Welcome to Michigan State University. It is our hope that your life at MSU will be fulfilling and successful, now and in the future. To enable you to begin the process of learning the lay of the land at MSU, we have created this orientation website designed specifically for New Academic Specialists. We invite you to explore this website carefully. It provides information on relevant orientation events and materials designed to assist you in your transition to life in our University community.

See below for relevant Orientation Videos, Orientation Events and Professional Development Opportunities, and selected Additional Resources. Although you will receive an invitation to the in-person Welcome Reception, we strongly suggest that you review all of the materials to ensure that you are aware of what is available to assist you.

Individuals with appointments like yours arrive at MSU throughout the year, but the majority begins their appointments in mid-August. For that reason, we offer an Orientation, Welcome Reception and a Technology Workshop in late August each year. If you arrive after these Events have occurred, you are invited to attend these Orientation Events the following August. In the meanwhile, you can and should take advantage of the numerous online orientation resources and information linked to this webpage.

In addition to these events and resources, we strongly encourage you to speak with your unit supervisor about the availability of unit-based orientations, resources, and/or one or more mentors who can assist in orienting you to your new role. As you will see, MSU is a highly decentralized institution and resources are often available in several places across campus, so it is often worthwhile to explore the full array of options through your unit as well as centralized offices.

If you seek additional information and support, contact Bob Brown, Chair, of the Academic Specialist Advisory Committee (ASAC) at brownr23@msu.edu or voice 517-353-8977.

Again, we wish you a warm welcome to Michigan State University. If you have any questions about these Orientation Events, please contact Jodi Chambers at chamb101@msu.edu.

Videos Events/Professional Development Additional Resources

Orientation Videos

Starting State
Please review the Starting State - your guide to employment at MSU by clicking the above link. The Starting State video is designed to help you settle in as a member of our community. This program will introduce you to the University, allow you to enroll in your benefits online, familiarize you with important policies and procedures, and provide various kinds of information that we hope will be useful to you in your first weeks and months here. Web site links provided in the video connect you to additional detailed information you will find helpful.

Following your review of the Starting State video, benefits representatives are available between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Room 140 Nisbet Building and are committed to answering your individual questions. If you need help in your benefits online, representatives will be available to provide assistance.
Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives [4:54]
[To save the video to your desktop, right-click link and select "Save Target As..."]

Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives provides an introduction to Michigan State University as a research university in the land grant tradition. This welcome video traces MSU's history and focuses on the theme of land grant to world grant and our core values of quality, inclusion and connectivity.
- Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives [Transcript w/o Video]
Academic Specialists at Michigan State University [15:28]
[This video has been created at a 600x360 pixel resolution, playing at full screen will diminish picture quality.]

This welcome video clarifies the important role that academic specialists play at Michigan State University and describes their varied responsibilities and other information relevant to their appointments. The video identiies relevant policies,procedures, opportunities, and resources to assist new and ongoing Academic Specialists and clarifies the role of the Academic Specialist Advisory Committee (ASAC). The video features Theodore H. Curry II, Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Human Resources; Bob Brown, Chair of the Academic Specialist Advisory Committtee and an academic specialist with an Outreach appointment, as well as two academic specialists with advising and research appointments respectively. The video is designed to answer commonly asked questions that new academic specialists have upon their arrival and to alert them to the many resources that are in place to support them.
- History of Academic Specialists at MSU [Audio powerpoint presentation.]

Orientation Events and Professional Development Opportunities

Welcome Event for Fixed Term Faculty, Academic Specialists and Other Academic Staff.

Program participants are notified about this new event by invitation only and receive registration materials in the mail. The list of invitees is generated from appointment actions entered into the Academic Human Resources database system. To ensure an invitation to this session, please contact your department and/or dean's office to verify appointment paperwork has been submitted.

2009 event dates, locations, times and registration information can be found in your letter of invitation.
Technology Workshop:
An Introduction to MSU�s Libraries, Computing and Technology Resources

The session will introduce available online resources that will be useful for teaching and research. Topics include:

Using ANGEL: An introduction to MSU�s principal - centrally supported course management software. Learn how to post content, enable your course, manage rosters, and more.

Library resources: Explore e-resources, learn about Distance Learning Services, and find out about library programs, along with other tools for efficient and effective research and teaching.

Technology resources: Learn to use the Registrar�s instructional support tools, including submitting grades and retrieving class lists, as well as find out how to get access to seminars and hands-on learning on technology topics.

Classroom technology: What will you find in your classroom? Learn how to use a technology car, use a student response system, and find out where to get help, training, and advice for classroom technology issues.

Please bring your MSU NetID and password. To access some of the resources, such as your courses in the ANGEL course management system, you also will need authorization from your department chairperson.

2009 event dates, locations, times and registration information can be found in your letter of invitation.

Pack-a-Lunch Networking Sessions:

The Academic Specialist Advisory Committee (ASAC) will host several Pack-a-Lunch sessions for new and existing academic specialists. This program provides key information and networking opportunities for academic specialists whose appointments relate to teaching, research, outreach, advising, curriculum development and other related activities.
Conclave:

The Academic Specialist Conclave is a bi-annual event. The next conclave will be held in February 2011. It is a program designed to bring all academic specialists at MSU together to network, engage in professional development activities, and learn about MSU resources and programs.

Additional Resources

For more information, contact the coordinator Jodi Chambers at chamb101@msu.edu or (517) 355-8359.

Orientation For New Academic Specialists

Orientation Videos

Orientation Events and Professional Development Opportunities

Additional Resources