Category: News Flash

This category is for general news and announcements.

April is the Month to Truly Go Green

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Earth Day will celebrate its 45th anniversary on Wednesday, April 22. In honor of this milestone, MSU will be hosting a wealth of events all month long. Most notably, President Lou Anna K. Simon will address the university in an annual conversation about the future of energy at MSU on Wednesday, April 8. Simon, along with a panel of distinguished experts, will discuss the strategic course of action set in place to position MSU as a leader in terms of energy infrastructure. The conversation begins at 10:15 a.m. Feel free to tune in via webcast or use #MSUEnergy to pose questions on Twitter.

This month, honor the earth!
This month, honor the earth!

Other events include observing live insects, garden shopping, a bicycle info session and an award ceremony. On April 15, the MSU Science Festival Open House will kick off its festivities at The Bug House. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Department of Entymology. On April 18, the MSU Horticulture Club will hold a public plant sale with outstanding deals on perennials, herbs, grasses and more off of Bogue Street. Be green and invest in the environment! On Earth Day itself, MSU bikes will host a Bicycle Information Open House  at the MSU Main Library. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to join to learn more about bicycling as a sustainable and viable transportation method within Greater Lansing. MSU Sustainability will also hold its 2nd Annual Earth Day Gala. The gala will serve as an award ceremony to honor members of the MSU community and the significant contributions made toward creating a more sustainable campus.

Your FSA Receipts Deadline is Approaching!

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The deadline for turning in 2014 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) receipts is quickly approaching! Here are the FSA important dates to remember for your Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) and Health Care Spending Account (HCSA):

  • The deadline to use your DCSA funds was December 31, 2014
  • The deadline to submit receipts for your DCSA is April 30, 2015
  • The deadline to use your HCSA funds is March 15, 2015
  • The deadline to submit receipts for your HCSA is April 30, 2015

Important to note: The 2014 Program Year is working in coordination with Meritain Health. You will work with CONEXIS from 2015 forward.

Please remember, if you do not use all of your funds and submit your receipts by the required deadlines, IRS code requires the remaining funds be forfeited. If you still have remaining 2014 HCSA funds you’d like to use, you need to pay for eligible items or services out of pocket and then submit receipts along with a reimbursement request form. If you use your HCSA debit card, it will draw from your 2015 account funds.

Helpful Links:

FSA Information

Meritian Health – Reimbursement Request Form

Meritian Health – HCSA Debit Card Substantiation Form

Schedule an Office Clean-Out for Recyclemania

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RecycleMania is an annual competition that encourages college campuses to rally together in order to increase recycling rates. This year, the event will take place from February 1 to March 28. During the eight-week competition, students are encouraged to be adamant in their recycling efforts. MSU Sustainability will make appearances on campus in order to award those “caught” green-handed.

Exercise your impact and go green for RecycleMania!
Exercise your impact and go green for RecycleMania!

The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center is encouraging faculty and staff to participate in the festivities by scheduling an office clean-out. Office clean outs include a morning delivery of two hampers to your work space; one for confidential shred, one for everything else including paper, cardboard, boxboard, plastics, books and electronics. The hampers will be available for the entirety of your scheduled clean-out and will be picked up the following morning. Surplus items can also be picked up simultaneously if this need is vocalized in advance.

Office clean-outs present a wonderful opportunity to be Spartan green and to organize your work space. To schedule a clean-out, call MSU Sustainability at 517-355-1751.

For additional information visit http://msusurplusstore.blogspot.com/2013/02/office-clean-outs.html or view the PDF.

Breathe Easy and Embrace Your Health

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Do you want to quit smoking but aren’t quite sure what course of action to take? While smoking can be one of the most difficult health behaviors to change, it doesn’t have to be.  MSU Health4U has the perfect solution. Breathe Easy, a totally free tobacco and nicotine cessation program, offers behavioral support and medical evaluation to help you kick your bad habits to the curb—for good. One of the best attributes of Breathe Easy is the fact that the program can be tailored to fit the needs of each participant. For example, participants can elect to enact a medication-free quitting plan. In order to participate in Breathe Easy, an employee needs to be benefits-eligible or be the adult, benefits-eligible family member of an MSU faculty, staff, graduate student assistant or retiree.

If you qualify and are ready for the challenge, please register to attend this spring’s pre-enrollment information session on January 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 247, Olin Health Center. Being present at this session does not obligate employees to enroll. Rather, attendees can expect a thorough overview of the program. You may register in person at 330 Olin Health Center, by phone at 517-353-2596 or by email at health4u@msu.edu.

For more information, view the entire PDF.

The minute you quit smoking, you being to regain your health.
The minute you quit smoking, you being to regain your health.

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.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Dr. King participates in a civil rights march.
Dr. King participates in a civil rights march.

MSU has celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. since 1980, six years before Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a national holiday. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 19. MSU students, faculty and staff will join together in recognition of Dr. King’s life’s work; bringing publicity to major civil rights activities, emphasizing and encouraging peaceful protests, and providing leadership.

The tribute begins this Saturday, January 17 with a gala celebrating the commencement of Project 60/50, a year-long initiative focused on engaging the community in conversations about diversity. After the gala, a Union Activities Board event will be held to illustrate the student body’s talent and commitment to civil rights issues. On Sunday, January 18, free jazz concerts will be available as 60/50’s gift to the community. On Monday, a student leadership conference will run through the morning to be followed by a luncheon taking place in partnership with the Greater Lansing King Commemorative Celebration Commission. Other festivities include a commemorative march from the Union to Beaumont Tower and an exhibit at the MSU Museum.

As we look forward to paying homage to the heroic deeds of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., MSU HR salutes all those who have worked for equality; past, present and future.

Unleash Your Inner Videographer— Across Generations: Video Fest

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Often, the elders in our lives prove to be our most vital influences. What we gain from conversation with these role models is truly invaluable. To encourage such discussion, Project 60/50 has created the Across Generations: Video Fest contest. Project 60/50, an ongoing community conversation on civil and human rights, is committed to bringing attention to the experiences, viewpoints, contributions, value and rights of all persons, including older adults.Project 60.50.circle WITH msu wordmark CMYK

The Across Generations: Video Fest contest invites young people to tape a conversation with an important elder (anyone 60+ years of age.) This contest not only aids young people in learning more about the elders in their lives, but provides a platform for older adults to share their stories. All entrants and their elders will be invited to a ceremony in recognition of submitted films at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum on February 21. One winner will be selected from each category: elementary (k-5), middle school (6-8), high school (9-12) and college. Prizes include a film screening at February’s ceremony and the East Lansing Film Festival as well as a $60.50 cash award.

Entries can be submitted at Project6050.msu.edu. The deadline is January 31. For more information, view the PDF.

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

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That last ten pounds. Quitting smoking.  Discarding your fashion faux pas from the past year. Every year, we think about what to get rid of. Why not focus on gaining something, like a little knowledge?New Year's Resolution Note

Today’s careers are more demanding than ever. What is cutting edge today may well be obsolete tomorrow. Professional development and job skills training have become an essential part of most careers. But how do you find the time to perform the obligations associated with your job when you are trying to stay on top of your skills with ongoing training and other professional development activities?

elevateU can help to meet these demands. Take a course, whenever it’s convenient for you.  Watch a five minute video to boost a specific skill.  Download an audio book to listen to on your commute.  So many options, to make the most of your precious time.

As we approach a new year, you may want to watch this elevateU video:Continue Reading… What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Clerical-Technical Award 2014

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Annually, the Clerical-Technical Award is presented to an exemplary clerical or technical employee at MSU. The award is made possible by Dr. Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo who established a fund in honor of Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo in 2001. According to Dr. Gliozzo, “the CTS are the backbone and the infrastructure of the university and they deserve recognition.”

Anne Simon poses with her cake at the 2014 CT Award ceremony.
Anne Simon shows off her celebratory cake at the 2014 CT Award ceremony.

The recipient of the 2014 Clerical-Technical Award is Anne Simon. Simon has been a dedicated MSU employee for 29 years. She began working for the College of Music in 2005 and quickly became indispensable to the department, acting as the sole office assistant in the graduate office. While Simon has myriad responsibilities in this position, she has proven to be an amicable and diligent worker, a wonderful colleague, and a fantastic resource. An intimate ceremony was held in Anne’s honor on October 31st. Present were co-workers, students, friends, family, and Anne’s supervisor, David Rayl. Rayl nominated Anne along with several co-workers and students.Continue Reading… Clerical-Technical Award 2014

2014 Outstanding Supervisor Awards

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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 gardner

  • “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 Facilitieskelly

  • “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 Programmcmillan

  • “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 Wildliferoloff

  • “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 Placerosen

  • “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