Effective Monday, July 15, all employee travel reimbursement will be required to be submitted electronically in Bengal Buy.

Accounts Payable and Travel Services has created a new Bengal Buy Form for submission of employee travel reimbursement. This new electronic form will replace the current practice of submission of paper travel reconciliation forms and backup, and will provide for the use of electronic approvals and document submission.

This new method of reimbursement will eliminate the need for physical signatures and paper submission via campus mail, and will facilitate faster reimbursement for campus employees.

Please refer to the Bengal Buy Guide for Employee Travel Reimbursement for step-by-step instructions on how to use this new efficiency.

Please contact Accounts Payable, (716) 878-4117, with related questions.

If you are interested in serving on one or more of the eight College Senate standing committees for the 2024-2025 academic year, please complete and submit the College Senate Standing Committee Member Interest Form by Friday, August 23. You do not need to be an elected senator to serve on a committee.

Committee functions and charges are available on the College Senate website.

Please note that some committees may not need members. The standing committee chairs for the 2024-2025 Senate year are listed below. Please contact them if you have specific questions regarding the committee's work or membership needs.

Academic Plan Committee - Naila Ansari
Budget and Staff Allocations Committee - Howard Reid
Bylaws and Elections Committee - Kristen Mruk
Curriculum Committee - Laurie Buonanno
Faculty and Staff Welfare Committee - Jennifer Toohey
Instruction and Research Committee - Christopher Weber
Standards for Students Committee - Holly Quicksey
Student Welfare Committee (Vice Chair) - Matthew Baran

Edmund Haspett from TIAA will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Wednesday, July 17; Wednesday, July 31; and Wednesday, August 21, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 416.

Appointments are required. Please visit the TIAA website to schedule an appointment or call (800) 732-8353 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There is no cost for these consultations.

No matter where you are in life just getting started or planning for retirement a consultation session can help you create a plan for your goals. You'll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Space is limited. Sign up today.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for areas of Western New York today.

A special weather statement indicates "Tropical System Beryl will pass across our region Wednesday through Wednesday night. ... There is also a marginal risk for strong to severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening, with strong to damaging wind gusts the primary severe weather threat."
 
Please ensure windows are closed. Please also be mindful of relatching doors when opening and closing entrances. Problems and questions can be directed to Facilities at (716) 878-6111. Thank you.

The State of New York believes that increasing the use of minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) is an important element of the state's and SUNY's contribution to the growth of our economy and community.

It is the policy of Buffalo State University to take affirmative action to ensure that MWBEs are given the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to provide the university with goods and services at competitive prices.

With the new fiscal year upon us, campus departments are highly encouraged to work with Procurement Services to use MWBEs where practical for anticipated upcoming needs. In doing so, departments can use the statewide MWBE directory for certified vendors. This directory is user friendly and can provide searchable results by business description, location, or industry. The current state threshold for use of a certified MWBE without formal bid is $750,000.

Additionally, departments can contact Kristy Mediak, director of accounts payable and procurement services, for a registry of local and diverse business entities that are not yet certified, but that the campus has a relationship with, for any specific needs they may have.

As part of the Ethics Commission Reform Act of 2022, all New York State employees are required to complete the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course every year. If you have not completed the training, please sign up for one of the hybrid sessions offered in July.

• Thursday, July 25, noon-1:30 p.m., Cleveland Hall 418 or via Teams
• Wednesday, July 31, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Cleveland Hall 418 or via Teams

Please note: If you are employed at a state agency other than Buffalo State University and have already completed the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course through the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government or through your state agency in 2023 or 2024, please send a copy of your certificate of completion to Rebecca Eggleston, professional development assistant, so that we can document that you have fulfilled this mandatory training requirement at a different state agency.

The agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions has negotiated salary increases to be effective in 2024. Below is a summary of those increases from the union contract. Full details and eligibility can be found in the 2022-2026 Agreement (PDF, 1.95 MB).

Please review the information below for the dates on which each increase is scheduled to be paid.

Please contact the Payroll Office with questions.

2024 3 Percent Across the Board (ATB)
The basic annual salaries, as of June 30, 2024, of incumbents of positions in the State University in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit shall be increased by three (3) percent commencing the first day of the payroll period closest to (1) July 1, 2024 (pay period July 4-17, 2024; paycheck date of July 31, 2024), for employees having a calendar-year or college-year professional obligation, or (2) September 1, 2024 (pay period August 29-September 11, 2024; paycheck date of September 25, 2024), for employees having an academic-year professional obligation.

Lump Sum Payment
Full-time employees who were on payroll, or on authorized unpaid leave upon ratification, on September 1, 2023, or on the first day of the semester beginning nearest to September 1, 2023 (whichever is later), and who continue on payroll, or on authorized unpaid leave, through April 30, 2024, shall receive a lump sum payment of $3,000, effective April 30, 2024, payable as follows: $1,500, to be paid on the first day of the payroll period following July 1, 2024 (pay period July 4-17, 2024; paycheck date of July 31, 2024); $1,500, to be paid on the first day of the payroll period following July 1, 2025 (pay period July 3-16, 2025; paycheck date of July 30, 2025).

Employees on authorized leaves must return to full time employment status by June 30, 2025, to receive such payment. Such payment shall not be pensionable and shall not be added to basic annual salary. Such payment shall be prorated for less than full-time employees based on a formula mutually agreed to by the parties. Employees who separated from payroll or were placed on a leave without pay during the break between fall semester 2023 and spring semester 2024 but who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements shall remain eligible.

Permanent and Continuing Appointment Increases
Full-time employees who have been granted permanent or continuing appointment by the Chancellor, at the campus at which they are currently employed, or a second five-year term appointment, at the campus at which they are currently employed in titles listed in Article XI, Appendix A of the Policies, shall receive a one-time advance to basic annual salary of $500. Employees who have completed seven (7) consecutive years of full-time service at the campus at which they are currently employed in the title of Lecturer or in any of the titles listed in Article XI, Appendix B, Section 4 Division III Sports, or Article XI, Appendix C shall receive a one-time advance to basic annual salary of $500.

Commencing July 1, 2024 (pay period June 20-July 3, 2024; paycheck date of July 17, 2024), full-time employees who have been granted permanent or continuing appointment by the Chancellor, at the campus at which they are currently employed, or a second five-year term appointment, at the campus at which they are currently employed in titles listed in Article XI, Appendix A of the Policies, shall receive a one-time advance to basic annual salary of $1,000 (employees who previously received $500 under Subsection 20.10.a shall only receive an additional $500). Employees who have completed seven (7) consecutive years of full-time service at the campus at which they are currently employed in the title of Lecturer, in any qualified academic rank title, or in any of the titles listed in Article XI, Appendix B, Section 4 Division III Sports, or Article XI, Appendix C shall receive a one-time advance to basic annual salary of $1,000 (employees who previously received $500 under Subsection 20.10.a shall receive only an additional $500).

Please join the Teaching and Learning Center for the Teaching and Learning Center Book Club on Thursday, July 18, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Butler Library 318.

This TLC Book Club conversation, presented by Angela Thering, lecturer in the Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education Department, will focus on Salman Khan's Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That's a Good Thing).

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) offers New York State employees an opportunity to practice various coping skills and strengthen their resilience through OMH Wellness Groups, which aligns with the vision of supporting a healthy workplace environment. The groups include deep breathing and simulation exercises to allow employees to practice rather than have group discussions. Group sessions offer a warm, inviting space that fosters relaxation virtually and provides examples of calming techniques and basic coping skills. Remember that the mind and body are one, and psychological health is just as important as physical health to your overall well-being.

The group sessions are free, confidential, and anonymous, and virtual employees can call in from any phone. Group sessions include Monday Meditation, Mindful Mondays, Taking Care of Mind and Body, and Tending to Self.  Please see the OMH calendar for group session details and how to join (PDF, 450 KB).

Please contact OMH with questions.

Highmark of Western New York offers a variety of wellness and professional development workshops to enhance employee well-being and growth. Please join us for "The Self-Care Essentials," presented by Tom Haney, business consultant and lifestyle coach in health and productivity risk management, on Tuesday, July 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 418 or via Teams.

This presentation focuses on what you should know and do to protect your health and well-being.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.