Do you want to learn more about teaching in an active learning room such as E. H. Butler Library 314? Are you looking for training on the Eno interactive whiteboard in Butler 314? Join Abby Spindelman (Steelcase Educational Services) on August 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Butler 314. She will share a research overview, provide training on the Eno interactive whiteboard and other technology, engage us in a co-creation project, and set aside plenty of time for answering our questions. The room will be available for practice during the afternoon of August 13.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3228
 

Interactive whiteboards are fast becoming a common fixture in today's classroom. This session will focus on SMART Technologies' interactive whiteboards and will begin with an overview of basic navigation of software, hardware, and SMART Tools. Learn how to facilitate student learning by creating interactive lessons, working in new ways with programs like PowerPoint and Word, digitally saving notes and comments for future lectures, and easily distributing class material to students in a variety of formats.

Presented by Todd Benzin on Monday, August 12, from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3236.

Academic Drive (Lot D) will be repaved from Saturday, August 3, through Sunday, August 11, as part of the Technology Building construction project. No parking will be available on Academic Drive for the duration of the repaving. While one-way traffic is expected to be largely maintained, disruptions are possible for short amounts of time.

To avoid the potential Academic Drive interruptions, employees with reserved spaces on Union Place may choose to park elsewhere. Employees who park on Academic Drive will be required to make use of other staff parking lots during this time.

In an effort to accommodate those who use the accessible parking area on Academic Drive, Lot C (adjacent to Cleveland Circle) will be available. From August 5 to August 11, a vehicle displaying a valid municipal handicap hangtag will not be required to pay at the meter station in Lot C. 

For more information about campus capital projects, please visit the Buffalo State construction website. Questions about this project can be directed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

Thank you for your patience.

If you want to discover the scope of streaming video content offered by E. H. Butler Library, this workshop is for you.  We will explore the many resources available to you in the databases Films On Demand, Academic Video Online, and beyond.

Presented by Al Riess on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., and 2:00 pm. to 2:50 p.m., in E. H. Butler Library 314. (You only need to attend one session.)

To attend at 11:00 a.m. on August 14, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3231

To attend at 2:00 p.m. on August 14, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3232
 

E. H. Butler Library has access to more than 160,000 electronic books, covering many subject areas. This professional development presentation will introduce you to the wide variety of e-book materials in the library and how to find relevant material. We will review e-book databases such as eBrary, SpringerLink, and the Ebsco e-Book Collection. Librarian Al Riess will make the presentation on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and repeat it at 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., in E. H. Butler Library 314. (You only need to attend one session.)

To attend at 10:00 a.m. on August 14, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3229

To attend at 1:00 p.m. on August 14, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3230
 

The Equity and Campus Diversity Office would like to thank the following groups involved in the search process for our new diversity program coordinator:

• The search committee, led by Daniel Vélez, search chair
• The Leadership Team for Professional Development
• The President’s Council on Equity and Campus Diversity
• The Student Life Office
• All who participated in the open forums

These people selflessly gave of their time, and for that we’re extremely grateful.

The 2013 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is now available to UUP-represented employees. The program allows eligible employees to forfeit previously accrued annual leave (vacation) in exchange for a credit to be applied toward the employee share of their NYSHIP premium on a biweekly basis.

Eligible full-time UUP employees with an annual salary of $61,763 or less who enroll in PEP for the remainder of the 2013 plan year will forfeit 1.5 days of annual leave in exchange for a credit of up to $250 to be applied toward the employee share of their NYSHIP premiums. Eligible full-time employees with an annual salary above $61,763 and below $88,257 who enroll in PEP for the remainder of the 2013 plan year will forfeit a total of 1.0 day of annual leave in exchange for a credit of up to $250 to be applied toward the employee share of their NYSHIP premium. Eligible part-time employees who enroll in PEP will forfeit annual leave on a prorated basis in return for a prorated credit. PEP credits for 2013 will be included in paychecks beginning on or after August 28, 2013.

To enroll in PEP for the remainder of 2013, UUP-represented employees must apply during the Special Option Transfer Period (August 1–30, 2013). Additional information will be issued to eligible employees from the Employee Benefits Office. The complete 2013 UUP Productivity Enhancement Program description, including eligibility requirements, is available on the Human Resource Management website.

Effective September 1, 2013, NYSHIP will offer the Opt-Out Program to UUP-represented 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. On an annual basis, the incentive payment is $1,000 for opting out of individual coverage or $3,000 for opting out of family coverage.

UUP employees who are currently enrolled in NYSHIP and wish to participate in the Opt-Out Program for the remainder of 2013 must elect to opt out during the special Option Transfer Period (August 1–30, 2013) and attest to having other employer-sponsored group health insurance. You must complete and return the NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form and the 2013 Opt-Out Attestation Form to Cleveland Hall 410 by Friday, August 30. If you enroll in the program and you are eligible for dental and vision coverage, your eligibility for dental and vision coverage will not be affected.

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.

In compliance with the recently ratified contract between the State of New York and United University Professions, a NYSHIP rate change and changes affecting NYSHIP coverage will become effective September 1, 2013. As a result of these changes, a Special Option Transfer Period for UUP-represented employees will be available August 1–30, 2013.

Information about the negotiated NYSHIP changes and the new health insurance rates is available at www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/spotlight.asp.

UUP employees who wish to change their health insurance plans during the Special Option Transfer Period have until Friday, August 30, to do so. We encourage you to complete and return the option transfer form 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, September 1, 2013.

"Choices," a summary of health insurance plans, is available on the Human Resource Management website. Also, Empire Plan and HMO special reports describing the changes that affect NYSHIP coverage as a result of the recently ratified contract were sent directly to the homes of UUP employees enrolled in health insurance plans. You may wish to review these publications before deciding whether to change insurance carriers or to remain with your current carrier for your health insurance coverage.

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

Note: The annual Option Transfer Period held at the end of the calendar year will be available, and you will have the opportunity to review health insurance plan options and rates for 2014 as you normally would.

For questions, please call the Employee Benefits Office at ext. 4821.

Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center and Albright-Knox Art Gallery for a weekend in and around Cleveland, Ohio, from October 4 to 6.

Friday, October 4
8:00 a.m. Departure by bus from the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
During the day, we will visit Charles Burchfield’s homestead in Salem, Ohio; view some amazing works by Burchfield in the Salem, Ohio, library; tour the Butler Institute of American Art; and end the day with dinner at Guarino’s Italian Restaurant.

Saturday, October 5
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Art, where we will lunch and tour. There will be options to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Cleveland Museum of Natural History before dinner at Pickwick and Frolic Restaurant and Club.

Sunday, October 6
After breakfast at the hotel, we will tour the Cleveland Orchestra’s home, Severance Hall, and then visit the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for a tour and lunch. The return trip will include dinner in Erie, Pennsylvania.

10:00 p.m. Return to Burchfield Penney Art Center

If we are to make this trip happen, we need commitments to hold our places at the hotels and for the bus. Please call Mary Kozub, Burchfield Penney docent coordinator, at ext. 3156 to register before Friday, August 2.

Cost:
$400 Double occupancy per person, all inclusive
$510 Single occupancy, all inclusive

Extra:
$17–$22 for optional visit to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
$10–$12 for optional visit to Cleveland Museum of Natural History