The second edition of the Promotional newsletter (December 2021) is now posted. This edition includes contest winners, upcoming events, programs, a recipe, and more. The newsletter has copies of all event fliers. The December edition also features our new self-care series, featuring tips, tricks, events, programs, resources and more to help you with your self-care.

Here are a few sneak peeks of what you will find in December:

• Bike Group Demo (with Free Pizza): How to Change a Tire
• HIV/AIDS Survivor Speaker and Free HIV/STI Testing
• Cooking Starter Kit Contest (Value $150+)
• Late Night Breakfast with Chartwells
• Commuter Massages and Hot Chocolate

All newsletters are archived on the Weigel Health Promotions website.

Follow us on social media for more contests, events, and programs.

Like us?on Facebook?(Buffalo State Health Promotions)
Follow us on Twitter?(@BSCHealthPromo)
Watch us on YouTube??(BSCHealthPromotions)
Find us on Instagram??(@Buffalostate_healthpromotions)
Follow us on Pinterest?(bschealthpromo)

The best way to find information is to follow us on social media. We will post any last-minute additions, updates, or cancellations as necessary. We have also created a public Outlook calendar with our events and other programs. Consider attending with a friend or org to boost your résumé or earn possible extra credit. If you missed a workshop or have an idea, please email Paula Madrigal, assistant director of prevention and health promotions. Click on the links for more information or visit our social media to check out the fliers.

Hope to see you there!

Reminder: Some programs require an RSVP. Also, some custom links are case sensitive.

Please contact?Paula Madrigal with questions.

The Buffalo State Men’s Soccer program is partnering with Toys for Tots this holiday season for its second annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive to collect toy donations for families in need throughout our Buffalo community.

A bin will be located outside Houston Gym 233, or you can email Francesco Cardillo, head men's soccer coach, to set up a time to drop off toys.

Thank you!

Please contact Francesco Cardillo, (716) 930-3180, or August Finn, assistant men's soccer coach, (845) 706-9807, for more information or with questions on how to donate.

The NYS Employee Assistance Program continues to host the very popular WellNYS Daily To-Do email. This program sends a daily email with a tip that encourages a healthful behavior. Sign up to receive the WellNYS Daily To-Do email every morning.

The WellNYS Everyday Monthly Challenge Program is another option that promotes practicing a healthful behavior for 20 days out of the month, which hopefully develops into a habit. Sign up for the WellNYS Everyday Monthly Challenge Program.

December Monthly Challenge: Start each day with a positive affirmation.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The final meeting of the College Senate for fall 2021 will be held Friday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. (one hour earlier) in Bulger Communication Center 215 (Newman Lecture Hall). Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, with questions.

Cultural Café, a monthly event that brings together members of the Buffalo State College community over conversation, culture, and coffee, will hold its last event for fall 2021 today, December 3, with a focus on Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Please join us at 3:00 p.m. on the first floor of Butler Library as we celebrate the holiday season. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and find common ground with other internationally minded members of the community in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Thank you to Chartwells for preparing refreshments this fall for the Cultural Café. Sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Butler Library, and Global Engagement.

Applications for the Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship are now available for the spring 2022 semester. All CSEA Local 640 members and their dependent children who are registered or will register at Buffalo State College for at least 3 credit hours for the spring 2022 semester may apply for the $250 scholarship. Applications must be completed in the Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS) system by Wednesday, January 12, 2022. If you need assistance or instructions, please contact Mary Codick, administrative assistant 1 in the Teacher Certification Office, 878-6121. Thank you and good luck.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Celebration of Community Engagement Awards. These awards recognize students, faculty, staff, and community partners who make a difference locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally through civic and community engagement initiatives throughout the academic year. Although nominations will be accepted throughout the spring semester, we want to make sure to capture the accomplishments of fall 2021. 

Three faculty awards bring recognition to early career, mid-career, and faculty leaders in community engagement. The campus community is also encouraged to nominate deserving students, student groups, community partners, faculty members, or classes for their outstanding achievements for fall 2021 and spring 2022 community engagement activities.

Please help us recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond this year. More information and the online nomination form can be found on the CCE website. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 22, 2022.

The annual Option Transfer Period—the time to choose the health insurance option you want for 2022—is open through Friday, December 31. The New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) offers employees the choice of the Empire Plan or a NYSHIP-approved health maintenance organization (HMO) serving the area where they live or work.

The "Choices" booklet (PDF, 1.1 MB) explains the available NYSHIP options if you are considering changing your health insurance option for 2022 or wish to review your current option. You can find the "Choices" booklet and other option transfer publications on the NYSHIP Online website. Select your group and plan when prompted, then select Health Benefits and Option Transfer, and choose Rates and Health Plan Choices for the most up-to-date option transfer information.

A limited number of "Choices" booklets will also be available in the Benefits Office. Please call if you wish to receive a paper copy. Rate information will be sent directly to enrollees' homes. Information is also available on the Buffalo State Benefits website.

If you have coverage under another employer-sponsored health insurance program, you may be eligible to opt out of NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. If you are interested in participating in the Opt-Out Program for 2022, please contact the Employee Benefits Office. It is no longer necessary to re-enroll in the Opt-Out Program each year. No action is required for current Opt-Out enrollees who are still eligible and wish to remain in the program for 2022.

Except under limited circumstances, you cannot change options outside the annual Option Transfer Period, which ends on December 31, 2021.

Other changes permitted during the Option Transfer Period without a qualifying event:

– Change from family to individual coverage
– Voluntarily cancel your coverage
– Change your tax-election option (pre-tax to after-tax or after-tax to pre-tax)

To change your health insurance option during the Option Transfer Period, please return the completed and signed Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF, 78 KB) to the Employee Benefits Office (Cleveland Hall 403) by Friday, December 31. You may also change your option online using MyNYSHIP. All changes will be effective Thursday, January 6, 2022.

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

If you have questions, please contact the Benefits Office, (716) 878-4821.

Come and celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Newman Center today, December 8, at 12:05 p.m., in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.

Come and celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Newman Center on Wednesday, December 8, at 12:05 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.