8/26/2011 Implementation of Deficit Reduction Plan aka “Furloughs”
Please click here for Implementation of Deficit Reduction Plan aka “Furloughs”
4/19/2010 NYS & CSEA Partnership Announcement
The University is pleased to announce the Partnership's Tuition Benefits Program for 2010-2011 for eligible CSEA-represented employees. Copies of the catalog and application forms are available at www.nyscseapartnership.org. Further information including advisement services are available at 800-253-4332.
09/27/2010 Clery Act Notification & Alcohol Policy Memo 2010
Please click here for the Clery Act Notification & Alcohol Policy Memo 2010.
1/6/2011 Important Change To Social Security Tax Withholding Rate
Please click here for more information regarding the Important Change To Social Security Tax Withholding Rate.
8/23/2011 Discretionary Salary Increase Program For Professional Staff
DATE: August 24, 2011
TO: Binghamton University Professional Staff (UUP) and Supervisors of Professional Staff
FROM: Interim Provost Mileur
Vice President VanVoorst
Vice President Craner
Vice President Rose Interim
Vice President Sammakia
SUBJECT: Discretionary Salary Increase Program for Professional Staff
It is always a pleasure to distribute discretionary salary increases to Binghamton University’s professional staff. Opportunities to recognize the outstanding contributions of professional staff are always welcome. We believe that the 2010-11 year has been another productive, challenging year for all of us at Binghamton University and we acknowledge the contributions that all of you make to advance our common goals. We are writing to inform you once again of how the discretionary program will be implemented. The Vice Presidents will collect and review all recommendations in their respective areas and will forward our decisions to President Magrath for his review and approval. Presented below are the criteria to be used to evaluate contributions of professional staff to the University and the procedures to be followed. Both criteria and processes are generically described. The various units of the University are quite diverse in culture and ways of operating. These differences contribute significantly to the excellence that characterizes all sectors of the University.
Objectives
The purpose of the discretionary and salary program is to recognize truly outstanding performance among professional staff across the full range of the University’s responsibilities. Determining excellence requires critical and discriminating judgments. Discretionary increases should be used to recognize and stimulate the desire to exceed those very standards. As a consequence, arguments for equity must be accompanied by arguments for merit. That is, a salary at a comparatively lower level is not, in itself, an indication that a discretionary increase is warranted.
Criteria
The University seeks to acknowledge professional staff that has made outstanding contributions to their respective units and to the institution as a whole. Individuals who remain actively engaged with their careers and with the University, increasing their skills and competencies, making improvements in processes and services, and helping others perform well are those whom we need to recognize.
Outstanding contributions among professional staff come in many forms:
• Exceptional performance in one’s responsibilities, including qualities of judgment, attitude, initiative, creativity, dependability, problem-solving and communications with others
• Innovations and improvements in fulfilling one’s responsibilities
• Demonstrable contributions to advancing the University’s strategic plan
• Initiative in advancing the interests of the University – “thinking outside of the box”
• Balanced leadership and teamwork in working with others within and across units
Procedure
Supervisors will develop recommendations for discretionary increases. Since Binghamton University is comprised of many different units, who participates in the review itself and how the review is conducted will differ across these units. Recommendations for a discretionary increase forwarded by a supervisor to a Vice President must be accompanied by a succinct rationale that outlines the nature of the staff member’s contributions, which form the basis for the particular salary recommendation. That statement should explicitly address the criteria in framing a rationale. What evidence is there for truly outstanding contributions from that individual? The Vice Presidents will use this information to make their own recommendations to President Magrath for his final approval.
Alternative Process
A second pathway also exists for all professional staff. A professional staff member who wishes to have his or her performance recognized by a discretionary increase can write to his or her supervisor. That letter should identify the bases for the request and provide any supporting materials that support the request. The request should specifically address how one’s contributions fit within the criteria outlined in this memorandum. The supervisor will review these materials and provide his/her own recommendation about the increase. Both the original request from the professional staff member and the supervisor’s recommendation are sent through supervisor channels to the appropriate Vice President. The Vice President will review the candidate’s initial statement and the supervisor’s opinion in making their own recommendations to President Magrath for his final approval.
9/28/2011 Combined Clergy Act Notification & Drug & Alcohol Memo 2011
Please click here for the Combined Clery Act Notification & Drug & Alcohol Memo 2011.
10/7/2011 Election Day 2011 Memo For UUP Professional Staff
Please click here for the Election Day 2011 Memo For UUP Professional Staff.
10/14/2011 Binghamton University Holiday Memo 2011-2012
Please click here for the Binghamton University Holiday Memo 2011-2012.
10/20/2011 2012 Retiree Premium Contribution Increase
Please click here for more information regarding the 2012 Retiree Premium Contribution Increase
10/21/2011 Inclement Weather Memo 2011
Please click here for the Inclement Weather Memo 2011.
11/18/2011 GSEU Salary Increases
Please click here for more information regarding the GSEU Salary Increases
11/30/2011 Important Early Timesheet Holiday Deadlines for Faculty/Staff & Student Payrolls
Please click here for more information regarding the early timesheet deadlines for the Faculty/Staff and Graduate Payrolls
Please click here for more information regarding the early timesheet deadlines for the Federal College Work Study and Student Assistant Payrolls
12/2/2011 2012 Health Insurance Rates and Option Transfer Period Announced
For more information please click on the link below that applies to you:
12/2/2011 Winter Break Services & Holiday Paycheck Information
Please click here for more information regarding Winter Break Services & Holiday Paycheck Information
3/29/2012 ERS, TRS, and ORP Tier VI Information
Please click here for more information regarding the New York State Tier VI Pension Reform
Please click here for more information regarding Summer Session 2012
4/16/2012 Opportunity to participate in American Cancer Society CPS-3 Study 2012
Almost everyone knows someone who has had cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) is partnering with the NYS Governor's Office of Employee Relations, PEF, and CSEA to provide an opportunity for state employees to contribute to cancer research. The ACS is recruiting people from select areas across the country to participate in a cancer prevention study (CPS-3). From this research study, the American Cancer Society will track the habits and lifestyle behaviors of 300,000 Americans nationwide in an effort to identify risk factors for cancer.
Who is eligible to participate? Any employee who:
What does participation in the study involve?
The enrollment process involves two steps:
After an employee enrolls, the ACS will continue to mail follow-up surveys to participants every two years for the next 20 to 30 years to update their information. CPS-3 is not a clinical study, so participants will not receive individual blood test results. If individuals have specific concerns, they should consult their doctor. The ACS will send annual newsletters to update individuals about ongoing research in the Cancer Prevention Studies. All personal information and any individual results of blood analyses that may be performed will be kept strictly confidential by the ACS research staff. There is no direct cost to participate, nor any monetary compensation provided for participation. NYS employees are encouraged to participate on their own time.
For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3,
email cps3@cancer.org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.
4/27/2012 Summer and Holiday Memo 2012
Please click here for more information regarding the Summer and Holiday Memo 2012
5/3/2012 HSBC Banking Customers Impacted by Change to First Niagara
Please click here for more information regarding HSBC Banking Customers Impacted by Change to First Niagara
9/24/12 Empire Plan Medicare RX Program for Medicare Primary Enrollees
Important Information and clarification for Active Empire Plan enrollees age 65 (or nearing age 65) and their Dependents
Recently in the mail you may have received an introductory package of information from the Department of Civil Service – Employee Benefits Division regarding Empire Plan Medicare Prescription Drug changes effective January 1, 2013.
Human Resources is sending you this information again to assure you that this change is only applicable if you are currently a retiree with primary Medicare coverage; have a domestic partner or same sex spouse age 65 or over; or if you are Medicare primary due to end stage renal disease.
Please be assured that if you (the enrollee) continue to be enrolled in the Empire Plan as an active employee and are NOT eligible for primary Medicare benefits, there will be no changes regarding your Empire Plan and/or prescription drug coverage. There will also be no change to your dependents coverage as long as they are not Medicare primary.
You should continue as normal to use your NYSHIP Empire Plan benefits card for prescription drug benefits.
If you are considering retiring before the end of 2012 please contact the Human Resources office and we will help you with this transition.
Sincerely,
The HR/Benefits Staff
9/27/2012 Clery Act and Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Memo
Please click here for more information regarding the Clery Act and Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Memo.
10/2/2012 Election Day Memo 2012
Please click here for more information regarding the Election Day Memo 2012.
10/11/2012 Flexible Spending Open Enrollment for 2013 (DEADLINE EXTENDED)
Flex Spending Account (FSA) 2013 Open Enrollment Period is October 9 – November 9, 2012.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Due to Hurricane Sandy, the 2013 Flex Spending open enrollment period has been extended through 10:00 p.m. on November 30, 2012. The electronic application system at www.flexspend.ny.gov/ will be suspended at midnight on Friday, November 9, 2012, however it will re-open beginning Friday, November 16 and continue to be available through November 30, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. During the open enrollment period, employees without Internet access, or those who prefer not to use on-line enrollment, may enroll by calling (800) 358-7202 (select Option 1 to speak with a customer service representative). The enrollment deadline is strictly enforced. Updated on 11/7/2012
What is the FSA? The Flex Spending Account is a state employee benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Under this program, you can choose two benefits:
The Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $2,500 annually to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. However, only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSAccount.
The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.
If you are enrolled for the 2012 plan year, keep in mind that you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2013.
For additional detailed information or to order the 2013 Flex Spending Account enrollment book, go to www.flexspend.ny.gov/ or call 1-800-358-7202.
Apply online with an easy paperless application process: Submit your application for enrollment in either or both programs online at www.flexspend.ny.gov/. If you do not have access to the internet, apply by telephone at 1-800-358-7202.
Please keep in mind when enrolling, you will need the agency ID or code number, which is 28020 and also your negotiating unit number. You can find this information on your paycheck stub or direct deposit advice.
These plans are use it or lose it plans! According to IRS regulations, if you overestimate your costs you will lose any money that remains in your account at the end of the calendar year.
10/15/2102 Holiday Memo 2012-2013
Please click here for more information regarding Holiday Memo 2012-2013.
11/7/2012 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) for 2013
PEP allows eligible employees to exchange vacation and/or personal leave in return for money to be applied toward the reduction of their health insurance premium. When you enroll during the designated 2013 enrollment period October 22 through November 30, 2012, the credit is divided evenly among the pay periods for the next year and applied toward the biweekly premium payments required for coverage under NYSHIP. This program is subject to union negotiation and is not a guaranteed benefit.
Enrollment Deadline for 2013 PEP Program: Friday, November 30, 2012
Details regarding the 2013 PEP program, including an enrollment form, can be found at:
Management Confidential (NU 13) Employees CLICK HERE
CSEA and PEF Represented & MC Classified (NU 06) Employees CLICK HERE
11/8/2012 Timesheet Information for Upcoming Holidays 2012-2013
Please click here for Timesheet Information for Upcoming Holidays 2012-2013 for the Faculty/Staff and Graduate/Teaching Assistant Payrolls.
Please click here for Timehseet Information for Upcoming Holidays 2012-2013 for the Student Assistant and Federal College Work Study Payrolls.
11/9/2012 HR/Payroll Reminders - Don't Miss Out!
Please click here for important information regarding faculty and staff benefit and payroll deadlines, current open periods, and available benefits.
11/30/2012 2013 Health Insurance Rates
Please click here for 2013 employee health insurance bi-weekly rates and deadline information
12/3/2012 2012-2013 Inclement Weather Memo
Please click here for the 2012-2013 Inclement Weather Memo
12/10/2012 Change in Core Campus Business Hours During Intersession
The dates that intersession hours will be observed have been revised. To accommodate finals week and registration, the campus will be observing core business hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 through Friday, Jan. 18, 2012. The regular core business hours of 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. will resume on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.
12/20/2012 Over 40 Comp Time Memo
Please click here for the Over 40 Comp Time Memo
1/2/2013 Annual On-Line Compliance Training 2013
Please click here for the 2013 On-Line Compliance Training memo
2/12/2013 Student Payroll Reminder
During the beginning of the Spring semester, we would like to remind all Student Assistant and Federal College Work Study employees and supervisors that payroll distribution information http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/payroll/ and time record submission deadlines (under Human Resources & Labor Distribution Documents) http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/oracle-coordinators/index.html can be found on the Human Resources website and are updated here periodically.
For information on the Student Assistant and Federal College Work Study Payrolls please follow this link: http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/student-employment/index.html
As a reminder, please pay close attention to the timesheet submission deadlines. Reminders of early payroll deadlines are shared widely via the Smart-Form listserv. To be added to the listserv, please contact Jon Roma. As a continued effort to reduce paper usage and to avoid overpayments, faxes of or emails containing timesheets will only be accepted on a situational basis with prior payroll approval.
Questions regarding these deadlines and other check distribution information should be directed to Allison Gilli at agilli@binghamton, x7-2193, Rosaria McNierney at rmcniern@binghamton.edu, x7-6284, or Jon Roma at jroma@binghamton.edu or x-3321.
3/15/2013 Flex Spending Account (FSA) 2012 Claim Deadline
Employees enrolled in the Flex Spending Account (FSA) for the 2012 plan year have until March 31, 2013 to send in reimbursement requests for eligible 2012 expenses incurred under the Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account.
The 4th quarter statement you recently received for your Flex Spending Account (FSA) included the incorrect deadline for any outstanding 2012 FSA claims. All 2012 FSA claims MUST be submitted by MARCH 31, 2013. All 2012 claims submitted after March 31, 2013 will not be reimbursed. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
All 2013 plan year expenses may only be reimbursed with 2013 funds. Only 2012 expenses will be reimbursed with 2012 funds.
FSA reimbursement requests may be mailed, faxed, or submitted online through www.myFBMC.com. For more information, log on to www.flexspend.ny.gov or call 1-800-358-7202.
4/9/2013 GSEU 2013 Summer Health Insurance Registration
As you may know, Graduate and Teaching Assistants who are employed during the spring semester and who are expected to be re-employed in the subsequent fall semester in a qualified position are eligible to have their current health insurance coverage continue through the summer. A qualified position is a Graduate or Teaching Assistantship that is State funded with a minimum stipend of $2,147 per semester or $4,293 for the academic year.
Please review and complete Section I of the attached Health Insurance Continuation Form. Section II must be filled out by a department representative indicating whether or not they are expecting to re-employ you for the 2013 Fall Semester. An expectation of re-employment is not a guarantee of re-employment. If your department indicates that they do not expect to rehire you, your last day of health insurance coverage will be June 19, 2013.
F1 or J1 Visa holders: You may waive summer health insurance coverage ONLY if returning to your home country for the entire summer. F1 & J1 students who are expected to be rehired may not waive summer coverage if remaining in the United States or going to a third country. If you are returning to your home country for the entire summer and wish to waive your summer coverage, please fill out Section I & Section III of the attached Health Insurance Continuation Form and provide supporting documentation (i.e. airline ticket showing both departing and returning flight dates).
To provide you with health insurance coverage during the summer, a total of six extra premium deductions must be taken, two each from your last three paychecks of the spring semester dated May 8, May 22, and June 5, 2013. We must receive your Health Insurance Continuation Form with a signature from your department no later than April 17, 2013 in order to process these extra deductions. If you do not return this form we will assume that your department is not offering you a Graduate or Teaching Assistantship for the 2013 Fall Semester and your health insurance coverage will terminate June 20, 2013.
Please keep in mind if you do not actually return to a Graduate or Teaching Assistantship position for the Fall 2013 semester, your health insurance may be retroactively terminated back to June 20, 2013. When your coverage terminates, information about continuing your health insurance under COBRA will be sent to your home address from the NYS Department of Civil Service. Please be sure to contact this office if you have a change of address so we can be sure this important information gets to you.
PREMIUM DEDUCTIONS additional note: If you are employed on the state payroll during the summer (i.e. as an adjunct lecturer or student assistant) health insurance premium deductions may be taken out of your summer paycheck. This, unfortunately, happens in error, however the process is out of our control and we cannot stop it. This money will be credited to your insurance account and you will not lose this money! If you return in the fall semester, the credit will be recorded and you will either not have a health insurance deduction taken until your credit is exhausted or you will see a refund in your paycheck. If you do not return to the payroll in the fall semester, you will be issued a refund directly from the Department of Civil Service in the fall. We greatly apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you pay attention to these transactions by watching your check stubs on a regular basis.
If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits Department: Christine Koban at 777-4850 or ckoban@binghamton.edu; Luanne DiRico at 777-6950 or ldirico@binghamton.edu; or Kim Avery at 777-6953 or kavery@binghamton.edu.
4/18/2013 Employee Benefits Asks "Did You Know?"
Click here for helpful benefits information that employees may not be aware of.
4/18/2013 New Time and Attendance Log-in/Online Address Update
Human Resources and Payroll announce new SUNY system self-service and notification features. All employees will be able to access the new features using their Binghamton PODS username and password through the SUNY portal at www.suny.edu/hrportal as of Monday April 22nd 2013.
Click here to learn more about the new self-service log-in page for online time and attendance. This page now also offers new functionality that allows active state employees to view their paychecks and report Legal Address Changes to Human Resources and Payroll online.
4/29/2013 Summer and Holiday Memo 2013
Click here for the 2013 Summer and Holiday memorandum
4/30/2013 SUNY Perks Savings Fair
SUNY Corporate Perks is offering several savings fairs and discount opportunities for members to save money while celebrating with family and friends. Below is a list of savings events slated for the beginning and middle of each month, respectively:
The Mothers' Day Savings Fair runs from 4/29 until 5/10, and is here to help employees say "thank you" to all the Moms in their lives with best pricing on flowers, home décor, gifts, and more.
Click here for more information.
5/22/2013 Payroll Distribution Center (PDC) - Summer Hours 2013
The Payroll Distribution Center (AD-240) is on summer hours. The PDC is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for the summer.
