Expand your cooking repertoire with these Health4U programs

Eating is one of the great pleasures of life, but home cooking can pose many challenges without the right instruction, and it’s often difficult to find easy-to-prepare recipes. Health4U brings cooking know-how right to you with two on-campus instructional sessions: Kitchen Skill Drill and Recipe for Health Cooking Series. These instructional sessions are held on campus from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., approximately once a month. They are presented by Health4U Nutritionist Peggy Crum and demonstrated by Corporate Chef for Culinary Services Kurt Kwiatkowski.

Kitchen Skill Drill demonstrations are held in the community kitchen in McDonel Hall. Chef Kurt will show you how to best perform a specific skill in the kitchen, such as grilling or knife safety. The session is free, and you get to sample the delicious food prepared in the kitchen. The next demonstration will be on September 20.

Recipe for Health Cooking Series demonstrations are held in the Brody Square Demonstration Kitchen. Chef Kurt demonstrates a recipe featured in the Recipe for Health Newsletter that comes out every month. These recipes revolve around a specific ingredient such as cheese, peanut butter or apples. Make sure you check out the upcoming demonstration on potatoes on Wednesday, August 10!

You must pay to enter the dining hall. Read and watch past newsletters and Livestream video of the demonstrations.

So take a well-deserved break in your day for some personalized cooking instruction. Ask questions, sample delicious food and learn a thing or two about healthy cooking that is easier than you think!

Bike Friendlier MSU

Whether you’re new to MSU or you’ve been on campus for awhile, you might be happy to know that there are a lot of very bike-friendly facilities and services that are available to help make your bicycling more convenient, as well as to encourage more people to ride bikes on and to/from campus for their commute.

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MSU offers numerous bike-friendly facilities and services for commuters.

Ten years ago, the university established a full-service bike center know as the MSU Bikes Service Center, in the old canoe rental facility in the south-end of Bessey Hall, which is centrally located on campus. The Center offers a complete range of repairs, rentals and sales of new and used bikes, as well as accessories to keep you and your bike rolling safely. Visit the MSU Bikes website for more information. The Center is staffed by university employees and is open year-round, on weekdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Feel free to bring your bike inside when visiting for service. Click here for visitor car parking information and here for a map showing where we’re located.

Parking your bike outside while at work can be worrisome, especially if you ride a nicer bike. Thankfully, in addition to well over 8,000 outdoor bike parking racks outside every building on campus, there are secure bike parking garages in two locations: north and south in the car parking ramps on Trowbridge Road (Ramp 5) and on Grand River Avenue (Ramp 6). These parking facilities are membership-based and managed through the Center.

Concerned about showing up to work all sweaty? Free, dedicated full-size lockers and showers are available to bike commuters at the IM Circle. These lockers normally cost over $100/year to rent, but they’re free for your use by simply completing a short survey and providing your basic information.

Ever been out on campus riding and needed a common tool or an air pump to tweak your bike? We now have five new DIY bike stations around campus, one in each residential neighborhood.

Not sure which route to take to/from home in the Tri-County area? These maps show recommended routes and those to avoid, as well as all of the off-road pathways scattered around the area to help you find a safer way to, from and around campus. The Center stocks printed copies of these map booklets if you’d like a hard copy.

To learn where all of the on-campus bike facilities (bike lanes, secure bike parking, DIY repair stations, etc.) can be found, check out our current bike map of campus. More resources to help make your bicycling experience more enjoyable on and around the MSU campus can be found on the Commuter Resources section of our blog.

Events Round-Up August 2016

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

Monday, August 1 – Saturday, August 6

Ingham County Fair

Friday, August 5 – Saturday, August 6

Lansing JazzFest, Old Town

City of East Lansing Summer Concert Series, 7–11 p.m., Ann Street Plaza

Fridays, August 5–26Continue Reading… Events Round-Up August 2016

Job of the Week 7/29/16

This week we are highlighting an Engineering/Physicist Accelerator I/II (posting #3777) with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The Cryomodule Inspection Engineer will perform cryomodule incoming inspection and acceptance criteria listing tasks, which include intricate measurement for quality assurance on cryomodule components with a high degree of precision and regard for data integrity. Assigned Scope Supports the Cryomodule Assembly Group by inspecting fabrications, assemblies, and other components for the accelerator. May also cross-function for cryomodule assembly tasks. Required to travel internationally to perform on-site inspection at of components and devices. Major Position Responsibilities Perform tasks included on cryomodule component acceptance criteria listings (ACL); including but not limited to: cold shock with liquid nitrogen, vacuum leak checking, video borescope inspection, and visual inspection; perform precision dimensional inspection and fiducialization of critical components for Alignment; plan and perform accurate positional data gathering operations; assist with cryomodule assembly tasks; responsible for delivery and maintenance of comprehensive measurement data and ACL data.

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.

Spartan Athletes Head to Rio 2016 Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympic games start in just nine days! This year’s games will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil starting on Friday, August 5 with the opening ceremony and ending on Sunday, August 21 with the closing ceremony.

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Many Spartan athletes prepare to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Did you know that this year there will be 306 events for 42 sports in over 37 venues, with 206 countries represented? Another fun fact for 2016 is that golf will be included again for the first time since 1904. With so many different events to watch, you’ll want to check your local t.v. listings to see what events your channels will feature. You can watch every event online via live streaming on NBCOlympics.com and NBC Sports Live Extra app.You can also visit the Rio 2016 Olympics website to find out when your favorite events are and for all your Olympics information.

There are many Spartans headed to Rio to participate in the games, both for the U.S. Olympic team and for other countries. Here’s a list of Spartans to watch for.

  • Emily Regan, U.S. Rowing Team, Women’s Eight, 2010 Alumna
    • When to watch:
      • Monday, August 8 at 7:30 a.m., Heats
      • Saturday, August 13 at 7:50 a.m., Finals and Victory Ceremonies
    • Fun fact: first-ever MSU representative for Olympic rowing
  • Christie Daiss, Team USA Pharmacist for Medical Services Team in Olympic Village, 2006 Alumna
  • Draymond Green, U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, 2012 Alumna
    • When to watch:
      • Saturday, August 6 at 6:00 p.m. vs. China
      • Monday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Venezuela
      • Wednesday, August 10 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Australia
      • Friday, August 12 at 6:00 p.m. vs. Serbia
      • Sunday, August 14 at 1:15 p.m. vs. France
      • Men’s Quaterfinals on Wednesday, August 17
      • Men’s Semifinals on Friday, August 19
      • Bronze Medal Games on Sunday, August 21
    • Fun fact: third Spartan to represent MSU in Olympic Games after 16 years without one
  • Franklin Gomez, Puerto Rico Olympic Team, Wrestling, Men’s freestyle 65kg, 2010 Alumna
    • When to watch:
      • Sunday, August 21
  • Mohamed Hrezi, Libya Olympic team, marathon runner, current Broad MBA student
    • When to watch:
      • Sunday, August 21 at 8:30 a.m.
    • Fun fact: Libya’s sole runner in all track and field events

To read more about the Spartans headed to Rio, see the MSUToday feature here.

Make sure to cheer for our Spartans as they compete in the games. You can also follow the Paralympic Games on September 7-18. Go green!

Performance Excellence Goal Setting and Development Planning Differences

As part of the new Performance Excellence process, all MSU staff are expected to set goals and establish a professional development plan for the year. There is a distinct purpose for each, and both are intended to help the individual succeed and move the university forward. The following definitions will provide more clarity on the distinctions between goal setting and development planning.

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Performance Excellence Process

In terms of goal setting, most staff members have numerous tasks that contribute to carrying out their position effectively. Sometimes it can be confusing as to what tasks or behaviors are a priority for the unit or that individual specifically. Setting goals is a way to bring clarity in regards to priorities and expectations for the year ahead. The goals don’t encompass everything that is expected, but those items that are seen as key for the coming year.

On the other hand, professional development identifies priority learning activities for the employee for the year ahead. Ongoing technological advances and the rapid pace of change make it imperative that all staff engage in learning activities each year. Development items can involve technical skills, such as using Outlook effectively or mastering the use of particular equipment, or it could involve more broadly needed skills such as communicating effectively or leading others. The skill building activity could include an online or instructor-led class, an opportunity to lead a project, job shadowing or other activities.

In short, the differences could be defined as:

  • Goals identify key items the individual will achieve
  • Development plan items identify skills the individual will learn or strengthen

It is imperative that supervisors work collaboratively with staff members to identify the goals and development plan items. Each party should come to the performance planning meeting with ideas for the items and jointly determine the final lists.

For further instructions around these issues, consider taking the following classes through Professional Development Services:

Supervisor Strategies for Effective Performance Planning

Boost Your Career – a class that will be offered in the fall to help staff explore their interests and to be active participants in goal setting and development planning.

Job of the Week 7/22/16

This week we are highlighting an Admissions Counselor (posting #3717) with the Office of Admissions. This position will be based in the Chicago, Illinois area. Assists in implementing admissions activities including providing information about the university; interviewing and counseling prospective students and their parents; reviewing applications for admission in order to determine eligibility; corresponds with and visits high schools and community colleges in order to inform counselors and students about the University and to solicit their interest; determines eligibility and certifies admission; assists in planning and/or participates in scholarship programs and on and off campus recruitment programs in order to generate interest in the University, including community outreach activities.

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.

Fire up the grill for these delicious dishes

Summertime and grilled food go hand in hand. Corporate Chef for Culinary Services Kurt Kwiatkowski gave us two fantastic grilling recipes that are great for cookouts or quiet personal dinners.

Remember, safety first! If you’re out of practice, make sure to review safety standards from the CDC and National Fire Protection Association.

Grilled pork chops

Grilled glazed pork chop

6  center cut bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
1 T. ancho chili powder
1 t. smoked paprika
1 t. ground cumin
2 t. kosher salt
1 T. olive oil
3 T. sherry vinegar
½ c. pure maple syrup
½ c. chicken stock

Mix all spices and salt together, brush all pork chops with olive oil and then sprinkle on both sides of the pork chops and let rest for 1-2 hours.

Preheat grill

Continue Reading… Fire up the grill for these delicious dishes

Thank you MSU Alumni Association

MSU Alumni AssociationMany of the current employees at MSU also graduated from the university. For these employees and friends of the university, the MSU Alumni Association provides a variety of benefits, discounts and services, as well as a valuable way to connect with and stay updated on the work of Spartans all around the world.

The Alumni Association benefits more than just its members. The organization hosts and organizes a multitude of events that enhance the Spartan experience, such as Homecoming and Senior Week, and promote positive change, such as the Global Day of Service. Anyone is free to read the Alumni Association Magazine, published quarterly, online, with issues dating back to 1992. Livestreams, available for anyone to watch, of the Health4U Recipe for Health Cooking series are also provided by the Alumni Association.

In addition, the association’s Alumni LENS program offers various career training opportunities for members and friends of the university. These include online classes about management, writing, marketing and more, leadership retreats and the free Spartan Insights webinars.

Thank you to everyone that works with the Alumni Association for promoting the success of the thousands of Spartans in East Lansing and around the world!

Take advantage of MSU employee discounts

Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena is one of several places on campus where you can find a discount

One of the benefits of working at MSU is taking advantage of its employee discounts. From on-campus shopping to MSU sporting events to additional insurance options, you can’t go wrong with these savings.

MSU Benefits Plus

MSU Benefits Plus is available to benefits-eligible MSU employees. It gives employees the option to enroll in several voluntary employee-paid benefits programs, in addition to online shopping discounts. Register with your ZPID to view your options.

On-campus discounts

  • Athletics: Every MSU employee is a Spartan fan by default. Employees can purchase football, men’s basketball and ice hockey season tickets at discounted prices or a Go Green card for $50 that grants entry to women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, softball and baseball.
  • Dining Plans: Enjoy the delicious meals at MSU’s dining halls with these discount plans.
  • MSU Department of Theatre: Check out a student theater production at 10–17 percent discounts on all Main Stage performances
  • Spartan Bookstore: The bookstore offers new and used textbooks, clothing and souvenirs, academic supplies, software and electronics and more. A 10 percent discount is offered on textbooks, trade books and medical books and a 15 percent discount is offered on all regular-priced clothing.
  • MSU Forest Akers Golf Course: The golf course offers two 18-hole championship layouts, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and two full-service golf shops with a full complement of services. Employees with MSU ID card receive reduced rates.
  • MSU Munn Ice Arena: The ice facility provides a public skating schedule during the year. Employees receive discounted rates with valid MSU ID.
  • University Stores: MSU employees can purchase a variety of items that the University utilizes including diapers, batteries, and office supplies. Prices are competitive.

Find more on-campus services and local discounts for auto, home, clothing, travel and more.