Tag: michigan state

March Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for events in March, you have come to the right place! Marchholds many opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required.

Campus Events

Throughout March – Women’s History Month Events: Michigan State University annually celebrates Women’s History Month in March. This month-long celebration honors women’s contributions to United States history and highlights the pivotal roles women have played at MSU. Throughout the month, student organizations, offices and units will host events celebrating women with activities, conferences and more.

March 1 – Family Day: NOURISH: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum!  Join from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to make creative connections with our exhibits and learn more about how art connects to the food in our everyday lives. 

March 1 – Quiet Adventures Symposium: Quiet Adventures Symposium is the country’s longest running indo expo that is dedicated to promoting non motorized outdoor conservation and recreation. Vendors, exhibitors, and guest speakers from across the Midwest will be there sharing the latest in outdoor and adventure products, news, and activities.

March 9 – Midday Movement Series: Take a midday break and stop by the MSU Library for a variety of classes to help get you moving this spring! From 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., get your move on and bring athletic shoes, water, and a towel

March 11 through 16 – Life of Pi: Life of Pi, winner of three Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for Best Play, is an exhilarating story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and “gives a new life to Broadway.” This is the story of a sixteen-year old boy named Pi and his survival on a lifeboat with four companions – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal Tiger. 

March 12 – ARTIST TALK: Michaela Nichelle: From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., join Michaela Nichelle, an artist who was part of the first cohort of students to graduate from MSU’s African American and African Studies program in 2024, for a talk on the transformative power of food, community and their view on art. Arrive early to see the artist’s work in person.

March 29 – CĂ©sar Chávez & Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration: Learn about the 15th annual celebration and register to honor the legacies of farmworkers and Latinx communities, as well as their history, challenges and progress in the U.S. The event is from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Learning Opportunities

Dates in March and April â€“ Breaking the Cycle Stress and Burnout Support for Women in Academia: This group therapy series is designed for women (all are welcome) in academia seeking relief from the demands of stress, burnout, and overwhelm. Together, we’ll explore evidence-based strategies to complete the stress cycle and develop tools for setting boundaries, fostering resilience, and rediscovering joy in your work.

March 7 – TIPS on Disability Dynamics: Theory, Accessibility, and Practice: Join us from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for this hybrid learning experience hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning! Elevate your curriculum development, and learn effective strategies and innovative approaches to being a leader in your community. Registration is required for this free class.

March 11 – Introduction to Gender, Names, and Pronouns: Learn appropriate and respectful ways to use names and pronouns and promote gender inclusivity in the workplace from this course. Understand why safety and privacy surrounding gender, names, and pronouns matter, and become educated on recovering when mistakes happen. This class will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can register through EBS.

March 17 – Equitable Hiring Practices Seminar: The Equity and Compliance Team within the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a seminar designed to engage the Spartan community in efforts supporting equal employment opportunity and affirmative actions in diversifying the workplace. Join us in Erikson Hall from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. for a discussion on inclusive practices in the workplace. 

March 21-22 – Malcolm X Centennial Conference: Register for the event (virtual and in-person) and join Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, Associate Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University, who will give a talk called Malcolm X and the Radical Black Tradition of Peace and Human Rights on March 21. Dr. Akinyele Umoja, Professor of African American Studies at Georgia State University, will give a talk called From Malcolm X to Omowale Malik Shabazz: Towards a 21st Century New Afrikan Nationalism on March 22.

March 26 – 25th Annual William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.: Hosted by the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, listen to Barbara Ross-Lee, a living icon of the American Civil Rights Movement, at the Wharton Center at 5 p.m.

Greater Lansing Area Events

Recurring Sundays – Brunch and Lunch Family Sunday: Join in every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lansing Shuffleboard and Social Club. Games are out, and kids of all ages are welcome to come play in video game tournaments, giant jenga and cornhole in the main hall, and brunch specials will be available! 

March 1 and 15 – Contra and Square Dance: All dances are taught and no partner is needed at the Contra and Square Dance class. Wear loose clothes, comfortable shoes, and be prepared to have a good time! Stop by at 6:30 p.m. for a quick and fun dance lesson!

March 15 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Visit Downtown Grand Ledge for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There will be dancers, bagpipes, and more, starting at 2:00 p.m.! 

March 23 – Finders Keepers Vintage Market: The Ingham County Fair Grounds is hosting the Finder’s Keepers Vintage Market with over 150 vendors, an entire food truck rally, free photobooth photos, and free parking. Stop by with your friends and family from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to check out things from handmade crafts to vintage treasures, and more! 

March 27 – Lansing Symphony Orchestra: Visit the Robin Theatre in Lansing for the unique, intimate concerts of contemporary chamber music from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. 

Family-Friendly Events

March 9 and 19 – Impression 5’s Sensory Friendly Hours: You and your family have the chance to visit the Impression 5 Science Center’s select exhibits altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli. Guests can expect a small group capacity, pop-up activities and maps designated for these select areas.

Friday through Sundays – Abrams Planetarium: The Dark Matter Mystery: Have you ever wondered what keeps galaxies together or why the Universe looks the way it does? Visit the Abrams Planetarium to see a show that takes you on the biggest quest of contemporary astrophysics and learn about Dark Matter and the mysteries behind it!

Recurring Sundays – Abrams Planetarium Children’s Feature Show: Bring your family and friends to the Abrams Planetarium to learn about Celeste: a child fascinated by dinosaurs. Watch her exciting adventure to learn about the start of earth and travel back in time to learn all about dinosaurs and their extension. Tickets coming soon.

Farmers Markets

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods. 

Every Other Saturday – Meridian Farmers Market: Visit the Meridian Farmers Market inside the Meridian Mall! The market vendors offer farm, food, and crafts, and a majority of the products sold are locally grown or made.

Happy International Pronouns Day!

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This article was written in partnership with the EVPA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Today is International Pronouns Day! Using correct pronouns respects each other’s identity and fosters inclusivity. Pronouns are used every day to communicate with one another in and out of the workplace, and often they are assigned based on preconceived biases and perceptions. By educating about personal pronouns, we promote understanding and celebrate everyone’s intersecting identities.

What is International Pronouns Day? 

International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. This day raises the MSU community’s awareness to be gender inclusive and reminds us of the basic human dignity of appreciating and celebrating everyone’s multiple, intersecting identities. As we explore the significance of this day, learn about how MSU is implementing changes to promote gender inclusivity to create a beneficial environment for all. For more information, you can visit https://pronounsday.org. 

How can I contribute to a gender-inclusive environment? 

  • Speak and write in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender, or gender identity and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes 
  • Share your pronouns when introducing yourself to people or during meetings 
  • Don’t make assumptions; ask people to share their pronouns 
  • Always use the pronouns that a person asks you to use 
  • Include your pronouns in your email signature or other digital communications 
  • Complete the Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion online education program 
  • Check out the course, Introduction to Name, Gender and Pronouns, to learn more about how to practice gender inclusivity with students and staff at MSU. 

What events are being held across campus? 

The MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center is here to provide you with answers to any questions you may have and with resources you may need! The center provides educational programs and resources to make MSU a more inclusive space for students, staff, and faculty. Tuesday, November 19th, the GSCC is hosting a Trans Allyship Zoom course for cisgender students and staff to learn more about working with non-binary and transgender peers on campus. Learn more about the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center here, and be sure to register for the course here. 

What action is the university taking to advance gender inclusion? 

At MSU, we are committed to ensuring your identity is accurately represented and respected throughout our campus community while maintaining privacy. Additionally, there’s work underway with the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, along with the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration to advance the name, gender, pronoun data policy recommendations across our information technology systems. We are collaborating with the project management office and system owners to create an implementation road map to advance the policy requirements across enterprise data systems. In the interim, MSU encourages all employees to indicate their gender pronouns, if desired, on email signatures and other written communication.  

Are there resources to explore this further? 

We look forward to continuing our work – together – to foster a culture that C.A.R.E.S (communication, appreciation, respect, empathy, and sensitivity).

Happy World Mental Health Day!

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

October 10th is World Mental Health Day! While mental health is one of the foundations of health and well-being, it can often fall low on the list of priorities in the work setting. The World Health Organization has established this year’s theme of “It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace” to promote mental health awareness at work.  

Good mental health is vital to our overall well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people. 

Work should never get in the way of maintaining good mental health, however, a busy schedule may make resources appear inaccessible. In honor of World Mental Health Day, here are some resources you can use at MSU and in your personal life. 

MSU Resources: 

Teladoc: MSU faculty and staff and their dependents currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc – an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. Teladoc’s services extend to behavioral health (anxiety, depression, grief counseling, etc.). 

University Health and Wellbeing: MSU employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling at no cost. To best fit your work schedule, MSU offers both Zoom and in-person appointments.  

Health4U: Health4U focuses on all aspects of health with resources, support groups and educational courses. They offer a variety of resources dealing with mindfulness, psychological flexibility and more.  

Local Resources: 

24-Hour Crisis Services (Walk-In and Mobile):  The City of East Lansing provides walk-in or mobile crisis counseling and mental health assistance around the clock. 

Online Mental Health Screening: Ingham County Health Department offers free and anonymous behavioral health screening, linking resources connected to your results. 

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Behavioral Health Services: Sparrow Hospital offers psychiatric and behavioral health services including holistic care in an external environment and art, music and yoga therapy.  

You matter, your mental health matters, so join us in celebrating the 75th annual World Mental Health Day by taking charge of your own mental health with these resources and more. MSU resources and benefits are available to get you—or keep you—on the path to a healthy body and healthy mind. Learn more about World Mental Health Day on the World Health Organization website.