Join us outside on the south side of the Classroom Building to celebrate the arrival of the fall season with the traditional pumpkin drop on Tuesday, September 24. Sign the pumpkin (brings good luck through the season) and enjoy free cider and cookies between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., witness the pumpkin drop from the roof of the Classroom Building.

Sponsored by the Meteorology and Climatology Club and the Geography and Planning Department.

On June 4, 2013, employees represented by United University Professions (UUP) ratified the Agreement with the State of New York for SUNY fiscal years 2011 through 2016.

Per the Agreement, all UUP-represented employees, with the exception of certain visa holders, are subject to the Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP). This DRP applies to all positions, regardless of funding source.

The DRP reduces annual employee compensation for a total of nine days—five days in SUNY fiscal year 2013–2014 and four days in SUNY fiscal year 2014–2015. All employees subject to the DRP will be repaid for up to seven days and will be granted up to two days of Deficit Reduction Leave (DRL). The cash value of the deductions for the seven days will be repaid over 39 payroll periods beginning with the final payroll period in SUNY fiscal year 2015–2016.

As of this date, we have received notification from SUNY and the Office of the State Comptroller regarding implementation of payroll deductions for the first two days of the DRP. For paychecks dated September 25, 2013, through December 31, 2013,* an estimated 2.5 percent of biweekly gross will be deducted for employees paid over 12 months, and an estimated 2.019 percent of biweekly gross will be deducted for employees paid over 10 months (such as part-time lecturers).

When information is received regarding checks after January 1, 2014, we will share this with all UUP-represented employees.

Specific dates for the two days of DRL will be determined by Interim President Cohen and announced shortly.

Questions regarding the DRP should be referred to either Human Resource Management, ext. 4822, or Payroll, ext. 4124.

*January 1, 2014, paychecks will be issued on December 31, 2013, because of the New Year’s Day holiday.

The International Student Affairs Office has officially established an International Student Orientation Fund that can receive donations at any time. The purpose of the initiative is to have funding that can cover the cost of taxi rides from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Buffalo State for international students when they arrive to move into their rooms. (International students will obtain a receipt for reimbursement.)

This program will apply only to those international students who have made prior reservations to live on campus.

The campus community is warmly invited to make donations to this special fund by calling the International Student Affairs Office at ext. 5331 or sending e-mail to Jean Gounard, director of international student affairs.

A person shows up at your front desk yelling, crying, upset, frustrated, tearful, angry, overwhelmed, pushy, annoyed, demanding, obnoxious, intoxicated, disoriented… What do you do? This two-hour video will offer information and suggestions for handling difficult situations.

Dealing with Difficult People in the Workplace
Tuesday, December 17
9:00–11:00 a.m.
Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3309.

Stress can sometimes be beneficial—sharpening your senses and providing the adrenaline rush you need to conquer deadlines. But it can also be harmful. Michael F. Roizen, M.D., chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic, said, “Stress is the greatest ager of your body in general, especially the nagging, unfinished-tasks kinds of stress that hang over you day after day or the stress of things that are out of your control…. Just as chronic stress can damage your heart, actively working at reducing stress will keep your heart healthier.” This workshop will demonstrate ways to “mindfully” reduce stress. Join us on Wednesday, November 20, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3308.

Looking for a few good men and women interested in self-awareness via StrengthsQuest. Myers-Briggs, Four Sight, and now StrengthsQuest give you insight to achieve success in your career and leadership development. The underlying principle of StrengthsQuest is that focusing on strengths, rather than concentrating on improving weaknesses, is the key to success.

Interested? Then begin your StrengthsQuest journey with a 30-minute online assessment to identify your strengths (Clifton StrengthsFinder). The assessment is free for the first 15 staff or faculty members who RSVP to woodruom@buffalostate.edu by Monday, September 23. You’ll receive a StrengthsFinder 2.0 book and a code to take the assessment online before the workshop. If you know your top five talents, feel free to join the discussion.

Discovery, development, and application will continue throughout your life. StrengthsQuest is a lifelong adventure!

This workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 23, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B. Light lunch provided. Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3310.

VALIC Financial Advisors Inc. will conduct the workshop "Social Security and Your Retirement," led by Jeffrey Otterstein, on Thursday, September 26, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210.

Visit VALIC Financial Advisors online for additional information and to RSVP. Space is limited. Lunch will be provided.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, September 10, in honor of a New York Air National Guard member who died in Afghanistan on Thursday, September 5.

New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd Lobraico Jr., a resident of New Fairfield, Connecticut, died of small arms fire while on patrol outside Bagram Air Base. He was a member of the 105th Security Forces Squadron, which is an element of the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base at Newburgh, New York. The 105th Security Forces Squadron deployed a team to Bagram Air Force Base in June to help provide security there.

“The loss of Staff Sgt. Lobraico is the first New York Air National Guard death in combat since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001,” Governor Cuomo said. “This young airman served our nation honorably and well, and we will remember him and his service with gratitude. Along with all New Yorkers, I extend my condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Staff Sgt. Lobraico.”

Governor Cuomo has directed that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to our state's service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.

When it comes to your stated priorities, do you suffer from CPA (continuous partial attention)? Are the little things (negotiable events and issues) squeezing out your stated goals (non-negotiable priorities)? What priority management toxins are eating away at your dreams? When you look at the way you have invested your time over the past week, month, or year, have you led an intentional or an accidental life? This webinar will help you answer these questions and more as you review how you can live the life you desire—an intentional life that takes action on your stated priorities. The clock keeps ticking no matter what you do. You cannot control time. You cannot create time. However, you can effectively use time for your benefit. When you do this, you are putting the non-negotiable people, issues, and events first on your daily calendar. You are organizing your day around what moves you closer to your goals. You will examine what you do well—your strengths in priority management—during this webinar on Friday, October 4, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B. You also will examine your internal and external obstacles to effective priority management and develop strategies to eliminate these obstacles.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3306.

In the mood for something new for lunch? Then come on in to the Campbell Student Union Food Court and try one of Buffalo State Dining's new limited-time offers. Hurry. These delicious meals are here only during the month of September.

Train Grill: Texan burger – Fresh, never frozen burger topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, onion rings, and American cheese
Chop'd: Nicoise salad – Baby spinach topped with tuna, tomatoes, eggs, olives, beans, and your choice of dressings
2.mato: Try our new specialty pizza of the day. Tuesday's specialty pizza is macaroni and cheese pizza
Bluw: Beef and veggie lo mein
Roots: Caribbean grilled pork

For more information on Buffalo State State Dining, please visit our website.