MSU Administrative Professional Association

This month’s question: Where on campus can APA members purchase a 4-pack of AA batteries for personal use at a super cheap price of 94¢ plus tax?

Email your answer to Sue Brandt at [email protected] by June 29, 2018.  Limit of one guess per person.  Two members* who correctly answer the trivia question will be randomly drawn to win various prizes.  Winners will be announced in the next newsletter.

* Must be an APA member in good standing to win.

Board Members, Area Representatives and Communications Committee Members are not eligible to win.

Congratulations to the last newsletter winners randomly drawn from those who answered correctly that the most popular flavor of ice cream sold at the MSU Dairy Store is sesquicentennial swirl:

Holly Lacina $50 Spartan Cash

Stephanie Hay $25 in Eat At State Bucks  

We had a great time at the 2018 Annual APA picnic again this year. Counting members, their children and other family members we had just over 200 people attend in spite of a less than perfect weather day. It was a good opportunity to meet with other APA’s to network, play some games eat hot dogs and hamburgers with all the picnic sides. We had some members with a long history at MSU and the APA attend, as well as some new hires that have never been to an event like this. Patriarche Park is a convenient location and the kids enjoyed the Sno-Kones, playground, games and toys. It was a nice opportunity sit back and relax and not have to worry about making dinner that night.

An added feature this year was a drawing of gift card prizes done throughout the event. The lucky winners were Yizhu Zhang, Weian Ou, Barbie Staley, Alex Dawson and Cindy Hudson. Congratulations to you all.

Common Questions and Answers on the Announced Campus IT Alignment

 When was the APA informed the campus alignment was going to happen?

 The APA was provided very little notice – around 9:30am on the morning of April 12 – that the announcement was to be made at the ribbon cutting later that day.

 Was the APA consulted in advance regarding the campus IT alignment plan?

 No. The APA is confident an inclusive process could and should have been used by MSU to more effectively make this decision and announcement. Additionally, we know that had the APA and our members serving in IT positions across campus been consulted first it could have alleviated much of the anxiety to those potentially impacted by this change. Rest assured that the APA continues to aggressively advocate for the membership in all aspects of this announced IT alignment.

 What is my job security? Will I be laid off through this alignment process?

 The APA continues to assert members’ legal rights and job protections as this alignment pushes ahead. While MSU has the right to pursue and implement this campus IT alignment under prevailing state and federal law, the APA contract provides further assurances and job security protections for APA members that must equally be upheld.

 Our union has been in continual discussions with the University. MSU has stated that there are no current plans for this alignment to result in layoffs. It is anticipated that those currently employed will continue working at MSU but individuals may experience changes in reporting structures and/or position responsibilities.

 I am working under an H-1B visa. What is MSU going to provide me to maintain my status?

 The APA has ensured those who are working under an H-1B visa status will continue to receive the same level of historical support MSU has provided if new or updated documentation must be provided to the government. The APA is also available for assistance as necessary.

 Are there any exceptions to the campus IT alignment?

 Any exceptions will be extremely limited in scope and generally involves divisions that are funded through grant programs with explicit reporting and operating requirements to maintain their funding.

 When is the alignment supposed to be completed?

 The University initially wanted to move quickly and anticipated they could complete the alignment under an extremely short calendar. However, after further review and questions from the APA, MSU has recognized that more time will be required before making such changes. As of now, the University intends to complete this alignment process by the end of July or early August.

 Who should I call with my additional questions?

APA members should feel free to contact the APA office at 517.999.4004 or via email at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Despite the snowy weather and the flu bug going around, we had a great crowd at the February 12th reception and show at Abrams Planetarium for our exclusive APA member event.   Initially planned as a social event for members and a guest to mingle after hours, the event provided an educational component in a relaxing setting.  Attendees were blown away by the new Digistar 6 star projector which added a whole new dynamic to the program.

“It’s been years since my last visit to Abrams Planetarium and I was just as impressed with the show as I was as a kid!” said Paula Palmiter, APA member.  “It was especially nice to attend the reception prior to the show and chat with other APA members.  I appreciate these social events that the APA Union holds as I believe it builds member unity and provides an opportunity to have some fun and connect with fellow union members.  Well done APA!”  

What is your job title?

Business Analyst

What area of campus, building and department do you work in?

East side of campus. East Fee Hall is my HQ, but some of my team is at Collins Rd, so I am over there now and then too.  I am in IT and service the Medical Schools; COM, CHM, CVM and CON.  My Primary assignment is COM.

How long have you been at MSU?  3 yrs

How long have you been an Area Rep? This is my first year.

Why is being a member of the Union important to you?  Being a part of something bigger; something that believes in making a change for the better with programs, initiatives, information, assistance, and much more.

What words of advice do you have for the new hires at MSU?  Learn about all of the resources available and benefit options, from MSU, and the Union.  You have more at your fingertips than you know!  I’ve been here 3 years, and I’m still finding offerings and benefits about which I was unaware.

What do you love about working at MSU?  The diversity, flexibility and the opportunities.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Cat Behaviorist, TNR, and Rescue

Travel

Sculpting

Naps 

In light of some of the discussions that occurred at the APA Town Halls in February, we wanted to let you know that APA does a lot of behind the scenes work in many area of campus and thought it would be helpful to know how APA has a voice on the EAP Advisory Board.  Leo Sell, MSU APA Executive Board member shares his thoughts below.

According to Sell, “many of you are probably aware that MSU offers a no-cost, short-term, confidential counseling service with our in-house Employee Assistance Program (EAP) www.eap.msu.edu. The therapists are all part of the APA and are very dedicated to providing health-based services to their clientele.”

“While the program is fairly well known, what’s not wildly known is that the service has provided general guidance and advice from an advisory board of longstanding. While the EAP Advisory Committee does not provide actual oversight, it does provide critical feedback about the needs of the campus community, guidance on current and future services, and general discussion. So events like those in our recent MSU history that are causing a great deal of individual and institutional stress are an active item of discussion so far as the mental health support needs that arise.”

The APA has had a seat at this table as a member of the committee for more than 25 years. Leo Sell, current APA Executive Board member states he “commenced representing our members long ago when I was chair and president of the APA, and for a number of years I served very actively as chairperson for the EAP Advisory Committee. My motivation in serving on the committee was both personal, as there were needs within my family that had made me very aware of the importance of services like this, and professionally as I recognized the need to make sure we had an association voice in the critical roles of providing services and properly protecting confidentiality.”

The APA is one of many constituencies that are expressly represented on the committee. Each union, faculty, other key committees (such as the Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff (WACSS), Work Life office, and many more all have a voice.

Lastly, Sell reports “I highly encourage any member who is in need of the EAP services to freely and confidently do so.”

We invite APA members who are new (or not so new) to MSU or the Greater Lansing area to feel more included in the community by attending the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (GLCVB) 24th annual “Be a Tourist In Your Own Town” event on Saturday, June 2nd from 10:00am-5:00pm.  The APA is tagging onto an existing showcase event designed to create awareness of campus and local attractions.  Members would have over 90 attractions to choose from which in the past have ranged from kid-friendly like Potter Park Zoo and Impression 5 Science Center to others geared more towards adults, with breweries and various museums.

The APA will make available 200 passports for the event free of charge for members.  APA members in good standing can order up to 2. If members need additional passports they can purchase for $1 each directly from one of the passport selling locations.  http://www.lansing.org/events/be-a-tourist/.

This unique event brings together 15,000 residents and visitors who come out to enjoy the day, to explore and discover what makes Greater Lansing so great. This passport allows attendees into all the participating area attractions, hot spots and one-of-a-kind tours throughout the region for free on the day of the event. The list of participating attractions is still being developed by the GLCVB so check their website for further updates http://www.lansing.org/events/be-a-tourist/.

To order APA Passports (maximum of 2):

Last day to order passports will be May 15.  Passports will be available on a first-come-first service basis or until we are sold out.

Passports must be picked up by the APA member:

May 22 at the APA Picnic, 4:30-7:00pm, Patriarche Park, 960 Alton, East Lansing 48823

May 23 and 24th 12:00pm-1:00pm outside the Greater Lansing Visitor’s Center, 549 E. Grand River, East Lansing 48823 (near Grand River & Bailey).

The day of the event we plan to have a couple “meet up” points for APA members at designated times and locations.  This list will be finalized once the GLCVB finalizes the attractions. Information on APA meet up points will be distributed with the passports.  

This month’s question: Name the most popular flavor of ice cream sold at the MSU Dairy Store?  

Email your answer to Sue Brandt at [email protected] by May 4, 2018.  Limit of one guess per person.  Two members* who correctly answer the trivia question will be randomly drawn to win various prizes.  Winners will be announced in the next newsletter.

Congratulations to last month’s winners randomly drawn from those who answered correctly:  

Jennie Russell – $50 Wharton Center Gift Card

Mikala Rioux – MEA APA bag with goodies  

* Must be an APA member in good standing to win.

Board Members, Area Representatives and Communications Committee Members are not eligible to win.