Category: Fun & Resources

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

A Credit or Debit Card Equals Parking Success with New Parking Meters on MSU’s Campus

Published on by MSU Human Resources2 Comments

Parking at a meter without any loose change can be a nightmare, but new parking meters across campus are changing the way MSU faculty, staff and students are parking.

Parking meters at MSU
New parking meters on campus mean more ways to pay for MSU faculty, staff and students.

During the summer MSU police conducted a three-month trial run of solar powered parking meters that accept credit and debit cards in addition to cash and coins. Since then the meters have been placed in various areas around campus, such as the Dairy Store, the Union and Owen Hall.

The meter installation is now complete with a total of 600 new meters in operation. The meters accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards in addition to cash and coins.Continue Reading… A Credit or Debit Card Equals Parking Success with New Parking Meters on MSU’s Campus

MSU SecureIT celebrates National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and MSU Secure IT is celebrating. They want you to celebrate as well by making sure you employ the following tips to protect yourself online.

This month celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month and stay safe online.
This month celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month and stay safe online.

1. Make sure your personal firewall is turned on.
2. Perform regular operating system updates and software updates. These updates often include security patches.
3. Install antivirus and antispyware software.
4. Upgrade to the latest version of your browser and take advantage of the security features available.
5. Set a pass code on your mobile devices.

Michigan State University has an ongoing safe computing campaign called SecureIT to help educate the MSU community on safe computing practices. Follow TechAtMSU on Twitter for more information about cyber security. More resources and information is also available at tech.msu.edu.Continue Reading… MSU SecureIT celebrates National Cyber Security Awareness Month

2013 Fall Activities

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Leaves are falling from the trees and the air is chilly, which means fall is here and with the new season comes a bunch of fun activities to enjoy.  Whether you want to do a family outing or take a voyage on your own, here are some activities to consider this fall season.

Celebrate fall and partake in fun activities available in the Greater Lansing area.
Celebrate fall and partake in fun activities available in the Greater Lansing area.

The Great Pumpkin Walk

The Great Pumpkin Walk is an annual event for families in downtown East Lansing. Children can trick-or-treat at more than 50 businesses in the downtown East Lansing area.

Safe Halloween

Safe Halloween takes place along M.A.C. Avenue between Burcham and Elizabeth streets. Sponsored by the sororities and fraternities at MSU, the event provides children with a safe environment for trick-or-treating.Continue Reading… 2013 Fall Activities

Nine Ways to Recognize Your Boss

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

In honor of Boss’s Day 2013, we’ve compiled a list of nine ideas that you can use to recognize your outstanding boss.

Boss' Day Graphic
There are many ways to say, “thank you” this year for Boss’s Day on Oct. 16, 2013.
  1. Post a handmade thank you note on your boss’s door.
  2. Find out your boss’s hobby and buy a related gift.
  3. Give your boss a copy of the latest management or business book that received good reviews.
  4. Nominate your boss for an official university award program.
  5. Ask your boss to attend a meeting with you and your colleagues during which you thank your boss for his or her work, guidance, and contributions.
  6. Give your boss a personalized coffee mug.Continue Reading… Nine Ways to Recognize Your Boss

Sharing the Road Safely at MSU

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Bicycling is a part of life for the MSU community. Everyone needs to share the road and sidewalks safely. Remembering the roles of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists can make this process easier.

Police officer on bicycle
The Bicycle Patrol Unit and MSU’s bicycling ordinances are meant to help bicyclists share the road safely with motorists and keep pedestrians and skateboarders safe.

All across campus you’ll find tons of bike lanes designed to help bicyclists share the road with motorists and keep bicyclists off the sidewalks in the path of pedestrians. But on MSU’s campus a number of people still choose the sidewalk as the preferred method of travel while on a bicycle.

An MSU ordinance makes riding a bicycle on non-designated sidewalks and through crosswalks illegal and can result in a ticket.

During 2012 there were 17 bicycle accidents. These accidents included those on the sidewalks, single bike accidents, bike on bike and bike vs. pedestrian. Several required medics.

Whether you’re a faculty member, staff member or student, remembering MSU’s bicycling ordinances can make bicycling safer and more enjoyable.

MSU Police Sergeant Andrea Beasinger offers the following safety tips for bicyclists:Continue Reading… Sharing the Road Safely at MSU

Get Medical Information Delivered to Your Inbox with the MSU Healthy Email Service

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Decoding medical information can be challenging, but not anymore thanks to the Healthy Email Service (HEM) offered by the University Physician’s Office at MSU.

The Healthy Email Service makes access to medical information efficient and convenient.
The Healthy Email Service makes access to medical information efficient and convenient.

The Healthy Email Service provides up-to-date, evidence-based medical information about traditional medicine and alternative practices. The emails cover multiple topics, such as calcium supplementation, sleep medications, head injury in children and more. The emails are delivered bi-weekly throughout the academic year. Each email is written in an easy-to-understand format and can be used for discussions with your health care provider.Continue Reading… Get Medical Information Delivered to Your Inbox with the MSU Healthy Email Service

Windows 7 Quick Tips: Snap, Peek & Shake

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Snap, peek and shake!  No that’s not a new breakfast cereal jingle, they are quick tips for using Windows 7.  Snap lines up boundaries of two windows on your monitor.  Peek shows you open applications in a minimized view.  Shake clears the clutter of multiple open windows by minimizing everything but the active window.

Computer with Windows 7
Photo courtesy of Aravind Sivaraj.

Ready to learn more about snap, peek and shake?

Immerse Yourself in the Sound of Blues at the 2013 Old Town Blues Festival

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Music comes in all genres and blues is one of them. Check out the rhythms of the sound at the Old Town Blues Festival on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21 in Old Town Lansing.

The 2013 Blues Festival brings blues artists from all around the country to Lansing, Michigan.
The 2013 Blues Festival brings blues artists from all around the country to Lansing, Michigan.

The 2013 Old Town Blues Festival is a two-day free event that features national, regional and local blues artists. The festival takes place in Old Town, bordered by street vendors offering ethnic food, crafts, clothing and much more. Old Town was established in the mid-19th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The festival was started in 1994 and was previously labeled OctoberFest. Since its inception the festival has featured artists such as Kid Rock, Marcy Playground and Duncan Sheik. The number of attendees has grown from 3,000 to more than 15,000 each year. The festival is supported by numerous local businesses and staffed on the days of performances by volunteers

This year’s festival will include artists such as Jimmy G and the Capitols, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, and The Further Adventures of Fat Boy & Jive Turkey

For more information and festival hours, visit the Old Town Blues Festival website.

Lunchtime Activities at MSU

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

When lunchtime comes around a good meal or a fun activity can make that break worthwhile. At MSU there are tons of activities to engage in when you have some free time. Here are a few lunch break ideas that can be used throughout the work week.

1. Attend a Recipe for Health Class at the Brody Demonstration Kitchen

Don’t just eat during lunch: take a walk, meet a friend, read a book or partake in other different fun activities at MSU.
Don’t just eat during lunch: take a walk, meet a friend, read a book or partake in other different fun activities at MSU.

Recipe for Health offers information and recipes to help you prepare healthy meals every day. A seasonal food item is featured each month (e.g., cucumbers, peaches, lamb, etc). Health4U also offers other classes at different times and days throughout the week, including Kitchen Skill Drill, Culinary Cooking and Concepts, Raising Good Eaters and more.

2. Take a walk on campus

MSU has many walking trails available for MSU faculty, staff and students. To locate a trail you’d like to explore, check out the interactive Campus Walking Loops Map developed by GIS in partnership with MSU’s Health4U program. During inclement weather, indoor walking routes are also available at IM East (Intramural Sports Facility) and Jenison Field House.Continue Reading… Lunchtime Activities at MSU

Congratulations to the Walking Route Photo Contest Winners!

Published on by MSU Human Resources2 Comments

Walking can provide the opportunity to take great pictures of wonderful scenery. The winners of our walking contest did just that. Three MSU staff members received pedometers for pictures they submitted that were taken while traveling along some of their favorite walking routes on MSU’s campus.

MSU’s campus has many walking routes to enjoy and walking has many benefits. Find out the benefits of walking and how to locate walking routes on campus with our past article.

From left to right: Tim Skutt, Eli Broad College of Business, Lisa Roy, Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures and the Writing Center, Elizabeth (Ann) Bushon, Olin Pharmacy at the Olin Health Center.
From left to right: Tim Skutt, Eli Broad College of Business, Lisa Roy, Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures and the Writing Center, Elizabeth (Ann) Bushon, Olin Pharmacy at the Olin Health Center.