2015 Outstanding Supervisor Award recipients

Congratulations to the 2015 Outstanding Supervisor Award recipients!

The Outstanding Supervisor Award was established by the Family Resource Center in the spring of 2001 to draw attention to MSU supervisors who are highly regarded by their employees for their consistent support of the work/life (professional/personal) needs of their employees. Various academic and support staff units submitted excellent nominations this year. The nominees and nominators represent a wide variety of departments and position levels.Continue Reading… 2015 Outstanding Supervisor Award recipients

Reminder: Benefits Open Enrollment ends October 31

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Enjoy Halloween knowing you have completed Open Enrollment!

You have had the month of October to look over and sign up for benefits options. Benefits Open Enrollment ends Saturday, October 31. You will not be able to change most plan options for the 2016 after this date.

To complete Open Enrollment, log in to the EBS Portal. Read all you need to know about Open Enrollment in our 2016 guide, which includes cost of benefits, coverage summaries, new and important information this year and details about the various plans and benefits options offered through MSU.

If you have not enrolled, now is the time! Many important decisions about health insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts and much more need to be made before October 31. It’s also important that you complete the Health Care Affidavit to ensure 2016 coverage for your spouse or Other Eligible Individual.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Solutions Center. This team is prepared to help faculty and staff during the Open Enrollment period. Email your questions to SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or call 517-353-4434. Computer help is available through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day in the Nisbet Building.

Job of the Week 10/23/15

This week we are highlighting an Accountant I/S (posting #2232) in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The successful candidate will serve as a Business Office Supervisor providing business office leadership and oversight of the financial, operational, and personnel activities of the DCPAH Business Office in a large and complex laboratory operation. The duties for this position will include assisting with and/or performing the full range of clerical duties of the employees they supervise; working closely with the DCPAH Business Manager for the facilitation and management of accounts receivable, accounts payables, and purchasing for DCPAH; utilizing and managing an internal accounting system; payment posting and reconciliation of all DCPAH external and internal clients; assisting with resolution of client billing inquiries and overall case management; charging uploads from the DCPAH laboratory information management system (LIMS), client account maintenance, and assisting with trouble-shooting and interacting with DCPAH IT support for maintenance of the system.

MSU Jobs IconFor 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.

National Retirement Security Week

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It’s estimated that retired households spend about 80% of what working households spend. Photo courtesy of TIAA-CREF.

Retirement may be late in the future, but the time to save for it is now. This week, formerly known as National Save for Retirement Week, is an important reminder to assess your savings progress. Are you where you should be?

Retirement vendor TIAA-CREF has prepared a checklist that details all of the important tasks you can complete this week to help secure your retirement.

Planning for retirement involves making a variety of important decisions early on about investment options, portfolio assets, amount of monthly contributions, beneficiaries and much more. Making the right decisions now will determine your security and comfort during retirement.

Both Fidelity and TIAA-CREF offer online resources, retirement savings plans and advising sessions.

Benefits Open Enrollment is a time of planning for 2016, but it can also be an opportunity to look forward to your future and consider your options for retirement. Establish some peace of mind during National Retirement Security Week by completing the checklist and securing your future!

Reminder: Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs occur Oct. 20–22

After several weeks of Open Enrollment, MSU faculty, staff and retirees should be familiar with the plans and options available to them.  The Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs  are here to help with MSU Human Resources and vendor representatives available to answer questions.

The following are the dates and times of the Benefits Fairs:

Benefits_OE_Masthead_purple_webOctober 20, noon to 6 p.m.

October 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 22, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

While at the fair, eligible employees and retirees can receive a free flu shot. Find out more here.

You can also take some time to relax in a free 10-minute chair massage. Read about the times these are offered, which vendors are attending the fair and directions and parking information here.

Fall Color Walk

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Autumn leaves line the sidewalk to the Music Practice Building. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Time flies when you’re busy, and the season of fall is no exception to that rule with the return of students, football Saturdays and increased campus activities. Fall is stunning on campus, and now in the middle of October the colorful trees are at their most beautiful.

Set aside some time in the next few weeks to slow down with a walk through campus, taking in the scenery and breathing crisp autumn air.

Michigan State has many hidden gems that you might not be familiar with. Just north of East Neighborhood, the Sanford Natural area offers a quiet stroll through the woods right next to the Red Cedar River.

In the southeast corner of campus you can admire a variety of specially designed gardens in the Clarence E. Lewis Arboretum.

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Paths criss-cross throughout West Circle. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

West Circle, the River Trail and Beal Botanical Garden are, deservedly so, well-known beautiful destinations for campus walks as well.

You can also find paths with campus art on the way and keep track of your mileage with this Campus Walking Loops map.

With such a wide variety of walking tours to choose from, you can spend the rest of the fall exploring campus, soothing your mind and exercising your body.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time of recognition that helps to raise money for research and support for families affected by breast cancer.

Gwen’s bagels can be purchased at Sparty’s stores, online http://www.msubakers.com/ or at the MSU Bakes Farm Stand https://eatatstate.com/content/msu-bakers-stand-opens-may-8. Photo courtesy of MSU Bakers.
Gwen’s bagels can be purchased at Sparty’s stores, online or at the MSU Bakes Farm Stand . Photo courtesy of MSU Bakers.

This month also serves as a reminder for women to get mammograms; the earlier the cancer is detected, the easier it is to stop its spread and damage.

MSU Human Resources extends its thanks to the researchers, fundraisers and involved citizens who work to find the cure. The strength of current patients, survivors and their families is admirable and is the driving force behind the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Continue Reading… Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Rest with Music at Abrams Planetarium!

Managing multiple responsibilities can lead to mounting stress.

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Rest with Music presents different musical styles, genres and traditions for each session

It’s important for the mind and body to unwind in a soothing atmosphere. That’s why the University Physician’s Office, Health4U, Abrams Planetarium and Student Health Services invite you to attend Rest with Music, a monthly series of live music at Abrams Planetarium from noon to 1 p.m. Rest with Music features a variety of musical styles from many talented musicians. This month’s artist is Ray Kamalay, a guitarist and singer from Detroit. He is also knowledgeable about the history of musical influences and has given lectures about this and music education. Read all about Kamalay in the Rest for Music schedule.

Join your fellow MSU employees Monday, October 19, to relax with the music from Kamalay. Make sure to mark your calendars with the rest of the 2015-16 Rest with Music schedule!

Job of the Week 10/9/15

This week we are highlighting the Business Manager position (posting #2123 ) in the Office of Study Abroad (OSA). The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all accounts associated with the (OSA) and the American Semester Program (ASP), including developing and managing departmental budgets and managing budgets for study abroad programs. Responsibilities also include researching, preparing, and verifying the accuracy of financial statements and reports in order to provide information for Study Abroad personnel and university colleges and departments; serving as fiscal officer for all OSA accounts and backup fiscal officer for all ASP accounts; serving as a resource for OSA staff, program leaders, and college contacts on various financial, policy, and HR issues; coordinating with International Studies and Program’s HR assistant director on program leader payroll; managing OSA purchasing card program; supervises OSA business office staff and students; serving on the OSA Operations team; and performing other duties as assigned.

MSU Jobs IconFor 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.