new missions that highlight savings education each day. Every time you complete a mission, you will earn a square to place on the map where you think the virtual hidden savings might be.

Every time you play, you are automatically entered for a chance to win one of three iPad minis. The more you play, the better your chances of winning, so sign on every day until all 10 missions are complete! (All responses are confidential. Please visit the link below to see the official rules of the sweepstakes.)

Are you ready to test your financial savvy? Take the challenge now!

You will need to complete the registration form to begin the challenge. Please note, you do not need to be a TIAA account member to take part in the challenge. You will create a password of your choosing; the password will not be associated with your MSU NetID or any retirement accounts. Using your MSU NetID email address at registration is preferred so we can verify your employment if you are a winner.

Have questions about the challenge? View the How it Works link, or contact Human Resources at 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu.

Good luck!

Sign up for the SPARTANS WILL. POWER Global Day of Service

Global Day of Service image
Join the Spartan force on April 16. Sign up today!

Spartans make a difference around the world every day, but one day in particular has been set aside to bring the MSU community together in service.  This year that day is April 16, the fourth annual SPARTANS WILL. POWER Global Day of Service. This organized, collaborative effort brings Spartans together to serve their communities while demonstrating the reach and power of the Spartan network. In 2015 Spartans donated approximately 16,000 hours of service to their local communities through this initiative!

Service-minded Spartans from around the globe, including individual alumni, alumni communities, groups, Spartan-led companies, businesses, non-profits and student organizations, are currently registering service projects. Spartans can also volunteer now for one of these established projects or create their own.

There are more than 30 service projects near the MSU campus, including cleaning, decorating and gardening elementary schools, yard work at Fenner nature center and a kayak or canoe trip down the Grand River to pick up trash and debris. Other nation-wide projects include rebuilding homes in Austin, Texas, and providing science education and history for at-risk youth in Philadelphia. There is even a life-coaching service project in Hong Kong!

The last day to register a project is April 1, and volunteer registration closes April 10. Find out more about the projects and sign up at serviceday.msu.edu.

SPARTANS WILL. Make a difference!

Happy Leap Day!

MSU Food Truck
The Eat at State ON-THE-GO food truck.

Leap Day gives you an extra 24 hours once every four years. So, what are you going to do on your extra day? Here are a few ideas:

  • Go out and do something fun for lunch. The Eat at State ON-THE-GO food truck, the Dairy Store (Grilled Cheese Monday)  and Health4U  can offer new and interesting food or experiences.
  • If you have kids, play leapfrog.
  • Take the extra time to sort out your email, workspace, home, car or anything else.
  • Tell somebody you appreciate them.
  • Write a list of 29 things you want to accomplish before the next Leap Day.
  • Try something new! During these few extra hours you can stargaze, listen to a new album, try out a new recipe, or go rock climbing. If you have never attended a TEDxMSU event, you can purchase a ticket for the March 2 talk.

Have a great Leap Day!

Help MSU compete in RecycleMania 2016

White paper and mixed paper at MSU recycling center on Tuesday November 9, 2010. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.
White paper and mixed paper at MSU recycling center. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Last year, MSU was one of 394 colleges and universities that participated in the friendly competition RecyleMania. MSU contributed more than 1 million of the 80 million pounds that was recycled across the country in the competition. Spartans can do even better during RecyleMania 2016, which runs from February 8 to April 1, by coming together to recycle more and throw out less.

In addition to continuing regular recycling habits, staff and faculty can get involved by hosting an office clean-out. The service is free and provided by the Surplus Store and Recycling Center. If your office already has recyclables prepared and sorted, Recycling Center staff will arrive at your office, help load the items and remove them that day. Or, temporary containers can be dropped off at your office and picked up at a later date. To schedule an office clean-out, call 517-355-1723.

There are a few additional ways staff and faculty can participate in RecycleMania. This year MSU Recycling is emphasizing book reuse and recycling. Books that are collected will be sold for reuse through the Surplus Store, donated to local charities or recycled. Organize a book collection by calling 517- 355-1723.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at Auditorium and Tuesday, March 15, behind Wells Hall you can get a picture with Scrap Metal Sparty and talk to MSU recycling staff.

Like the MSU Recycling Center’s Facebook page for recycling tips and updates on RecycleMania.

What to do when stopped or contacted by MSU police

A police officer will always inform you of the reason for a traffic stop. Photo courtesy of MSU police.
A police officer will always inform you of the reason for a traffic stop. Photo courtesy of MSU police.

The MSU police work hard every day to uphold the laws and ensure the safety of everyone on MSU’s campus. To provide more insight into their actions and prepare citizens, the MSUPD put together a brochure that explains what to do when stopped or contacted by the police. The department is proud to have been the first agency in the country to introduce a brochure such as this more than a decade ago.

Included in the brochure are explanations for how your actions can reassure the officer and how you can expect to be treated. The MSUPD’s goal is to protect you and to ensure their own safety. Hundreds of police officers are assaulted while on traffic duty each year, and as a result, certain safety precautions have been put into practice.

Here are a few key points from the brochure:

If you are contacted on the street:

  • Stay where you are
  • Answer questions truthfully. You also have the right to ask questions of the officer
  • Remain calm

If you are pulled over in your car:

  • Wait for the officer and stay in your car with your hands on the steering wheel
  • If it’s dark, turn on an interior light
  • Wait to retrieve your license, registration and proof of insurance until the officer requests it
  • Exit the car only if the office requests it
  • Do not argue at the scene; you have the right to contest a citation at a later time

If you have a compliment or complaint about an officer’s actions, you can contact MSU police directly or contact the Police Oversight Committee.

Reach the full brochure  and learn more about MSU community team policing at police.msu.edu.

Call for nominations: 2016 Be Spartan Green Outstanding Awards

Be Spartan green award picture
The MSU student group SPARTA (Students Planning Advanced Retrofit Technology Applications) accepts an award for Outstanding Student Organization at the 2015 Be Spartan Green Award Ceremony.

Michigan State University’s Sustainability department wishes to recognize the outstanding individuals and departments who have made significant contributions to on-campus sustainability. Be Spartan Green Outstanding Awards are given to staff, students, faculty and campus partners who have demonstrated their support of sustainability on campus.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2016 Be Spartan Green Outstanding Awards. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 1.

All nominations must be submitted through the Be Spartan Green Outstanding Awards Nomination Form.

The award categories include:

  • Outstanding Staff Member
  • Outstanding Student Employee
  • Outstanding Faculty Member
  • Outstanding Student Organization
  • Outstanding Student Research Project
  • Outstanding Campus Partner/Vendor
  • Outstanding Community Partner
  • Outstanding Alumni

The winning nominees and nominators will be invited to a special recognition event on Wednesday, April 20. Last year’s winners can be viewed on the 2015 Be Spartan Green Earth Day Gala webpage.

Performance Excellence training available now

MSU_PE_Brand2Michigan State University has launched Performance Excellence, the new performance management process for support staff. Performance Excellence is designed as a three-part continuous cycle that enables ongoing feedback and support for employees.

Training for all supervisors and support staff  is now available in elevateU and should be completed, at the very latest, by the end of February. The training program will review the process and the skills needed to carry out Performance Excellence effectively. Training will take approximately 35 minutes to complete. An average score of at least 75 percent correct on the post-topic questions and final test is needed to be considered complete. Once that is accomplished, you can print a certificate of completion.Continue Reading… Performance Excellence training available now

Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award nomination deadline approaching

Ruth Jameyson died in 2007 at the age of 100 years. Photo courtesy of University Archives & Historical Collections
Ruth Jameyson died in 2007 at the age of 100 years. Photo courtesy of University Archives & Historical Collections

The Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award  is a relatively new award that honors the late Ruth Jameyson, who served as the secretary to MSU President Robert S. Shaw from 1938 to 1941 and secretary/administrative assistant to President John A. Hannah from 1941 to 1969. While working full time at MSU she earned a master’s degree in economics.

The Ruth Jameyson Award is given to a deserving full-time MSU staff member that is working toward a graduate degree. The recipient will be honored at the Distinguished Staff Award reception in May 2016 and receives a $2,500 stipend.

A nominee must be a regular, active support staff employee with at least five years of service to MSU and must be enrolled and attending a post-baccalaureate program at MSU or elsewhere. MSU staff are encouraged to nominate coworkers that meet the qualifications and are considered deserving of the award.

The award recipient will be selected depending on job performance, academic success and contributions to his or her department and the university. The extent to which the candidate upholds the ideals of Ruth Jameyson will also be considered.

Nomination forms and supporting materials are due Friday, January 29, 2016. They should be sent to H. Michael Rice at riceh@msu.edu .