Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Enhance Your Service With The Spartan Experience

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Said one participant, “[The Spartan Experience is] one of the most fun, memorable customer service classes I’ve attended.”
The Spartan Experience program addresses the key concepts, habits and vital behaviors that are universal to providing excellent service and creating outstanding experiences. The program provides the foundation and tools that equip staff supervisors and managers to define the service experience in their specific unit. It helps all participating understand how they help MSU distinguish and embrace a high-performance customer-service culture. Since its start in October 2013, over 1,600 employees have participated in The Spartan Experience from over 30 departments. More than 400 supervisors have attended Leading the Spartan Experience, designed to introduce them to the concepts and resources available.

Don’t hesitate, register for The Spartan Experience today! To do so, log into EBS and select the Training Opportunities quick link under your ESS tab.

This spring, there will be multiple classes held:

Dates:
Thursday, January 15
Friday, January 16
Friday, February 20
Monday, February 23
Tuesday, February 24
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 13
Monday, March 16
Thursday, April 16
Friday, April 17
Monday, April 20
Tuesday, April 21

Location:
Suite 10, Nisbet  Building

Time:
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Also, for supervisors, Leading the Spartan Experience is available:

Dates:
Tuesday, February 3
Thursday, March 19
Monday, April 16

Location:
Suite 10, Nisbet Building

Time:
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 

Unleash Your Inner Videographer— Across Generations: Video Fest

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 Project 60/50 PDF.

Thank You MSU Student Food Bank

The MSU Student Food Bank, a partnership between MSU Student Health Services, the Council of Graduate Students, the Greater Lansing Food Bank and Feeding America, was the first campus-based food assistance bank in the country. In 1993, the food bank’s founders recognized a problem that many other universities fail to acknowledge; some students face food insecurity on a regular basis. Still operational 22 years later, the MSU Student Food Bank’s goal is to cut grocery bills in half.

At the MSU Student Food Bank, your donation goes a long way.
At the MSU Student Food Bank, your donation goes a long way.

While the holiday season is over, the MSU Food Bank’s giving spirit has not diminished. Each semester, the food bank holds multiple distribution evenings. During distribution evenings, 15 to 20 students help package food, stock shelves and generally serve MSU students, both graduates and undergraduates, as well as their families.  The bank distributes an impressive 50,000 pounds of food annually to students and their families. This month, the food bank will be holding two distribution dates; January 14 and January 28. Donations would be greatly appreciated prior to these events. To volunteer, contact the MSU Center for Service-Learning & Civic Engagement at 517-353-4400.

Thanks MSU Student Food Bank for all that you do!

Environmental Tips for the Winter Season

With the help from Be Spartan Green, we’ve put together a video of environmental tips for this cold winter season. Here are some of the following ways you can save money and energy this season and help protect our environment, especially when you’ll be leaving the office for holiday breaks.

Top Tips:

-Turn off all unneeded electronic equipment. Unplug all electronics or turn off the surge protector so they don’t use stand-by energy.

-Use plug control equipment such as the Smart Strip available at University Stores.

-Take the time to clean out and defrost refrigerators and freezers to make them more energy efficient.

-Dial down thermostats, especially at night and when you aren’t there. Dress in layers to feel warmer wherever you go.

-Laboratories should keep fume hood sashes closed for energy saving and safety reasons.

To share these tips to your friends and family, you can email or print this flyer.

Other useful links:

Office of Campus Sustainability

Green Certification Information

The Best Ice Cream and Cheese Around!

It’s Fun Friday, and today we’re thinking about some MSU Dairy Store fun! Everybody loves a couple scoops of good quality ice cream, and the famous MSU Dairy Store has the best around!

Ice Cream at Dairy Store
The MSU Dairy Store has two locations you can visit, the MSU Union and Anthony Hall.

The Dairy Store offers 32 flavors of ice cream, dairy products, farm fresh eggs, fresh cheese curds and six other varieties of cheeses, all produced on site at the Dairy Complex and Food Processing Plant.Continue Reading… The Best Ice Cream and Cheese Around!