Tag: MSU Benefits Plus

Take Action Now to Reduce End of Year Stress

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Ready or not, December is almost here. When you think about the remainder of the year, how do you feel? If thoughts of work deadlines, family get-togethers, or planning for the holidays and new year ahead have you feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are practices and resources we can utilize to help us center ourselves and approach this time of year with a healthier mindset. 

Consider Your Sphere of Influence 

We all know allowing worry to grow uninhibited can lead to a number of negative consequences, be it with our health, work performance, or relationships. So, why do we allow our minds to spend so much time in a state of worry?  In a previous blog post, Jennie Schaeffer, Director of MSU Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, discussed how worry can seem very active — spending time in that mindset can feel like you are working on something productive — but in reality, you are burning through energy that could be better spent. 

When you notice yourself worrying about what might happen, stop and ask yourself, “What can I do about it now?” One way to visualize this is the Sphere of Influence. 

Three circles on top of each other. The inner circle is labeled "control," the middle circle is labeled "possible influence, but no control," and the outer circle is labeled "no control."

Within the Sphere, there are three areas: 

  • No Control. If there is absolutely nothing you can do to change or influence a situation, you can only assess whether you can learn from it, then let it go and refocus on something else. This would apply to things like the weather, supply chain issues this season, or flight cancelations. To reduce feelings of worry and improve your well-being, spend minimal time and energy regarding any matters that fall within this area of the sphere. 
  • Possible Influence but No Control. If there is a step you can take that may influence an outcome, person, or situation, determine what action you can take to maximize that influence, follow through, and then let it go. Resist the temptation to convince yourself that worrying about it means it is within your control. 
  • Control. If the issue you are wrestling with is completely within your control, then you have control over your decisions, attitude, and behavior. What action can you take that you’ve been putting off? What self-care practice can you initiate to support your well-being? When you practice shifting your focus and attention to what is within your control rather than allowing what is out of your control to consume your time and thoughts, feelings of helplessness and overwhelm decrease significantly. 

Make Yourself a Priority 

When asked why we don’t make our well-being a higher priority, the most common answer is: not enough time. Although we can’t add more hours to the day (No Control area of the Sphere of Influence), we can take actionable steps to better manage our time and carve out space to improve our overall wellness (Control area of the sphere). 

Here are a few ideas to help you focus your energy on areas you can control when it comes to your well-being this time of year. 

  • Schedule downtime. Block downtime off on your Outlook calendar like you would for a meeting or other work engagement. 
  • Set positive boundaries. Check out the following articles as a starting point: 
  • Be selective. Most of us have an extraordinary number of demands placed on us, and this time of year often brings on even more. Before you commit to anything additional, give yourself a little time to consider: do I really need to do this right now? 
  • Get back to the basics. Consider your current relationship with sleep, physical activity, and eating. What are one or two simple steps you could take to improve your physical health? Even something as small as not having your cell phone next to your bed at night or scheduling short blocks of time on your calendar to stretch at your desk can have a tremendous impact. Ensuring your basic, physical needs are met helps ensure a solid foundation for all aspects of your well-being. 

Utilize Your Resources 

One major goal within MSU’s strategic plan is to support the “well-being of staff, faculty, and postdoctoral research associates at MSU, focusing on creating a best-in-class workplace culture and environment in which excellence and opportunity thrive.” From one-on-one counseling to self-paced learning opportunities, many resources are available to you as an MSU employee to improve your well-being and take care of yourself this year and beyond. Recommendations to get you started are listed below, along with contact information for specialists at MSU who can provide extra support. 

Spartan Resilience Programs  |  Spartan Resilience sees to provide opportunities for any Spartan, anywhere to develop (or strengthen) the skills needed to effectively respond to their unique collection of challenges. Courses include Informal Mindfulness, Developing Emotional Resilience, Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self-Compassion, and much more. 

elevateU  | Free, self-paced resources including short videos, online courses, and books around a wide variety of topics. Highlighted topics include: 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  | Free, confidential counseling for all faculty, staff, retirees, graduate student employees, and their families. 

Opening Image Credit: Centre for Aging Better Age-Positive Image Library 

Job of The Week: Overnight Emergency Veterinary Clinic Receptionist

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Overnight Emergency Clinic Receptionist for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (1003806). If you are interested in working the front desk and assisting clients and their pets, this may be the role for you. 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be greeting and directing clients at the reception desk, creating, reviewing, and updating electronic client and health records, and organizing appointments in the electronic scheduling system. You will also collect payments at the time of the patient’s discharge and be responsible for accurately logging the payments into electronic records. You should be prepared to work 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shifts as this is an overnight position. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school diploma, one year of customer service experience, and related/progressively more expansive work in a medical office, clinic, or mental health office. You should have excellent communication and computer skills, as well as grammar and spelling. You must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment and have proven empathy skills. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine Here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by November 19th.

several gifts in various wrapping papers and ribbons sitting on a red platform.

Don’t Forget Your MSU Employee Discounts this Holiday Season!

Published on by Josh WorleyLeave a comment

As a benefits-eligible MSU employee, you can access various discounts and savings to help you make the most of the holiday season. On the MSU Benefits Plus website, you will find special offers on products such as electronics, toys, and more!

To access all the discounts, visit the MSU Benefits Plus website, enter your MSU email, click Get Started, and enter your password. First-time users will need to create a new account using the link below the login fields. You will need your MSU ZPID number for the form, which is located on your MSU Spartan ID Card or in the EBS Portal.

The following are a few of the deals you will find (please note these discounts are frequently updated):

  • Apple: Save with employee pricing on iPhones, iMacs, and more.
  • Chordify: Up to 60% off music lessons with a Chordify Premium yearly subscription.
  • Crocs: $20 off orders of $100 or more in shoes and accessories. Use code CROCS20 at checkout.
  • Dell: Exclusive member pricing on all PCs, electronics, and accessories.
  • Garmin: 20% off list price on wearables and smartwatches.
  • GE Appliance Store: 30% and more off MSRP on select appliances. Use code COREEXT21.
  • Great Wolf Lodge: Save up to 30% year-round. Use code CORESTREAM when booking.
  • HP: Up to 40% off computers and accessories.
  • Kiwi Crate: Receive 30% off your first month on this kids’ educational subscription box featuring fun STEM-based projects.
  • PremiumSeatsUSA.com: Save 10% with promo code CORESTREAM.
  • Restaurants.com: 20% off all certificates.
  • Rosetta Stone: Get a Lifetime Subscription with Unlimited Languages for $149 (normally $299).
  • Tiqets: Save over 40% on top museums, zoos, aquariums, theme parks and more.
  • Wharton Center: Save 10-15% on select performances.

The HR website also offers other deals you can find around the university through the MSU Tech Store, MSU Bakers, and the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, among others. For more information on discounts through MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.

Job of the Week: Veterinary Surgery Nurse

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as Surgery Nurse for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 998848). If you are passionate about providing patient care for ill and injured animals and interested in working in the Surgery unit of the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC), this may be the role for you! 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be responsible for patient care of injured and sick animals primarily in the Small Animal Unit of the VMC. You will occasionally work in the Large Animal Unit, Anesthesia Support Center, and Emergency and Critical Care as well. This role instructs and demonstrates techniques, skills, cleanliness, and more to students, assistant students, and clinicians within the VMC. This job entails afternoon and evening shifts, as well as weekend shifts with overtime if necessary. Physical tasks include the ability to lift medical equipment and animals into cages, push gurneys and carts containing animals and equipment, climb stairs carrying lab equipment, and restrain animals. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include two to three years of college, technical, or vocational schooling in Veterinary Technology, six months to one year of related or more responsible work in the realm of extensive patient care, surgery, anesthesia, sterilization, and drug-dosing. You should also have experience and knowledge in spreadsheets and other word processing software and past work in a veterinary research setting. You must be licensed as a Veterinary Technician with the state of Michigan within one year from your date of hire. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine on their website. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references and should be submitted by November 5th!

SafePlace Operations Coordinator

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Operations Coordinator for MSU Safe Place, a division of University Health and Wellbeing (job posting 997270). If you are interested in supporting the Center for Survivors and maintaining the legal responsibilities of this important job, this may be the position for you!

The Michigan State University Center for Survivors provides free and confidential group and individual counseling to MSU Students who are survivors of sexual assault and abuse. The Center for Survivors stands with survivors against all forms of social injustice through empowerment and an inclusive community, priding itself on integrity, compassion, and collaboration. 

In this role, you will carry out day-to-day operations at the Center for Survivors Safe Place shelter and provide a clean, safe and supportive environment for those who are or have experienced violence. This role does have ethical and legal responsibilities as you must protect client confidentiality, and you will work under guidelines provided by Michigan State University and the state of Michigan, as well as VOCA. You will coordinate community donations, support residential clients with transportation and basic needs, oversee food and inventory supply, and participate in a shared case management system that supports collaboration and consultation with clients. In addition, you will coordinate with UHW Safety and Operations to ensure the physical shelter is up to date on fire drills, routine inspections, sanitation, emergency procedures and more. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include an associate’s degree in any business-related field, one to three years of related work experience, and basic knowledge of computer terminology and operations. You should also have previous training experience with the dynamic of intimate partner violence and its effect on children, as well as experience in a 24-hour residential job setting. Physical demands include the ability to lift and push/pull 5-40lbs, work onsite, shovel snow and salt walkways, travel throughout the community, and work 24-hour shifts.
Learn more about the Center for Survivors here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and a cover letter and should be submitted by October 29th.

Job of The Week: Accounting Clerk

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Accounting Clerk for the College of Education in the Department of Teacher Education (job posting 994967). If you are interested in supporting the Fiscal Office and a College with five education programs ranked number one in U.S. News and World Report, this may be the position for you! 

The MSU College of Education’s mission is planted in Leadership, Scholarship and Service. They strive to develop and implement excellence in the community, and strive to sustain the college as a scholarly space for the community, staff, and students. Focusing heavily on information education reform and policy in schools all around, the College of Education is constantly pushing to better the preparation of educators. 

In this position, you will initiate payments to outside vendors and students via disbursement vouchers, fellowships, and other items needed for transactions. You will also support faculty, graduate students and their associates by coordinating and managing all travel requests and expense reports. In this role, you would maintain monthly procurement card transactions and manage account files, keeping track of their most relevant information. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school education, and one to three years of progressively more expansive work in accounting, bookkeeping, and database software. You will also be expected to attend necessary courses to maintain certifications and enhance the work environment while in this role. You should also have excellent communication, customer service, and multi-tasking skills, and be knowledgeable in software such as Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and more. 

Learn more about the College of Education here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications should be submitted by October 22nd!

October Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail Miller1 Comment

October Events Round-Up

If you and your family are looking for upcoming events to celebrate the beginning of the fall season, you’ve come to the right place. October holds many event opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Campus Events

Benefits Open Enrollment – MSU Benefits Open Enrollment is October 1-31. Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your coverage options and ensure you have the benefits that are best for you and your family as you head into the new year. Learn more on the HR Website and plan to visit the Benefits Fair on October 3 or one of the several Site Labs available throughout October.

October 2 –  Drawing Marathon: From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., stop by this annual non-stop drawing event at the MSU Broad Art Museum with the MSU Department of Art, Art History, and Design. All skill levels and ages are welcome, and registration is encouraged for this free event. 

October 13th – Black Botany Weeds Tour: Join Angelica Bajos, Community and Sustainability Coordinator of the MSU Beal Botanical Garden for a deep-dive into the botanical exhibit, Complex Dreams. From 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., learn what weeds can tell us about our perspective on the values of plants and people as a part of the deep-rooted collaboration where art and plants intertwine. Learn more and be sure to register for this free event.

October 14th – 19th – MSU Homecoming: MSU will celebrate Homecoming 2024 with many activities for students, staff, alumni and friends of the university. This year’s theme is “Welcome Home, Spartans” to recognize that no matter where you come from, you have a home within the Spartan Community. The Homecoming parade is October 18th at 6:00 p.m., and the football game at Spartan Stadium against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is Saturday October 19th. Single-game tickets are available for purchase on the MSU Athletics Website. There are also volunteer opportunities for those 18 and older, so be sure to register by October 3rd if you are interested in volunteering or looking to be in the parade!  

Learning Opportunities

October 15th – Cultural Competency: MSU prides itself on leading inclusivity and promoting full participation and a sense of belonging for all employees and staff. Join us in building cultural awareness and inclusivity skills that will last a lifetime, and learn about intent vs. impact, how to de-escalate tension, and identify self-awareness in the workplace. Enroll through EBS and join us from 1:00 pm. to 3:30 p.m. at the in-person class in the MSU HR building… 

October 3rd, 17th, & 31st – Implicit Bias Certificate Series: This Implicit Bias Series allows participants to examine the different factors of implicit bias through a series of models. Module one will go over identity, and discuss how we view the world. Module two will cover microaggressions, implicit bias, explicit bias and how we can address bias. Module three addresses systemic race in the U.S. context, and modules four and five discuss inclusive environments and taking action. Register for this three part course through EBS. 

Family – Friendly Events

October 5th – Family Day: FLY: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this month we are inviting you to make creative connections with our exhibits through a hands-on experience with interactive family fun. Explore Complex Dreams, an exhibit that places the experience of young Black girlhood center stage while forwarding a refreshing and resilient view of the power of Black women today. Registration for this free event is highly encouraged. 

October 6th – Totally Rad Vintage Festival: Join us at the Lansing Center from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to enter a time warp into the 80s, 90s and 2000s through vintage clothes. There will be vendors selling clothes, records, home goods, and more, and is open to all ages. There will be a free-play vintage arcade set up, Rad Relic Museum, nostalgic photo ops to fully immerse yourself into the recreated scenes of the 80s and 90s. Kids under 12 enter free, and you can visit our website for tickets and more information. 

October 25th – Trick or Treat on the Square: Save the date for Downtown Lansing’s annual Trick or Treat on the Square Event on Friday, October 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Local businesses will be passing out sweets, hosting fun games, and you will have the chance to get creative with Halloween crafts and activities. Be sure to dress up in your best costume and bring your candy bag!

October 1-31st – Michigan’s 4-H Children’s Garden Undersea Exhibit: If you are looking for something fun to do with your family, you should stop by the 4-H Children’s Garden to experience the Undersea Exhibit brought on by MSU AgeAlive! The gardens are open sunup to sundown until October 31st with free admission. Take a look at our website for more information on the 4-H Gardens and the exhibit. 

Farmers Markets Farmer’s markets are beloved events in many local communities allowing us an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy delicious produce, baked goods, and even homemade crafts and personal care items. Many Greater Lansing communities offer seasonal farmer’s markets. Find one near you at https://mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/

Job of The Week: Assistant Director of Annual Giving

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Assistant Director of Annual Giving for University Advancement (job posting 992411). University Advancement is seeking an experienced assistant director, so if you are interested in fundraising for the Cultural Arts including the Beal Botanical Gardens, MSU Broad Art Museum, and the MSU Museum, this may be the role for you! 

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and their mission is to advance the Spartan impact. By securing support through talent, service, gifts, advocacy and more, University Advancement’s main goal is to create long-lasting connections with the Spartan community, building a better tomorrow for MSU. 

In this position, you would report to the Senior Director of Development and work actively with University Advancement’s Annual Giving Team and Cultural Arts Unit to collaborate on the best strategies. You will maintain and develop annual giving membership plans that ensures a positive donor experience while supporting year-over-year fundraising growth. Some tasks include overseeing event follow-up to promote giving, creating digital and print annual giving campaigns to encourage new donors, and implementing member renewal processes. You will work in partnership with the UA events team to create special fundraising events, leverage existing campus-wide events to encourage donors, and oversee donor recognition events and gifts. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing/Business, and one to three years of previous experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field. You should have great organizational and customer service skills, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to work effectively in a complex higher education system. This role also may require some in and out-of-state travel, as well as some evenings and weekend requirements throughout the year. 

Learn more about University Advancement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by October 24th. 

Job of The Week: Greenhouse Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Greenhouse Coordinator for MSU AgBioResearch (job posting 985817). MSU AgBioResearch is seeking an experienced professional to play a huge role in the Plant Science Research Greenhouse at Michigan State University. If you are interested in overseeing the care and maintenance of greenhouse facilities, this may be the role for you!

MSU AgBioResearch engages in innovative and leading-edge research that generates economic prosperity, sustains natural resources, and enhances the quality of life not only in Michigan, but around the world. With approximately 300 researchers from 6 colleges across MSU, AgBioResearch prioritizes food safety and security, climate adaptation, water conservation, resilient and profitable agriculture and natural resource systems, and more. 

Michigan State University greenhouses are home to over 100,000 square feet of research space and serve over 70 faculty across eight different academic departments at MSU. In this role, you would oversee all maintenance at the greenhouses and advise researchers on the use of greenhouse facilities and plant care. The MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension work together to make discoveries in the area of genomics, breeding, pest management, and disease management, as well as reaching out to growers to learn about the most recent findings. This would be another part to oversee in your role of Greenhouse Coordinator. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a four-year degree in horticulture and up to three years of similar or more advanced work in greenhouses and supervising. This role may also require certification as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator before the end of the applicable trial.

Learn more about MSU AgBioResearch here. To learn more about the position or if you are interested in applying online, visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information! Applications require a resume, cover letter, three professional references and should be submitted by October 1st. 

Job of the Week: Office Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as the Office Coordinator for International Studies and Programs at MSU (job posting 971859). If you are interested in supporting operations at the Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen), coordinating projects and programs, planning events, and providing first-level support for student employees, this may be the job for you. You will play a vital role in GenCen production, operation, communications and more.

The Center for Gender in Global Context serves as Michigan State’s hub for gender and sexuality research, as well as engagement and teaching resources with a global perspective. GenCen prides itself on connecting scholars, students, and community stakeholders with feminist knowledge to encourage social change. 

This in-person role’s main responsibilities include preparing reports and promotional materials for GenCen, maintaining the website, creating graphic standards, and implementing communication strategies and executions – all while adhering to university and GenCen’s core values and policies. You will also oversee communications targeted towards GenCen’s community, including but not limited to the annual magazine, emails, newsletters, social media, flyers, brochures, presentations, podcasts, annual reports, and GenCen’s website. On the administrative side, you will monitor and support all facilities, complete computer tasks, answer phones and emails, seminars, and provide first-level supervision for designated student employees through goal-setting and check-ins.

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include two or three years of college or related technical school, and six months to a year of related work experience including using social media platforms and customer service. You will be using Qualtrics, Adobe, Microsoft Office applications, and copyediting, so it is important to have background knowledge in these areas. You should also have experience in event planning, supervising, communicating, and working collaboratively.  
Learn more about MSU’s Center for Gender in Global Context here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers at MSU website for more information! Applications require a resume and a letter of interest, and should be submitted by August 20th.