Initiatives

The EVPA office currently engaged in the following:

Board of Trustee meetings

The EVPA office plays an integral role in preparing and coordinating materials requiring Board of Trustee approval within the ‘Budget and Finance’ and ‘Audit, Risk, and Compliance’ Committee. This includes approval of construction and policy, property acquisition and sale, budget and finances, audit and conflicts of interest.  Meeting dates, materials, and minutes can be found here: https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/

Budget Planning & Process

On an annual basis, all academic colleges, academic support units, and administrative units participate in an integrated planning and budget process led by the Office of Planning and Budgets, along with the Provost (academic) and EVPA (non-academic). In the fall of each year, units outline current and expected plans and alignment with the university's Bolder by Design framework. In the spring, units submit budget requests linked to their fall plans. Additionally, throughout the academic year, technology planning through the TLE process, space planning through Facilities Planning and Space Management, and research startup needs are considered within the context of units' fall and spring planning and budget materials. The EVPA office facilitates this process for units including Finance, General Counsel, HR, Investments, IPF, ITS, Land Management, and RHS.

Business Continuity Plans

Each department on campus must have a business continuity plan (BCP) on file that details essential functions, critical employees, emergency contact information, communication plans, and any other information required for the department to function during an emergency or modified operations period.  The EVPA office ensures receipt and review of these plans for all non-academic units on campus. In addition, and as part of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), a small subset of essential support functions that have primary responsibility within the university’s emergency operations plan are also required to complete a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).  

Campus Sustainability

The Campus Sustainability office resides within the EVPA office and is led by Amy Butler & Laura Young. Together with several partners across campus, they address sustainability challenges, support research and innovative endeavors, and work to educate the Spartan community on best practices. They are committed to renewable energy efforts and incorporating sustainability into the academic experience. Learn more about the campus anaerobic digester, student organic farm, solar carports, sustainability programs, resources, recycling, and more by visiting their website.

Capital Renewal and Plant Funds

The EVPA office facilitates the review, approval, and funding mechanisms for reinvestment into critical building systems and assets (i.e. utilities, roads, exterior envelope, fire/life safety) that are at the end of their life cycle. This has also been referred to as Just-In-Time maintenance that includes energy conservation measures. As part of this process, the EVPA office is responsible for approval of newly created plant fund accounts created to accumulate expenses and income related to these projects.

CATA Contract

The EVPA office is charged with maintenance & oversight of the contract with CATA (Capital Area Transit Authority) – the on-campus system that provides transportation services by way of bus.  MSU also holds a seat on the CATA Board of Directors. 

Committee Appointments

The EVPA office is responsible for appointing individuals to several committees on campus including President’s Advisory committee on Disability Issues (PACDI), Sexual Violence Advisory Committee (SVAC), Spartan Child Development Board (SCDC), and the Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff (WACSS). More information regarding this can be found on these websites.

Executive Leadership Academy

The year-long Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) program that that works to support, deepen, enrich, and cultivate the leadership skills of high potential and emerging university leaders within the units that formerly reported to the EVPA (Finance, HR, IPF, ITS, RHS). The program is begins with a week-long feedback-rich leadership experience at the Center for Creative Leadership, focusing heavily on the assessment of an individual’s leadership style and the development of leadership skills. The skills and competencies of the ELA further support the development of high performing T-shaped leaders; those leaders who not only exhibit a deep knowledge and expertise in their area of specialization, but also boundary-spanning capacities that enable them to collaborate, communicate, innovate, and lead effectively.

HR Oversight & Signature Authority

EVPA is considered a Major Administrative Unit (MAU) within central administration and oversees out-of-cycle pay increase approvals and facilitates the raise process for Executive Management, at present this includes units such as Human Resources and Land Management. The EVPA office also retains signature authority over various contracts as outlined in the Delegation of Authority Signature (PDF) document.

Mobility

The MSU mobility plan comprises technology, source management, and infrastructure which began as a comprehensive and adaptable roadmap to guide and position MSU as a recognized leader in mobility, both nationally and globally. The work of the committee has helped to create a campus ecosystem to study all areas of mobility advancement such as autonomous vehicles and includes smart parking, traffic control, safety, mobility aps, and more.  Visit their website to learn more about their efforts.

MSU Ideas

This crowdsourcing platform was created to facilitate MSU engagement of faculty, staff, and students in response to various topics and initiatives.  It provides a transparent and inclusive space where individuals can react and respond to the ideas, suggestions, and innovative thoughts surrounding all that we do at MSU.  Topics have included art strategy, energy conservation, information technology, student orientation, campus improvements, and more. All active and current MSU faculty, staff, and students can connect to the site with their credentials here: www.ideas.msu.edu.

Safety and Security

Safety & Security is of the utmost importance at Michigan State University.  Each member of the campus community—students, faculty, and staff—should take an active role in preventing and reporting incidents that jeopardize safety on and around campus.  Annual reports, policies, and compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act can be found here.  The MSU Safety & Security Committee was established in December 2006 to consolidate risk and safety management related to physical structures and facilities including card access and building security.  Information surrounding their role can be found here.

Spartan Child Development Center

The EVPA office serves as liaison to this child care center that is an affiliate of MSU and provides care for children ages two weeks to six years, providing priority access to MSU faculty, staff, and students.  SCDC was established in 1971 and is a 501 c3 non-profit corporation that operates in a building maintained by Michigan State University within Spartan Village.  The office oversees their lease, maintenance agreement, and appoints MSU members to their Board of Directors.

Support Staff Facebook Group

This space was created in response to an employee engagement survey that reflected a need to engage, inform, and connect with one another to share best practices, seek support, and recognize contributions. This is a place where support staff can communicate in real-time about events, opportunities, and other important MSU matters. Membership within the group is reserved for only MSU support staff and comprises 24% (~1,600) of support staff employees on campus. Content and access is managed by the EVPA office; to join, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/supportstaff.msu/.

Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff

This 17-member committee identifies and suggests improvements important to support staff, in particular women, and has been instrumental in the development of several initiatives, recommendations and reports. This is a Board-appointed committee that was established along with Women’s Advisory Committee to the Provost (WACP) and the Women’s Advisory Committee to Student Affairs and Services (WACSAS) and currently advises the President (formerly the EVPA). Learn more about their efforts toward diversity, inclusion, safety, access, and more by visiting their website.