Thank you veterans!

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment
U.S. flag
“Armistice Day” became Veterans Day in 1954.

MSU Human Resources extends its gratitude to all veterans that have served and defended their country in the U.S. military. It is impossible for those who never served to understand the experiences of the men and women who have, but Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to recognize their sacrifice and bravery.

We especially thank veterans at MSU, including students, faculty and staff, for choosing to join the MSU community after your service for the United States.

If you are a veteran, consider self-identifying as one in EBS. To do so, visit the Personal Information link under your ESS tab. Self-identifying allows MSU to send specific information that pertains to you as a veteran.

Veterans, let the Greater Lansing community serve you today! An abundance of businesses across the country thank veterans by offering free food and discounted services to them, and East Lansing is no exception. Eat out at your favorite restaurant or try a new one this Veterans Day.

As winter approaches, learn your COOP responsibilities

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment
MSU Snow Plow
Snow removal crews work hard to clear roads and paths for everyone walking and driving on MSU’s campus. Photo courtesy of MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities

The university never completely shuts down, and it needs support to maintain vital operations even during severe weather, major utility failure, health or environmental crisis, or any other emergency. MSU recently developed guidelines for departments to use in these situations, and each faculty and staff member needs to know their role during an emergency and if they are required to work.

The Continuity of Operations Plan, or COOP, was due November 1 by each Major Administrative Unit. Those responsible for completing and submitting their COOP need to do so immediately.

Each unit administrator or supervisor is responsible for sharing the COOP with their employees to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities. It’s also very important to notify critical personnel that they have been designated as such. Critical personnel are MSU faculty and staff who perform designated critical functions and services and are, therefore, required to work when a modification or curtailment of normal operations occurs, as detailed in the department’s COOP.

In addition, the best way to find information about an emergency or modification of operations is through the MSU website and MSU Alert. Get the COOP template and find out more about the guidelines for maintaining critical functions at MSU here.

Job of the Week 11/6/15

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week we are highlighting a Contract and Grant/Sponsored Programs Administrator III (posting #2305)  with Vice President Research and Graduate Studies in the Office of Sponsored Programs. This position supports faculty during award review and facilitates the negotiation and acceptance of externally funded projects by MSU. Responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating award documents for official signature; drafting and negotiating subcontracts; reviewing and interpreting language in solicitations, awards, and other legal documents; reviewing proposed budgets; preparing complex summaries of the relevant award terms and conditions for faculty, university officials, and research staff; initiating award account setup; composing correspondence to internal and external sources.

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.

Prevent the cold and flu this season

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

First snowfalls, holiday preparations and the beginning of basketball and hockey seasons might be fun, but they signal the onset of a dreaded annual occurrence: cold and flu season.

The cold can happen year-round, but the flu is generally seasonal and can be more harmful. The first step to prevent the flu is getting the vaccination in the fall. There are four more campus flu clinics providing free shots to faculty and staff until November 16.Continue Reading… Prevent the cold and flu this season

Events Round-Up November 2015

Published on 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

Thursday, November 5 – Thursday, November 12

East Lansing Film Festival, Studio C! and Wells Hall

Saturday, November 7

Broad Family Day, noon – 4 p.m., Broad Art Museum

Thursday, November 12

World Usability Day, 8 a.m.–3 p.m., MSU Union

Saturday, November 14

“Our Oath in Action” Homeless Animal Awareness Event, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Meridian Mall

Friday, November 20

Silver Bells in the City, 6 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Sunday, November 22

Global Festival, 1–6 p.m., MSU Union

Wednesday, November 25

Lansing Turkey Trot, 9 a.m., Lansing Community College

Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29

The Nutcracker, times vary, Wharton Center

Development, Training and Wellness

Wednesday, November 4

Healing Power of Guided Imagery, 12:10–12:50 p.m., Abrams Planetarium

Friday, November 6

Payments to Non-Residents and Foreign Vendors,  8:30 a.m.–noon, 10 Nisbet

Tuesday, November 10

Writing Workshop: Highlighting Writing Skills on Resumes, 3–4:30 p.m., 10 Nisbet

Friday, November 13

Making Learning Accessible Conference, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., MSU Union

Tuesday, November 17

Conducting Successful Focus Groups, 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 10 Nisbet

Kitchen Skill Drill: Latino Cuisine, 12:10–12:50 p.m., McDonel Hall

Wednesday, November 18

Essentials of Employee Relations, 8:30 a.m.–noon, 10 Nisbet

Saturday, November 21

Silver Bells in the City 5K, 9 a.m., downtown Lansing

2015 Outstanding Supervisor Award recipients

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment
Benefits_OE_Masthead_purple_web
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

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment
Man standing at laptop computer with paper documents
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!