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Welcome to the professional staff at Buffalo State College!
As you begin your professional career in a new job, it’s sometimes overwhelming to understand all the rules and requirements. “Seasoned” professionals are here to help you.Happy to provide information, answer your questions, and direct you to the proper person or office to sign up for a retirement plan or obtain a parking sticker. We understand just how confusing and isolated it can be.
This handbook is available on the Professional Staff Caucus website at Professional Staff Development website In compiling the handbook, the committee did not attempt to be all-inclusive; instead, they collected websites, addresses and phone numbers as resources for a new professional. This online version is meant to be a starting point for new employees and mentors.
Take advantage of the mentoring support system available to assist you. Join us at the Professional Staff Caucus meetings (listed on the website), read our newsletter (Chronicle), and enjoy the company of your fellow professionals at social events. Congratulations on your new position and welcome to our campus community.
Sincerely,
Valerie Anastasi
Carole Schaus
Co-chairs, Professional Staff Caucus Handbook/Mentor Committee
The PSC Handbook and Mentoring committee created this handbook in 1999-2000. The members were:
Valerie AnastasiKelley Aures Don Blundell
Colleen MeeksCarole Schaus Elizabeth Stevens
Tina SutherlandLillian ZhuMarcy Zulawski
*Special thanks to Maurine Baker-Stein for her conceptual work.
Revised August 2011
Revised August 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic
Appointment Types
Banking
Child Care
College Relations
Campus Technology
Copying Services
Credit Union
Direct Deposit
Directory Information
Dining On Campus
Disability Services
Emergency Contact Information
Employee Assistance Program
Environmental Health and Safety
Equity and Diversity
First Aid and Accident Reporting
Furniture Needs
Health Insurance
Homepage of Buffalo State College
Human Resource Forms
Identification Card
Information Technology Assistance/Training
Keys
Leave Policies
Library Services
Meeting Space/Room Reservations
Multimedia Equipment and Assistance
Parking
Performance Program
Professional Staff Caucus (PSC)
Retirement Programs
Senate
Transportation Services
Tuition Assistance
Union (UUP)
Wellness
Work Order Requests
Please note that the campus telephone prefix is 878
APPOINTMENT TYPES
Temporary Appointment
Temporary appointments are ordinarily given only when service is to be part-time, voluntary, or anticipated to be for a period of one year or less, or when an employee's initial appointment is made to a position vacated by a professional employee who is serving a probationary appointment in another position. A temporary appointment is also appropriate whenever an employee on an approved leave vacates a position. This type of appointment may be terminated at any time.
Term Appointment
A term appointment is given for a specified period of not more than three years. It automatically expires at the end of that period unless terminated earlier because of resignation, retirement or termination. A term appointment cannot be offered to a new employee without completing a search or search waiver approved by Equity & Campus Diversity. Further employment of a part-time employee beyond six consecutive semesters in a professional title shall be a term appointment.
Permanent Appointment
Permanent appointments are granted by the Chancellor after recommendation by the President. Professional employees are eligible for permanent appointment upon completion of seven years of full-time professional service at the college, the last two years of which are in the same professional title. Note: Some professional employees are not eligible for permanent appointment, but are eligible for five-year term appointments.
BANKING
There are Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) located in the Campbell Student Union for use by all faculty, staff, and students. Buffalo State College is also a member of the Morton R. Lane Federal Credit Union, which has a branch on campus located in the Classroom Building (see Credit Union for details). Off-campus banking services near the college include ATMs at Tops and Wegmans supermarkets, along with numerous banks including First Niagara, M&T, and Key Bank.
CHILD CARE
Child Care Center Buckham Hall, C-Wing x 5335
The Buffalo State College Child Care Center is a non-profit, on-site child care center located at Buffalo State College. The Center is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, which is a division of the National Association for Education ofYoung Children.
The Center is funded through parent fees, Buffalo State College, SUNY, the United Students' Government of Buffalo State College,and Family Benefits Committee.
COLLEGE RELATIONS
College Relations Office Cleveland Hall, Room 307 x 4201
The College Relations Office produces publications for a wide variety of audiences—alumni and friends as well as faculty, staff, and prospective students. These publications are used for undergraduate and graduate student recruitment efforts, internal communication, and institutional advancement efforts.
Examples include 1300 Elmwood magazine, the Daily Bulletin, and viewbooks, annual reports, invitations, brochures, and other custom publications.
College Relations is responsible forthe official Buffalo State web site and works closely with campus to provide general web support, promotion via the main site, official web templates,andproduct-specific training (templates, Urchin, etc.).
Buffalo State uses a web-based content management system (CMS) to house the main site, key custom subsites, academic department sites, and administrative office sites. The CMS includes campuswide access to 12 unique templates designed specifically for academic departments/programs and administrative offices.Campus use of the college'sweb template systemfor new web sites is strongly encouraged.
Communication Vehicles
The Daily Bulletin
The Daily Bulletin is a weekly newsletter of official campus announcements that is published most Thursdays during the academic year. Each issue is posted online and employees receive email notification when new issues are available. Anyone wishing to receive a hard copy of the Bulletin should send a written request to the College Relations Office. Guidelines for submissions to the publication are available in each issue.
1300 Elmwood
1300 Elmwoodis Buffalo State's magazine for alumni and friends of the college and is produced by the Buffalo State College Relations Office
COMPUTING AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
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Accounts
- BlackboardLearning management system
- BannerOfficial system of record, used for online registration/grading
- Degree Works Student audit system
- E-mailAccessiblefrom your campus computer (Outlook or Entourage), orweb browser(Outlook Web Access)
Please NoteYour department is responsible forcontacting the Computing Help Deskto request your accounts. You may want to check with your department secretary to ensure that your accounts have been requested. A representative from the Help Desk will contact you and assist you with logging in.
Computer access
Your department will provide a campus computer for you to use, which will include the standard campus software and access to a printer (either an individual desk printer or shared network printer). Contact your department if you have special software needs. You will use your Buffalo State username tologin to campus computers.
Help Desk: Twin Rise, Room 202x 4357 (HELP)
General Information: Twin Rise, Room 208 x 4611
Web Page:
COPYING SERVICES
Copy Center/Quick CopyCleveland Hall, Room 111 x 4509
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm
Campus Services operates the Copy Center, which is located in the basement of Grover Cleveland Hall. The Copy Center’s primary function is to provide services to Buffalo State offices for official state business only. As an added convenience, the Copy Center also provides high volume (20 copy minimum) personal copy services for a fee. Services available include color photocopying, binding, transparencies, and lamination. A current list of prices and services is available upon request at the center.
CREDIT UNION
Morton R. Lane Federal Credit Union Classroom Building, Room 105 837-2007
Hours: Mon & Fri, 8 –12:00; Thurs, 1:30 – 4:00
The Morton R. Lane State University Federal Credit Union is a non-profit financial institution that provides its members with a variety of banking services. Employees may use either the campus office or any of the 3 additional branches: Headquarters – Englewood Avenue; Downtown – Roswell Park Hospital; Amherst – UB North campus. To obtain quick cash at BSC, there is a Credit Union ATM located in the Student Union. The Credit Union also offers a Member Access Touch-Tone Teller (MATT) for 24-hour account access. Services offered include savings and checking accounts, payroll deduction, direct deposit and Visa Cards. Other options include children’s accounts, loans, money orders, IRAs, traveler's checks, a Holiday Club, and discounted tickets for local movie theaters and theme parks.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Payroll Office Cleveland Hall, Room 408x 4124
All employees of Buffalo State can enjoy the convenience of direct deposit. The necessary forms can be picked up in the Payroll Office or downloaded from the Buffalo State Human Resource Management web page.
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Faculty and Staff Directory
Human Resource ManagementCleveland Hall, Room 112 x 3042
Campus Operator: x 4000
The Faculty and Staff Directory can be obtained in hard copy from Human Resource Management or it can be accessed online. The Campus Operator also provides directory information at extension 4000. In order to update directory information, employees should submit an Employee Personal Data Form or the Change/Add Form available in the directory.
DINING ON CAMPUS
Dining Services Campus House
Established in 2001, Campus House has been developed as a "teaching laboratory" for our students as well as a social club for the Buffalo State community. Members can stop by for lunch or coffee, watch hospitality students at work in the open, state-of-the-art kitchen, orreserve spacefor business or social occasions.
Campus House is a comfortable, quiet, and affordable spot on campus for lunch and socializing—designed especially for faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the college. Campus House offers fine dining and relaxed meeting spaces for club members.
- Campbell Student Union M - Th, 7:30 am - 8 pm; Sat & Sun, 11 am - 7 pm
Eight different venues in the Student Union offer a wide variety of food choices, including meat and vegetables, deli sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, pizza, bagels and bakery items.
- Social Hall Dining CommonsHours: Sun. – Th, 5 pm - 8 pm
Located in the Student Union, the Social Hall offers an all-you-can-eat format including a salad bar, traditional meat and potatoes, Italian entrées, deli, soup, dessert, and a full line of beverages.
DISABILITY SERVICES
South Wing 120x 4500
The Disability Services Officecoordinatesappropriate accommodations to provide students with
disabilities access to academic programs and services.Services are provided according to documented individual needs.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
University Police Chase Hall x 6333
University Police provides a 24 hour patrol service that operates 7 days a week. Their services also include escort shuttles, a Motorist Assist Program, and 25 blue light emergency phones.
Campus Operator x 4000
Contact the Campus Operator for general information and phone numbers. Employees can also access the above website for an online search of faculty & staff.
Emergency/Snow Closings x 5000
Related Leave Guidelines:
Call the above extension 24 hours a day for weather-related closing updates. Do not call University Police or other campus offices for this information. It is advised that all employees review the leave guidelines for emergency snow closings on campus.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Human Resource Management Cleveland Hall, Room 403x 4822
EAP Confidential Voice Mail: x 6699
The Employee Assistance Program helps state employees and their families cope with a wide variety of personal problems which in some cases impair job performance. EAP is not a counseling service, but rather a confidential information, assessment and referral service. Depending upon the nature of an employee’s concerns, referrals are made to programs, services or agencies within the community for appropriate assistance. Employees interested in the EAP can leave a message on the program’s confidential voice mail line or contact the Human Resources Office for the names of the current EAP coordinators. Written information is also available online and in the hallway outside of the Human Resource Management office .
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Campus Services DeWitt Clinton Centerx 6112
Buffalo State College must comply with all NY State Environmental Health and Safety Regulations. All employees are required to perform their duties utilizing safe work practices as stipulated under these regulations. It is Campus Services policy that no one is required to do a task he or she feels is unsafe. It is imperative for employees who deem a task unsafe to immediately speak with their supervisor. Any employee with questions or concerns pertaining to health or safety issues should first consult with their supervisor and then the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
EQUITY and DIVERSITY
Office of Equity and Campus Diversity Cleveland Hall, Room 415 x 6210
The mission of the Office of Equity and Campus Diversity is to ensure that the college community understands and complies with both federal and state laws with respect to equal opportunity and affirmative action. The primary goal of the office is to assist the college in the creation of a nurturing and intellectually vital environment for a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. Buffalo State is committed to the need for proper and respectful treatment of all members of the College community. Every member of the college community shares the responsibility for addressing incidents of discrimination or harassment. Contact the Office of Equity and Campus Diversity for assistance, grievance procedures, and campus policies on the following: Sexual Harassment, Consensual Sexual and Amorous Relations, Sexual Orientation, Individuals with Disabilities, and Exams on Religious Holidays.
FIRST AID NEEDS & ACCIDENT REPORTING
University Police Chase Hallx 6333
First Aid Needs
Emergency health needs on campus should be phoned directly to University Police, who will then dispatch an ambulance, if necessary, and provide on-site assistance until emergency medical technicians arrive. The Buffalo Police Department does operate a 911 emergency system, but University Police suggests that phoning them directly will enable the most efficient response. Please note that according to campus policy, The Weigel Health Center can treat registered Buffalo State College students only.
Accident Reporting
An Employee Personal Injury/Illness Form must be completed and submitted to Human Resources. This is often the responsibility of the employee’s supervisor, but can be initiated by the employee. The necessary form can be downloaded from the HRM web page:
FURNITURE NEEDS
Campus Services: Surplus and Inventory DeWitt Clinton Center x 3181
The college stores surplus furniture that can be viewed by employees and requested for use in their offices. If you wish to add furniture to your office or have particular items removed, contact Surplus and Inventory to make arrangements.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Human Resource Management Cleveland Hall, Room 410x 4821
Employees must choose a health insurance carrier within 30 days of beginning employment. Printed information on providers is provided by Human Resource Management or it can be accessed on the office’s web site. Provider choices include Community Blue, Empire Plan, Univera Healthcare, and Independent Health. Information is also available on dental plans, vision care, prescription drug plans, COBRA coverage, and Medicare.
HOMEPAGE OF BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
CAMPUS IDENTIFICATION CARD
E.H. Butler LibraryRoom 108x 5152
The campus identification card, or SUNYCARD, is a multi-purpose photo ID card issued to all students, staff and faculty. Each card has an identification number assigned to the individual cardholder. It serves as identification for use of services and facilities on campus, such as library borrowing privileges. The card also has the following uses: long distance calling, meal payment, vending debit, and bank debit card purposes. The cards are available in Butler Library by showing a valid photo ID. Cards are free of charge, but there is a $10.00 replacement fee. Present your card at the college bookstore to obtain a validation sticker and your card can be used for a 10% discount at the Barnes & Noble bookstore (Niagara Falls Blvd location only). You may also use it at certain Performing Arts Center events for a faculty/staff ticket discount.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ASSISTANCE/TRAINING
Faculty And Staff Technology Development Center (FAST)x 3289
Butler Library, Third Floor
FAST works with faculty and staff to promote the use of information technologies to enhance instruction and program services. Services offered include computer instruction, web consultation and development, resource books on software programs and web creation, equipment loans, and a Faculty/Staff Workroom where employees can use a color scanner, color printer, a digital camera and a variety of PCs. The Center is composed of both faculty and staff from multiple departments who also work on grants, special projects, and connect employees with technology resources and assistance.
KEYS
Campus Services DeWitt Clinton Centerx 6111
Each employee’s supervisor will identify which keys are to be issued by completing a Key Card for each key requested. It will be signed by the supervisor and returned to Campus Services. There is normally a two-day waiting period for key requests. Employees must sign for their keys and pick them up in person. There is no charge for keys when issued; however, there is a fee for key replacement and for keys that are not turned in upon termination of employment. Employees are personally responsible for the use or loss of their keys. Please protect them at all times.