Bulletin for December 17, 2008

BULLETIN TO GO “ONLINE-ONLY”
A tremendous amount of paper is consumed in the production of announcements, memos, newsletters and other general information that is delivered to 1,247 employees of the college. Several recurring publications have gone to electronic-only versions over the last few years, and the President’s Cabinet has approved a plan to do the same with the College Bulletin. Starting on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, an email will be sent to all faculty and staff with a link to the online College Bulletin. This change will significantly reduce the consumption of paper and other resources. It is estimated that electronic distribution will save six hundred reams of paper annually, in addition to the hours of labor involved in the printing and distribution. A small number of staff members do not have ready access to computers and will need to continue to receive a paper copy. To request a paper copy, contact Mona Hughes at hughesml@oneonta.edu.

SUMMER 2009 COURSE IN GREECE
Greek Art in Context, is a summer course being offered in Greece. The travel/study event is open to students and the community at large. Currently, 9 days of tours, museum visits and other activities have been planned. Please see complete information attached to this issue of the Bulletin.

SPRING TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEDULE AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Spring 2009 Technology Training Schedule can be found at the following website: http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/training/Calendar.aspx. Registration for all Spring Term Faculty/Staff training sessions is now open. Note: This training is open to ANY COLLEGE EMPLOYEE (as long as you have your supervisor’s permission if necessary), and available to you FREE OF CHARGE. Take advantage of this opportunity by signing up for a class today!

REMEMBER “PROJECT BLUE LIGHT” THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
A simple gesture by the mother of a Philadelphia police officer gunned down in the line of duty led to the birth of “Project Blue Light.” As you busy yourselves this month with holiday preparations, take a few moments to remember all the law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. Locally, in past years, we lost dedicated officers Constable Norm Carr and State Trooper Ricky Perisian. Remember the memory of these brave officers and countless others by placing a single blue light in a window of your home or apartment. This holiday season, honor those who have committed themselves to you.

TO EMPLOYEES IN THE NEW YORK STATE TEACHERS ’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM (TRS)
If you wish to book a consultation with NYS TRS phone 1-800-348-7298/extension 6100 or visit www.nystrs.org. Appointments at various locations including Oneonta are scheduled during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, year around. If you have questions, contact Human Resources at x2509.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USER GROUP BEING ORGANIZED
All Faculty and Staff- Have you ever wanted to build a website for yourself or an organization? Do you enjoy learning something new and have some time on your hands? I am starting a Content Management System user group on campus. We will meet once a week after work to get started and monthly after that to share ideas and how-tos from the group. The CMS resides on your own web space, accessible from anywhere you can connect to the web. Topics include: the control panel (uploading files, setting up email accounts, file management, connecting to databases), installing a very powerful CMS, the user manual, getting help, adding pages, adding content, blogs, installing and maintaining a Forum., installing a Coppermine photo library, installing at least one free script from hotscripts, and much more. You must buy your own domain name, and space to work with, this costs $70 a year. If you are interested, or want more technical information, contact Norman Payne at paynene@oneonta.edu.

NEW HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR 2009
The 2009 health insurance rates were recently mailed to subscriber’s home address by Department of Civil Service. Human Resources also mailed memos to all eligible employees at their campus addresses showing the new rates. The rates are also available on line at www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd. New deductions will begin with the December 24 paycheck. If you change plans, because of the processing time, most paycheck changes will be made in January and will include retroactive adjustments for coverage beginning on December 25, 2008. If you did not receive the new rates contact Human Resources at 208 Netzer or phone x2509.

OPTION TRANSFER PERIOD DEADLINE EXTENDED
New rates for 2009 are now out and the deadline for the Option Transfer Period has been extended to January 5, 2009. Contact Human Resources before the deadline if you wish to change insurance plans, change from family to individual plan while your dependents are still eligible for enrollment, or cancel your coverage while you are still eligible for enrollment. If you change plans, because of the processing time, most paycheck changes will be made in January and will include retroactive adjustments for coverage beginning on December 25, 2008. If you have any questions, contact Human Resources at 208 Netzer or phone x2509.

INTRODUCING “SUNY PERKS”
SUNY has just announced the introduction of “SUNY Perks”! SUNY Perks is a website which provides SUNY employees and their family members exclusive discounts on hundreds of brand name products and services. To enroll, go to http://suny.corporateperks.com and follow these instructions: 1. Click on “Register Now.” 2. In the appropriate boxes, enter Mr./Ms. (it doesn’t look like a required field, but it is!), enter your first name, and enter your last name. 3. DO NOT ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. (This screen asks for your SUNY e-mail address. It actually wants an email address that ends in “suny.edu”.) 4. Click the box after the statement, “If you don’t have a SUNY email address, click here.” Then click the “SUBMIT” button and follow the prompts on the following pages. (NOTE: When you get to “Members Sign In”, enter your e-mail address in the “Login” box, and follow the remaining prompts.) If anyone has any questions about this enrollment process, please contact Human Resources at x2509.

UUP LABOR-MANAGEMENT MEETING NOTES: MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2008
In attendance: Nancy Kleniewski (College at Oneonta President), Bill Simons (UUP Oneonta President), Lisa Wenck (College at Oneonta Associate Vice President for Employee Services), and J McDermott (UUP Oneonta Part-Time Concerns Officer). The third of three single-issue UUP Labor-Management meetings focused on Part-Time Concerns. The purpose of this meeting was to identify rather than to resolve substantive issues, with the expectation of subsequently returning to articulated concerns. There was discussion concerning the diversity of UUP part-timers, both in terms of their backgrounds and position; attention was also given to the significance of adjunct numbers and contributions. Differentiating between those part-time matters specified by the statewide contract and those defined on campus, UUP noted that its chapter Part-Time Concerns officer also provides representation on statewide committees. Focusing on campus issues, UUP gave primary attention to the following Part-Time Concerns at the College: Salaries/Benefits, Workload/Professionalism, and Job Security/Advancement. UUP noted several past win-win outcomes for Labor and Management concerning Part-Timers, including eligibility for Discretionary Salary Increases, discount campus lodging, an orientation program, and access to technology services after 4:30 p.m. In addition, UUP advocated for several initiatives for Part-Timers, including increased compensation and security, further efforts to promote a sense of belonging, and seniority considerations. Management asked a number of questions, and indicated that it would give consideration to the topics discussed. UUP indicated that it would contact Management to schedule additional meetings dedicated to Part-Time Concerns for the Spring Semester while the future format of the "regular" monthly Labor-Management would be discussed subsequently.

SEEKING QUALIFIED TUTORS
As always, The Center for Academic Development and Enrichment (CADE) is seeking faculty recommendations for qualified tutors for 100 and 200-level courses for the Spring 2009 semester. Tutors are paid for their time, and tutorial experience looks great on a resume. CADE is asking instructors to please take a few minutes to look over class lists and email Mary Dorn (dornmb@oneonta.edu) with any recommendations for new tutors. These recommendations will help CADE to provide tutors who can effectively assist students with class material. CADE is here to support instructors in their endeavor to lead students to academic success. Happy Holidays!!!!

CSEA SPONSORING BUS TO RALLY
CSEA is sponsoring a bus to Albany on Wednesday, January 7, for the March for Main Street rally. The bus will leave the Hunt Union parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 4:30 p.m. The ride is free, but CSEA members must charge appropriate leave accruals. Seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are open to everyone (other unions, community members, friends, family, etc). The more, the merrier. Join thousands of other union members, activists and New Yorkers as we March for Main Street. To reserve your seat, contact Veronica Diver at x3522.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SATURDAY’S BREAD - DECEMBER 20 & 27 AND JANUARY 3 & 10
During the holiday season, Saturday's Bread is in need of community volunteers for the following Saturdays: December 20, December 27, January 3 and January 10. Volunteers work from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. No special skills are necessary. Children (age 11+) and parents are welcome. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Zimniewicz at 432-9273 to sign-up or Linda Drake Director for the Center for Social Responsibility and Community at 436-2633. Many hands make light work. Thank you.

SYMPHONY TO FEATURE HOLIDAY CHORAL MUSIC – DECEMBER 21
Over one hundred singers from the area will join the Catskill Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. on Sunday December 21, in the Belden Auditorium, Oneonta High School, for a special holiday concert. Students from Cherry Valley/Springfield Central School, Gilboa/Conesville Central School, Milford Central School, Oneonta High School, and Oneonta Middle School will join forces with the Orchestra and the Catskill Choral Society to present a concert of holiday music from several traditions. The Symphony’s Music Director, Charles Schneider, will conduct. The combined chorus will sing such holiday favorites as The Little Drummer Boy and the always stirring Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, along with Brazilian Noel, Ose Shalom, Three Festive Angelic Chorals and an a capella work, Holiday Jazz Trio, arranged by Mark Hayes. The Orchestra will showcase three versions of Sleigh Ride, those by Leopold Mozart, Frederick Delius, and Leroy Anderson, and two other Anderson favorites, A Christmas Festival and Trumpeter’s Lullaby, with Carleton Clay, principal trumpet, as soloist. Festive Sounds of Hanukah and Skater’s Waltz round out program. The performance is dedicated to Arthur and Joann Rasmussen and marks the second time the Symphony has collaborated with area choirs to present a holiday concert. An anonymous grant provides free tickets for any one or two adults with any number of students they wish to bring. To reserve free student tickets, phone the Symphony Office at x2670. This concert is sponsored by Benson Agency Real Estate, LLC, Betsy Shultis and Becky Thomas Broker/Owners, and by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Additional funding is provided by: Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, Stewart’s Shops, the Future for Oneonta Foundation, and Asbury Gardens. Catskill Symphony Orchestra concerts are made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

FACULTY RESEARCH SHOW CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS DEADLINE – JANUARY 2
Call for Participants: The Grants Development Office (GDO) is calling for participants for the ninth annual Faculty Research Show (FRS) to be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Morris Conference Center. The FRS celebrates the excellent and diverse research and related activities conducted by College at Oneonta faculty. Different formats for presentation will be accommodated, including posters, hands-on exhibits, PowerPoint presentations, and videotaped presentations. The GDO will make every effort to accommodate requests, and will help purchase materials and arrange for use of media equipment; large format printing of posters will be available for presenters. Note: You do not have to be present during the entire FRS to participate; you may send a colleague or student representative, or GDO staff can help facilitate presentations. There are no scheduled talks at the FRS. If you would like to participate, please email the following information to meekerkl@oneonta.edu by Friday, January 2, 2009: Name and department of first author/presenter; Co-authors and affiliations (if applicable); Title of project/presentation; Presentation format (GDO staff will follow up regarding specifics and materials/support required). An abstract of the presentation (500 words or less) will also be required, but can be subsequently submitted (no later than Monday, January 19, 2009). If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Meeker at x2632. Programs with abstracts from previous Faculty Research Shows are available from the GDO by request.

RETIREMENT PARTY TO HONOR CAPTAIN JAMES SMALL – JANUARY 25
A retirement party to honor Captain James Small of the University Police Department is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Otsego Grill, Morris Conference Center. Captain Small has served the College for the past 33 years. A nominal contribution of $25.00 per person is requested for food, drink and a retirement gift. Mail or drop off your $25.00 per person contribution by Monday, January 20, 2009. A head count is necessary to allow for proper seating and food. Mail checks payable to Bart Ingersoll to University Police Department, State University College at Oneonta, Alumni Hall, Oneonta, NY 13820. If you choose to drop off your money, please put it in an envelope and indicate “Small Retirement Party” and your name. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Barbara Brent at x2491.

EXAM INFORMATION
The Print Shop is offering exams while you wait through Friday, December 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please help us serve you better by bringing materials to the Print Shop as soon as possible to allow ample time to complete your exams. If you find yourself in a dilemma, please ask! Our staff will make every effort to help meet your needs.

FACULTY PLEASE NOTE AS YOU PLAN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR SPRING SEMESTER
The Spring 2009 semester begins on January 14. The large volume of duplication requests for course documents and bookstore items make this a busy time in the Print Shop. Our best service to you occurs when we don’t have to rush to get work done. Please help us meet your needs by planning ahead and bringing you instructional materials for spring semester to the print shop as early as possible to insure you will have them on time. Items to be placed in the bookstore that have a large number of pages and need to be bound should be brought to the Print Shop by Tuesday, December 23 to insure they are on the shelf and ready for students to pick up.

CHANGE IN PERSONAL CAR MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT
Effective January 1, 2009, the personal car mileage reimbursement rate will be 55 cents per mile. This rate is in effect for all business miles driven beginning January 1, 2009. Reminder: Please check with hotels to be sure that the State (government) rate is the lowest rate available. Feel free to contact Terri Thomas at x3530 or Becca O’Donnell at x2555 for any travel related questions.

MILNE LIBRARY HOURS FOR FINALS WEEK AND INTERSESSION

HELP DESK AND TECH SERVICE HOURS
The Help Desk and Tech Services will observe the following hours during the recess, Monday, December 22 – Friday, January 9:

OAS HOURS & SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

HUNT COLLEGE UNION HOURS
The Hunt College Union will observe the following hours during the recess:

NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DATABASES
All New York State Employees can obtain access to databases through the New York State Library. See the New York State Library web site for information on obtaining a NYS Library card: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/apply.htm Databases not provided by the College at Oneonta include: 19th Century Masterfile (index to historical periodicals from 1802 to 1906); ABI/INFORM; Abstracts in Social Gerontology; Accessible Archives (primary source material from the 18th & 19th centuries); African American Experience; African American Newspapers (19th Century); America's Historical Newspapers: New York: 1690 to 1922; America's Newspapers: New York; Anthropology Plus; Biological Abstracts; BioOne; CIS (Congressional Information Service); Civil War: A Newspaper Perspective; Congressional Universe; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA); EconLit; Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management; Godey's Ladys Book (1830-1889); HeritageQuest Online; Index to Current Urban Documents; Index to Early American Periodicals (1700-1935); Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA); National Climatic Data Center (NOAA); PsycBooks; Sanborn Maps(1867-1970); Statistical Universe; Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide. A New York Public Library card is available to anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes, or attends school in New York State. For further information see: https://www2.nypl.org/home/branch/brlibsapp.cfm Databases not provided by the College at Oneonta include: African American Experience; African-American History Online; American Indian History Online; American Women's History; Ancient & Medieval History Online; Books in Print; Columbia Gazetteer of the World; Columbia Granger's World of Poetry; Credo Reference; Electronic Enlightenment; Encyclopaedia Britannica; Facts On File History Database Center; History Resource Center: US; History Resource Center: World ; Latino American Experience; Modern World History Online; New York Post (2000-present); Project Muse; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; Religion and Philosophy Collection; Science Online. For questions on Milne Library databases, please contact Nancy Cannon at cannon@oneonta.edu.

BULLETIN INFORMATION
Email your items and attachments to Mona Hughes at hughesml@oneonta.edu. Do not send items or attachments in Publisher. Deadlines are Thursdays at noon for the following Wednesday publication. Items that come after the noon deadline will be held over for the next available edition. Bulletins are not published when classes are not in session. We observe the same deadline before a recess for the Bulletin following a recess.