Job of the week – Secretary II

This week’s job of the week is a Secretary II (#591122) for the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering. This position is seeking an individual to provide support for both the Mechanical Engineering main office and the undergraduate advisor program.

The responsibilities for this role include assisting in making travel arrangements for faculty, staff, and students when requested, departmental ordering and processing online registrar forms. Other responsibilities for this role include providing general office support to the undergraduate advisor, entering data and communicating information to faculty, staff, and students.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired through completion of a high school education with coursework in typing and shorthand; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible work experience in word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, calendaring and/or presentation software typing and filing; and may require knowledge of technical or medical terminology and/or technical training related to the field of employment; may require bilingual abilities in a specific language or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Summer is the Perfect Time to Sign-Up for a Professional Development Course!

With summer right around the corner, many students are heading home to refresh, recharge and prepare for another academic year. A quieter campus means you might also have some time to refresh and recharge your professional or personal development goals. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to look at your schedule and figure out which professional development courses available in the coming months interest you most.

Luckily, Organization and Professional Development (OPD) is offering a variety of courses this summer to help you reach your goals. Are you a new or experienced supervisor looking to improve your leadership skills? Or maybe you’re interested in finding out how to leverage your natural strengths and work behavior styles? Whatever your personal and/or professional goals, OPD has a variety of courses to help you succeed.

Courses to Improve Your Skills as a Supervisor or Leader:

Personal Development Courses:

Communication and Customer Service Courses:

You can find all current OPD courses on the HR website. Sign-up through the EBS Portal. MSU support staff should remember that they may have access to Educational Assistance to help with any course registration fees. Questions? Contact HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

Nominations are now open for the Clerical-Technical Award!

The Clerical–Technical (CT) Award is now open for nominations! This award is given annually to a clerical-technical support staff member. The award is sponsored by the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund to recognize outstanding MSU clerical-technical employees.

Past award recipient
Director Emeritus of the MSU Study Abroad program Dr. Charles Gliozzo, MSU Human Resources Associate Vice President Sharon E. Butler, award recipient Michelle Stewart and Clerical-Technical Union President Deb Bittner.

Individuals may be nominated by any member of the MSU community. To nominate an individual, you will need to complete a nomination form and collect a minimum of two support letters (maximum of five) by MSU colleagues. You may include additional information if it supports the applicant’s nomination.

Selection criteria include respect and concern for all members of the campus community, diligence in daily work, significant contributions to the community or public service and innovative thinking. The recipient is selected from nominations received by the CT Recognition Award Selection Committee. The winner will receive the award at a special recognition reception and they will be awarded $1,000 in recognition of their outstanding service.

You have until Monday, June 17 to nominate your candidate. Nomination forms and more details are available on the HR website.

Gear up for Mother’s Day with these special deals and discounts!

Are you prepared for Mother’s Day this weekend? Are you in need of last-minute gift ideas or things to do with mom? All benefit-eligible MSU faculty and staff have access to a variety of discounts and savings through MSU Benefits Plus. And if you’re still looking for something to do with mom this weekend, check out these fun ideas and places to take mom around Lansing.

Events:

Capital Prime offers a Mother’s Day brunch buffet and dinner program. You can visit the brunch buffet from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The buffet offers a traditional breakfast, prime rib selections, omelet stations and more. Visit Capital Prime website for more information.

Looking for a family event? Mother’s Day at Potter Park Zoo will have free admission for all moms on Sunday, May 12. The zoo offers a variety of activities like Wings Down Under, Bungee Jump and pony rides. Find more information on the Potter Park Zoo website.

On Saturday, May 11, Michigan Distillery will offer a Mother’s Day Flower Exchange and Planting event. For this event, you should bring flat flowers and your own pot. You will be able to plant and exchange flowers with other moms in the room. Check out Michigan Distillery for more information.

Still searching for that perfect gift? MSU benefit-eligible employees can visit MSU Benefits Plus for a wide variety of savings and deals from jewelry, flowers, special treats and more! Just log into MSU Benefits Plus to access some of the deals and savings below:

Flowers:

  • Looking for a flower arraignment? Save 25% with Blooms Today.
  • Florists.com offers special Mother’s Day selections with gifts baskets, flowers and special treats. Save 25% off on your final purchase.
  • At FromYouFlowers.com you don’t have to wait for Mother’s Day. They offer 25% savings all year round and have special selections for mom.
  • 1800flowers offers a wide selection of floral arrangements and sweet treats for mom. Find the perfect arraignment for mom with 20% off.
  • First in Flowers has multiple flower arraignments and treats for your mom’s special day. Save 15% off your order now.

Gifts:

  • Satisfy her sweet tooth with an order from David’s Cookies. Save 20% on all regular price orders.
  • Find the perfect fruit and cookie assortment with Harry & David. Harry & David offers a variety of treats like a tower of treats, cookie box, truffle sets and more! Get 20% your final purchase today.
  • Jewerly.com has the perfect gift for mom! Visit Jewerly.com to find the perfect pendant, charm, bracelet and more. Save 25% now for the perfect gift for mom!
  • If you’re looking to save on perfume, Perfume Emporium offers $10 off $40 or more. Perfume Emporium offers a wide variety of skin and beauty products.
  • Are you looking to spoil your mom with a spa day? Spa and Wellness offers $10 off a gift card of $50 or more. Find the right spa treatment for mom and a location close to you at MSU Benefits Plus.

Events Roundup – May

Community Festivals 

Michigan Global Roots Music Festival

East Lansing Art Festival 

Community Events

517 Day with Lansing Made

517 Party at Lansing Brewing with Starfarm

Mother’s Day Events

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Capital Prime

Mother’s Day Flower Exchange & Planting Event

Mother’s Day at the Zoo

Food

Saturday, May 4

2 Guys & a Grill Food Truck

Saturday, May 4

May the 4th Be With You

Thursday, May 9

Brewer’s Dinner at Lansing Brewing Company

Thursday, May 16

Wine & Stein at Potter Park Zoo

Friday, May 24

Got Smoke BBQ Food Truck

Arts

Friday, May 3

Arts Night Out AfterGlo

Monday, May 6

A Closer Look at R. E. Olds

Tuesday, May 7

Friends of Theatre Gala

Saturday, May 11

Williamston Pop Up Art & Craft Show

Tuesday, May 14

Open Call: 8 Elements of Art and Music: Space

Tuesday, May 14

Hamilton at the Wharton Center

Friday, May 17

Sean Patton (Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon) at The Fledge

Saturday, May 18

Spring Plant Show

Saturday, May 18

MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show

Music

Saturday, May 4

Music at the Museum

Friday, May 10

MasterWorks 05: Symphonic Dances

Sunday, May 19

CABS’s 2019 Blues Brawl

Sunday, May 19

Family/Kid Friendly

Saturday, May 4

Family Day: Layers

Thursday, May 9

Mary Gauthier at Pump House Concerts

Saturday, May 11

Celebration Cinema Sensory Showtimes: Ugly Dolls

Saturday, May 11

Woodland Fairy and Gnome Party

Wednesday, May 15

MSU Children’s Garden Stories for Seedlings and Sprouts

Thursday, May 16

Chipmunk Story Time at Harris Nature Center

Saturday, May 18

Fascination of Plants Day: Arts Go Green

Sunday, May 19

Abrams Planetarium-Sensory Friendly Shows-One World One Sky: Big Bird’s Big Adventure

Tuesday, May 28

Garden Brother’s Circus

Sports/Fitness

Saturday, May 4

Edible Plants Walk Harris Nature Center

Tuesday, May 7

Evening Wildflower Walk

Wednesday, May 8

Lansing Brew Run

Friday, May 17

Howl at the Moon

Professional Development Opportunities:

Thursday, May 16

From Distracted to Productive

Friday, May 17

Engaging Teams for Maximum Performance

Tuesday, May 21

EBS Financial System Roles/Onboarding

Wednesday, May 22

New Supervisor Essentials

Job of the week – Project Administrator

This week’s job of the week is a Project Administrator (#571786) for Information Technology Services. This position is seeking an individual to provide support and coordinate project requests.

The responsibilities for this role include collaborating with stakeholders, project partners and internal and external offices. Other responsibilities include developing testing, data management and data entry.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired in a four year college degree; three to five years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in a filed related to the position including planning and managing projects; communications content management (written, verbal, digital) experience with word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation, calendaring software, desktop publishing and/or project management software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Get active this spring with MSU Health 4U and Fitness On Demand!

Do you feel like you don’t have time to work out? Have a busy schedule during the work week? MSU Health4U and Fitness On Demand offers a wide range of tips and videos about getting fit. If you feel like you may not have time during the week, try to fit in workouts at your desk and between breaks and lunch. If you are unsure on where to start, look to MSU Health4 U and Fitness On Demand for videos and guidance.

Movement Methods is designed to assist you on your journey to wellness. Movement Methods is a physical activity guide that is geared to help you get to where you need to be. No matter your age or fitness level, this program offers exercises for warming up, cardio fitness, running and walking techniques and more. This program is available to faculty, staff, graduate student employees, retirees and their spouses. You can learn more about this guide or request additional information at MSU Health4U website or contact MSU Moves Consultant TJ Hall at 517-884-3656 or email timothy.hall@hc.msu.edu.

Are you looking for ways to squeeze in exercises in the office? Movement Break are videos geared to help you get you up and active during your break or lunch hour. They also offer stretches you can do at your desk, yoga techniques, desk exercises and more. Movement Break shares videos from five to 30 minutes. Find a video that fits your schedule at the Movement Break website.

The following video gives an example of a short desk exercise:

Try something new with Fitness on Demand (FOD)! FOD is a new virtual workout system that is located at IM East here on campus. FOD offers a wide range of videos from recognized fitness leaders around the world. How does it work? You can workout with a real live class any time IM East is open; the programs offer exercises from indoor cycling, yoga, dance aerobics, core strength and more! FOD offers workout times that are convenient for you. Visit their online schedule to check out what classes are available and how you can get involved at the Fitness On Demand website.

So, if you looking to squeeze in time to workout at work or looking for additional support, MSU Health4U and Fitness On Demand offers a wide variety of ways you can get fit and make sure it fits into your schedule. Visit MSU Health4 U Movement Methods, MSU Health 4 U Coaching and Fitness On Demand website for updates on their schedule and how to sign up for programs.

Take a pledge and Go Green this Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with recycling, clean commuting options and more! Take the first step to help your Spartan community go green. Are you looking for ways to go green? Start small like walking to get your lunch instead of driving, carpooling with coworkers to work or recycling materials from home. Whether you’re at home or in the office you can recycle materials you aren’t using like plastics, paper, cardboard and glass.

MSU Recycling Center is taking the lead for reusable materials here on campus. The center is open 7 days a week for dropping off recycling materials. They have labeled containers for collecting books, boxboards, cardboard, glass and more! You can find out what material is accepted and how to drop it off at the MSU Recycle Center website.

If you are looking for clean commuting options on campus, try biking, CATA or Zipcar. MSU Bikes is one commuter option that you can use by finding 1-on-1 bike commuter assistance that can help you find the safest, lowest – stress route from campus to your home. Campus also offers secure covered bike parking with DIY repair and an air station for your convenience.

Zipcar is here to help you get to your on-campus destination or your weekend adventure. You can find local Zipcars in the area by visiting the Zipcar website or downloading the app. Zipcar offers a variety of cars, vans and SUVs for wherever you’re going. You also have the option to rent for a day, hour or weekend. Zipcar is offering commuter options for MSU staff and faculty, just locate the car you want, drive and return it back to its parking space. Find more information on Zipcar and where you can sign up at the Zipcar website.

CATA clean commute options are here for free ride matching services for bus routes, carpools, vanpools and bike buddies. You can find travel modes that best fit your needs for getting around campus. Clean commute options are guided to help you save money and have a no stress commute. CATA also offers a commute cost calculator by examining how much money you spend driving alone and how much you can save by carpooling. Visit the CATA website to get involved for a clean commute for your morning.

This Earth Day make a pledge to go green! Try one of these options, whether it’s recycling with the family or carpooling with coworkers in the morning. Putting in the effort this Earth Day will make for a better tomorrow.

Job of the week – Office Coordinator II

This week’s job of the week is an Office Coordinator II (#571137) for the College of Education. This position is seeking an individual to provide support to the chairperson in the Department of Teacher Education with administrative and operational responsibilities.

The responsibilities for this role include course scheduling, analyzing information and assisting with departmental reports like enrollment and faculty assignments. Other responsibilities for this role include acting as a resource for faculty and staff, maintaining graduate applications and developing departmental databases.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired in the first two or three years in college, technical school or a related field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a professional office setting, performing secretarial and administrative tasks, including experience with scheduling meetings, data entry and payroll processing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Start a healthy lifestyle with MSU Student Organic Farm!

Are you looking for healthy food options that are organic and help support the local community? The MSU Student Organic Farm stand is run by MSU students who have an interest in farming and sustainable food resources.

The MSU Student Organic Farm is a 15-acre, certified organic farm that started in 1999. The goal of the farm is to provide a place where students can volunteer, work, visit and share their interest in the development of the land and farm. The farm has flourished over the years, becoming a place where people can engage with farming and creating learning opportunities through farming.

The Student Organic Farm Stand opened the first week of April and will run through the end of October; it is available every Thursday from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Farm Lane and Auditorium Road next to the Rock, under the big white tent. All the food they have available is USDA Certified Organic and locally grown by students and the farm crew. Note: Due to inclement weather, the farm stand will not be open on Thursday, April 18.

Image of Farm Production Manager, Sarah G. picking vegetables in a greenhouse.
Sarah G. Production Manager

Here are some of the items they offer throughout the season:

  • Spring: eggs, asparagus, spinach, lettuce, brassica salad mix, chard, kale, radishes, turnips, peas, and strawberries.
  • Summer:  tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumber, summer squash, sweet corn, green beans, some cut flowers, raspberries, and other small fruit.
  • Fall: eggs, pumpkins, brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, raspberries, strawberries, pears, Asian pears, grapes, hazelnuts, and dried flowers.

The MSU Student Organic Farm offers many healthy food opportunities for staff and faculty with their Community Support Agriculture (CSA) and Market Share Program. The CSA program is designed to give you access to a diverse set of organic fruits and vegetables. You can expect 8-12 items each week ready for pick up at their farm and if you are looking for getting your hands dirty they also offer a U-Pick option. The Market Share program allows you to preload a card before you stop by the farm stand. If you purchase a minimum of a $100 share, you can receive 5-10% additional credit on your card. With the Market Share program, you can purchase fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers.

The Student Organic Farm is about connecting with the community and learning about farming and a healthy lifestyle. You can learn more about the CSA program at MSU Student Organic Farm and their Market Share program at their website. For information about upcoming events, join the MSU Student Organic Farm Stand Newsletter here. For general information about the MSU Student Organic Farm, visit their website.