Tag: spring

Get Active this Spring: Fitness Resources for MSU Employees

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Warmer weather on the horizon means more opportunities to get outside and get active! If you need some ideas to encourage you and your family get active this spring, the following resources and opportunities are available for MSU employees:

In-person Opportunities

  • Biking: One of the easiest ways to add exercise to your daily routine is to attach it to an activity or habit you perform already, such as your commute to work. MSU Bikes provides support with commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. MSU Bikes also rents bikes to departments for staff to use during the work day with their Department Fleet Services. Bikes are a great way to get around campus for meetings, lunches, errands, or a nice break! Save the hassle of traffic, offer a healthy alternative for your staff breaks/on-campus transportation, and avoid problems finding car parking by adding a bike to your department transportation fleet. If you’re working remotely, find several Greater Lansing area biking groups to join instead. The MSU Bikes Service Center also offers new and used bikes, rentals (long and short term), as well as a repair service.
  • Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and Kayaking: The MSU Sailing Center is located on Lake Lansing in Haslett just east of campus. The Sailing Center strives to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all participants. Consider participating in one of their many programs, including a learn-to-sail course, paddle sports, group outings, and private lessons. MSU employees can receive a discounted rate for membership.
  • Midday Movement Series: On the third Wednesday of each month, 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. Register here to save your spot.
  • Tennis: At the MSU Tennis Center you can book a court for singles or doubles or participate in one of their adult instructional classes or drill sessions. There’s something for everyone with classes geared toward both beginners and pro-level players.
  • Golf: MSU Forest Akers offers teaching programs for golfers of all ages and abilities, including adult group classes (currently full but waitlist available) or private instruction, and a casual golf league for all skill levels (league is full but fill out the form to sub). MSU employees can also access the golf range and courses at discounted rates.
  • Swimming: Present a valid staff or faculty ID to use one of the pools available on campus for laps or open swimming during designated pool hours.
  • Group Fitness Classes: MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness offers a variety of group fitness classes with membership pricing for MSU employees.

Virtual Opportunities

  • MSU Benefits Plus offers a bunch of fitness and wellness discounts, including gym memberships and personal training. After you log in to MSU Benefits Plus, select Deals from the top navigation, then Gyms and Health Clubs to see all current offerings.
  • Sign up for virtual chair yoga, midday movement series, and Desk Decompress through the Move More @ Work programs provided by University Health and Wellbeing.

Articles and Resources to Increase Motivation:

  • University Health and Wellbeing offers current, evidence-informed information employees can use to further their understanding of fitness. Topics covered include Benefits to Being Physically Active and Ways to Move More During the Workday.

May Events Round-up

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

May 14 – Piano Monster: Enjoy a musical performance from four grand piano players at the Fairchild Theatre.

May 18 – Eat at State – Dining at Brody Hall: The International Employee Resource Group is hosting this opportunity for Spartans to connect on issues related to the international community.  

May 21 – Museum Tour: The Nightly News (free): Experience and contribute to this interactive installation at the Broad Art Museum.

May 21 – Red Cedar Organ Recital: Hear from New York-based organist, Renee Anne Louprette, on MSU’s custom made organ. 

Learning Opportunities

Starts May 10 – Crucial Conversations For Accountability: Learn nine powerful skills for resolving performance problems.

May 17 – Understanding And Navigating Shame In The Workplace: Learn how to be less susceptible to efforts by others to use shame triggering to diminish the leader’s effectiveness, sustainability and efforts to develop inclusive, diverse and healthy work team cultures.

May 17 – Records Management And Retention At MSU (free): Learn the rules, regulations and strategies to help manage university records. 

May 18 – Strategic Planning: Learn how to move from ideas to action in this workshop.

May 25 – Managing Challenging Geriatric Behaviors: The Adult Caregivers Employee Resource Group is hosting this session to teach others how to identify and manage challenging new behaviors.

Starts May 30 – Building Awareness And Understanding Using The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (free): Join a group of your peers in attending this workshop to increase cultural self-understanding of communication and conflict resolution approach.

Health and Wellness

Starts May 1 – Food and Nutrition Counseling (free): Schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian for advice on how to improve your lifestyle and eating habits. 

Starts May 2 – Chair Yoga (free): Learn stretching and strengthening concepts that can be applied at home or in the workplace.

May 15 – Rest with Music (free): Regenerate your mind, body and spirit at the Abrams Planetarium. 

May 17 – Zumba Session with Rachel Perez: Enjoy a lunch hour of Zumba from the Women’s Networking Association.

Family-Friendly Activities

Starts May 5 – Wayfinders: Waves, Winds and Stars: Explore Hawai’i and the Pacific at the Abrams Planetarium. 

May 6 – Family Day: OPEN (free): Make creative connections through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the Broad Art Museum.

May 6 – Parent/Caregiver and Tot Music and Movement Class: The Family Employee Resource Group is offering the chance to explore the transformative nature of music and movement! This class is open to children 18-36 months old and siblings are welcome. 

Starts May 7 – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure: Take an adventure with some familiar faces from Sesame Street at the Abrams Planetarium. 

May 8 – Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House.

Spring Event Roundup

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

There isn’t a better time than Spring to explore, improve, and enjoy everything MSU has to offer as the weather warms up and the sun peeks through the clouds.

Looking for a reason to get outside? MSU Horticulture and Gardens is taking advantage of the April showers and May flowers. You should too!

  • Check out the 2022 garden displays in the Beal Gardens on the East Lansing campus, and learn from MSU Horticulture expert and garden manager Daedre McGrath about what was planted and why by reading this article.
  • Dive into even more about the flora in the Beal Gardens with an MSU Libraries event in May called Wild Foods and the Salad Bar of Spring. Bring your family and friends to a stroll through the dos and don’ts of growing your own vegetables.
  • If you love what you saw in the gardens, mark your calendar for the annual Horticulture Gardens Plant Sale on May 14 at the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. You can even become a Garden Member to shop the sale early and receive 10% off. 

After a day of Spring cleaning, grab a well deserved break at one of the many offerings this season at Wharton Center:

  • MSU’s Music Department is celebrating 150 years of bands with a grand performance on April 30. Purchase tickets and view the seating map here.
  • The Wharton is hosting two Broadway caliber touring shows in the next few months so make sure to pick up your tickets for Dear Evan Hanson and Ain’t Too Proud before they sell out.

No matter the season, prioritizing your health and wellness is always important, and MSU has the tools to help faculty and staff year round:

  • For the first time in two years, Rest with Music at the Abrams Planetarium is back. Discover the healing properties of music once a month in person or on Health4U’s Facebook Live. 
  • MSU’s IM facilities are great places to start preparing for a summer hike, swim or bike ride and offer discounted rates for staff. Visit their website for rates, capacity trackers, and up to date hours, which change after the conclusion of the Spring Semester. 

As always, if you are looking to improve some of your soft work skills or discover a new passion for work, professional development is for you.

Go out and explore this spring, but don’t forget your allergy pills!