Please note the following changes in Buffalo State Dining's hours of operation for December 16 through January 20 because of the upcoming holiday break:

December 16
Bengal Hall 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Special door price of $7.95 all day.
Spot Coffee 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
All other dining locations closed.

December 17 and 18
All dining locations closed.

December 19–23
Bengal Hall 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Special door price of $7.95 all day.
Spot Coffee 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
All other dining locations closed.

December 24–26
All dining locations closed.

December 27–30
Spot Coffee 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
All other dining locations closed.

December 31–January 2
All dining locations closed.

January 3–6
Bengal Hall 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Special door price of $7.95 all day.
Spot Coffee 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
All other dining locations closed.

January 7 and 8
All dining locations closed

January 9–13
Bengal Hall 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Special door price of $7.95 all day.
Spot Coffee 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
All other dining locations closed.

For more information, please visit www.dineoncampus.com/bsc.

Effective January 1, 2012, Computing and Technology Services will replace the program used for test scoring and survey analysis of data collected on scanner forms (bubble sheets). In general, the resulting output won’t change from the current version, but the new program provides more flexibility.

The most significant changes in the new version include:

A. The formats of the control and answer key sheets have been changed to reflect new options.
B. Users can select just the output they really need – and have it delivered via e-mail, as a printed report, or both.
C. The format of the output data files has changed.
     - Each response sheet is now on a single record (row) in the data files.
     - Both plain text and comma-delimited file formats are available.
D. Use of the identification number field on the student sheets has changed.
E. For survey analysis, blank and multiple responses are now ignored in ALL calculations.
F. The frequency distribution of test scores grouped in whole number ranges has been removed from the test-scoring reports.
G. The option of entering a weight (or multiplier) to change the value of each question is no longer available.

We will run the old and new versions through the end of the fall semester, and will retire the old version as of January 1, 2012. Please contact Tom Killian, ext. 5122, if you have any questions.

Weigel Health Center will have a staff development retreat on Monday, December 19, in Weigel Health Center 203. Below is the agenda; all are welcome. R.S.V.P. to Debbie Sarratori, ext. 6711.

8:30–9:00 a.m.
Welcome; Review of Annual Weigel Goals
Dr. Theresa Stephan Hains, Director, WHC

9:00–10:00 a.m.
Buffalo State College Campus Alcohol Plan
Ron George, BSC Counseling Center Case Manager

10:00–11:00 a.m.
Referring Victims of Domestic Violence
Mary Traverse Murphy, Family Justice Center

11:00 a.m.–Noon
Campus Slim Down
Tammy Kresge, Assistant Director of Health Promotions, WHC

Noon–1:00 p.m.
Working Lunch
SUNY Learning Network
Rock Doyle, Associate Director, WHC

1:30–3:00 p.m.
Interpretation of EKG
Dr. Margaret McAloon, Physician

3:00–4:30 p.m. Early Signs and Symptoms of HIV
Dr. Neal Rzepkowski

The Buffalo State College Foundation Accounting Office frequently receives requests for payment of services to individuals. Payment for services to individuals usually falls into one of two categories: independent contractor or employee. Payments are usually made to independent contractors in a lump sum (sometimes referred to as a stipend), while employees are placed on the foundation payroll. Independent contractors will usually receive a 1099 at the end of the year, while employees receive W-2s. The IRS sets the standards for these categories, which can be very detailed and complicated based on conditions and services provided. 

As a very brief partial summary, an independent contractor is usually independent of the hiring organization and does not perform an ordinary essential business function of the organization. Independent contractors generally have a recognized business profession that is generally provided and advertised to more than one hiring organization. Some examples of business professions include CPA’s, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, lecturers, and speakers. Independent contractors are generally paid for the job performed and not by time increments. Independent contractors are not supervised, nor has the method by which their services are provided been directed by the hiring organization. They can usually perform the work at the location most convenient to them. Students, faculty, and staff are generally not considered independent contractors.

Misclassification of independent contractors can be extremely costly to program directors. Employees are entitled to receive mandatory benefits. Our office requests that if there is any question as to whether an individual falls into an independent contractor or an employee category that our office be notified before any work begins. If an individual falls into the employee category, we will need to be provided with appropriate tax information before work begins to ensure that the individual is authorized to work within the United States.

In summary, we can pay for services performed by individuals. We must, however, make every effort to ensure that the individual is classified correctly as either an independent contractor or an employee.

The State of New York/United University Professions Joint Labor-Management Committees have announced the allocation of funds for Individual Development Awards for a shortened period: July 2, 2011, through March 31, 2012. This program is intended to assist employees in the UUP bargaining unit in developing their full professional potential and in preparing for advancement by funding professional development activities. The maximum award is $1,000. Applications from those who have not been funded previously are encouraged.

The total amount to be distributed at Buffalo State is $21,979 to support professional development activities commenced on or after July 2, 2011, and completed on or before March 31, 2012. Detailed information and application forms may be found at www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/ida.asp. Applications for this award period must be submitted no later than Friday, January 13. Notification of awards will be made in mid-February 2012.

A big thank-you goes out to everyone who so kindly and generously supported the 15th annual Student Art Sale. Sales were good despite the faltering economy, proving that Buffalo State supports its students! Through this event, students participated in a "real world" experience, tested their works in the marketplace, and earned some money at the same time.

Thanks again and happy holidays to all!

During this busy time of course evaluations and final exams and projects, please direct any ANGEL questions to the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) Help Desk at (800) 875-6269 or submit an online help request at http://sln.suny.edu/help/help_overview.shtml. Please remind students that they can also contact the SLN Help Desk if they need assistance with ANGEL. The SLN Help Desk is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m, Saturday 1:00–5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00–9:00 p.m.

Spring semester is right around the corner, which means it is time to select a meal plan! A simple swipe of your Buffalo State ID card saves you time, money, and the headache of losing your parking space. Swipe & Save meals are accepted at Bengal Hall, resident dining located in the Campbell Student Union, for a full semester. With each swipe of your card, a meal is deducted from your total meal balance. Swipe & Save meals ensure discounted pricing with every meal. When you do the math, you will see that the savings of a Swipe & Save plan are tremendous!

Create your own plan. Add Bengal Bucks to your ID card and receive a 10 percent discount at the register on each purchase when you use your Bengal Bucks! Never worry about having to carry cash. Bengal Bucks are a dollar-for-dollar declining-balance account. Bengal Bucks can be used not only at any campus dining location but also at the bookstore, the library, in vending machines, on performing arts ticket sales, and at the Burchfield Penney gift shop and café. Sales tax will be charged to purchases made with Bengal Bucks. Bengal Bucks will continue to roll over from semester to semester and from year to year. Additional Bengal Bucks can be added at any time throughout the year.

The simplest way to select your meal plan or add Bengal Bucks to your account is by visiting www.dineoncampus.com/bsc. You may also sign up for a meal plan in person in E. H. Butler Library 108 or by telephone at ext. 5152. Add additional Bengal Bucks to your account at an Add Value Machine located in Butler Library or the Campbell Student Union after initial purchase.

For more information on Swipe & Save meals or any Buffalo State dining location, visit www.dineoncampus.com/bsc.

The Daily Bulletin will not be published from December 26 through January 2. During that time, users will be able to submit items for January 3 and beyond. Happy holidays!

The Daily Bulletin will not be published from December 26 through January 2. During that time, users will be able to submit items for January 3 and beyond. Happy holidays!