Punctuation Pointers: Comma Use

The following article is provided courtesy of HRD facilitator Jackie McCarroll of McCarroll Associates.

Punctuation provides road signs to guide readers through your content. Unfortunately, writers frequently misuse commas. By applying the Five Comma Pointers, you will improve your readers’ understanding and demonstrate professionalism.Comma

Five Comma Pointers

Insert commas to indicate a brief pause. Use them to separate:

1. Introductory Words

Example: Before they registered students, administrators tested the new processContinue Reading… Punctuation Pointers: Comma Use

How Secure is Your Smartphone?

Most of us have no idea how vulnerable we are on our smartphones. We keep our firewalls and virus protection up-to-date on our computers but many may not even think about it on a phone. Our phones are very compact computers now and require the same safeguards as a computer.Smartphone

The simplest step is to add a passcode that only you know. Most phones will allow you to set a password or ‘swipe’ pattern that you use to unlock your phone.  Make the passcode or swipe pattern hard to guess, meaning no simple shapes, birthdays, addresses or anniversaries that can be connected to you. You’ll find these options under Settings on most phones.Continue Reading… How Secure is Your Smartphone?

Job of the Week 7/19/2013

This week we are highlighting a Study Abroad Program Coordinator with the Office of Study Abroad’s Support Center (Posting #8117).  This position Provides coordination for MSU study abroad programs. Program coordination includes: management of on-site logistical arrangements; budget development; development and updating of program materials and exchange agreements; advising of students, faculty, staff and parents; working with faculty and academic units and with overseas partner institutions; facilitating course approval process; attending information sessions and recruitment; presenting at university-wide events and national conferences; responding to health and safety issues and emergencies on programs; creating and maintaining program information on the OSA database; assisting with new program development in designated region; and reviewing program proposals and making site visits abroad. Pan-office responsibilities and team membership as assigned.  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.

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Thank you, MSU Food Trucks!

Spartans have been keeping their stomachs full since last fall with Eat at State’s On-The-Go food truck and have had more delicious options when Spartan Signature Catering’s Food for Thought food truck rolled onto campus in March 2013.

The food trucks have been well received even beyond MSU’s campus. Eat at State On-The-Go won the National Association of College and University Food Services’ gold award for Best Local Foods Recipe category. The On-The-Go food truck’s menu features chicken sandwiches, their award-winning burger and a special item that changes daily. The menu ingredients include MSU Student Organic Farm toppings, MSU Beef, MSU Dairy Cheese, desserts from the MSU Bakery and bread from Breadsmith Artisan Bread Bakery of Okemos, Michigan.Continue Reading… Thank you, MSU Food Trucks!

Take a Walk …. At MSU! (with a contest!)

Do you want to flex your legs, see amazing scenery and increase your energy? Then the Campus Walking Loops interactive map is just for you.

Campus Walking Loops  is an interactive map that displays walking routes across campus. The map lists the distance of each route to help you coordinate your walking schedule, along with emergency phones and campus art features. There is also a downloadable PDF version available on the website.

Women walking on campus
Walking on MSU’s campus provides an opportunity to improve your health and enjoy the scenery. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Walking is good for you. According to the MSU Health e-Guide, walking can strengthen the heart, increase blood circulation throughout the body, lower blood pressure, reduce body fat and improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels.Continue Reading… Take a Walk …. At MSU! (with a contest!)

Enjoy Music Outdoors This Summer in East Lansing

Do you love the outdoors in the summer? What about music? Then you don’t want to miss the Summer Concert Series in downtown East Lansing, happening now through August 3.

The Summer Concert Series, is seven weekends of live outdoor music starting at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The concerts take place at the East Plaza on the corner of Albert Ave. and Charles St.

Artists performing music
The sounds of music fill the air at the Summer Concert Series in East Lansing.

The Summer Concert Series was created 20 years ago to enhance community life for East Lansing residents and to draw visitors to the downtown area.Continue Reading… Enjoy Music Outdoors This Summer in East Lansing

Are You Washing Your Hands Properly?

We’ve all heard that washing our hands is important, and that it prevents the spread of germs and infections.  Hand washing seems like such a simple task, but a recent study by MSU researchers found that only five percent of people that use the bathroom wash their hands properly.

The study was conducted by Carl Borchgrevink, JaeMin Cha and SeungHyun Kim, faculty members in the MSU School of Hospitality Business. The researchers trained a dozen college students in data collection and had them observe 3,749 people in public restrooms. Of the 3,749 people observed: 33 percent didn’t use soap, 10 percent did not wash their hands at all, 50 percent of men used soap compared to 78 percent of women and people were less likely to wash their hands if the sink was dirty.Continue Reading… Are You Washing Your Hands Properly?

Job of the Week 7/5/13

This week we are highlighting a Administrative Assistant II/S position with MSU Geological Sciences (Posting #8035). This position reconciles accounting ledgers for multiple accounts and monitors and maintains files and records for accounts; initiates and processes paperwork related to personnel transactions; performs budget planning and monitoring for grant and department accounts; compiles and analyzes financial and personnel information; advises staff regarding University and College policies, procedures, budget and accounting information; provides assistance to staff with accounting concerns; accountable for the provision of a variety of accounting and business duties within the department; responsible for department accounts, payroll and Human Resources records; data preparation for business analyses; communicates effectively within the department and University; compiles business analyses/audits for internal and external reporting; performs administrative tasks necessary to assist with the overall administration of the department; requisitions for supplies, equipment, and services for the department.

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.

Events Round-Up July 2013

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, July 4

Fourth of July Parade, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m, Downtown Lansing

Fourth of July Fireworks Display, 10 p.m – 10:30 p.m., Mason

Monday, July 8

Common Ground Music Festival begins, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Friday, July 12

Summer Concert Series: Kathleen & the Bridge Street Band, 7 p.m., Downtown East Lansing

Saturday, July 13

Common Ground Music Festival Free Matinee Show, 12:30 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Monday, July 15

Tollgate Farm, “Evening in the Garden Series”, Topic: Wonderful Native Grasses and Wildflowers, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Novi

Tuesday, July 16

Ag Expo at Michigan State University begins, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., East Lansing

Saturday, July 20

Taste of Downtown Lansing, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Wednesday, July 24

Lansing Community College Summer Under the Stars Theater Series: The Odyssey, 7 p.m., Lansing

Thursday, July 25

The Expense of Learning: a documentary about the rising cost of a college education Film screening and Filmmaker discussion, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., East Lansing

Saturday, July 27

Car Capital Auto Show, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Monday, July 29

Ingham County Fair begins, 9 a.m. – midnight, Mason

Tuesday, July 30

Community Dance Project, 7 p.m., Lansing

Development and Training

Thursday, July 11

Desire2Learn Communication and Customization, 10 a.m. – noon, Main Library Red Cedar Room (E110)

Friday, July 12
Access 2010 –  Level 1, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Tuesday, July 16

Building a Better You, 8:30 a.m. – noon, 10 Nisbet

Monday, July 22

Outlook 2010- Level 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Thursday, July 25

Get LinkedIn to Succeed, 2:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m., 10 Nisbet

Monday, July 29

Crucial Confrontations, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 Nisbet

Job of the Week 6/28/13

This week we are highlighting a Communications Coordinator position with MSU Recycling (Posting #8006).  This position coordinates social media communications for Sustainability, Surplus Store and Recycling and Bikes Service Center; monitors social media and engages with external audiences in electronic forums; composes printed program materials for distribution to target audiences; reviews and/or edits layouts, drafts and information in order to check for content, readability and style; monitors various publications and electronic sources of news and commentary for potential relevance to unit activities; represents unit at functions, professional organizations, industry organizations, community and related events; assists with web page design, maintenance and content management.

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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.