Please join us for the launch of the INC.ubator at Buffalo State, a unique campus space designed specifically to nurture and promote our students' entrepreneurial ambitions, today, December 3, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Bishop Hall 107.

The INC.ubator provides a collaborative, professional work environment for students to innovate, create, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities while gaining invaluable new skills, knowledge, and experience along the way.

We hope you'll stop by to say hello and check it out. We look forward to seeing you. For more information, please contact Sue McCartney, ext. 4030.

Treat your palate to the vibrant tradition of French food, from rustic fare to haute cuisine, when you join faculty, staff, and students from the Hospitality and Tourism Department on a 10-day study-abroad program to France from March 21 to 30, 2015. Sample regional dishes in the French Riviera and Provence, and attend a chef’s demonstration in Lyon for some authentic inspiration for your own creations. Get a taste of Paris with visits to its most iconic structures before expanding your palette with a colorful city market and cooking lesson.

For details, please visit www.efcollegestudytours.com/programs/culinary-france.

Preparing for Finals
Tuesday, December 2
10:00 a.m., Buckham Hall A233
This session focuses on showing students how to organize and understand the finals expectations of their courses for maximum readiness and success. Presented by Lauren Copeland.

Perfecting Your Paper
Tuesday, December 2
7:00 p.m., Newman Hall
This session urges students to bring their writing projects to the workshop. Instructor Zaibun Pasha, an ESL specialist, will help students refine their thesis so as to develop their papers. This session is offered in conjunction with Residence Life.

How to Take a Test
Wednesday, February 3
3:00 p.m., Ketchum Hall 218
This session concentrates on the key elements of reducing stress and enhancing concentration for maximum performance. Presented by Elizabeth Stevens.

More information is available on the Academic Skills Center website (PDF).

Please join us to learn about the SUNY Global Engagement Program in New York City, presented by Ilgu Ozler, program director and associate professor of political science and international relations at SUNY New Paltz, today, December 2, from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 120. All faculty, students, and staff members are welcome.

The SUNY Global Engagement Program allows students to spend a semester immersed in international affairs in the world’s most global city. Enrolled students complete an internship with one of many international organizations along with an integrated class and research program providing a full semester’s worth of credits and a truly unique educational experience.

This presentation is sponsored by the international relations program of Political Science Department and the Student Political Society (SPS). Any inquiries regarding this event should be directed to Kyeonghi Baek.

Health insurance rates for 2015 have been established and are available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/health-insurance-prescription-drugs.

Employees who wish to change their health insurance plan for the coming year have until Wednesday, December 31. We encourage you to complete and return the option transfer form (PDF) to Cleveland Hall 410 as soon as possible. This will avoid retroactive premium adjustments and should allow you to receive new health plan identification cards closer to the coverage effective date of January 1, 2015.

The 2015 "Choices" booklet (PDF), a comparison of the health insurance plans, is now available online. Also, the Summary of Benefits and Coverage for all plans, as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), can be obtained from the Employee Benefits Division website. You may want to review this information before you decide whether to change insurance carriers or remain with your current carrier for your health insurance coverage.

Representatives from the Empire Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, and Independent Health will be on campus Thursday, December 4, 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 2015.

No action is required if you wish to keep your current health insurance option.

Please call the Employee Benefits Office at ext. 4821 with questions.

Tuesday Talks are monthly brown-bag discussions focused on issues in the workplace. This month's discussion, "Can We Create a Leadership Culture of Innovation?" takes place today, December 2, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 181B. Join us to share your opinions and to connect with others who are interested in discussing this issue.

The underlying principle of StrengthsQuest is that focusing on strengths, rather than on improving weaknesses, is the key to success. Are you interested in finding out your strengths or talents? StrengthsQuest is a 30-minute online assessment to identify your top five strengths (Clifton StrengthsFinder). The offer is extended until 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 5, so RSVP to woodruom@buffalostate.edu. You'll receive a StrengthsFinder 2.0 book and a code to take the assessment online before the workshop on Tuesday, December 16, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. You'll find that StrengthsQuest is a lifelong adventure!

Register through the CyberQuad Workshop Registration System.

NYSHIP will continue to offer the Opt-Out Program in 2015 to CSEA, NYSCOPBA, PEF, PBANYS, UUP, and MC employees. This program allows eligible employees who have other employer-sponsored group health insurance to opt out of their NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. The incentive payment is $1,000 for opting out of individual coverage or $3,000 for opting out of family coverage on an annual basis.

If you are enrolled in NYSHIP and wish to participate in the Opt-Out Program for 2015, you must complete and return the NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF) and the 2015 Opt-Out Attestation Form (PDF) to Cleveland Hall 410 by Wednesday, December 31.

If you currently participate in the Opt-Out Program, you must re-enroll for 2015. If you do not make the election for 2015, your enrollment in the Opt-Out Program will end, and the incentive payment credited to your paycheck will stop. You must elect the Opt-Out Program each year.

The complete Opt-Out Program description, including eligibility requirements and enrollment forms, is available on the Human Resource Management website.

Please call the Employee Benefits Office at ext. 4821 with questions or for additional information.

Josie Adamo will sell her handcrafted memory necklaces to raise money for the Buffalo State Student Scholarship Fund and Alzheimer's research on Monday, December 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the South Wing lobby.

Memory necklaces make thoughtful gifts for teachers, bus drivers, crossing guards, and other special caregivers. Thank you for your continued support.

Get fast access to your payroll with automatic deposit through your official campus credit union, Morton Lane FCU. Sign up online or call 837-2007 to eliminate one weather worry.