Campus Construction Update: What you need to know before the new academic year

Construction of the FRIB project on Thursday May 16, 2013.
Get updates about current construction projects on the IPF website!

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, you may have noticed that some of the summer construction projects are starting to wrap up. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of the projects that are completed, those that will be finished by the end of the summer and those that will continue into the academic year.

Parking Lot Projects

  • Lots 83, 89, 91 and 100 will have portions closed over the summer for solar carport installation. Construction will be completed December 2017.
  • Lots 86, 93 and 104 will have portions closed over the summer for utility installations. Construction will be completed December 2017.
  • Lot 92 will have portions closed through the Fall 2017 semester for solar carport installation. Construction will be completed December 2017.
  • Lot 90 is offline.
  • Lots 79 and 63E will be closed entirely until August 21.
  • Lot 63W is now open.

Building Construction and Renovations

  • Construction has begun on the new Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building. Construction traffic will be heavy on Service Road.
  • Construction of the Business College Complex Pavilion is underway. Sidewalks to the south side of the Eppley Center have been closed to pedestrians.
  • Installation of windows in Hubbard Hall is complete.
  • The IM West HVAC replacement project is underway and will be completed September 2017.
  • Engineering Research Complex construction is underway. There will be increased construction traffic and noise in the area (South Academic District).
  • Renovation of room E100 and the corridor in the Veterinary Medical Center is underway. Through August, the west corridor will still be closed to through pedestrian traffic and there will be increased construction traffic at the northwest drive.
  • Bessey Hall first and second floor renovations are underway and will be completed mid-August.
  • Renovations to Olin Student Health Center are complete.
  • The 1855 Place Project is underway. Retail spaces opened in early August and the office spaces will open October 2017.
  • Construction in the Breslin Center and Spartan Stadium is ongoing.

For more information about construction projects, you can view the August Construction Junction video or visit the IPF website.

Protect Your Personal Information With Safe Computing Practices

In our technology-dependent world, it’s important to follow safe computing practices so that you are protected against viruses, spyware and scams. If your computer is infected with spyware and viruses, your personal and financial information is at risk.

computer
Practice safe computing so that your personal information is protected.

In order to keep yourself and your information safe, there are several computer best practices that you should be following with your personal devices:

  1. Be sure to turn on your personal firewall.
  2. Perform regular operating system, software and app updates because they usually include security patches.
  3. Install antivirus and antispyware software on your computer.
  4. Upgrade to the latest version of your browser and take advantage of the security features that they offer.

You can learn more about computer best practices on the SecureIT website. SecureIT also provides information on phishing, passwords and file sharing/copyright.

Upcoming Deadlines for Award Nominations

Deadlines are coming up this month to nominate talented faculty and staff members for two major awards: the Clerical Technical Recognition Award and the Outstanding Supervisor Award.

CT-Award-Winner
Dr. Charles Gliozzo with last year’s CT Recognition Award recipient Rebecca Ives.

The Clerical Technical Recognition Award is presented annually to an MSU support staff member who performs clerical-technical duties. 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. Nominations for this year’s award are due Monday, June 26, 2017. 2017 marks the 15th year anniversary of the award, and to commemorate the occasion, two recipients will be selected this year! Learn more about the nomination process for this award here.

 

jessica-nakfour-team
One of last year’s Outstanding Supervisor Award recipients, Jessica Nakfour and her team.

The Outstanding Supervisor Award is presented annually to MSU supervisors who consistently support the personal and professional needs of the employees in their unit. Selection criteria include an understanding of work/life balance, a positive leadership style that empowers others, treatment of employees as people first and sensitivity to individual needs. This year’s nominations are due by Friday, June 30, 2017. Learn more about the nomination process for this award here.

 

Job of the Week 6/2/17

This week we are highlighting a Project Manager (posting #440970) with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. This position will develop, coordinate and implement projects associated with strategic plans and initiatives. Specifically, this position will be responsible for ensuring the scope and direction of each project meets organizational requirements, remains on schedule and within budget and is delivered on time.MSU Jobs Icon

For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Events Round-Up May 2017

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

Tuesday, May 9

The Swift Brothers at the Wildlife Concert Series, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,  Bengel Wildlife Center

Wednesday, May 10

Bookworms at the Broad MSU, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

Friday, May 12

Life is a Cycle, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Patriarche Park

Friday, May 12 – Sunday, May 14

Mighty Uke Day 7, various times, Old Town Lansing

Saturday, May 13

Alice’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Benefit, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., REACH Studio Art Center

Sunday, May 13

Mother’s Day Tea Party, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Lansing City Market

Williamston Pop Up art & Craft Show, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Keller’s Plaza Upstairs

Thursday, May 18

Wine & Stein at Potter Park Zoo, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Potter Park Zoo

Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21

East Lansing Art Festival, various times, Downtown East Lansing

MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show, various times, MSU Union

Sunday, May 21

Mid-Michigan Bluegrass & Folk Jam Concert, 2;00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Woldumar Nature Center

Development, Training and Wellness

Tuesday, May 9

Everything DISC: Behavior Styles at Work, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11

Crucial Accountability, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Thursday, May 11

Targeted Topics: Gift Accounting, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Boosting Team Performance, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Wednesday, May 17

New Supervisor Essentials, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Thursday, May 18

The Spartan Experience, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Wednesday, May 24

Payments to Non-Resident Aliens & Foreign Vendors, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

Clerical-Technical Award Nominations Due June 19!

Do you work with an outstanding clerical-technical employee? Nominate them for the Clerical-Technical Recognition Award!

CT-Award-Winner
Dr. Charles Gliozzo with last year’s award recipient Rebecca Ives.

This award is presented annually to a clerical-technical support staff member selected from nominations received by the CT Recognition Award Selection Committee. The award is sponsored by the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund to recognize outstanding clerical-technical employees. The winner will receive the award at a special recognition reception, and they will also be awarded $1,000 in recognition of their outstanding service.

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. 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 nomination forms and more details are available on the HR website.

Nominations are due on Monday, June 19. So, if you have a clerical-technical employee in mind for this award, be sure to nominate them before the deadline!

Job of the Week 3/24/17

This week we are highlighting a Producer/Host Radio position (posting #5166) with Broadcasting Services (WKAR). This position is responsible for producing and hosting the daily show, producing human-interest features for WKAR News, producing and scheduling on-air promos, and establishing and maintaining online social media engagement with listeners. This position also works closely with the digital news director, other program hosts, and the contributing and assistant producers, as well as student interns.

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: Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a complicated disease that affects one in every 50 adults over the age of 40. This slow-moving condition involves damage to the optic nerve that causes progressive and irreversible vision loss, eventually leading to blindness. Glaucoma can be difficult to diagnose, since the most common type, open-angle glaucoma, usually has no other symptoms besides slow vision loss. Open-angle glaucoma has a wide and open angle between the iris and cornea, and is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure.

glaucomaThe disease’s symptoms often resemble those of macular degeneration, cataracts, migraine headache, stroke, etc. You may be at a higher risk for glaucoma if:

  • You have family members with glaucoma
  • You have a history of diabetes
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You are African-American

A diagnosis for the disease is easy to miss, since many individuals show no symptoms of open-angle glaucoma in the early stages. To prevent blindness and other serious complications, make sure you are receiving regular eye care to catch the disease in its early development. Best Doctors can offer a specialized analysis of your health records to give you answers or counsel for these medical conditions lacking a straightforward diagnosis.

Read the full Best Doctors article to learn more.

Nominations are Open for Student Employee of the Year!

Do you supervise a student employee that consistently goes above and beyond? You have the opportunity to ensure your student is recognized! The Division of Student Affairs and Services is calling for nominations of exemplary student employees for the Student Employee of the Year Award. This university-wide award is given to a student employee who exhibits one or more of the following performance qualities: reliability, quality of work, professionalism and uniqueness of contribution.

MSU Students employees in the MSU Union store prep boxes for the recycle bins.
Recycling Sparty Student Employees. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

The program and reception will be held on April 13, 2017 at the Kellogg Center. At this reception, all nominees will be honored with certificates. Additionally, the Student Employee winner’s name will be submitted for consideration for the State of Michigan Competition. If this individual wins at the state level, he/she will go on for consideration in the Midwest and national recognition programs.

Nominations are being accepted from now until February 1, 2017. In order to learn more about the criteria for this award and nominate a deserving student employee, visit the website. It is important to note that all nominations must be submitted using the online application. Paper applications will not be accepted. For more information on the Student Employee of the Year award program, please contact Tammye Coles at mitche25@msu.edu or call 517-355-8286.

Work-Related New Year’s Resolutions

At the beginning of the new year it may be overwhelming and difficult to stick with your resolutions, especially with everyone telling you what to do or how they are doing it better. Don’t fall into the trap of setting lofty goals that will never be accomplished. Instead, set realistic resolutions that can help benefit your work life.

First, make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you see what to improve on, what you are already doing well and how you can utilize these strengths. Second, think long-term about your career goals. Where do you see yourself next year, in five years and 10 years? Third, be present in the workplace. Don’t just show up to the office and try to get through the day. Make the most out of each day, be productive and positive. Little changes can make a difference too. Consider updating your resume, going to networking opportunities and taking classes on subjects that interest you or will help boost your career.

Excercise
Taking a quick walk on your lunch break is an easy way to clear your mind. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy

Simple resolutions made out of the office could ultimately help your career. Try to add 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity to your schedule at least three days a week, even if it means taking a quick walk on your lunch break. Do things you enjoy after work and on the weekends. Maybe pick up a new hobby or activity, or simply explore what your city has to offer. If changing your eating habits seems unattainable, MSU offers a six session course, How to Eat, on Thursdays in the Olin Health Center. The course teaches mindful techniques to bring awareness to eating without judgment. For more information on How to Eat, or other Health4U courses, visit Health4U.msu.edu.

Setting New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be a hassle. Think about how you want to progress as a professional and make simple changes to help kick-start your new year.