Thank you IPF Custodial Services!

ty-custodial-2Their work often goes unnoticed, but it is evident every day when faculty, staff and students enter campus buildings to begin the day.

Custodial Services workers clean restrooms, classrooms, conference rooms, libraries, laboratories and more. They empty your trash can, mop or vacuum the floor you walk on and disinfect the door handles and light switches you touch. Each building has a crew that comes in during off hours to prepare the building for the next day.

Thank you, Custodial Services, for your constant upkeep of the numerous buildings on campus!

Health Matters: Pulmonary embolisms

man-coughingPulmonary embolisms are a blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs, and they are usually caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or (more rarely) from other parts of the body.

Although anyone can develop blood clots (also known as deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolisms, factors such as immobility, cancer, and surgery increase the risk for this life-threatening condition. Taking prompt, proactive measures to prevent blood clots in your legs, particularly if you are already in the hospital, is the best way to prevent pulmonary embolisms.Continue Reading… Health Matters: Pulmonary embolisms

Job of the Week 6/24/16

The week we are highlighting a Communications Manager I (posting #3557) with Intercollegiate Athletics, which is looking for an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Manage all communications and media relations for assigned sports; assist with the supervision of the department’s media relations efforts for all 25 intercollegiate programs and help the publicity efforts to enhance the overall image of Michigan State University; assist in the daily operational activities of the Athletic Communications Office, which include: generating and cultivating local, regional, and national media contacts to promote varsity athletic programs; serving as the on-site game contact for all media outlets; write, edit, design, and distribute various publications (press releases, game notes, postgame recaps, etc); assist in managing the content on the athletic department’s website, which includes written content in addition to photo galleries, video, and new media; Manage social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.); coordinate and monitor media interviews, press conferences, and photo sessions; plan and make arrangements for all press facilities for athletic events; meet with technical staffs for events that are televised and broadcast via radio; Maintain and update statistics for teams utilizing computerized statistical programs; travel with various athletic teams in support of competition; nominate deserving student-athletes, coaches, and administrators for academic and athletic awards and working to create positive publicity for the academic achievements and community service initiatives of the athletic department.

MSU Jobs IconFor 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 Mentors Program for Support Staff

The MSU Mentors Program for support staff is returning in 2016 and is currently seeking both mentors and mentees to participate. This program is an important part of providing networking and professional development opportunities, strengthening one’s understanding of MSU’s culture and structure, and creating a vital link between organizational memory and future innovation.

mentorThe program will run from October 2016 through early August 2017. Both mentors and mentees will be asked to commit to attending a six-hour orientation in October and to meet two hours per month.

Mentee benefits include:

  • Access to support system during key stages of career development
  • Gain an experienced perspective on navigating your career and approaching your work
  • Broaden your professional network
  • Identify skill gaps and how to bridge them
  • Get honest, informational feedback
  • Increase your understanding of business practices and institutional knowledge

Mentor benefits include:

  • Further develop coaching, communication and leadership skills
  • Help to develop and retain talent in the organization
  • Exchange ideas and perspectives on your work and career
  • Broaden your network and extend it to another
  • Gain personal satisfaction from helping someone else develop
  • Learn more about yourself through helping others

For more information, visit the MSU Mentors Program page or contact Kathie Elliott at elliott.k@hr.msu.edu or 517-884-8894. For those interested in being a mentee or mentor, contact Kathie Elliott for an application. In order to evaluate matches, please return all applications by July 1.

Take a healthy break with Fresh Air Fitness

We all know MSU’s campus is beautiful in the summer, and now is the time to take advantage of it. Get out of the office and get moving with RecSport’s Fresh Air Fitness program! This program offers three classes during the week that take place in the middle of the day, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. This gives participants in the classes not only physical exercise, but also a great mental break during a busy day.

Thanks to generous sponsors Health4U, The Department of Theatre, and The Department of Horticulture, all of these classes are at no charge for all MSU faculty, staff and students. Fresh Air Fitness classes are offered in June, and you have the opportunity to attend the last classes of the season. Be sure to register.

Tai Chi at Summer Circle Courtyard

Tai Chi has been called a “moving meditation” and has great health benefits for both the mind and body. It is a gentle form of exercise that can aid in alleviating stress and anxiety. The class is held on Tuesdays in the Summer Circle Courtyard east of the Auditorium. The last classes this season will be offered June 21 and 28. In case of rain, go to the Auditorium lobby.

Yoga in the Garden

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the beautiful Horticulture Gardens in a chair yoga session that will stretch and strengthen your body while relaxing your mind on Wednesday, June 22. Chairs and benches are provided. In case of rain, head indoors at the south entrance to the Plant and Soil Sciences Building.

Pilates on the Green

For a more challenging class that improves flexibility and core strength, attend the Pilates class on the luscious lawn of the Beal Botanical Garden, meeting at the east end near the pergola. You should bring a towel or mat for this class, the last of which is offered on Thursday, June 23. In case of rain, go to IM Circle (first building west) for class in the Dance Studio.

Job of the Week 6/17/16

This week we are highlighting a Health Care Assistant (posting #3523) with Osteopathic Surgical Specialties. This position involves front desk check in and check out; answering phones; preparing daily paperwork; printing daily schedules; taking copays and payments; assisting patients with questions and helping as necessary and appropriate; preparing daily deposits; checking insurance eligibility; obtaining referral authorizations for studies and procedures. This position will be cross-trained and may assist in the back office rooming patients as needed.

MSU Jobs IconFor 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.

Congratulations to the “Square Up Your Savings” Winners!

Congratulations to the three winners of the “Square Up Your Savings” challenge in April! MSU Human Resources and TIAA, one of our retirement vendors, partnered to bring this fun and educational opportunity to the MSU community as part of Financial Literacy Month.

A total of 749 participants completed 10 missions centered on savings education. When a mission was completed, players earned a square to place on a campus map where they thought virtual hidden savings might be located. Players were then entered into a drawing to win one of three iPad minis.

This year’s winners were:

Danielle_sm2
Danielle Ferguson, Veterinarian with Animal Care Program
Pearl_sm2
Pearl Wong, Collection Coordinator with the MSU Museum
Sharon_sm1
Sharon Ruggles, Academic Program Coordinator with Geography Environment Spatial Sciences

Thank you to TIAA for sponsoring this challenge! We hope everyone who participated enjoyed the new, more interactive format.

 

Events and gifts for Father’s Day

MSU hat
This MSU hat is available at the Student Bookstore.

Summer is in full swing this Father’s Day. Check out some of the events you could take your father, husband or children to. Need a last-minute gift? Stop by after work at one of these shops to pick up some Spartan gear!

Events

Lansing Lugnuts Baseball Game
Play catch on the field before the game with dad!

Potter Park Zoo
Dads get free admission at the zoo this Father’s Day.

“The Book of Mormon”
Catch the last show of this critically acclaimed musical comedy at the Wharton Center.

Gifts

Forest Akers Golf Course Father’s Day Tent Sale
Stop by the East Golf Course at Forest Akers June 15–16 to find dad’s perfect gift.

Spartan Bookstore
Check out the Spartan Bookstore website for featured Father’s Day gift ideas, including apparel, auto accessories, and more.

University Stores
Hardware, hand tools, and MSU merchandise such as flags, mugs and sports equipment can be found at University Stores.

MSU Surplus Store
Great finds at this store include collectibles from the MSU Shadows Collection, clothing, books and more.

New Performance Excellence ratings begin July 1

MSU_PE_Brand2Since Performance Excellence began six months ago, we have experienced great support and participation from MSU supervisors and support staff. As you saw in the online training, we have taken a phased approach to changing the performance management process. We’d like to give you a heads-up on an upcoming change in the Annual Review form.

If you have a performance review due after July 1, 2016, supervisors will have four options to choose from on the Annual Review Form, instead of the current two options. The four-rating system provides you and your supervisor with more options to better define your performance and professional development over the previous year.

If your next review is due before July 1, 2016, you need to use the current ratings system, in which the supervisor selects one of two ratings on the Annual Review form:

  • Meets/exceeds expectations
  • Does not meet expectations (requires a Performance Improvement Plan)

If your next review is due after July 1, 2016, you need to use the new ratings system, in which the supervisor will select one of four ratings on the Annual Review form:

  • Does not meet expectations (requires a Performance Improvement Plan)
  • Developing
  • Meets expectations
  • Exceeds expectations

Guidelines for each of the levels can be found on the Annual Review form, which will be updated and available on the website on Friday, July 1.

For further information on Performance Excellence, including the official forms, support tools and FAQs, please visit the website.

Job of the Week 6/10/16

This week we are highlighting an Instrument Maker I (posting #3471) with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The Cryogenic Assembler will support the assembly, installation, testing and commissioning work for FRIB. Major position responsibilities include working on daily basis as part of a team to assist in the assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, and testing of cryogenic equipment; reading, understanding, and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and procedures; following detailed specifications and procedures in performing work; documenting activities through logging activities in repair and/or trouble-report tracking systems; understanding and following all safety policies and regulations.

MSU Jobs IconFor 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.