Category: Fun & Resources

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.The recipient selections were based on the testimonies such as those quoted below from their employees’ nomination letters. This year’s five winners include:

Mike Gardner- Rivertrail Dining Manager 

• “Mike has an uncanny ability of making every person that he comes in contact with feel like they are his close and personal friend.”
• “He supports each and every member of our team by creating and fostering a supportive environment and encouraging a happy and healthy work/life balance.”
• “He always cared about me as a person, not just an employee.”

Shawn Kelly- Supervisor-Project Services –Infrastructure Planning and Facilities

• “Shawn is a family man and very sensitive to one’s family needs and is very understanding when one has to leave work due to a family emergency, illness.etc…”
• “I commute from Grand Rapids on a daily basis and Shawn has allowed me to adjust my work schedule so that I could join a vanpool to help with my work/life balance, save on the cost of commuting and remove some of the wear and tear of driving daily.”
• “Shawn’s management style is one of empowerment and personalized support.”

Judy McMillan- HRPP Manager-Human Research Liaison Program

• “Judy routinely encourages our team to work flexible hours if needed so that we are able to not only excel at our jobs, but also allowing for us to have a life outside of work with our families.”
• “I have always felt that Judy respects me as a person first!”
• “Judy holds us accountable for our scheduled work hours but also knows that they may be atypical for a given work day to allow for family commitments and what I like to term “hiccups”.”

 Gary Roloff- Associate Professor-Fisheries and Wildlife

• “Gary is much more than the person who oversees my work; you could say he is the reason I work.”
• “Gary ensures that the work we are doing for him aligns with our greater goals for the future.”
• “Anyone who has ever worked with Gary would agree that this award was created to recognize people like Gary.”

Holly Rosen- Director -MSU Safe Place

• “By employing a philosophy of teamwork Holly works to teach and empower our staff, helping everyone to be invested in the process.”
• “She was flexible with prenatal appointments, provided advice and guidance and encouraged me to take time off from work after the birth of both of our children.”
• Holly sets the tone for a respectful, inclusive, and client centered work environment.”

All the nominators claim to have the “Best Boss” on campus!Continue Reading… 2014 Outstanding Supervisor Awards

This year, America Recycles Day will take place on Saturday, November 15. This nationally-recognized event works not only to promote recycling in the United States but to celebrate the act itself. Recycling is no new concept yet many, due in part to limited time and living in a “disposable” society, do not always recycle as often as possible. America Recycles Day hopes to raise awareness and to illustrate that, although recycling may take a few extra minutes and is not always the easiest option, it more than pays off in the long run.

So what can you do? First, take the American Recycles Day pledge.  The three-part pledge emphasizes the importance of learning, acting and sharing in order to expand recycling. Second, recycle!  Michigan State is a highly sustainable university and has recycling bins located throughout campus. Bins accept a wide range of materials including white paper, mixed paper, newspaper, cardboard, boxboard, household metal and plastics #1 through #7. Familiarize yourself with what exactly is encompassed by these materials- odds are, you can recycle more than you think!

You can also take recycling a step further by visiting MSU’s very own Public Drop-Off Center. The Public Drop-Off Center is entirely free, open 24/7, LEED-certified and conveniently located at the south end of campus on the corner of Farm Lane and Green Way. The center accepts most materials. For a comprehensive list, please visit MSU Recycling’s Recycle Guide. Also, to learn more about recycling operations at MSU, visit the Sustainability Guidebook. Take advantage of these incredible resources so that you can be not only green, but Spartan green!

Have you noticed that campus is teeming with life as of late? This can be attributed to the fact that today is the first day of classes for MSU students! The city of East Lansing is one that thrives because of its academic community, and HR would like to take the time to welcome everyone back. This year’s student population is the largest yet, totaling around 50,000, with students hailing from all 83 counties in Michigan, all 50 states, and over 130 countries. Eager to participate in MSU’s 200+ programs of undergraduate, graduate, and professional study, the student community is both talented and diverse. Whether you are entering your freshman year, or starting the 5th year senior “victory lap,” welcome to MSU and enjoy your year! Go Green!