Heart Health Webinar- Must Attend!

In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death. In fact, 620,000 individuals suffer from their first heart attack annually. While these statistics are harrowing, you can avoid heart disease by practicing heart-healthy habits in your life. Interested in educating yourself? Attend an informative webinar hosted by Best Doctors to get tips from a leading cardiovascular specialist. By attending you will:Heart with stethoscope

  • Learn the basics of a heart healthy life
  • Discover uncommon heart disease symptoms
  • Find out more about recent advances in the prevention and treatment of heart disease

The webinar will broadcast tomorrow, July 30th, at Noon. Don’t hesitate, register here!

Job of the Week 7/24/2014

This week we are highlighting an Office Assistant III (Posting #9842). This position will involve supporting as well as independently handling many responsibilities for the ANR Event Services Unit, including telephone contact with prospective and existing clients and assist in triaging their needs and direct them to the appropriate event coordinator; will receive, research, and process complex information and make decisions based on the outcomes; conducts a thorough cost analysis for every event processed through the ANR Events Services system; must become fully knowledgeable about multiple events of varying sizes, including local, statewide, and national events, being coordinated through this unit to ensure that questions may be addressed regarding each event; provides advice to the client/potential client on items ranging from dates of events to registration, payment options, logistics, and costs; ensures finance/sales tax items are appropriately handled; sends follow up information to sponsors; processes registration balance due/cancellation management; provides thank you communication with clients; coordinates invoices and oversees payment to speakers; reserves and manages venue; inputs vendors in MSU vendor system; inputs data and assist with transactions in EBS (SAP/KFS); Pre, MSU Jobs Iconduring, and Post-event follow-up – interacts with university and conference center personnel, students, external agencies, and the public to verify information and make judgments in order to ensure that everything is correct; attends and provides customer service at events which includes organizing and managing registration, responding to questions relative to the event, obtaining resources necessary, moderating session preparation (ensuring all materials, technology, speakers etc. are in place) and introducing speakers; will independently follow-up with venues, participants, and speakers after an event to ensure all the contract, payments, return of materials/equipment, etc. has occurred; processes cash receipts; checks the general ANR Events Service voicemail box; works closely with MSU student employees and performs other duties as assigned.

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.

Healthy Eyes, Happy You!

July celebrates the body part that allows us to view the world by taking on the title of Eye Injury Prevention Month. Our eyes are incredibly sensitive and, because of this, it is of the utmost importance to properly care for them. Although eye injuries are common, there are several things that you can do to to prevent their occurrence in the first place. Check out these helpful tips provided by MSU’s Health e-Guide to discover how to prevent eye injuries.

eye
Eye see you! Are you taking care of your eyes?

Wear Protective Eye Wear

Protective eye wear includes safety glasses, goggles, and face shields. Gauge the risk level of your activities and be sure to wear the proper form of eye wear.

Make Use of Light

When reading, studying, or working, make sure that there is a light on your task as well as a soft background light to prevent strain.

Take Breaks

For close work or visually demanding tasks, blink often and close or rest your eyes when they feel dry.

Avoid Glare

Place your TV and computer in locations where light will not reflect on the screen.

Visit the Eye Doctor Regularly

Routine eye exams can help ensure that your eyes are functioning as they should.

 

 

Enrolling in Benefits

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.

Don’t Get Caught by Phishing

Every time you open your email, you get junk mail.  Most is obviously junk and we are all taught to delete immediately.  But what if it looks legitimate?  How can you tell if it’s real?  You CAN and should protect yourself.

Information Technology Services has put together some great information to help.

Phishing – what is it and how to avoid becoming a victim

Phishing Tips and Tricks – how to spot a fake email

Remember, no legitimate company (including MSU) will EVER ask for your username or password via email.

 

 

Job of the Week 7/10/14

This week we are highlighting a Research Technologist I in Plant Biology – CNS (Posting #9779). The research technologist will be responsible for: providing supplies and/or assistance to faculty and other departmental personnel as necessary in support of Plant Biology courses; assisting professors/researchers in preparing for experiments, to include: maintaining organisms and preparing microscope slides for classes and in perfecting new class experiments; presetting experiments in order to assure positive results in class laboratories; conferring with faculty and teaching assistants (graduate students) to develop lab activity improvements and/or revisions; coordinating the materials needed for each laboratory activity; purchasing and maintain adequate stock of chemicals, reagents and laboratory supplies as required for Plant Biology courses; assisting with the preparation of annual orders of material and equipment in order to maintain inventory; accurately preparing and labeling solutions and mixtures for laboratory experiments, by measuring and mixing appropriate chemicals; preparing culture media; maintaining microscopes, spectrometers and other equipment; maintaining preparatory lab organization; ensuring proper and safe storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

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.MSU Jobs Icon

Consume Sun Safely

girl with sunscreen
Limit your time in the sun and use sunscreen to keep your skin healthy.

Between days at the beach and barbecues, over-exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be a real threat in the summer. In excess, UV radiation is a leading cause for the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma. Read this Best Doctors article to learn more about melanoma and how you can prevent it.

View the PDF provided by Best Doctors.

Facing a medical decision? Best Doctors is here to help.

Call 1-866-904-0910 or visit www.bestdoctors.com/members.

Celebrate National Blueberry Month

July is National Blueberry Month! As if taste alone isn’t reason enough to indulge in this super-fruit, blueberries are packed with outstanding health benefits. According to MSU’s Health e-Guide, consuming blueberries can help ease a sore throat, stomach discomfort and even urinary tract infections. The berry is also high in fiber and Vitamin C, components that are necessary for a healthy diet. Try any of the following recipes from allrecipes.com to add blueberries to your diet- both simply and deliciously.

Blueberry Walnut Salad blueberries

1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
1 pint fresh blueberries
ÂĽ cup walnuts
½ cup raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing
ÂĽ cup crumbled feta cheese

In a large bowl, toss the salad greens with the blueberries, walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette. Top with feta cheese to serve.

Heavenly Blueberry Smoothie
1 frozen banana, thawed for 10 to 15 minutes
½ cup vanilla soy milk
1 cup vanilla fat-free yogurt
1 ½ teaspoons flax seed meal
1 ½ teaspoons honey

Cut banana into small pieces and place into the bowl of a blender. Add the soy milk, yogurt, flax seed meal, and honey. Blend on lowest speed until smooth, about 5 seconds. Gradually add the blueberries while continuing to blend on low. Once the blueberries have been incorporated, increase speed and blend to desired consistency.

Blueberry Salsa
2 cups chopped fresh blueberries
1 cup whole fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper
½ cup chopped red onion
ÂĽ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 fresh lime, juiced
salt to taste

In a bowl, combine chopped and whole blueberries, jalapeno pepper, onion, red pepper, lime juice and salt.

Looking for a fun way to obtain this month’s star ingredient? There are two blueberry farms right in Ingham County, Balzer Blueberries and Lechleitner Blueberry Farm, open this summer for your picking pleasure!

 

Mid-Michigan Fourth of July Festivities

Whether you desire to attend a parade, a concert, or fireworks this July Fourth, mid-Michigan has got you covered! Check out the events detailed below to help you decide how to celebrate Independence Day.

July 3rd:

Delta Township

Concert: TBA, 6:30 p.m., amphitheater

Fireworks: dusk, Sharp Park

Additional Information: Concessions will be available.

Williamston

Fireworks: dusk, First Baptist Church

Additional Information: Games will follow the fireworks, located behind the church.

July 4th:

Eaton Rapids

Parade: 11 a.m.

Concert: The Glen Erin Pipe Band, 1 p.m., Island Park

Fireworks: Eaton Rapids High School, dusk

Additional Information: There will be an arts and crafts show on Hamlin Street and rotary barbecue chicken during the day. Other events include a children’s pedal tractor pull and a water balloon contest held by the fire department.

CorunnaFireworks

Parade: 10 a.m.

Concert: Dj Nikki Nik, Tramitizer, Westwind, Bad Neighbor, beginning at Noon, center pavilion

Fireworks: McCurdy Park, dusk

Additional Information: Other activities include the  Belt Sander Drag Race, an arts and crafts show, a bike decorating contest, bingo, children’s games, a dog show, a car show, a duck race, and more.

Lansing

Parade: 11 a.m.

Concert: TBA, held prior to fireworks

Fireworks: 10 p.m., Adado Riverfront Park

Lansing Lugnuts Fourth of July Fireworks

Fireworks: dusk (following the game), Cooley Stadium

Mason

Parade: 7:30 p.m.

Concert: CrossBow, 8:15 p.m., Rayner Park Stage

Fireworks: dusk, Ingham County Fairgrounds

Additional Information: There will be a car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown.

Meridian Township

Fireworks: dusk, Central Park

Events Round-Up July 2014

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

Community Events

Sunday, July 6th

Capital Area Restaurant Week begins, times vary, Lansing

Monday, July 7th

Eaton County Fair begins, times vary, Charlotte

Tuesday, July 8th

Common Ground Music Festival begins, times vary, Lansing

Saturday, July 12th

The Color Run Lansing, 9 a.m., Lansing

Thursday, July 17th

New Citizens Press Community Action Network Poetry in the City, 7 p.m., Lansing

Monday, July 21st

Summer Salads Cooking Class, 6 p.m., Williamston

Wednesday, July 23rd

Wine Wars Part III, 6:30 p.m., Kellogg Center

Thursday, July 24th

Peter Pan begins, times vary, Lansing

Development, Training & Wellness

Tuesday, July 15th

Analysis Studio, 1:30 p.m., B110H Wells Hall

Wednesday, July 16th

Creating Accessible Documents, 8 a.m., 210 Computer Center

Tuesday, July 22nd

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

Tuesday, July 24th

AFS – File Space, 1:30 p.m., 210 Computer Center

Tuesday, July 29th

Faculty Raise Process July 2014, 1 p.m., Hanna Tech Building Training Room 5