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!

Is Open Enrollment the Only Time I Can Change My Benefits Selections?

Published on by MSU Human Resources1 Comment

Today’s mailroom monday question: Is Open Enrollment the Only Time I Can Change My Benefits Selections?

Picture of Mom and Baby (Don't worry, you can add her to your benefits right away.)

Though MSU’s annual open enrollment period held each spring is the time when most benefits decisions for you and your dependents should be made, under certain circumstances you can make changes to your benefits selections outside of open enrollment.  The circumstances typically involve what are called “Qualifying Life Events.”  Some of the most frequent reasons faculty and staff may qualify to make benefits changes outside of open enrollment include mid-year changes in life circumstances due to:Continue Reading… Is Open Enrollment the Only Time I Can Change My Benefits Selections?

How Do I Get a Temporary Employee Parking Permit?

Published on by MSU Human Resources1 Comment

If your vehicle registered with the Parking Office is being serviced and you need a temporary employee parking permit, you have a couple of options.

Employees with current permits may request “calendar permission” one day only out of each calendar month. This means you can park on campus with another vehicle one day per month by calling in to the Parking Office at 517-355-8440 immediately upon arriving to work. Calendar permission is issued for whichever parking privileges you have purchased (i.e., for the commuter lot if you have purchased the commuter or commuter plus pass).Continue Reading… How Do I Get a Temporary Employee Parking Permit?

What are eligible DCSA expenses?

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Many people understand the qualifying expenses for a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA), but they aren’t so sure about what qualifies as an eligible Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) expense.

First of all, DCSA expenses must be for qualifying IRS dependents, and these expenses must be work-related. Work-related expenses are those incurred because you are single and working, or if you are married, because your spouse is also working, is going to school full-time, or is mentally or physically handicapped and incurs eligible expenses.Continue Reading… What are eligible DCSA expenses?

Do I need to keep all of my receipts for my Flexible Spending Account?

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Yes! Since Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are IRS-regulated benefits, save all of your receipts. IRS rules require FSA Plan Administrators to substantiate the eligibility of ALL items and services billed to Flexible Spending Accounts, including those transactions using HCSA debit cards.

FSA Piggy Bank
Keep your FSA receipts!

MSU’s FSA Plan Administrator, Meritain Health, may contact you to submit a receipt to verify an expense. To meet IRS requirements, if such receipts aren’t sent to MSU’s FSA Plan Administrator in the time frame indicated in their messages, your HCSA Debit Card may be suspended until the issue is resolved.Continue Reading… Do I need to keep all of my receipts for my Flexible Spending Account?

How Do I Find a Carpool?

Published on by MSU Human Resources4 Comments

If you’re feeling the pinch at the pump, you may be considering a carpool. Carpooling saves you money, time looking for a parking spot and the environment. It also offers opportunities for networking and companionship. But you may not be sure where to begin! The best place to find a carpool is through the Capital Area Transit Authority’s (CATA’s) “Clean Commute Options” program. Their program finds carpool partners and discusses other options for getting to work while saving resources. You can call CATA at 517-393-7433, email them at cleancommute@cata.org or visit their website.

Transportation on Campus
There are plenty of options for commuting to and around campus. Photo by University Relations.

If you’re wondering about parking with a carpool, MSU Police offers a special carpool parking permit. More details can be found on the Police website or you can call the Parking Office at 517-355-8440.Continue Reading… How Do I Find a Carpool?

Where do I find my earnings statements online?

Published on by MSU Human Resources2 Comments

Today’s Mailroom Monday question is:
Where do I find my earnings statements in the new EBS HR/Payroll System?

To see 2011 earnings statements:

Good on-campus dining options for faculty and staff

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Today’s Mailroom Monday question: Are there good on-campus dining options for faculty and staff?

picture of food from dining hallsAnswer: Yes, there is a great faculty/staff dining plan that is just for us!  Under the DineOn 10+ plan, faculty and staff can purchase 10 or more passes to eat in any of MSU’s residential dining halls.  The cost per meal is $5.75 plus tax and the 10 or more meals you purchase can be put right onto your MSU ID card.Continue Reading… Good on-campus dining options for faculty and staff