Join us in celebrating Computer Science Education Week on Tuesday, December 2, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in the Technology Building lobby and rooms 242 and 244. Encourage your students to stop by to code for an hour to create cool apps or develop hot games. Recognize the tremendous job growth in the computer industry, which is causing a shortage of computing professionals in the United States. Discover what women and minorities have contributed to computer science. Learn about local technology companies and job opportunities, the Computer Information Systems undergraduate program at Buffalo State, and computer science education in general. Stop by for refreshments and enter your name in a raffle drawing.

Because of the inclement weather, Caitlin Johnson's seminar, "Science Underlying the Coffee-Ring," on November 20 has been rescheduled to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, December 4, in Classroom Building B119.

The Professional Development Schools Consortium meeting scheduled for Friday, November 21, at Niagara Charter School has been canceled because of the weather conditions.

Because of Mother Nature's gift of early snowfall, today's Year of the Innovator Health Fair, coordinated by the dietitian education program in the School of the Professions, is canceled. We hope to reschedule.

Because of the extreme weather conditions, the distribution of paychecks may be delayed today, November 19. Funds for direct deposits will be deposited into bank accounts as normal today; however the distribution of direct deposit advice statements may also be delayed along with the paychecks.

As we receive more information, we will follow up with further communication.

NYSHIP enrollees in the Pre-tax Contribution Program (PTCP) have until Sunday, November 30, to make the following changes for 2015 without a qualifying event:

• Change pre-tax status for insurance deductions
• Change from family to individual coverage
• Voluntarily cancel health insurance

Note: Unless you have a qualifying event, a waiting period still applies to enroll in health insurance for the first time, or to add previously eligible dependents to your coverage. For additional information, visit the SUNY benefits website.

Employees who wish to make the above changes to their coverage are encouraged to complete and return the NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF) to Cleveland Hall 410 as soon as possible.

Eligible NYSHIP enrollees have 30 days from the date the 2015 rates are published to

• change their NYSHIP health plan; employees may choose from the Empire Plan or one of the health maintenance organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY or Independent Health;
• change from a NYSHIP health plan to the Opt-Out Program;
• change from the Opt-Out Program to a NYSHIP health plan.

The Employee Benefits Office will announce the new health plan rates and deadline dates in the Daily Bulletin as soon as they are published. The New York State Employee Benefits Division will also mail information about the 2015 rates and deadline dates to enrolled employees' home addresses. The 2015 "Choices" booklet, a comparison of the insurance plans, will be available on the Human Resource Management website by early December.

Representatives from the Empire Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, and Independent Health will be at the NYS Health Benefits Fair on 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.

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

Best Buddies, the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and the Exceptional Education Department invite you to join our team, the Buffalo State Orange Crushers, to help us raise money for the New York Special Olympics by supporting this year's Polar Plunge on Saturday, December 6, at Woodlawn Beach in Hamburg, New York.

It's a wild and crazy, fun event and a great way to show your Buffalo State colors. Anyone can register for our team, so bring your friends and relatives to help us reach our goal of 50 plungers and $3,000 in donations. We won Top Fundraising College Team last year and hope to repeat it this year.

Free busing is available for those who plan to attend the event. We will gather in the parking area in front of Cleveland Hall at 11:30 a.m. and leave for the plunge at noon. We will return after the plunge at about 3:00 p.m. Reservations and travel forms are required if you plan to ride the bus. Contact bestbuddiesbsc@yahoo.com.

To register or donate to Team Buffalo State or for more information, visit the Buffalo State Orange Crushers team page. We look forward to "Freezin' for a Reason" with you!

Please contact the Exceptional Education Department at ext. 3038 or sommerlc@buffalostate.edu with questions.

Please join the Buffalo State family in celebrating Gail Wells, community specialist, minority student services coordinator, and director of student life, at a retirement reception in her honor on Monday, December 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. Gail will retire from the college on December 31 following nearly 30 years of service.

RSVP to Charles B. Kenyon, associate vice president and dean of students, ext. 4618, by Wednesday, November 26. 

Donations are requested for refreshments and a gift. Please make checks payable to the Buffalo State Foundation. Donations may be hand delivered, sent by campus mail, or provided on the day of the celebration.

The Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is available for 2015 to eligible CSEA, PEF, UUP, and M/C employees. This program allows eligible employees to exchange previously accrued annual (vacation) and/or personal leave for a credit toward the cost of their New York state health insurance on a biweekly basis. Sick leave credit cannot be exchanged under this program.

To participate in PEP for the 2015 plan year, eligible employees must submit an election form to the Employee Benefits Office, Cleveland Hall 410, by Friday, November 28. Participants currently enrolled in PEP must submit a new election form to participate in the 2015 program.
  
The PEP description, including eligibility requirements and enrollment forms, is available on the Human Resource Management website or in Cleveland Hall 410.

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

Flu vaccines will be available today, December 4, during the Employee Health Benefits Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine will be available in shot or mist form.

The following health insurance plans will be accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, Independent Health, Blue Choice, and Medicare Part B. Employees must present a valid health insurance ID card. Employees without a participating insurance plan will be charged $30 for the flu shot or $40 for the flu mist.

Empire Plan enrollees may obtain their flu shot from their doctor’s office (participating provider) for their usual co-pay or from a participating pharmacy at no cost should they wish to do so.

Participation and acceptance of any insurance is not a guarantee of benefits or payment in full. Co-payments or a deductible may apply. Please call your insurance provider's member services department with questions regarding coverage.

Please call Employee Benefits at ext. 4821 or the member services department of your insurance company with questions regarding your health insurance coverage. The phone number should be on your insurance card.