Open Enrollment for 2010 will be Monday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 20.

The Open Enrollment period allows employees to make changes to or enroll in benefits effective Jan. 1, 2010. Unless the employee experiences what is known as a "life event" throughout the year, this is the only time you may make any changes to these benefits.

You may enroll in, make changes to your current level of coverage, or drop your coverage for the following benefits:

Health Insurance (there are changes for 2010 that may affect you)

Life Insurance - New offerings and lower prices for voluntary additional life, Spousal Life is also available

Accident Insurance

Dental Insurance - New Plan with immediate coverage for major services

Vision Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts - You must enroll or re-enroll for the 2010 year to participate in Medical or Dependent Flex Spending. A new "Debit Card" feature to make it easier to use your account.

Pay period rates effective 1/1/2010 are:

VSP Vision:
Single $3.19; Employee +1 $4.62; Family $8.29

New - METLIFE Dental Program:
Single $16.29; Employee +1 $33.39; Family $55.35

Blue Cross/Blue Shield POS203/POS203+:
Single $51.17, Family $137.64

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Traditional 901:
Single $99.92; Family $169.08

The statutory rates for medical insurance have not been released, but should be soon. However, statutory employees wishing to change their coverage may do so now.

Informational meetings are scheduled in Nevins Theater on the following dates and times:

Monday 11/9/09:
9-10:30 a.m.
Noon-1:30 p.m.

Thursday 11/12/09:
9-10:30 a.m
4-5:30 p.m. (RETIREES-ONLY Session)
6-7:30 p.m.

Monday 11/16/09:
9-10:30 a.m.
11-12:30 p.m.
3:30-5 p.m.

Thursday 11/19/09:
2:30-4 p.m.
7-8:30 p.m.

Mark Guinan, Director of Human Resources, and Vicki Pollock of Veracity Benefit Designs will be presenting information on the coverage changes to the Non-Statutory Health Options and our new Life Insurance carrier and its enhanced coverage offered.

If you have any questions or would like to make changes to your coverage, please contact the Human Resources Office: humanresources@alfred.edu X2118/2276



Submitted by: Kathy Costello

Thursday, November 4 between 6-8 am the network printers and State RPM will be unavailable due to server maintenance. Please plan your print jobs accordingly. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have questions or concerns please contact Helpdesk at x2222.


Submitted by: Judy Linza

On Friday, Nov. 6 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Wendy Beckemeyer will be repeating for the staff her presentation to the Board of Trustees and the University Faculty on the enrollment implication of population changes in New York State. President Edmondson will then comment and take questions on the impact to Alfred University of these developments.

The meeting will be held in Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center. Feel free to bring your lunch. Beverages and cookies will be provided.


Submitted by: Laura Crain

A new labor law (Section 195.1) is now in effect requiring employees hired into a new position to be given a written notice of their rate of pay, their overtime rate and the regular payday.

The employer and the employee are required to sign the form and a copy must be provided to the employee. Until we devise a better method to fit this into our current hiring process, we will be asking all new hires to report to the Payroll/Human Resources office to complete the required document.

We appreciate your cooperation as we try to comply with this new regulation.

Attachment: New NYS Labor Law (Section 195.1)

Submitted by: Kathy Costello

On Thursday, Dec. 3, Pet Pals will be having a Penny Social to raise funds for animals who can't help themselves.

This request is for new or very gently used items that you would be willing to donate to the auction. Since the auction is scheduled before the holiday break, we are hoping to receive quality items that would be a great gift for the winner to give someone on their list! The items need not be animal related or Holiday related.

How about a book that everyone wants to read? Maybe some wrapping paper, gift tags, and bows? A game that you know a child would love? These are the type of things we are looking for.

Donations will be accepted at the Center for Student Involvement on the 2nd floor of the Powell Campus Center until Wednesday, Nov. 25. Please consider donating something to make this event a huge success.

Save the Date for the Penny Social! Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4:30 p.m. in the Knight Club.

Submitted by: Nancy Banker

Join the Student Dining Advisory Board and help shape the future of your Dining Services. An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in Cyber Fresh Cafe - pizza, sodas, and cookies will be served!

Submitted by: John Dietrich

The next installment of ITS's Topics in Information Technology & Digital Media will explore motivations and implications for switching from a PC to a Mac.

Join Dr. Jim Varner as he leads the conversation and shares his perspectives on his PC-to-Mac journey.

Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend. The discussion will be held in the Banner Training Center in Howell Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 12:20 to 1:10 p.m.

Submitted by: Meghanne Freivald

Alfred University and Alfred State College are holding a joint Community Resource Drive for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The Drive begins Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 and ends on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. All resources requested by Community Partners will be delivered on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010.

If you are interested in donating, or delivering resources, please contact Ryan Arroyo, (Arroyo@alfred.edu or 871.2702)

Attachment: Compiled_Resource_Lists1.doc

Submitted by: Ryan Arroyo

Thanks to the campus community for supporting our displaced students. If you wish to donate items, please contact studentaffairs@alfred.edu and wait to hear back from us before dropping anything off, so we may try to match donations with individual student needs. Fundraising collections conducted by people on campus can be submitted directly to the Business Office; checks should be payable to Alfred University with a memo stating that it's for fire relief.

On FRIDAY, we will open the Kenyon/Allen room for the student body to take items they may want that are left over, in exchange for donations of any amount for the Fire Relief Fund.

FRIDAY EVENING/SATURDAY the remaining items will be taken to local churches and community organizations for use in our community, coordinated by our Interfaith Advisor, Rev. Laurie DeMott.

Thanks for everything you've done to help our students.

Kathy Woughter, Vice President for Student Affairs


Submitted by: Susan Goetschius

Sign up for a FREE make-over, at the AU Bookstore when we have our "Day of Beauty" Thursday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Two Prestige Cosmetic representatives will be here giving FREE make-overs, advice on applying cosmetics, and more.

No purchase necessary- just FUN! Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up for a 15-minute slot!

Submitted by: Marcy Bradley

Wednesday 11/4 @ 7 p.m. Multicultural Suite, Powell Campus Center (1st Floor)

This week's conversation we will be planning events for Native American Heritage Month, and deciding what topics we would like to venture upon. This is a great opportunity for you to become apart of an up-and-coming club that is bringing Native American history and culture to Alfred. You don't haft to be Native American to come; we just ask that you keep an open mind. We encourage diversity so come and join us in bringing history to Alfred.

Submitted by: Indigenous and Americans United

Interested in pre-veterinary medicine or going to vet school? Come to our second informational meeting this week. Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. at the horse barn.

Lots of helpful information that you don't want to miss! If you have additional questions or need transportation please contact Steph or Michelle. skb1@alfred.edu or mld12@alfred.edu

Submitted by: Stephanie Bischoping

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
9:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Howell Hall - Upstairs

Limit: 6 participants per session
Fee: Students - $7 to cover the cost of the face mask; the course is free to all faculty and staff.

If you already have a face mask, bring it to the session. You may also wish to bring a pillow or blanket to kneel on.

We are inviting volunteers to attend and become certified in adult and child CPR and AED use. If you have already taken the course, now is a good time to recertify and refresh your skills.

This program is designed to comply with enactment of the State's AED Legislation and to train University faculty, staff, and students in the skills of CPR and use of an AED.

This CPR/AED certification program has been approved by the NYS Department of Health. It is the equivalent to the American Red Cross and American Heart Association CPR/ AED programs.

For a schedule of training sessions please visit the EH&S Web site or download the attached training schedule.

To pre-register or obtain more information please phone x3020 or e-mail perrydr@alfred.edu at the EH&S office in 117 Myers Hall.

You may download a copy of the CPR-AED training manual from our training Web page http://people.alfred.edu/...; just follow the instructions available online for unzipping the file.


Link: EH&S Web Site

Attachment: Fall 2009 EH&S Training Schedule

Submitted by: Dean Perry

Tanya Harrod will present the 11th Annual Dorothy Wilson Perkins Ceramic History Lecture sponsored by The Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art. Her talk is titled "Out of the studio, or, do we make better work in unusual conditions?"

She will talk about how Michael Cardew's (1901-1983) vision of ceramics was shaped when he lived in a village on the banks of the Volta in Ghana during 1945-8 and built a kiln, created clay bodies and glaze materials, kiln furniture and, finally, some pots using only local materials. He suffered ill health and malnutrition and extreme mood swings.

This talk looks at this episode and goes on to discuss other examples of design in extreme situations.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Nevins Theater

Attachment: TH.pdf

Submitted by: Kate Wilkins

This week, Jim Julian (AU class of 1995) will speak on "The Vanishing Act of Vernal Pools and their Amphibian Inhabitants."

Please join us to hear more about these fragile ecosystems. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. Friday 11/6, 12:20 - 1:10 p.m., Roon Lecture Hall (SC247).

Submitted by: Emma Grigg

A new, longer video of Alfred University's tour bike is now available on YouTube. Take a look!

Link: Bike video on YouTube

Submitted by: Susan Goetschius

The Alumni Association presents awards annually at Reunion to alumni and friends of the University who have contributed to Alfred, their workplace, and society in general. Please help us recognize those individuals for their efforts and achievements by nominating them for an Alumni Association Award. Nomination forms are available for download at http://www.alfred.edu/alu... <http://www.alfred.edu/alu...> . Nominations are due by Jan. 1, 2010.

Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement - given to honor alumni whose achievements in their profession, career or avocational pursuits, or service to society bring honor and distinction to AU.

Alumni Award for Distinguished Service - given to alumni in recognition of loyalty and commitment in service to Alfred University.

Abigail Allen Award for Service to Women - given to honor an Alfred alumnus/a in recognition of distinctive career achievement, community service, or avocational pursuits that have improved the quality of women's lives.

Lillian T. Nevins Award for Lifetime Service to Alfred University - given to honor alumni who have rendered outstanding service to Alfred University.

Honorary Alumnus/a Recognition Award - given to a non-graduate in recognition of interest, allegiance and service to Alfred University and alumni, that the recipient may be evermore one of us.

Nominations may be forwarded to the Alumni Relations Office, Welcome Center, One Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802. You may also Email alumni@alfred.edu> nominations or fax your information to 607.871.2391. Please contact us with any questions at 607.871.2144. We thank you for your support and assistance!

Submitted by: Deborah Clark

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
Nancy Howe Auditorium at the David A. Howe Public Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville

Join us for an exciting evening of jazz as The John Whitney Trio concentrates on mainstream jazz style, using American standards from Ellington, Mancini, Sinatra, Gershwin and others. The group, together for over 10 years, is composed of bassist Bill Staebell, drummer Dan Hull, and John Whitney on piano.

This program is sponsored by the Allegany Arts Association and is free and open to the general public.


Submitted by: Deborah Clark

Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10:30 am
Nancy Howe Auditorium at the David A. Howe Public Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville

Join us for a high-energy, interactive morning of music for kids and families. Andy Morse, a children's musician from the Capital District, will delight our young audience and their families with a lively blend of singing, storytelling and playacting.

This program is presented by the David A. Howe Public Library and is free and open to everyone.


Submitted by: Deborah Clark