Category: Fun & Resources

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

Giving Tuesday at MSU

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The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday, and Michigan State wants to support you in your service this holiday season.

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 to encourage people to give back. It’s now a global movement that inspires millions of people around the world to collaborate for good and celebrate generosity.

Sign up now to serve with your fellow Spartans in states like Texas, Indiana, and Minnesota through Serve MSU. Join the tradition that is already 14,000 Spartans strong and has raised over $1 million and spent 61,000 hours volunteering, all since 2013.

You can also serve the local community this Giving Tuesday by supporting Spartan impact projects such as campus sustainability, diversity research and veterans resources. All of these campus initiatives and more can be found here.

To give over the phone, call (517) 884-1000. You can also email University Advancement at uadv.msuannualfund@msu.edu with any questions about Giving Tuesday or service throughout the year.

For additional community service opportunities this year, click here.

Celebrate Giving Tuesday however it works for you and your loved ones. Make someone’s day brighter with a smile, help out a neighbor or stranger, or get involved in a cause you are passionate about.

This Giving Tuesday, find the service project or need that is perfect for you and give what you can. Spartans Will…give back to the community!

Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award!

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Do you know an MSU employee pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree who deserves recognition for going above and beyond in their work and studies? Show appreciation for your coworkers and their outstanding work by nominating them for the 2022 Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award! MSU is seeking nominations for this award and will accept nominations through January 20, 2023.

This annual award recognizes a support staff member who most closely exemplifies the contributions, personal characteristics, and commitment to MSU demonstrated by Ms. Jameyson, going “above and beyond” in supporting the mission of MSU. In recognition of Ms. Jameyson’s pursuit of a graduate degree, while working at MSU, the award recipient must be pursuing a graduate degree at MSU or elsewhere concurrent with their employment at MSU. A stipend of $2,500 will accompany the award and may be used as determined appropriate by the recipient.

Last year’s Ruth Jameyson Award winner, Elizabeth (Lizz) Duran, is the MSU Extension 4-H Program Coordinator for the Children and Youth Institute. At the time of the award, she was pursuing a Master of Arts from MSU in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education. Learn more about the 2022 Ruth Jameyson Award Winner and what her colleagues had to say.

Any university community member (colleague, administrator, faculty, support staff, or student) may submit a nomination. A nominee must be a regular, active employee with at least five years of service to MSU in a support staff position.

To learn more about the nomination process, and find the nomination form, visit the MSU HR website. The deadline for nominations is January 20, 2023.

November Events Round-up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

Starts November 1 – Spartan Street Medicine Winter Supply Drive: Spartan Street Medicine will be collecting winter supply donations for local individuals in need until November 18.

November 15 – Clothing Repair-A-Thon (free): Visit the MSU Library to patch holes in your favorite clothes. There will be a sewing machine, thread and some fabric, but please bring any materials unique to your clothing.

November 17 – The Ascension of AAAS: Commemorate the MSU Department of African American & African Studies and its new space at this ribbon-cutting event.

Learning Opportunities

November 10 – International Employee Resource Group: Learning About Each Other’s Cultures: Connect with other Spartans on issues related to our international community. The goal of this group is to connect, build community and share best practices.

November 17 – Adult Caregivers Employee Resource Group: Financial Planning with Brad Vauter, JD: Learn from this local attorney on a variety of topics like elder law, LGBTQ+ legal issues, probate and estate planning. 

November 18 – Disability Ecologies: The Art of Living on a Disabled Planet (free): Join this Zoom workshop to learn about water justice from communal organization, HIVES. 

Health and Wellness

Starts November 1 – Chair Yoga (free): Join this live class to learn strengthening and stretching practices you can do from your desk. 

November 2 – Wellbeing Wednesdays: Creative Holiday Appetizers: Hear from MSU dieticians to learn three simple appetizer recipes for the holiday season.

November 6 – SpARTan Wellness (free): Destress and unwind at the MSU Broad Art Museum with craft making. They have all the supplies you’ll need, but feel free to bring your own as well. 

November 16 – Handmade Soap-Making: Keep your skin hydrated and soft this winter! Create handmade soap with add-ins from MSU gardens and take home two bars of homemade soap. 

Family-Friendly Activities

November 1 – Sensory Friendly at Abrams Planetarium: Visit the planetarium this month for their sensory friendly hours. 

November 5 – Family Day: Celebrate the MSU Broad (free): Help the MSU Broad Art Museum celebrate their 10th birthday with crafts and a tasty birthday treat.

November 14 – MSU Bug House Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House. 

November 16 – Homeschool Day: Art Fieldtrip! (free): Bring the whole family to connect with other homeschooled students over crafts and learning at the MSU Broad Art Museum. 

Starts November 25 – Season of Light: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to learn how familiar traditions have an astronomical connection. 

Starts November 25 – George and Oatmeal Save Santa: Celebrate the winter season at the Abrams Planetarium with this fun show.

MSU Resources for National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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Written with support from HR Accommodations Specialist, Julie DeGraw, PhD

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which raises awareness around disability employment issues and celebrates the many contributions of workers with disabilities. In observance of NDEAM, we put together this helpful list of resources for awareness of employee disability workplace accommodations.

The theme for NDEAM 2022 is Disability: Part of the Equity Equation, which celebrates the essential role individuals with disabilities play in the workplace. “Disability is and always has been part of the rich diversity of our nation, and, by extension, our workforce,” says the Office of Disability Employment Policy. “During NDEAM, we celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, past and present. We also commit to ensuring all workers, including workers with disabilities, have equal opportunity to gain skills and put them to work in inclusive, supportive workplaces going forward.”

We all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce where every person is recognized for their abilities – every day of every month. Although many impacts are not physically visible, it doesn’t mean they do not exist. 

MSU is a leader in cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus environment, and we are constantly striving to improve our efforts to meet the needs of persons with disabilities by being more flexible, understanding, inclusive and supportive of those with different abilities.

Resources for Employee Disability Workplace Accommodation Awareness

  1. Are you looking for more information about the types of disability workplace accommodations you can request or more information on your disability in general? You might want to check out the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN allows you to look up suggestions for workplace accommodations by disability, limitation, work-related function, topic or accommodation. Please note: Not all accommodations listed on JAN may be deemed reasonable as it depends on the essential duties of your individual position.
  2. Did you know you have access to discounts on hearing aids? MSU employees and retirees may qualify for discounted hearing aids through partnerships between some MSU benefit providers and TruHearing®. Additional funding can also be provided by our partner organization Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Please contact Accommodation Specialist, Julie DeGraw for more information.
  3. Technology can be a great resource for employees in addressing the impacts of their disability. Some resources are offered for free at MSU without even having to complete the registration process (e.g., screen reader software that reads text aloud)! See the full range of resources at the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) Assistive Technology page.
  4. Employees with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can find a wealth of information and resources through ADDitude. Read the ADDitude magazine, view webinars, download eBooks and more!

If you are interested in requesting disability workplace accommodations at MSU, begin the process by registering with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). 

All medical records and diagnoses are kept confidential from supervisors and units. Undergraduate and graduate employees can also qualify for workplace accommodations. If you need more information or help going through the process, please contact Accommodation Specialist, Julie DeGraw at degrawju@msu.edu or 517-884-0799.

For more information on National Disability Employment Awareness Month please visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s website.

Person holding a sign that says, "Hello my pronouns are..."

Today is International Pronouns Day!

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This article was written by the EVPA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Today is International Pronouns Day. Pronouns are used every day to communicate with people around us, and often times personal pronouns are assigned to people based upon our own biases or assumptions of a person’s gender, gender identity and gender expression. It’s important we use the correct words, as one way, to respectfully talk about and reference one another.

What is International Pronouns Day?

International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. This day raises our awareness to be gender inclusive and reminds us of the basic human dignity of appreciating and celebrating everyone’s multiple, intersecting identities. For more information, you can visit https://pronounsday.org.

How can I contribute to a gender-inclusive environment?

  • Speak and write in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender, or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes
  • Share your pronouns when introducing yourself to people
  • Don’t make assumptions; ask people to share their pronouns
  • Always use the pronouns that a person asks you to use
  • Include your pronouns in your email signature or other communications
  • Complete the Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion online education program

What action is the university taking to advance gender inclusion?

  • A workgroup charged by Melissa Woo, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Information Officer, and Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, made recommendations to update how data systems at the enterprise level gather information on names and pronouns.
  • This month, a committee is being convened to implement the enterprise changes requiring gender, sexual identity and pronouns fields to offer multiple and inclusive options.
  • MSU encourages all employees to indicate their gender pronouns, if desired, on email signatures and other written communication. 

Are there resources to explore this further?

The EVPA Office of DEI is committed to collectively advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and envisions all to engage in meaningful contributions that bridge across differences and demonstrate cultural competence. We look forward to continuing our work – together – to foster a culture that C.A.R.E.S (communication, appreciation, respect, empathy, and sensitivity).

October Events Round-up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more. 

Events on Campus

October 1 – Family Day: Innovate Through Play (free): Bring the family for hands-on, interactive fun at MSU Museum. This month, they are making playful sculpture blocks.

October 2 – National Geographic Live: Bring the family together at the Wharton Center for a night filled with dinosaurs. 

October 4 – University Archives pop-up: Exploring scrapbooks (free): Explore MSU scrapbooks from the 1800s to the early 2000s. 

October 6 – HR Site Lab: Ask MSU HR questions about your benefit options for the 2023 plan year and receive help with enrollment.

October 14 – MSU Homecoming Parade (free): Wear your green and white to celebrate MSU homecoming in the streets of downtown East Lansing. 

October 19 – MSU Benefits Fair: Learn more about your benefit options for the 2023 plan year and receive help with enrollment.

October 26 – Chocolate-Making: Learn from 4H MSU Extension Specialist, Dixie Sandborn, the history of chocolate and sample chocolate refreshments.  

October 31 – HR Site Lab: Ask MSU HR questions about your benefit options for the 2023 plan year and receive help with enrollment.

Learning Opportunities

October 1 – 37th Annual Powwow of Love: Join the MSU North American Indigenous Student Organization in their first in-person powwow since 2020. Free for MSU students, $5 for public.

October 11 – Book Design Workshop using MS Word (free): Learn how to print a book with MSU Library staff. This course will cover file requirements for printing, book design basics and more.

October 11 – Mitigating Bias in Hiring (free): Learn best practices for reducing potential bias in the screening and interview process.

October 26 – Wellbeing Wednesdays: Busting the Myth of Work-Life Balance: Learn strategies and tactics to help manage your work and personal responsibilities. 

Health and Wellness

Starts October 4 – Chair Yoga (free): Join this live class to learn strengthening and stretching practices you can do from your desk.  

October 19 – Women’s Networking Association: All Things Women’s Health – Women’s Nutrition: Hear from Health4U nutritionist, Abbey Richey, about the varying factors of women’s nutrition.

Family-Friendly Activities

October 1 – Sensory Friendly Hours: Visit the Impression5 Science Center for their sensory friendly hours.

October 10 –  MSU Bug House Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House.

October 23 – Halloween Open House with ArachnoBROADia (free): The Bug House will be open for all for this afternoon of buggy Halloween fun.

Self-Improvement Month

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September is Self-Improvement Month! Self-improvement can be related to many things, whether it’s learning something new, maximizing a strength or focusing on your physical or emotional wellbeing. Celebrate this month by taking some time for yourself, growing and using these MSU resources to help get you started.

Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace

Take advantage of this personal development course in October. The Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace course will help you break the seven habits of negativity and other secrets of getting along. For more information, click here. 

Take a Walk Around MSU

Utilize our beautiful campus or take a stroll through the East Lansing area. Taking a walk is great exercise, but can also improve your mental and emotional well-being.

TIAA Webinar: Strategies for Staying on Track

The WorkLife Office is hosting a webinar to help you stay on track of your financial goals. This opportunity will give you tips on how to have a solid financial future even after you’ve stopped working. For more information, click here. 

Identify and Maximize Your Strengths

This course will teach you how to benefit most from your strengths based on your CliftonStrengths Assessment. The assessment identifies your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, so that you can discover what makes you exceptional and maximize your potential. For more information, click here. 

Spartan Clothing Swap

Work on your self-improvement by cleaning out your closet, helping the planet and giving back to others in the community. The Surplus Store and Recycling Center are hosting a clothing swap where you can swap your clothes in good condition with others and keep them out of the waste stream. For more information, click here. 

Wellbeing Wednesdays: Supporting Each Other Through the Next New Normal

The WorkLife Office and Health4U have partnered to bring you Wellbeing Wednesdays. This informal webinar will focus on how we can support each other during continued change and the importance of self-care. For more information, click here. 

Ready, Set, Change!

This personal development course will demonstrate how organizational change can result in better outcomes. Join this November to improve and take charge of your organizational environment. For more information, click here. 

Strings Sing: 2022 Music and the Garden Series

Take in the natural beauty of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, relax, and enjoy some chamber music and jazz at the 2022 Music and the Garden Series. For more information, click here. 

Women’s Networking Association: All Things Women’s Health – Understanding and Taking Care of Your Body

The Women’s Networking Association will host this webinar to teach women how to best take care of and listen to their bodies. For more information, click here. 

The Power of Habit™

This personal development course will teach you how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones. Join us in October, and kick those bad habits for good! For more information, click here.  

Share your favorite self-improvement tips and comment below!

Happy Honeybee Day!

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It’s Honeybee Day! To celebrate these buzzing beauties, do your part in taking care of them. The College of Natural Science has outlined what you can do to help the bees in the Michigan Pollinator Initiative.

The Michigan Pollinator Initiative aids MSU in furthering the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan highlights MSU’s goal to achieve stewardship and sustainability. Here’s a few tips you can use to help our honeybees and be a good steward of resources, pursuing initiatives in a manner that ensures MSU’s long-term sustainability and success.. 

Remove Bees Safely

If you discover bees on your property that are disruptive, work with a local beekeeper to see if they can be saved.

Plant for Pollinators

Add more flowering plants to your home garden or lawn. To learn more about this process, click here.

Advocate

Understanding policies and advocating for pollinators is a great way to support the bees. To do this, you can find your representatives or learn more about the legislative process.

To learn about the Michigan Pollinator Initiative and find out more about what you can do, click here. To learn more about the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, visit strategicplan.msu.edu.

HR Welcomes Colleagues and Students Back to Campus

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Dear Spartan Colleagues,  

As your new Chief Human Resources Officer, I am pleased to welcome faculty and staff to a new academic year. We spent the last two years facing unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic and being vigilant in our efforts toward employee wellbeing, health, and safety. Spartans met these challenges with great care, resilience, and Spartan will. Let’s continue to work through this together and be sure to utilize available resources. The Wellbeing at Work guide, the Employee Assistance Program, vaccine verification, exemption forms, and more information can be found on the Together We Will site. 

In preparation for our largest student enrollment, we look forward to seeing you back on campus while employing flexible work options. Herein lies our next challenge of navigating paradox and competing priorities. The future of work involves innovation, agility, and commitment to excellence. We strive to balance instructional imperatives, business operations, and new work modalities including hybrid and remote schedules. We prioritize employee and student engagement and promote equity and fairness while addressing individual needs. I have every confidence in our campus community to tackle this challenge. Take some time and read our mission, values, and strategic plan for inspiration and guidance: 

By 2030, we envision a Michigan State University that has significantly expanded opportunity and advanced equity, elevated its excellence in ways that attract vital talent and support, and has a vibrant, caring community. – MSU 2030 Strategic Plan

I look forward to my first fall as a Spartan—enjoying Michigan State’s gorgeous campus as the colors set in and students arrive with renewed energy and excitement for everything it means to be part of the Spartan community.

Thank you for your continued work and dedication to the University, our students, and our land-grant mission. These are challenging times, but Together We Will. We wish you a safe, healthy, and successful academic year. 

Go Green!

Christina K. Brogdon, PHR
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Michigan State University

MSU Surplus Store

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With the school year approaching fast, it’s the perfect time to check out the best-kept secret on campus, the MSU Surplus Store! You can visit online here or shop in person on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center helps keep MSU green by innovating the community’s used materials. Last year, the center was able to divert 13 million pounds of material collected from the landfill. 

The store also prides itself on their zero waste policy, meaning that if they collect something that cannot be resold, they recycle it for parts at their onsite recycling center. If you are interested in learning more about the center, visit their website here. 

The store sells a wide variety of products with anything from school supplies to furniture. In addition to the store and website, the surplus store has an Amazon Storefront, eBay account and Etsy account. The best part of these online resources are the textbooks, so if you are a student or have a student at home, check out these sites before buying your textbooks at full price somewhere else. 

You can visit the MSU Surplus Store at 468 Green Way, East Lansing. While in-person shopping is only open on Fridays, the store offers curbside pickup Monday through Friday. To shop or learn more about the store, visit msusurplusstore.com.