Events Round-Up November 2016

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

Thursday, November 3 – Thursday, November 10

East Lansing Film Festival, multiple times, multiple locations

Saturday, November 5

Family Day, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Eli and Edyth Broad Art Museum

Sunday, November 6

Fall Wreath Making, 2 p.m., Fenner Nature Center

Searching for Animals: Guided Walk, 3 p.m., Harris Nature Center

Wednesday, November 9 – Sunday November 27

The Wharton Center Presents: WICKED, Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Friday, November 11 – Saturday, November 12

Heritage Jazz Fest, 8 p.m., Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

Sunday, November 13

MSU Global Festival, noon – 5 p.m., MSU Union

Tuesday, November 15

Rock Your Mocs | Indigistory Native Film Festival, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Michigan History Center and Archives of Michigan

Friday, November 18

Silver Bells in the City, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Downtown Lansing

Sunday, November 20

Mid-Michigan Bluegrass & Folk Jam Concert, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Woldumar Nature Center

Thursday, November 24

2016 Lansing Turkeyman Trot, 8:30 a.m., Lansing Community College

Development, Training and Wellness

Wednesday, November 9

Living the Brand, 8:30 a.m. – noon, 10 Nisbet Building

Thursday, November 10

Supervisor Strategies for Performance Planning, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 10 Nisbet Building

Tuesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 17

Influencer 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suite 10 Nisbet Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job of the Week 10/28/16

This week we are highlighting a Data Integrity Assistant I (posting #4314) with Advancement Information Systems and Donor Strategy. This position will compile, prepare, review, evaluate, research and record information as it pertains to the processing and recording of gifts and pledges to Michigan State University; make daily decisions regarding proper recording and disbursement of gift monies; independently communicate with University personnel and donors regarding IRS regulations and University Policies as they relate to charitable contributions for non-profit organizations; and use appropriate level of judgment to interpret gifts and pledges which are unusual, incompletely documented, require a high degree of sophisticated interpretation or are otherwise problematic. Further determination must also be made as to whether the money is considered legally to be a gift according to University, State and Federal guidelines. This position will also perform complex entry of gift and pledge related entities using set format specifications on a highly complex relational database. This position is responsible for maintaining up-to-date biographical information on alumni and donors as gifts and pledges are processed, following procedures and guidelines as instructed on all tasks. Incumbent must adhere to confidentiality of donor information and consistently meet or exceed productivity measures and accuracy standards established by the 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.

 

TIAA Visa Gift Card Challenge

Sometimes a little knowledge goes a long way. At least that’s what happened to Eric Strouse of IPF Safety and Security Services who stopped by retirement vendor TIAA’s table at the Big Ten Network MSU vs. Wisconsin game tailgate on September 24. Eric simply tested his knowledge about financial life and work fundamentals and won TIAA’s Apple Watch sweepstakes.

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TIAA sweepstakes winner, Eric Strouse, is a proud new owner of an Apple Watch!

You too can be entered to win amazing prizes through TIAA’s educational challenge quiz. Now through December 15, each time you play, you are entered for a chance to win one of 60 $25 Visa gift cards. Take the challenge as many times as you’d like, and learn something new about work life and finances each time. Put your knowledge to the test today!

 

Don’t Forget: Open Enrollment ends October 31!

Open Enrollment for the 2017 plan year is coming to a close.

If you haven’t already, be sure to log into the EBS portal and add, change or remove your benefit plans before the end date of October 31. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make important decisions about your benefits for the 2017 plan year!

MSU Benefits Open Enrollment Masthead
Finish Open Enrollment before October 31.

Be sure to complete the Health Care Affidavit if you cover a spouse or Other Eligible Individual. This will ensure that your spouse or OEI has coverage in 2017.

If you have any questions as you go through the process, look in the 2017 Employee Open Enrollment Guide for answers. Should you need additional help, there are instruction resources available on the MSU HR website, including a video tutorial. You can also visit a site lab to get help with the open enrollment process. The site labs are located in Suite 125 Nisbet Building, and they are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates:

  • October 26, 2016
  • October 27, 2016
  • October 28, 2016
  • October 31, 2016

You can also contact the Solutions Center with any questions at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

Job of the Week 10/21/16

This week we are highlighting a Police Officer (posting #4270) with the Department of Police and Public Safety.  This position requires the Officer to patrol land governed by MSU Board of Trustees on foot, motorcycle, bicycle or patrol vehicle utilizing State laws and university ordinances; preserve law and order, prevent crime and protect life and property of students, faculty, staff and visitors; affect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints in accordance with department-approved tactics; pursue fleeing subjects on foot, bicycle or patrol vehicle in accordance with department policy and procedure; perform investigations and conduct legal searches of subjects to detect potential weapons or illegal contraband; operate an emergency vehicle during both day and night shift hours. Officers must also load, aim, and fire handguns, rifles, and other agency-specific firearms from a variety of positions in training and real life scenarios that justify the use of deadly force while regulating emotions under extreme stress; maintain composure during rapidly evolving situations involving potentially uncooperative subjects; deescalate situations with proper verbal commands and appropriately articulate and act upon situations that require elevating use of force within department policy and procedure; effectively carry out community team policing functions such as: office hours, alcohol awareness programs and other various events to strengthen bond with the community in which we serve; participate in training sessions such as: legal update, defensive tactics, firearms and various other annual training requirements in accordance with Michigan State University.

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.

Difficult Conversations Online Course Series

Ever wondered how to prepare for or handle difficult conversations? There are resources available to you! A new series of online classes within elevateU titled Difficult Conversations: MSU Series provides information on this topic. These classes will be especially helpful to take and return to before Performance Excellence meetings.

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Watch an overview of the Difficult Conversations series here.

Within this series, there are three classes: Navigating Difficult Conversations at Michigan State University, Navigating Difficult Conversations in Performance Excellence for Employees and Navigating Difficult Conversations in Performance Excellence for Supervisors. The first class, which covers introductory skills and common issues with difficult conversations, is taken by both employees and supervisors. The other two classes apply those skills specifically to the needs of employees and supervisors; for this reason, employees should take the employee course, and supervisors should take the supervisor course.

To earn a certificate of completion, participants must receive 75 percent or higher on the final tests in these classes. Participants are able to take classes and tests as many times as needed.

Be sure to complete two courses by November 14 to be entered into a drawing to win some Spartan swag! If you have any questions, or want to find other learning opportunities, visit the Performance Excellence website.

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many women and men have had, know or lost someone with breast cancer. Although support in the fight against breast cancer remains year-round, October brings attention to the continued fight and serves as a reminder for women to get breast cancer screenings.

Of all the cancers diagnosed in women in the United States, breast cancer is the most common and the second leading cause of cancer death. There is a 1 in 8 chance for a woman to have invasive breast cancer in her life, and a 1 in 37 chance of dying from breast cancer. It is important to recognize that these death rates have been decreasing, largely due to early detection and better treatment.

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Show your support for the fight against breast cancer by wearing pink this month.

Finding the cancer early is essential. Women should start to get yearly screenings and mammograms around the age of 45. Be sure to check if your health insurance plan offers free mammography screenings.

You too can join the fight against breast cancer. On Saturday, October 22, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will be taking place at the State Capitol Building. Support the cause and satisfy your sweet tooth with Gwen’s bagels and pink swirl cupcakes from MSU Bakers. With every purchase of the pink, dried cranberry bagels, $1 will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

MSU Human Resources extends its support to all of the fighters and individuals working to find the cure.  

 

 

Job of the Week 10/14/16

This week we are highlighting an Office Assistant III (posting #4213) with Educational Administration. Representing the Department of Educational Administration and the College of Education at Michigan State University, this position will provide support to graduate programs, grant projects and department faculty. Specific job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: graduate admissions and student progress for the Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program, including from pre-application to post-graduation; performing a wide variety of departmental support duties for faculty & students, including processing travel authorizations and reimbursements, submitting financial transactions and assisting with departmental events; serving as a liaison with students, faculty, staff, alumni & others; providing support for departmental grants; other duties as assigned to carry out the mission of the Department of Educational Administration, the College of Education, and Michigan State University.

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.

 

Thank you State News!

the-state-newsAs everyone has been adjusting to a new semester here at MSU, The State News has continued to provide important information regarding MSU football, politics, university events and much more. Without fail, The State News is always ready every Monday and Thursday for MSU students, faculty and staff to pick up whenever they have extra time throughout their day.

Routinely identified as one of the best collegiate newspapers in the country, The State News has received awards from the Associated Collegiate Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Michigan Press Photographers Association and the College Media Business & Advertising Managers.

Equally impressive, this completely student-run newspaper has been operating since 1909. That’s over 100 years of reporting on the news that’s most important to MSU students, faculty and staff.

Thank you to the staff of The State News for your excellent reporting on the important events in the MSU community!

 

Reminder: Open Enrollment Benefits Fair Oct. 11-13

The Michigan State Benefits Fair is here again and will be held at the Breslin Center. For three days, benefits vendor representatives and MSU Human Resources staff members will be available to answer any questions that faculty, staff or retirees may have about insurance, retirement or other benefits. Computers will also be available for enrollment assistance. MSU Benefits Open Enrollment Masthead

The dates and times for the Benefits Fair are as follows:

October 11, noon to 6 p.m.

October 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 13, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free flu shots are being offered once again this year for eligible faculty, staff, retirees and their dependents. To find out more, click here. Chair Massages are also offered courtesy of the Health4U program.

Read more about the vendors who are attending this year’s Benefits Fair and find information about parking here.