The online Campus Application Portal for Scholarships, CAPS, is still accepting applications for a small number of spring 2018 scholarships. CAPS will be open for applications until Friday, December 1. Please encourage students to visit the CAPS website today.

The online Campus Application Portal for Scholarships, CAPS, is now accepting applications for a small number of spring 2018 scholarships. CAPS will be open for applications until Friday, December 1. Please encourage students to check out available scholarships through CAPS.

The annual NYS Employee Health Benefits Fair, featuring representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, the Empire Plan, and Independent Health, will be held on Thursday, December 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210. Health insurance representatives will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding your current health insurance plan or changes in coverage for 2018.

Staff members from the Employee Benefits Office will also be present to assist employees in making changes to health insurance coverage.

Information on dental and vision benefits will also be available. Attendees can have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, find out their body mass and pulse index, learn the benefits of and sample massage therapy, and consult with specialists on smoking cessation and weight loss, all free of charge.

Meet the EAP coordinators and obtain helpful information regarding the Employee Assistance Program. Call Human Resource Management at 878-2421 with questions, and please stop by the Benefits Fair on December 7.

Employees who are enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) may select a different health plan for the 2018 plan year during the Option Transfer Period. Employees will have 30 days from the date the 2018 rates are approved and published to change their health insurance carriers.

The New York State Employee Benefits Division will mail information about the new health plan rates and deadline dates to enrolled employees' home addresses. This information will also be announced in the Daily Bulletin when available. The 2018 booklet "Choices" (PDF, 1.7 MB), a comparison of the insurance plans, is now available for review on the Human Resource Management website.

Representatives from the Empire Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, and Independent Health will be on campus during the NYS Employee Health Benefits Fair on Thursday, December 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210 to answer questions about current health insurance plans and anticipated changes in coverage for 2018.

For additional information, please call Employee Benefits at 878-4821.

You may have heard about a scam targeting Amazon users. The cyberattacker sends a legitimate-looking e-mail to tell you your Amazon order can’t ship. You click the link, and it goes to a very Amazon-looking web page asking you to enter your name, address, credit card information. 

What’s the best way to stay safe? Train yourself not to click on any link in an e-mail. Go to the company’s website instead, in this case, Amazon's. Log in to your account. Don’t use links in any e-mail to modify any account information. Go to the primary source—the company website—log in, and check your personal information there. Make updates only on the official website. 

By the way, notice what's happening: cyberattackers are getting better with design and grammar.

The online Campus Application Portal for Scholarships, CAPS, is now accepting applications for a small number of spring 2018 scholarships. CAPS will be open for applications until Friday, December 1. Please encourage students to check out available scholarships through CAPS.

Supervisors now have the ability to view pending and approved time off for all their unclassified and classified employees on one calendar. The feature is available by selecting "Supervisor Calendar" on the toolbar.  Supervisors may log in to the system to view the new feature, or view the Supervisor's Guide for more information.

Please contact Carey Seneca, assistant manager of personnel operations, 878-4822.

From the Director of Business Services
Friday, November 10, is the last day to complete the Procurement Customer Service Survey. Procurement Services distributed the survey via e-mail on October 11 to acquire feedback about your experiences.

If you have not had a chance to complete this survey, please take a few moments to do so now. All responses will be anonymously recorded. Those completing the survey will be entered in a drawing for lunch for two at Campus House with me. The winner will be randomly selected from eligible entries on November 13, and the winner will be notified by e-mail.

Thank you.

Robert Baumet
Director of Business Services

Both the J-Term and Spring 2018 deadline calendars have been posted online on the Registrar's Office Courses website.

Michael Spogli from TIAA will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Tuesday, November 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210B. Appointments are required.

Confidentially discuss your personal financial situation with an experienced TIAA financial consultant to help you pursue your financial goals and plan for your future. Take this opportunity to review your retirement savings or start a tax-deferred annuity if you haven’t already.

To schedule an appointment, please visit the TIAA website. Don’t delay. Sign up today.