Category: Fun & Resources

Learn about fun and/or interesting things to do around MSU or interesting bits of MSU trivia.

Utilize these discounts for spring break!

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Are you planning a trip for this spring break? Before you head out for vacation, check out some of these deals and discounts! As an MSU benefits-eligible employee, you have access to discounts through MSU Benefits Plus. Save money on hotels, theme parks, shows and more! 

To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign-in by clicking on the Log In link in the top right corner of the page. First-time users will need to sign up for an account using your ZPID number (located on your Spartan Card ID badge or you can find the number in EBS). Use a capital “Z” when putting in your ZPID number.

Check out some of the deals you can find through MSU Benefits Plus:

  • Disneyland – A favorite spring break destination for kids and adults alike! Save on multi-day tickets at Disneyland Resort in California. Discounts are automatically applied through this link. 
  • Hotels.com – Are you traveling for vacay and need a place to stay? Save an ADDITIONAL 8% off most bookings at hotels.com with code CORESTREAM8. Find your destination at Hotels.com.
  • SeaWorld – Receive up to 45% off select SeaWorld tickets for fun the whole family can enjoy! Discover the available discounts for SeaWorld here.
  • National Car Rental – Need to get around during your trip? Enjoy up to 20% off your reservation rate when booking through this link. The discount is automatically applied through the link.
  • Expedia – Escape to Latin America and beyond! Expedia offers up to 20% off hotels in favorite destinations. Discounts are automatically applied using this link.

For more information on discounts through MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.

Celebrating HR Women Leaders on International Women’s Day!

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March 8 is International Women’s Day. Recognized globally, this momentous day is intended to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women (internationalwomensday.com). This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is #EachforEqual, to encourage that collectively each one of us can help to create a gender-equal world.

In 2018, women made up nearly half the U.S. labor force and held more than half of all management, professional, and related occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). We have come a long way, and there’s still more to be accomplished. Here at MSU Human Resources, we have women occupying five executive positions. We have asked each woman HR executive to share a career tip for career success:

Sharon Butler, Associate Vice President:

“Think and behave in a manner that sends the message you are competent, curious, intelligent, and an independent thinker who is willing to work collaboratively with your colleagues.”

Donna Donovan, Chief of Staff and Director of HR Administration Services:

“Take on new challenges. Don’t be afraid to say yes to a new project or opportunity that excites or interests you, even if you feel you aren’t ready.  This is how we grow, gain perspective and get experience.”

Sharri Margraves, HR Associate Director of Organization and Professional Development:

“Take a wide view of career success – a non-linear one. Consider positions that are lateral or even lower level if it offers a chance to learn new skills or lead a different team. Be willing to take on jobs and projects that are new to you. Find leaders who can facilitate that kind of empowerment and run from those who cannot. Finally, think ‘connecting’. Connecting people who have a mutual need or idea can create magic.”

Reneé Rivard, Director of Compensation and Benefits:

“Talk less and listen more. It’s surprising what you actually hear when not talking or thinking about what your response will be.”

Alice Smith, Director of Solutions Center:

“Jobs come and go as you move through your career, but your reputation, specifically whether you are known for behaving ethically and with integrity, will stick with you forever. It is THE single most valuable professional asset you have.”

Thank you to our HR executives for providing such valuable insight. We hope that it serves as encouragement to know that all are capable of success. While our careers are just one aspect of life, women have found success in leadership roles and continue to empower one another each day. With #EachforEqual in mind, we must work together towards a gender-equal world today and every day.

Tips to Enhance Savings During America Saves Week!

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Today marks the start of America Saves Week, taking place February 24-29, 2020. America Saves Week is a nationally recognized time to encourage individuals and families “to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth” (America Saves, 2018). Saving money is much easier said than done, so MSU’s retirement vendors TIAA and Fidelity have provided tips and tools to make saving for retirement and (life in general) a bit easier.

  • Save just 1% more. If you’re already saving, that’s great! But, did you know that increasing your 401(k) savings by just 1% can cause your savings to grow exponentially? Try the Power of Small Amounts tool by Fidelity to see how a small increase can have big effects on your savings.
  • Utilize a financial goal planner. Reveal your personal financial path in just three steps:

1. Map your income and expenses.

2. Write down each of your goals.

3. Match each goal to a time frame.       

4. Find an in-depth financial goal planner from TIAA here.

  • Try an online webinar. Both Fidelity and TIAA offer a variety of online resources. Fidelity hosts webinars on everything from managing life to saving and investment, to preparing for retirement. Fidelity is offering live webinars for Fidelity members during America Saves Week; if you’re not a member, you can find previous webcasts available any time on the Fidelity website. TIAA offers educational articles on saving, tools for goal setting, a retirement calculator, and free live webinars. You don’t need to be a TIAA member to participate in the live webinars, simply select the “Guest Login” option on their website when signing up for a webinar. You can also give them a call at 800-842-2252.
  • Try to follow the 50/30/20 rule. Allow 50% of your income to go towards necessities, 30% towards discretionary items, and 20% towards savings. Click here to learn more about monthly savings plans and the 50/30/20 rule from TIAA.

Whether you’re looking to save for retirement now or start planning for your future, Fidelity and TIAA can help you plan with webinars, online professional help and financial planners.

For general questions about retirement, contact MSU HR at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434. For questions about your specific retirement plans, please contact your retirement vendor directly.

 

Win a Free Amazon Echo Dot™ with Teladoc!

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Would you like the chance to win a FREE Amazon Echo Dot™? Set up your Teladoc account and you could be entered to win! Teladoc is giving away a limited number of these smart speakers. MSU employees and their dependents who are currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc – an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via the web, phone, or mobile app in minutes.

Since Teladoc is already part of your MSU benefits, all you have to do is set up your account/update your medical history by Feb. 21, 2020, for your chance to win a free Amazon Echo Dot™. Note: if you are already registered but didn’t provide your medical history, simply update your history for a chance to win.

Here are three quick and easy ways to update your medical history:

  1. Download the mobile app
  2. Call Teladoc at 1-800-TELADOC (835-2362)
  3. Visit Teladoc.com and clicking “SET UP ACCOUNT”

You can use your Teladoc account throughout the year to:

  • Talk to a doctor by phone or video 24/7.
  • Get a diagnosis of your symptoms, treatment, and a prescription when needed.
  • Avoid the potentially high costs and long wait times of the ER.

To learn more about Teladoc, visit the Teladoc page on our MSU HR website.

Questions? Contact HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434. Find more information about MSU-related benefits and resources on our website hr.msu.edu.

Ways to Save: Discounts on Communication and Media Services

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Have you recently thought about switching up your cellular plan or cable provider? Well, we have exciting news for you! Eligible MSU employees have access to various discounts and deals on communications and media services. Enjoy discounts on phone plans, devices, accessories, and more! Here are some ways to save:

AT&T – AT&T is proud to offer MSU employees a 17% discount on qualified mobile phone plans, as well as discounts on devices and accessories. Receive this discount and see special promotions by registering with your MSU email address here or by visiting any corporate-owned AT&T Wireless store and refer to FAN number: 2392567. Please have a valid MSU email address and proof of employment (ID card or pay stub) when visiting a store.

DISH Network – New customers receive a $75 VISA gift card* and $20/mo off their first year with five Packages under $50! Additionally, get free installation, free HD for life, and three months of the new DISH Platinum package for free! Call 866-395-9955 or click to order DISH Network. *$75 VISA gift is available for new customers only. Click or call for complete details.

HughesNet Satellite Internet – New customers receive a $50 VISA gift card* and free installation if equipment on service with internet speeds up to 5.0Mbps. Call 888-986-9887 or click here to order HughesNet today! *$50 VISA gift card is available for new customers only. Prices are subject to change without notice. Click or call for complete details.

DIRECTV – New customers receive a $75 VISA gift card* when activating the best package! For just $34.99/mo. new customers can get more than 210 channels and the new DIRECTV CINEMA featuring 400 of the newest releases plus over 6,000 shows and movies! Other qualifying packages start at $29.99/mo. Call 1-888-929-7905 or click to order DIRECTV. *$75 VISA gift card is available for new customers only. Prices are subject to change without notice. Click or call for complete details.

Sprint – Sprint offers MSU employees an 18% discount on select regularly priced Sprint Monthly Data Services. Activation fee waived for new accounts with Sprint with the Corporate ID: GVSMI_WCA_ZZZ. Visit sprint.com/save, visit a local Sprint Store (sprint.com/storelocator) or call Sprint Sales at 866-639-8354 for more information. Existing Sprint customers can register for their discount at sprint.com/verify. Proof of employment is required and will be required every two years for the discount.

Verizon – Verizon Wireless offers MSU employees discounts on plans and equipment. For more details please visit the Verizon website for MSU employees through MSU Benefits Plus.

Looking for additional deals for MSU employees? Don’t forget to check the MSU Benefits Plus website for discounts and deals on many services such as hotels, vacation packages, electronics, sporting events, and more. Discover more deals here.

For more information on communication and media Services discounts through MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.

Accomplish Your 2020 Goals with Help from MSU HR

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We’re officially one month into the new year! Have you made resolutions that are becoming more difficult to keep each day? If so, don’t worry, you are not alone. In fact, 80% of New Year’s resolutions begin to fizzle out by February (Psychology Today, 2018). Here at MSU HR, we want to encourage you to keep going by identifying resources right at your disposal to make keeping your resolutions a bit easier.

Work/ Professional Life:

We often have work or career-related goals that may include enhancing leadership skills, improving communication, increasing knowledge, etc. Discover resources offered through MSU to support you in your professional development:

  • Attend Organization and Professional Development (OPD) courses to enhance your leadership skills and aid in career development. Find a variety of OPD courses offered here.
  • If you’re a support staff employee, be sure to use your Educational Assistance funds for career development opportunities such as OPD courses, attending conferences, and so much more. Learn more about your Ed Assist benefit here.

Health:

It might come as no surprise that the most common (and most commonly broken) New Year’s resolutions are centered around health and wellness (Time Magazine, 2012). Below are benefits and resources you can utilize as an eligible MSU employee to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

  • Take a trip to your doctor and stay up-to-date on your health! Get your annual physicals, eye exams, and check-ups.
  • Check out MSU Health4U courses! From learning how to cook quick and healthy meals, to participating in active stretching, MSU Health4U offers a variety of health and wellness programs. Click here to discover more.
  • Utilize discounts at local gyms offered through MSU Benefits Plus. Receive 5-20% off at various locations including LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness along with regional chains, local gyms, and specialty studios. Log into MSU Benefits Plus to discover ways to save!
  • Prioritize your mental health! MSU employees and their adult dependents who are currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to behavioral health services offered through Teladoc. Find support and receive 24/7 access to a healthcare professional conveniently online. Find more information on Teladoc and how to use it here.

Money and Savings:

Money is another common resolution topic amongst Americans. Saving money is often linked to less stress because it allows you to be more prepared for changes in life and may give you the flexibility to spend your money on your own terms (Refresh Financial, 2019). Learn more about MSU benefits that promote financially responsible habits:

  • If you enrolled in a flexible spending account for this year, utilize those funds for eligible expenses such as band-aids, shoe insoles, and aspirin! Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) help you save money by allowing you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses. Participants save an average of 30% on eligible expenses. Discover various items you can use your FSA funds at the FSA Store. You can also learn more about FSAs on our website here.
  • Put more towards retirement! Consider taking advantage of compounding retirement savings that will end up saving you more in the long run. Learn how compounding works and discover various retirement plans here.

Sticking to New Year’s resolutions may not be easy, but with these tips, we hope that you continue to see your goals as possible. Questions? Contact HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434. Find more information about MSU-related benefits and resources on our website hr.msu.edu.

The Gift of Savings: Deals and Discounts for MSU Employees this Holiday Season

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Are you looking for deals and discounts on gifts for the holiday season? As a benefit-eligible MSU employee, you have access to many discounts and savings through MSU Benefits Plus. Here you can find discounts and special offers on a variety of products such as electronics, entertainment and more!

To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign-in by clicking on the Log In link in the top right corner of the page. First time users will need to sign up for an account using your ZPID number (located on your Spartan Card ID badge or you can find the number in EBS).  Use a capital “Z” when putting in your ZPID number.

Check out some of the deals you can find through MSU Benefits Plus:

Apple – Enjoy employee pricing on your favorite Apple products when you shop the exclusive store. Discounts automatically applied with the link. Take advantage of this deal!

Cirque du Soleil – Find special offers on various shows across the country including cities like Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, and many more! Get more information and find automatically applied discounts here.

Dell – Discover great deals and discounts on Dell electronics. There’s something here for everyone!

Disneyland – In need of a vacation? Save on multi-day tickets at Disneyland Resort in California! Discounts are automatically applied through this link.

Sprint – Enjoy exclusive savings on your Sprint Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans! Take a look at what Sprint offers!

Perfume Emporium – Take $10 off when you spend $40 or more on your favorite fragrances at the official Perfume Emporium website. Use code CD1972 at checkout to redeem your offer!

Premium Seats USA – Concerts, Sporting Events, Theater Tickets, and more! Save 10% with code CORESTREAM on great seats and exclusive VIP packages to live entertainment and sporting events throughout the country. From concerts of all sizes to professional and college sports to Broadway and beyond, you’ll find tickets to thousands of events at Premium Seats USA! Take a look at some upcoming events on the Premium Seats USA website.

Hotels.com – Are you traveling during the holiday season? Spoil your special person with a night in the city. Save an ADDITIONAL 8% off most bookings at hotels.com with code CORESTREAM8. Find your destination at Hotels.com.

The HR website also offers other deals you can find on-campus through the MSU Tech Store, MSU Bakers, and the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, among others. You can check out some of those deals at MSU HR Website.

For more information on discounts through MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.

2019 Clerical-Technical Recognition Award Winner

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The Clerical-Technical Recognition Award is presented annually to a Michigan State University support staff member performing clerical-technical duties. The recipient is 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 MSU clerical-technical employees.

This year’s winner is Thomi Chrisinske!

  • CT award winner, Thomi Chrisinske, and her colleagues.
  • Thomi with her cake.
  • Thomi and family.
  • Thomi and family.
  • Thomi and her colleagues.
  • MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences Dean David Prabu, Thomi Chrisinske, CT Union President Deb Bittner
  • Thomi and MSU Human Resources AVP Sharon Butler

Thomi is a secretary for the Department of Communication where her she excels in her position providing leadership, technology, promotional, and human resource support to the department chair, faculty, graduate students, and staff. Exceeding the high expectations of her department, Thomi has been described as an essential component of the success of the Department of Communication. Chairing two standing departmental committees, the Equipment and Space Committee and the Social Media Committee, Thomi exemplifies great leadership by always striving to improve herself and the Department of Communication. With her dedication to the MSU community, Thomi consistently goes above and beyond to uplift those around her. Congratulations to Thomi!

Watch the video below to learn more about this year’s CT Award Winner, Thomi Chrisinske:

Happy National Online Learning Day!

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September 15 is National Online Learning Day! Online learning provides convenience, flexibility, and personalization for all learners. Did you know MSU offers FREE online learning opportunities for all faculty and staff? Get access to online resources including books, videos, courses, and more via elevateU. 

Access elevateU here or log into EBS and look for the “elevateU” tile under the “My Career & Training” tab. You can access elevateU from your computer or through the Skillsoft Learning App for Android and iOS devices.  

There are programs that cover leadership, IT & desktop, business, finance, human resources, change management, project management, interpersonal skills and so much more. Resources are available in a variety of formats: 

  • Video-based and interactive courses 
  • Videos 
  • Books 
  • Resources to prepare for various professional certifications 

Watch the following video for a general overview of the resources available to you and how to access them:

Need help navigating elevateU? Click here for an additional video on how to use the search function and navigate through the resources available. 

Utilize the resources as reference tools to help answer your day-to-day job questions or as part of your ongoing personal and professional development. Many of the courses are even approved for Continuing Education credits! Remember, all courses are available to current staff and faculty at no charge.  

Happy National Online Learning Day! 

Visit the Surplus Store for all your office or home furnishing needs!

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Are you looking to spruce up your office with some new furniture or decorations? Are you a new employee who just moved to the area and is looking for items to furnish your new house or apartment? Or are you helping your college student get ready to move back to campus and in need of some dorm or apartment dĂ©cor?  The MSU Surplus Store is your one-stop-shop. The Surplus Store has all your needs from office furniture, home furniture, electronics, textbooks, bikes to MSU gear. Wondering how the Surplus Store works?

The Surplus Store receives most of its items from the university when items are no longer needed; Surplus Store team members go out and collect items from the residential halls, offices, and lounge areas. The Surplus Store is connecting surplus operations with recycling operations on campus. They take multiple steps before throwing an item out. The first step is to try to resell the item or give it away; if it can’t be sold or given away, then they will recycle it. If the item does not sell or can’t be recycled, then it will eventually go to landfill. However, the long-term goal is to help the university get to a zero-waste policy with these actions.

  • Cash Register at the Surplus Store with the quote "reuse: to use again, whether for same purpose or re-appropriated for another".
    Cash register at the Surplus Store
  • MSU Shadows corner with wood art, wall decor and degree frames.
    MSU Shadows Corner
  • Arts and Craft section at the Surplus Store with signs, art pieces and decor.
    Arts and crafts section

The Surplus Store is open year-round, Monday through Friday, to the public, MSU departments and employees. If you’re an MSU employee, you can purchase items with your account number. Just grab the item you’re looking for, head to the counter and give them your account number. If you purchased a large item, they also offer an on-campus delivery service to your office or department.

If you don’t have time to stop at the store, you can always look online at the MSU Surplus Store website. You can also find items on eBay from the store. Did you know that you can find textbooks at the Surplus store? Whether you’re using you’re continuing your education or have a student in your house who needs to buy their books, the Surplus Store may have what you need. You can also find textbooks available through the Surplus Store on Amazon.

If you’re looking for unique items, the Surplus Store also partners with MSU Forestry and Infrastructure Planning Facilities (IPF) to turn downed trees into products called the MSU Shadows. They have a variety of items from custom tables, wall art, diploma frames and more!

The Surplus Store has also partnered with MSU Dairy, MSU Meat Labs and MSU Horticulture Farm. You can find a variety of items from fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. By shopping at the Surplus Store, you’re supporting students and helping the university reach its goal of zero waste.

If you have a request, don’t be afraid to reach out! With over 4,000 items collected from campus each week, the Surplus Store is your one-stop-shop. Want to know more? Just visit their website at MSU Surplus Store or stop by in-person at 468 Green Way, East Lansing.