How did they do that? The magic of keyboard shortcuts!

Have you ever been in a meeting where someone was sharing their screen for a presentation and with a few keystrokes, they had a different screen displaying? The presenter probably used the shortcut of select and hold ALT+TAB to display icons for all open programs then press TAB to move to the program you want to use. Do you lock your computer when away from your desk? A quick way to do that is to press the Windows logo button and the letter ‘L.’

Here are a few more that you might find handy:KeyboardContinue Reading… How did they do that? The magic of keyboard shortcuts!

Thank You, Justin Morrill!

With more than 38,000 enrolled students roaming one of the 10 largest university campuses in the country, it’s difficult to imagine a time when MSU consisted of only two buildings and a barn. Yet in 1857, that’s what MSU was: the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, later to be named Michigan Agricultural College (M.A.C.), with only 63 enrolled students and five faculty members. The small agricultural college was a forerunner for American universities, and with the signing of the Morrill Act in 1862, it became the first public land-grant college in the United States.Morill Act Graphic

Originally a state land-grant institution, the college received an appropriation of 14,000 acres of state-owned land to build upon. After the Morrill Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and Congressman Justin Morrill of Vermont, each state in the Union was given 30,000 acres of public land for every member of its congressional delegation. Most states had two senators and one representative at the time, giving each 90,000 acres.Continue Reading… Thank You, Justin Morrill!

Job of the Week 5/24/12

This week we’re highlighting an Unit HR Administrator/S position at FRIB (Posting #6250). Some of the job duties for this position include overseeing and administering the human resource functions for a large, complex administrative unit; the position also serves as a resource to department administrators and a liaison to central MSU Human Resources to manage and coordinate human resource activities and to interpret and implement human resources policies, procedures and practices. For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.

Other Useful Links:

MSU Jobs Website Tutorial Part One

MSU Jobs Website Tutorial Part Two

Summer Vacation Safety Tips

A rise in temperatures means getting out of the office for that weekend or week-long getaway. Vacations are for rest and relaxation, but it’s important to be prepared before leaving your home for any amount of time. Here are some tips to keep you, your home and your belongings safe!

Protect your home

  • Put a hold on mail and any deliveries while you’re gone or have a neighbor pick them up.
  • Set some household lights on a timer.
  • Have a neighbor park in your driveway to look like someone is home.Continue Reading… Summer Vacation Safety Tips

EBS forms improved by a Wizard

When EBS went live in January 2011, there were only two forms categorized as ‘smart,’ the Student and Graduate Assistant hire forms. A smart form validates all data at submission and when all approvals are in place, the data updates automatically in the HR/Payroll system. All other forms required manual intervention at some point during processing.

We quickly realized that we needed to improve the process and speed up the timeline from submission to completion on the HR forms. The EBS Team is in the process of redesigning many of the Human Resources forms using a ‘wizard style approach.’ This approach is similar to processes used by online retailers. Users will answer a series of questions to determine the correct form and the path for completion of that form.   With these ‘smart’ forms, data is broken into logical units, business rules are enforced, data is validated as the form is completed and, when possible, position and employee information is pre-populated. When all approvals are in place, data will automatically update in the HR/Payroll system. This will help to eliminate errors and decrease processing time.Continue Reading… EBS forms improved by a Wizard

Events Round-Up 5/22 to 6/2

Here are some events happening over the next two weeks that may be of interest to MSU faculty and staff. Please visit the links for more information. Many events require registration.

Tuesday, May 22

Camtasia, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 210 Computer Center

Microsoft OneNote 2010, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 403 Computer Center

Bicycle Commuting Class, 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., Main Library, Room W449

Wednesday, May 23

Relaxing Under the Stars, 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., Abrams Planetarium

Cirque Du Soleil’s Quidam, 7:30 p.m., Breslin Student Events Center

Thursday, May 24

Excel 2010 – Level 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 210 Computer Center

How to Eat… Resolving the Weight Dilemma: Orientation, 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., 150 Natural Science

Saturday, May 26

Nests Program, 1 p.m., Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Tuesday, May 29

The Healing Power of Guided Imagery, 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., Abrams Planetarium

Fundamentals of Web Development, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Thursday, May 31

XHTML & CSS Web Authoring, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Jerry Seinfeld, 7 p.m., Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall

Friday, June 1

Powerpoint 2007 – Level 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Zotero: Citation Management 2.0, 10 a.m. to noon, Main Library, Reference Instruction Room

Saturday, June 2

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Greater Lansing area

Job of the Week 5/17/12

This week we’re highlighting an Administrative Assistant I position at the MSU Student Health Center (Posting #6211). Some of the job duties for this position include providing administrative and office management support to the Psychiatry Department of Student Health; compiling and interpreting information for the preparation of reports; maintaining databases; scheduling and arranging conferences, staff scheduling and continuing medical education; purchasing supplies and reconciling budgets.  For a complete description of this position, and to view all of our current postings, please go to www.jobs.msu.edu and select Support Staff under the Fast Jobs Search.

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Clerical-Technical Award Nominations Due June 1!

Do you work with a great clerical-technical employee? Consider nominating them for the Clerical-Technical Recognition Award!

Joyce Brennan
Joyce Brennan, last year’s CT Award recipient.

This award is presented annually to a clerical-technical support staff member selected from nominations received by the CT Recognition Award Selection Committee. The award is sponsored by the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund to recognize outstanding clerical-technical employees. Award winners receive a special reception and $1,000 in recognition of their service.Continue Reading… Clerical-Technical Award Nominations Due June 1!

Practical Grammar Tips

Affect vs. effect, ensure vs. insure, their vs. there…the list goes on and on! In the writing world, there are many commonly confused word pairs along with other grammar blunders. To begin improving your grammar and proofreading skills, watch this video by HRD facilitator Jackie McCarroll. Jackie shares her top tips for how you can enhance your business writing skills.Continue Reading… Practical Grammar Tips