Month: December 2016

Year-end Records Tips for Tax Filing

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For some, the end of December brings the need to de-clutter and reorganize their lives before the new year. Unlike many habits, this practice is one people should pick up, especially when pertaining to tax records. TurboTax offers several tips for year-end records and tax filing that can help make April a little easier.

The first tip is to start tracking paperless records as they arrive. Create a spreadsheet dedicated to tax records, and don’t forget items like expense titles, check numbers, payee names, dollar amounts and dates. Also be sure to track potential deductions such as charitable donations, outlays for health care, job-search expenses and unreimbursed work expenses.

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Next, try to think about deductions throughout the year, especially with life events you experience. Maybe keep a mileage log in your car to record the miles you use for volunteering, work, business or medical appointments. Be sure to keep cash receipts that document transportation, charitable work, job-search and other tax-deductible activities. Also, keep documents related to events like the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, death of a spouse or divorce, and buying a home.

Tax returns and supporting documents should be kept for at least seven to 10 years, but consider shredding anything past then. Creating a system for tracking and organizing your tax records, potential deductibles and other documents, while updating it throughout the year, will help make the days leading up to April 18 a little less stressful.

Job of the Week 12/22/16

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This week we are highlighting a Practice Plan Manager (posting #4665) with the MSU Health Team. This position will provide leadership and manage and maintain clinic productivity and performance standards through effective management practices in accordance to HealthTeam goals and objectives; will oversee the management to the HealthTeam clinics to ensure compliance, efficiency and patient satisfaction. This position will also act as a lead EHR resource across all HealthTeam clinics by directing, supervising and coaching regular performance management activities of clinic managers and clinic 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.

Health Matters: Depression and Hypothyroidism

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Are you feeling chronically fatigued or sluggish? Have you been sleeping too much? Do you lack mental focus? These symptoms are all linked to hypothyroidism as well as depression. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in the levels of hormones created by your thyroid gland.

Since the indicators of hypothyroidism and depression are similar, doctors sometimes overlook the possibility that a person who is depressed may have low thyroid levels as well. Although they are two separate diseases, depression can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.

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Depression is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.

Other hypothyroidism symptoms include:

  • Slower heart rate
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Joint or muscle pain or cramps
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dryness or yellowing of the skin
  • Brittle or thick nails
  • Swelling in front of the neck
  • Hair thinning or loss

Because depression is among the more common symptoms of hypothyroidism, it’s imperative that you have an open dialogue with your physician about both your physical and mental feelings. Once you have your diagnosis, Best Doctors can offer a confidential, expert analysis of your case that will give you the facts you need to make informed decisions about your treatment.

If you think you may have hypothyroidism, or are contending with its symptoms, you should take advantage of this service to focus on the best course of action.

Read the full Best Doctors article to learn more.

Thank you Kellogg Center!

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With the holiday season approaching and bringing with it many parties and events, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center staff for all of their hard work!

The Kellogg Center opened in 1951, and since then, the talented staff have been hard at work creating a great space to host a variety of events. In addition to the hotel, the Kellogg Center also offers dining at The State Room, 35,000 square feet of flexible function space, and covered parking for guests. All of these features combined ensure that any event held at the Kellogg Center will be a success.

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Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy 

The Kellogg Center consistently provides outstanding service to all of its guests, and is an amazing venue for everything from awards dinners to academic conferences. The Kellogg Center really does exemplify the ideals of D.O.S.E., and whenever you attend any event held there, you are sure to have an outstanding Spartan experience!

Thank you Kellogg Center staff for all that you do for the MSU community.

Job of the Week 12/16/16

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This week we are highlighting an Athletic Trainer I (posting #4616) with the Division of Sports Medicine. This position will assist physicians in the care of patients including: greeting patients, triaging, performing thorough medical histories, completing comprehensive physical exams, determining a clinical assessment, presenting case information to the physician and documenting all pertinent information into the electronic medical record system. This position will also assure patient information is available and prepared appropriately for their clinic visit, perform telephone and general office duties as an extension of the physician, and maintain clinic efficiency focusing on excellent and evidence based patient care.

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.

Winter Break Dining Hall Hours

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Now that fall semester is over, students will be leaving for winter break and the dining halls on campus will be altering their hours.

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Student employees work at The Gallery. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

The dining hall hours for winter break are as follows:

December 17-22:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 23 – January 2:

All dining halls are closed.

January 3:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

January 4-6:

Brody Square and The Edge at Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Riverwalk Market at Owen is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

January 7:

Brody and Akers are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight.

Riverwalk Market at Owen is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Heritage Commons at Landon, The Vista at Shaw and Holmes are open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

South Pointe at Case is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Gallery at Snyder / Phillips and Wilson are open 5 p.m. to midnight.

January 8:

Normal hours resume.

To find additional information about winter break dining hours, visit the Eat at State website.

Best Doctors Outlook for 2017

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Best Doctors LIVE Webinar Series is back with, “Best Doctors Outlook for 2017.” In this special edition of the monthly series, presenters will revisit 2016 and look ahead at what’s in store for 2017. Presenters included Dr. Mark Graber, founder and president of Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, and Dr. Lewis Levy, chief medical officer of Best Doctors. Dr. Graber will share insights on gains being made in combatting medical error, and Dr. Levy will provide a sneak peek at the trends and technologies that Best Doctors is focusing on in 2017.

Participants will have time for a live Q&A after the presentation. If you are unable to attend, a recording of the webinar can be provided. This free presentation will take place on Thursday, December 15, at 1 p.m. Eastern. To register, click here.

Job of the Week 12/9/16

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This week we are highlighting an Administrative Assistant III/S  (posting #4559) with the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. This position  will oversee all financial transactions for Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) to ensure accuracy and compliance regarding accounts and sub-accounts; approve all financial transactions; prepare budgets for grant proposals; project and manage budget for the department; analyze financial trends and provide modeling for different scenarios and approaches to funding options, and participate in short and long term financial planning for the unit; oversee and monitor post-award financial transactions and provide management data to faculty relative to their grants; and oversee purchasing requisitions. This position will also handle billings and reimbursement voucher payments; represent the unit on financial audits; oversee/approve travel processes; oversee administration of startup funds; manage, execute and coordinate Personal Services Contracts, Independent Contractor arrangements, and Non-Disclosure Agreements Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (NDA/CDA) arrangements/agreements; and oversee scholarship administration and maintain endowment/scholarship system recording of fund utilization. Additionally, this position will review and approve all payroll, new hires, appointments and reappointments for correct accounts; prepare overload pay for Faculty; help maintain faculty and staff personnel files for funding information; and assist Chair with the faculty and staff raise process.

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.

Fitness Assessments are Half Price This December!

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Want to get a jump on your fitness related New Year’s resolutions? We have some exciting news that will help! This month, there is a Fit and Festive promotion running which will cut the price of fitness assessments in half for any faculty or staff member. These assessments are conducted through the SPARTANfit program at Student Health Services.

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Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

For only $20, you will receive a comprehensive assessment of your current fitness level and an individually tailored three-month fitness plan

During the comprehensive assessment, a series of resting and exercise measurements helps to establish your fitness baseline. This baseline will be used to set goals, monitor performance and assess progress throughout your fitness program. After your fitness baseline is determined, you will meet with a SPARTANfit staff member to discuss the results of your fitness profile. Together, you will create a personalized three-month, goal-oriented fitness plan.

Remember, you can only receive the reduced rate of $20 during the month of December. There are a limited number of appointments available, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible! If you want to schedule an appointment or need more information, contact Sarah Kort at sarah.kort@hc.msu.edu or 517-353-7868. For additional information about these fitness assessments, click here.

Supervisor Tips for Staff Development and Creating a Learning Culture

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In a world with constant technological changes and information overload, ongoing learning is a must. Professional Development Services (PDS) at MSU offers many learning opportunities for both supervisors and staff. However, it is not enough to merely attend class, but rather you must be intentional with your learning and follow through to increase reinforcement. PDS has come up with the following tips for supervisors to support their staff in professional development, and ensure they are getting useful information out of the programs they attend.

The first step is engagement. If staff members approach you about taking classes, engage them in conversation. Find out why they want to take the class, what interests them about it, what they’d like to get out of it and how they think they are going to apply what they learn. When the supervisor shares their thoughts, this exchange sets the tone for learning to be intentional.

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In addition, let your staff know that you want to discuss their experience from class afterwards. “The follow-through aspect is important,” says Jennie Yelvington, Professional Development Services Senior HR Professional. “It shows your employees that you are investing in them, and also helps to reinforce learning.” If appropriate, have staff members who come back from training do a mini teach-back to the rest of the staff.

Professional development isn’t limited to staff members. Supervisors should be sharing what they are learning. “As they go to classes, or read a book, supervisors can talk to their staff and hold their own mini teach-backs. That way, staff can see them model the behavior so that it reinforces learning culture for the whole work group,” says Jennie. Encourage staff to share articles and other materials with each other along with taking classes, to encourage everyone to take part in ongoing learning and build excitement.

Supervisors and staff should work together in identifying learning opportunities as part of MSU’s Performance Excellence process. To find out more information about these opportunities, visit Professional Development Services.