The west side of Lot I-37 and the north-south walkway along the east side of the Science Building will be closed Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day), to accommodate the safe removal of construction barriers and fencing. Pedestrians in this area can travel north or south by going through the Science and Mathematics Complex atrium or through the eastern portion of Lot I-37.

Questions about this project may be e-mailed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu. For more information about construction projects on campus, please visit www.buffalostate.edu/construction.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The next meeting of the College Senate for the fall 2015 semester will be held tomorrow, October 9, at 3:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210. The meeting agenda is posted on the College Senate website.

From the Chief of University Police
Buffalo State College’s 2015 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is now available online. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the college. The policy statements address Buffalo State’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses. Three years’ worth of crime statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the college, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. This report is posted online at http://police.buffalostate.edu/sites/police.buffalostate.edu/files/AnnualSecurityReport2015.pdf.

You may also request a paper copy from University Police at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu if you are unable to view or print a copy from the website.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The next meeting of the College Senate for the fall 2015 semester will be held on Friday, October 9, at 3:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210. The meeting agenda is posted on the College Senate website.

Web Procurement Card (P-Card) training dates and implementation of the new Citibank online certification process will begin in October. The new SUNY Financial P-Card web application will be used to manage regular operations the SUNY P-Card program. The online system will allow cardholders to view their statements, reconcile and certify their monthly transactions, and change their own transaction and default accounts based on their individual accounting securities. The P-Card web application is mandatory for all cardholders and is expected to go live with the billing cycle ending December 6, 2015. The current legacy system of certification will then phase out. This new web-based application will be much more user friendly and will greatly benefit our campus cardholders.

Stay up to date with current news on the Accounts Payable and Travel Services website.

Congratulations to Joseph Tucceri, graduate student senator, who was elected at the September 11 Senate meeting to serve as chair of the Student Welfare Committee for the 2015–2016 academic year. Tucceri will work alongside committee vice chair Amy Rosen-Brand. The committee, which focuses on student issues and student welfare, is composed primarily of students.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The next meeting of the College Senate for the fall 2015 semester will be held on Friday, October 9, at 3:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210.

Open enrollment for the 2016 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) ends at midnight today, November 9. The account offers two benefits: the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAcount).

The HCSAccount allows employees to set aside from $100 to $2,550 annually in pretax salary to pay for health-care expenses not reimbursed by health insurance.

The DCAAccount allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually in pretax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses. The DCAAccount employer contribution is available in 2016 for Management Confidential employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, Council 82, NYSCOPBA, or GSEU. Pending conclusion of collective bargaining and ratified contracts, the employer contribution may also be available to state employees in other negotiating units. For employer contribution rates, please visit the FSA website.

Participants currently enrolled in the HCSAccount or DCAAccount must re-enroll to continue benefits in 2016.

Paperless enrollment is quick, easy, and secure. For program details or to enroll in the FSA, please visit www.flexspend.ny.gov or call the FSA hotline at (800) 358-7202.

Today's deadline will be strictly enforced.

Open enrollment for the 2016 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) ends Monday, November 9. The account offers two benefits: the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAcount).

The HCSAccount allows employees to set aside from $100 to $2,550 annually in pretax salary to pay for health-care expenses not reimbursed by health insurance.

The DCAAccount allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually in pretax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses. The DCAAccount employer contribution is available in 2016 for Management Confidential employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, Council 82, NYSCOPBA, or GSEU. Pending conclusion of collective bargaining and ratified contracts, the employer contribution may also be available to state employees in other negotiating units. For employer contribution rates, please visit the FSA website.

Participants currently enrolled in the HCSAccount or DCAAccount must re-enroll to continue benefits in 2016.

Paperless enrollment is quick, easy, and secure. For program details or to enroll in the FSA, visit www.flexspend.ny.gov or call the FSA hotline at (800) 358-7202.

The November 9 deadline for 2016 enrollment will be strictly enforced.

The State of New York will upgrade the Statewide Financial System (SFS) from September 28 through October 15, 2015. During this period, campuses and all other state agencies will not be able to issue purchase orders or process contract transactions, employee reimbursements, or vendor payments.

Procurement Card (P-Card) purchases will be unaffected during this time, so P-Card use is strongly encouraged.

Please call Steve Olsen, assistant to the comptroller for procurement, at 878-4113 with questions.