January 2016 – SourceLive Home

Job of the Week 1/29/16

Published on January 29, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week we are highlighting an Administrative Associate I/S position (posting #2705) with the College of Veterinary Medicine. The candidate will manage the fiscal and related administrative activities of a large and complex veterinary diagnostic laboratory including participation in the development of business and administrative goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; plan, direct, and manage the financial reporting process as it relates to the business of the laboratory; establish standards, procedures, and priorities for laboratory systems that impact cash flow and client services; interact with laboratory leadership team and advise on strategic initiatives; take an active role in the promotion of the laboratory to stakeholders; and supervise/mentor support staff.

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.

Happy Fun at Work Day!

Published on January 28, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Work doesn’t always have to be “work.” Adding fun and humor to the workplace is a great way to boost productivity and morale. January 28 is Fun at Work Day, an unofficial holiday set aside to remind the workforce of the benefits of play, friendly competition and humor in day-to-day life.

Dairy Store Display — A trip to the one of the MSU Dairy Store locations is a great mid-day break activity!

Here are a few ideas to get started:

Decorations

Add some flair to your work space! Putting up pictures, posters, comics and more personalizes your space and can give your coworkers a laugh when they stop by.

An organized cubicle or desk decorating contest can also engage the whole office and increase creativity. Who in your office can give their work space the most Spartan spirit?

Bulletin Boards

A bulletin board with thank-you notes, drawings, fun facts, jokes, newsclippings and more creates a space of community and public expression. Employees can pose a daily or weekly question for everyone to respond to on the board, such as “What’s your favorite movie” or “What superpower do you wish you had?” Dry erase boards are perfect for writing daily inspirational quotes or jokes or showcasing the talents of any artists in the office.

Midday outings

A change of scenery can boost energy and clear the mind. Health4U offers an abundance of activities from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays. You can experience something new with your coworkers at a session involving relaxation, light exercise or instructional cooking.

Fun at work builds camaraderie, increases employee satisfaction and productivity and inspires creativity. We hope you have fun today!

Thank you Digital Content and Accessibility, WAWG and the ADA Coordinator!

Published on January 25, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Screen readers and other applications help those with disabilities interact with web pages — Screen readers and other applications help those with disabilities interact with websites.

In an age in which almost all information is published and accessed online, it is essential that everyone can interact with web pages. Unfortunately, those with disabilities are often excluded from critical online information because of inaccessible websites or documents.

MSU has taken the initiative to ensure that all university digital content is accessible so all students, faculty, staff and members of the MSU community share equal opportunity in receiving and interacting with it. Digital Content and Accessibility, a part of MSU Information Technology, works to accomplish this goal. This team of staff and students, along with the cross-department Web Accessibility Working Group and the ADA Coordinator, all work together to provide an abundance of resources and tutorials that MSU faculty and staff can use to ensure that the new content they are creating is accessible and existing inaccessible content can be altered to uphold accessibility standards.

Every department at MSU has a different audience, structure, and digital content for their website. This is why each department is developing a five-year plan to best prioritize the order in which content is made fully accessible. Digital Content and Accessibility is here to help MSU staff throughout this process.

Learn more about accessibility, resources, tutorials, templates and policies at webaccess.msu.edu. You can also email webaccess@msu.edu.

Thank you, MSU IT, WAWG, and the ADA Coordinator, for helping MSU become a model for accessibility!

Job of the Week 1/22/16

Published on January 22, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week we are highlighting an Administrative Assistant I position (posting #2684) in Residential and Hospitality Services. The candidate collects, compiles, and interprets information for the Spartan Hospitality Group Accounting office; creates and maintains EBS accounting systems for Spartan Hospitality Group; monitors and oversees all accounting activities to assist with the operational functions of the Accounting office; administers and oversees a large variety of accounting activities for Spartan Hospitality Group; establishes, maintains, and oversees SHG funds and accounts; explains MSU, RHS, and SHG accounting policies and procedures to staff and guests in order to resolve any accounting issues; collects and interprets information to produce a large variety of accounting reports and budgets; compiles accounting records and submits bills for various services; and assists business manager with a variety of special projects as assigned. MSU Jobs Icon

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.

Beat the winter blues

Published on January 19, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Snow-frosted trees line the Red Cedar River. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

SAD isn’t just an emotion – it’s a type of depression related to the changing of the seasons, an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those who have SAD might experience irritability, tiredness, loss of focus, difficulty sleeping and more.

Even without SAD, it’s easy to feel a little down in the winter. The lack of outside warmth, sunlight and outdoor exercise and activities contribute to a sluggish and gloomy mentality.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to keep your spirits up during the long, cold months ahead.

Healthy eating

It can be easy to fall into the habit of eating comfort food during winter. A healthy diet does wonders for overall mood and physical wellness by providing your body with long-lasting energy and essential vitamins and minerals.Continue Reading… Beat the winter blues

Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award nomination deadline approaching

Published on January 13, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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 .

Engage with your community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Published on January 12, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

MLK and LBJ — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon Johnson shakes hands after the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

MSU’s Project 60/50 began in 2014 as a community-oriented conversation starter that derived its name and mission from the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These two historical pieces of legislation were born from a diverse yet united community’s countless hours of organized campaigning and conversation to achieve the worthy and crucial goal of equality.

The struggle for civil rights continues in this country, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day provides us with the opportunity to reflect on progress and assess what lies ahead. Dr. King has brought hope, inspiration and motivation to millions during and after his lifetime. His encouragement of peaceful protest and widespread awareness of ongoing discrimination remain relevant today.Continue Reading… Engage with your community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

“Reach Higher” in 2016 with The Daring Way

Published on January 11, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The Daring Way is based on the research of research of Dr. Brené Brown

The new year serves as a common time for people to begin improving the health of their minds and bodies. An often-overlooked but vital part of human health is emotional wellness. Health4U is introducing a new experiential course, The Daring Way™, that teaches participants how to understand and examine their emotions. Lisa Laughman, LMSW, ACSW, will be teaching the course, and affirms that “learning to live and work the Daring Way is essential to high performance.” Workers that are able to navigate the full range of human emotions and understand how vulnerability, shame, insecurity and fear might hold them back will be more likely to take risks and will be emotionally prepared when things go wrong.

“The Daring Way teaches you how to be more comfortable with risk and innovation, and risk aversion is a barrier to high performance,” Laughman said. “When we’re afraid to take a risk because we’re afraid of failing, then we’re not being as high performing as we could be.”

Participants in The Daring Way program will develop tools to take charge of their lives and relationships outside of work, as well.

“Being able to move through challenging circumstances effectively is going help you have healthier relationships, a better sense of perspective, and will protect your physical health as well.” Laughman said. “Your body is not going to be resisting difficult emotions.”

Each of the 12 classes for The Daring Way take place 12:10 – 12:50 p.m. Wednesdays in 338 Olin Health Center, beginning January 20. The class will now be offered using the online learning platform Zoom, and online seating is still available.

Participants should sign up with the intention to attend every class, if possible.

To register or to ask questions, email health4u@msu.edu or call 517-353-2596.

MSU offers support for smoking cessation

Published on January 6, 2016 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The benefits of quitting smoking have been made very clear throughout the last few years. In addition to the numerous health improvements, such as a return to regular breathing patterns and a decrease in the risk of heart disease and many forms of cancer, quitters also enjoy saved money, a better sense of smell and taste, more freedom with time and scheduling, and much more. However, knowledge is rarely enough to end an addiction. Many smokers find the task of quitting daunting, or even impossible.

Eligible faculty and staff at MSU don’t have to go through the process alone. The Breathe Easy Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation Program offers behavioral support and, if desired, medication, to aid the quitting process. The next information session is Wednesday, January 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in 247 Olin Health Center. Attending the information session does not obligate attendees to enroll in the program. To register, call 517-353-2596 or email health4u@msu.edu.

The program is absolutely free. MSU faculty, staff, graduate student employees, retirees, and their adult benefits-eligible family members are eligible to participate in this program.

Sometimes the first step is the most difficult. The team at Breathe Easy can guide you along the rest of the way to quitting. Listen to the testimonials from real graduates of this program:

Events Round-Up January 2016

Published on January 4, 2016 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, January 8

Moscow Festival Ballet, 8 p.m., Wharton Center

Friday, January 15 – Sunday, January 17

Lansing Boat Show, the Lansing Center

Sunday, January 17

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert, 3 and 7 p.m., MSU Auditorium

Monday, January 18

Martin Luther King Jr. Project 60/50 events

Wednesday, January 20

BroadPOP Studio, 2 – 4 p.m., Broad Art Museum

Friday, January 22