Take a moment to see what’s happening this week in the Division of Student Affairs.
1. Halloween in the Halls – The Residence Hall Association (RHA) will be sponsoring a safe indoor Halloween experience for the children and grandchildren (ages 2 to 12) of all Missouri State faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday, November 1st. Tours will start at 5:15 pm and the last tour will leave the Grand Lounge at 7:30 pm. The Pumpkin Patch, in the Blair-Shannon Grand Lounge will include check-in, games, and refreshments. All floors will be non-scary. Residents of our buildings will be trained to be tour guides known as Pumpkin Pals and will escort the children through the residence halls. During the event, we will also be collected individually wrapped candy donations that will later be taken to Cox Children’s Hospital! Donations are welcomed but not required to participate in the event! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Toni Braddish at 417-836-6591 or by email at ToniBraddish@Missouristate.edu. Thank you for your participation in this annual event! Link for more information: https://calendar.missouristate.edu/home/event/120217
2. Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon – Join Chartwells for its “In October We Wear Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Tuesday, October 31st, 11am-1pm in the Union Club. The cost of the lunch is $12.00. 50% of all funds raised will be donated back to the Staff Senate fundraising efforts for Cancer Research of the Ozarks. Reservations aren’t required but you can reserve at table by contacting Teri Trickey at teritrickey@missouristate.edu. See the menu here.
3. Bear Breaks Trip Leaders – The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is looking for trip leaders for their Spring Break Immersion Trip March 11th-16th. Immersion programs feature the opportunity for students to spend their breaks (spring, summer, fall) serving, immersed in communities (local, national, or global). These experiences allow students to engage with communities, immerse themselves in cultures, test major and career choices, and grow as Citizen Bears. More information and past reflections about the program can be found here. Any questions can be sent to cce@missouristate.edu.
4. Dinner with Eight Bears – Encourage the students you work with to register for a Dinner with Eight Bears. Students are encouraged to register by Nov. 1 for Dinner with Eight Bears, an alumni-hosted meal and conversation providing professional connections to the MSU experience. Students can register here.
5. First Gen Student Celebration Days – First-Generation Student Celebration Days will be Mon. Nov. 6-Wed. Nov. 8. We’ll be spotlighting student success stories as well as tips from faculty/staff through social media. MSU I’m First and the Center for Academic Success and Transition will be hosting a couple of events including a first-generation student panel and peer mentor tips for successful networking workshop.
6. Open Enrollment Period – Open enrollment is the annual period during which you can elect/decline/or make changes to your medical, dental, vision, and cafeteria/flexible spending plans for the upcoming calendar year. Cafeteria plan/Flexible spending plan elections must be elected annually. Additionally, voluntary benefit carriers may provide guarantee issue during this period as well (determined yearly by the carrier). Open enrollment for the 2024 benefits plan year will run from Nov. 1, 2023 through Dec. 1, 2023. missouristate.edu/Human/open-enrollment.htm
Complete open enrollment electronically
- Log in to My Missouri State
- Search “benefits”
- On the Benefits Card select Online Benefits Enrollment.
7. Flu Shots and COVID Boosters – Magers Health and Wellness Center is offering flu shots and COVID Boosters now. Please schedule an appointment through MyHealth Portal. When scheduling a vaccines please choose the option in the reservation time designated for the specific vaccine. Please check in at the front desk or the vaccination check in table before receiving your vaccination. There is no cost for students. Those on MSU’s insurance will not have any out of pocket expenses. Retirees on Medicare will need to check if Magers Health and Wellness Center is in network. Other individuals may incur a charge. Contact Magers Health at 417-836-4000 with questions.
8. Division of Student Affairs Department Spotlights – We’re starting a new addition to Five Things this week, Department Spotlights. We will periodically be spotlighting departments throughout the Division of Student Affairs, offering you the opportunity to get to know the department better, learn some things you might not know, and discover ways you can collaborate to offer our students more great experiences at Missouri State. We start today with the Office of Family Programs. Enjoy the spotlight. https://blogs.missouristate.edu/studentaffairs/2023/10/30/department-spotlight-family-programs/