Category: Mailroom Questions

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear at MSU Human Resources. Have a question you’d like considered for mailroom Monday? Just e-mail it to HRmail@msu.edu with “Mailroom Monday” in the subject line!

New on the Human Resources Website

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It’s been a busy month for new items on the HR website.

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Regularly visit MSU HR on the web to keep up-to-date with the latest news.

There’s a new university-wide policy on Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct that replaces the policy on Sexual Harassment. Information surrounding Guidelines for Maintaining Critical Functions and Services at MSU is also now available. The electronic I-9 system is fully implemented and a new page with information about the Form I-9 process, compliance training and system access guidelines has been created.

To help new employees understand the benefits available to them, we have created a Benefits Overview toolkit, a quick reference about benefits available to MSU employees. There is also a complete 27-page presentation that provides information previously given at the benefits/retirement orientations.

Step-by-Step Benefits Open Enrollment Instructions

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Remember to complete your Benefits Open Enrollment during the month of October.  Benefits-eligible employees will complete open enrollment using Employee Self-Service (ESS) in the Enterprise Business Systems (EBS). Here is the process for completing open enrollment:

  • Visit ebs.msu.edu and select “EBS Login.”
  • Log in using your MSU NetID and password.
  • Select the ESS tab.
  • Select the Benefits link.
  • Select the Add or change MSU Benefits and Retirement Plans link.
  • Select the Open Enrollment link.
  • A disclaimer that explains the CDHP/HSA plans (regardless of CDHP/HSA eligibility) will appear. Please read, and then select OK to continue
  • If you have a spouse or OEI on your benefits, the Health Plan Affidavit will appear. Answer the questions, select Next, then Save.
  • Now you will see the Plan Selections screen. Select the first plan you would like to add, edit or remove, click Edit Plan.
  • Select your desired plan and level of coverage, then click Select Dependents.
  • Select the dependents you would like to cover on the plan. Then click Add Plan to Selection.
    • If you do not see one of your dependents, it is either because they are not eligible for the plan or they need to be added as a dependent in the new system. See our screenshot tutorial for how to add a dependent.
  • Once you have added, edited or removed all of your desired plans, select Review Enrollment.
  • Review your plan selections, then select Save.
  • You now have completed open enrollment!

For more information on Benefits Open Enrollment, please visit our website. You also may get enrollment assistance at our Benefits Site Labs.

Enrolling in Benefits

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You asked, we’ll answer! The “Mailroom Questions” segment of our blog serves to provide you with detailed responses to your inquiries. This month’s focus is enrolling in benefits.

How do I enroll in benefits?

  • To enroll in benefits, log in to the EBS Portal.
  • Select the “ESS”* tab then the “Benefits” link.
  • Select the “Add or Change MSU Benefit and Retirement Plans” link.
  • Select the (this varies depending on the reason that you are completing enrollment) link.
  • Select “OK” to bypass the CDHP disclaimer.
  • Use the radio button to select the plan that you would like to add, then “Edit Plan”.
  • Select the insurance carrier that you want, then “Add Plan to Selection”.
  • Repeat steps for each plan that you wish to enroll in.
  • When finished, choose “Review Enrollment” located at the bottom of the screen.
  • Review your plan selections, then select “Save”.
  • You will receive a confirmation to your msu.edu email account for review.

*The ESS tab will be followed with a descriptor of your position, such as ESS Faculty or ESS Hourly.

Applying for a Job

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You asked, we’ll answer! The “Mailroom Questions” segment of our blog serves to provide you with detailed responses to your inquiries. This month’s focus is the job application process.

How do I apply for a job?

  • Visit jobs.msu.edu.
  • Select  “Create Application/Profile” from the upper left.
  • Select the appropriate application.
  • Follow all on-screen instructions for completing your application.
  • Upon successful application completion, you will receive a confirmation number.

I’m trying to log in and complete my application but I don’t remember my password. How do I get it?

  • Call MSU Human Resources at 517.353.4434 to reset your password.

Learn More about Construction Projects at MSU

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Construction projects are widespread across campus and as student numbers decrease each summer, the number of projects increases. You can learn information about all the construction projects happening at MSU in a Construction Junction meeting.

Construction projects create detours and travel hassles. Stay up-to-date on the latest construction projects at MSU with “Construction Junction” meetings!
Construction projects create detours and travel hassles. Stay up-to-date on the latest construction projects at MSU with “Construction Junction” meetings!

Construction Junction meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. Construction Junction meetings are arranged by Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF), provide updates to the public on current and upcoming construction projects, and allow the public the opportunity to ask questions. Continue Reading… Learn More about Construction Projects at MSU

MSU Brand Standards

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Your college or unit may have specific branding specifications, but the MSU Brand Standards are a great resource to reference!

Brand consistency is important for any organization. Consistencies in colors, typography, graphics, photography, etc., are important elements that help define MSU’s brand around the world. Whether you are an on-or off-campus college or unit knowing the guidelines for upholding MSU’s brand is essential.

The MSU brand is maintained by Communications and Brand Strategy (CABS), the central communications office for MSU. CABS mission includes:Continue Reading… MSU Brand Standards

Stay Informed with MSU Alert

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With snow days at MSU and continuous winter weather warnings, being informed about what’s happening at MSU is essential.  MSU Alert notifies recipients through email, text messages or phone calls of emergency happenings at MSU, including tornadoes, terrorism, winter weather-related activities and other potentially hazardous situations.

The MSU Alert system creates awareness among the MSU community of potentially hazardous or dangerous situations happening at MSU.
The MSU Alert system creates awareness among the MSU community of potentially hazardous or dangerous situations happening at MSU.

The MSU Alert system is controlled by the MSU Police Department and powered by Blackboard Connect-Ed. The system is stationed off-campus to maintain availability in the case of power outages and is only used for emergency news broadcasting.Continue Reading… Stay Informed with MSU Alert

Spotlight on HR Toolkits for All Employees

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This month we are spotlighting the toolkits for form and time deadlines related to monthly and bi-weekly payroll.

Payroll runs on a bi-weekly or monthly basis for all employees.  To ensure employees are paid accurately, HR and Payroll have established deadlines for submission of changes that might impact payroll.  Personnel forms (e.g., hire, rehire, change of status) must be submitted by the HR Cutoff Date deadline for the applicable payroll.   Time must be submitted by the Time Due Date deadline for the applicable payroll. The deadlines for each payroll cycle can be found on the Payroll website.

The toolkits explain where you can find this information and what the date columns really mean in the display.  The toolkit links are here and on the Human Resources website home page.

New Toolkits for Administrators, Supervisors & Staff 
– Monthly Payroll Form & Time Deadlines
– Bi-Weekly Payroll Form & Time Deadlines

Where Can I Find a Breastfeeding-Friendly Room?

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For all new or first-time mothers who didn’t know before, there are more than 60 breastfeeding rooms available at MSU!

MSU administration supports breastfeeding and has made rooms readily available during the workday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) throughout campus and at some offsite locations. Click here to see the map of where the rooms are and how you can use one.Breastfeeding Icon

A printable sign is available on the Family Resource Center (FRC) website to post on doors when a room is in use.

The FRC also provides breastfeeding information and classes for new mothers, which are free to faculty, staff and students!

 

Reminder: Update Your Printed Materials with Your New Campus Address!

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There have been several changes at MSU over the past year, including the creation of street addresses for buildings across campus. The campus addressing project at MSU was officially completed in 2012. The project converted building addresses to street addresses and addresses were assigned across campus to green-light phones, parking lots, etc.

Forwarding services with the United States Postal Service (USPS)  allow 18 months for address corrections to be finished. That time is soon coming to an end. All materials such as envelopes, business cards, letterhead, etc., should include the new address for your building. To look up the new address for a building, visit http://campusaddresses.msu.edu/.Continue Reading… Reminder: Update Your Printed Materials with Your New Campus Address!