The open enrollment deadline for the 2013 Flex Spending Account (FSA) program is Friday, November 9. The program offers two benefits: the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount).

The HCSAccount allows employees to set aside from $100 to $2,500 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 will continue in 2013 for unions that participate in the program and have ratified contracts with the state. For employer contribution updates, please visit the FSA website.

Participants currently enrolled in the HCSAccount or DCAAccount must reenroll to continue benefits for 2013.

For program details or to enroll in the Flex Spending Account, visit www.flexspend.ny.gov or call the FSA hotline at (800) 358-7202.

The deadline for 2013 enrollment is November 9, 2012, and is strictly enforced.

The summer 2013 master schedule input window in Banner opened on Monday, October 29, for department final input. The published deadline to finish all data entry is Friday, November 2. Please be reminded that all master schedule input windows remain open over the weekend when the deadline falls on a Friday. All input must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 4.

It is with great pleasure that the History and Social Studies Education Department announces Volume 1, Issue 1 of the student journal the Exposition. The journal can be accessed at digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/exposition.

In this issue, we have four articles:  

• An obituary of Dr. Monroe Fordham by Felix Armfield, professor of history and social studies education
• "The Elements of Creative Environment: Was the Roycroft Campus of 1900–1915 a Hothouse? by Katherine Somerville
• "Attica State Correctional Facility: The Causes and Fallout of the Riot of 1971" by Kathleen E. Slade
• "The Canboulay Riot of 1881: Influence of Free Blacks on Trinidad's Carnival" by John Guzda

Please join us for the fifth lecture in our Philosophy and Humanities Fall 2012 Faculty Colloquia series, "Moral Saints, Dirty Hands, and Everyday Sexism," presented by John Draeger, associate professor of philosophy, on Thursday, November 8, at 3:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 113. Commentator: Jenna Tomasello, 2012 Balowitz Scholar, philosophy and legal studies major.

The student chapter of the Club Managers Association of America thanks the Buffalo State community for  supporting its Halloween bake sale. The hospitality student leadership group had designated the Buffalo City Mission as the recipient of a portion of the proceeds from the sale. They will help feed hungry people by sponsoring tables of Thanksgiving meals.

The fitness classes of the Buffalo State Recreation and Intramurals department start up again on Monday, November 5. All classes will now take place in Campus West (Buckham Campus School) 209 and 210.

Fall Fitness Class Schedule

• Body Sculpting every Monday and Wednesday from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Yoga on Tuesday 5:30–6:30 p.m., Wednesday 6:30–7:30 p.m., and Thursday 5:00–6:00 p.m.
• Boot Camp on Thursday from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Zumba on Monday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, e-mail pomperra@buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State has adopted Buttonwood, an online financial literacy course designed to give our students a better understanding of their personal finances and the student loan process. Buttonwood will empower students to make well-informed decisions about their finances and loan management responsibilities. This course will provide students with financial information before they make the types of decisions that could have consequences for years to come.

We have invited sophomores and students from targeted programs to participate in this interactive course and to achieve Buttonwood’s Level-One Certification. Instructions on how to access the program have been provided through Buffalo State e-mail accounts.

We encourage all faculty and staff members to inform second-year students and sophomores to try the Buttonwood course. Other students who want to take the course can do so by contacting Ron George, case manager, at ext. 4438. If you would like to check out the course, visit http://buttonwood.everfi.net/buffalo/login. Click on "New user? Click here to register." Fill in the required fields, choosing "Other Students" from the drop-down menu in the Group field.

We also recommend that students play the highly adaptive and interactive life simulation called Buttonwood Life. In Buttonwood Life, students strive to create a healthful, smart, and well-rounded lifestyle for their virtual self.

To take the course, students will need a computer with Internet access and audio capabilities. If you have questions or need assistance, contact George at ext. 4438 or smartmoney@buffalostate.edu.

Want a meal for only $5? Then stop in to the Campbell Student Union Food Court for a WOW Deal! WOW Deals are offered every day from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and are available at every platform.

November WOW Deals
Train Grill: hot dog and a fountain beverage
Chop'd: garden salad and a fountain beverage
2.mato: stromboli and a fountain beverage
Salsarita's: two tacos and a fountain beverage
Bluw: tofu pad thai and a fountain beverage
The Strip: mashed bowl and a fountain beverage

WOW Deals are always posted on the Buffalo State Dining website, under the coupons tab.

The campus community is cordially invited to attend the next meeting of the International Student Advisory Council at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, in Cleveland Hall 205.

A member of the International Student Advisory Council leadership will make a PowerPoint presentation on India, followed by an academic presentation by Jessica Towsky, senior counselor in the Buffalo State Counseling Center, titled "Successful Academic Performances for International Students/Scholars." Everyone is welcome.

The Alliance Française de Buffalo, the Modern and Classical Languages Department, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center present "An Evening of French Theater featuring Singing and Mime: Remembering Prévert (Rappelle-toi Prévert)" on Wednesday, November 7, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., in the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

A performance woven around the life and works of Jacques Prévert, French poet, writer, screenwriter, and lover of words, who gave us such songs as "Les feuilles mortes" ("Autumn Leaves") and such films as Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise). Yves Montand, Edith Piaf, Joan Baez, and Nat King Cole sang us his songs, while French film celebrities brought his imagined characters to life.

General admission at the door is $25, members of the AFB and Buffalo State staff $20, and students $15. Advance sale tickets are available at a discounted rate by calling the Burchfield Penney at ext. 6011.

For tickets and more information, contact Kimberly Blessing, chair and associate professor of philosophy and humanities.