University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

New award for classified employees

Nominations are being sought for the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Services, a new annual award created to recognize outstanding service by classified employees on a statewide level. The award recognizes service excellence, flexibility and creativity, and exemplary customer service.

All classified employees, including those in M/C classified titles, are eligible. Nominations may be submitted by a supervisor, co-worker or other member of the campus community. Click here for the nomination form or call 645-5347. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 30.

For further information, contact Kathie Frier.

CDS introduces new nutrition program

Campus Dining & Shops (CDS) has launched a new nutrition program, Take a Fresh Look, to help faculty, staff and students make informed choices about what they're eating at campus dining establishments.

Information on nutritional values and portion sizes has been posted at all UB dining locations, and nutritional labels have been placed on grab-and-go food containers.

"The new program provides diners with an increased awareness of their overall food consumption," says Jeff Brady, interim executive director of CDS. “Campus Dining & Shops is aware of the importance of nutritionally balanced meals in the lives of busy college students, and how good nutrition is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle for everyone.”

A variety of healthful menu selections are available daily at UB dining locations, including those that are lower in fat, vegetarian, vegan and heart-healthy.

As part of the Take a Fresh Look program, CDS is developing a nutrition tracker online database to provide customers access to nutritional and allergen information from remote locations. This service would assist patrons in planning their meals according to dietary considerations.

CDS expects the database to be completed by fall 2009.

Pre-tax amount increases for NYS-Ride

UB faculty and staff participating in the NYS-Ride program now may set aside $120 per month in pre-tax salary to purchase monthly, unlimited, all-zone NFTA Metro passes.

The increase is due to the IRS raising the allowable pre-tax amount.

The $77 cost for each NFTA Metro pass will be deducted from participants’ paychecks using pre-tax dollars. The savings could be as much as 40 percent, depending on the purchaser’s tax bracket.

All-zone passes are good for all scheduled Metro bus and Metro Rail service in Erie and Niagara counties.

Click hereto sign up for NYS-Ride. Users should have a pay stub handy in order to enter the department ID and bargaining unit numbers. Passes are mailed to the purchaser’s home address.