Initiatives

Initiatives, Recommendations, and Reports

The Workforce Action Committee for Spartan Staff has been instrumental in the development and/or progress of critical initiatives and programs across campus, including:

  • Expansion of mission menstruation
    • The MSU divisions of Student Life & Engagement (SLE) and Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) have installed additional complimentary menstruation product dispensers in women’s and all-gender restrooms on first floors (or nearest restrooms to the first floor) of student-facing buildings over winter break. Full implementation was expected by the end of January 2023. 
  • Spartan Social – The inaugural year was June 2021 with this year being the 3rd annual event.
  • The WACSS Anti-Racism Insight Series was launched in FY21 and is co-sponsored by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Spartner Mentorship program - The pilot was funded by a grant from the College of Education and occurred across a three-month period in spring 2022.
  • Book Club - In 2023, the Events and Engagement subcommittee launched the inaugural book club Beyond the Book.
  • Establishing the Jack Breslin distinguished staff awards
  • Creating dedicated private nursing space for mothers, resulting in a 2017 Silver Award to MSU by the Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) for being a breastfeeding friendly workplace
  • Having a voice in the MSU's Sexual Violence Advisory Subcommittee (WACSS has a standing appointment)
  • Developed listing of resource information related to awards, compensation, health, safety, benefits, and professional development opportunities at www.wacss.msu.edu/resources
    • Enhanced and marketed ContactMSU 355-1855
  • Establishing supervisory training, mentoring programs, and recruitment material
    • Involved in survey development (dependent care, work climate, know more)
    • Recommended the mentoring program and participatory management initiative
  • Sponsoring workshops such as the WACSS annual spring forum attended by 500+ women support staff
    • Support and sponsor TIAA-Cref Financial workshops and health fairs
    • Held resource fair in conjunction with Spring Forum
  • Providing free emergency menstrual hygiene to students in support of academic success
  • Supporting flexible schedules, parental leave, diversity & inclusion initiatives, and engagement of off-campus employees
    • Continue to engage in conversations regarding parental leave for parents, including those that are adopting
    • Hosted mini-forums for 2nd and 3rd shift employees, Extension, and Grand Rapids employees
    • Developed the MSU recruitment brochure, in collaboration with central HR, to distribute in targeted locations in an effort to recruit diverse populations and women
    • Support off-campus employee engagement (use of zoom, off-campus benefit fairs, Health4u & HR programming)
    • Conducted analysis of terminations and retirements
  • Providing support and access to computers, specifically for those in custodial and maintenance positions through the Computer Access and Training (CAT) program
  • Creation of the green light emergency phone system and contributions to other safety enhancements across campus
    • Conducted campus-wide safety tours, addressing vegetation overgrowth and lighting concerns
    • Recommended enhancements to safety programs (mandatory training, debriefs, alert systems, hand washing education, and increased availability of Automated External Defibrillators)
    • Recommended development of the ‘green folder’ – a resource guide to help and support students & staff
    • Encouraged identification of employees throughout campus (name badge)
  • Created a resource guide on MSU's Educational Assistance Programs.
  • Led the Anti-Racism Insight Series, co-sponsored by the College of Agricultural & Natural Resources and the Office for Inclusion & Intercultural Initiatives, during FY21 and FY22.
  • Hosted the Building Community Insight Series during FY22 to reforge connections among the university's support staff post-pandemic.
  • Established the Spartner mentorship program in FY22, which was piloted via the College of Education’s DEI Equity Fellows Program.
  • Improving the Composition of Committees at MSU- a memo to the Presidents office 
  • WACSS Memo - Employee Recognition

Annual Reports

Recommendations