FAQ: Working at Minnesota State Mankato
Academic life happens outside the classroom, too. We've compiled some FAQs to help you settle in to the campus so you can focus on what you do best: teaching, scholarship or creative activity, and yes, even service.
Working at MSU Mankato
How do I get keys to my office?
Your department's administrative assistant will give you a key form, and your department chair must sign it. Bring the signed key form to Campus Security. Remember to bring a photo ID.
How do I get office furniture and instructional equipment?
You can start at Campus Surplus, a warehouse with everything from chairs and desks to the occasional popcorn stand. Contact your department's administrative assistant about purchasing furniture using department funds.
Purchase your computer and other instructional technology from the Campus Computer Store.
How do I get a parking permit?
A parking lottery is held every spring for the coveted central campus parking lots. If you were hired after the parking lottery, contact Parking and Transportation to find out if any of the lots have space available.
How do I plan professional travel?
The Business Office's University Travel page has answers to most of your questions. The travel request and expense reimbursement forms are also online.
For out of state travel, begin by submitting a CS 1404 Request for Out of State Travel. Your dean, Academic Affairs, and the President must sign off before you can leave. (It's an insurance liability thing in case you get hurt while you're away.) Don't forget to include a copy of the event brochure or agenda. You will receive the signed form back via email. Keep that message because you'll have to submit it with your expense report.
When you return, fill out the Employee Expense Report form. Attach receipts for expenses and check the University Travel Expense Reimbursement page to see if established rates apply.
Talk to your administrative assistant about using your department's purchasing card (aka p-card) to pay for airfare, conference registration fees, and other travel or professional expenses.
These instructions were accurate as of August 2018. They could change in a heartbeat.
How do I use professional improvement funds (aka Article 19 funds)?
Article 19 of the IFO contract allocates professional improvement funds to each department on the basis of its full-time equivalent faculty. In FY 2019, the allocation will be $1,450 per FTE. How that money is distributed is up to your department. Some departments divide the money and designate it for each person, while others leave the money in a common pot and faculty must apply for funds. Talk to your department chair to learn what the allocation procedure is in your department.
Are the campus dining options worth it?
I can't make that decision for you, but the Campus Dining Hall is a great place to get out of your office, eat a healthy lunch, and perhaps read or work where no one can find you. Other options include MavAve in the Centennial Student Union, Einstein Bros Bagels in Meyers Field House, and Jazzman's Cafe in the Union near the fountain. Sodexho offers a variety of dining plans for faculty and staff.
Human Resources Questions
How do I view my paycheck?
The State of Minnesota Employee Self Service site will show you the current and past paychecks. If you want to look ahead, log in to the Faculty Workload Management System and click "Employee Pay Details" for a list of the paychecks and predicted amounts for the remainder of the fiscal year.
How much sick or personal leave do I have?
In general, full-time faculty earn 8 hours of sick leave per month during the academic year, to be used in half-day or full-day increments. Sick leave accumulates from year to year. Faculty receive 3 days of personal leave per fiscal year, to be used in full-day increments. (Adjunct faculty receive up to 1 day per semester.) Personal leave is not cumulative.
Review Article 17 of the IFO Contract for the details about earning and using sick and personal leave.
What's the difference between a StarID, Tech ID, and an Employee ID number?
Your StarID is the user name and password that will give you access to applications that are part of the Minnesota State System, like MavMail, Office365, D2L Brightspace, MediaSpace, and Lynda.com.
Your Tech ID is your official record within the ISRS registration system and other local (Mankato) databases. The number is on your MavCard ID badge and is used to check out books at the library and log in to eServices.
Your Employee ID number is used to log in to the State of Minnesota payroll system to check your paystub, enroll in benefits, and register for state-wide training courses.
Who do I contact if...
I experience/observe inappropriate behavior from a colleague.
The Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX to report the incident. They will investigate confidentially.
I need to cancel class.
Email your students as soon as you can. After all, some of them may be driving into Mankato from a distance. Contact your administrative assistant to put a note on your classroom and office for any students who did not see your email.
I plan to hold class somewhere other than my scheduled classroom.
Notify your administrative assistant. If there's a campus emergency, they will need to inform Campus Security where to find you and your students.
Take a sick or personal day.
The eTimesheet Application allows you to record when you use your sick leave or personal leave.
