Announcements

As we continue to prepare for a robust fall opening and welcoming our students back to campus, employees are reminded that the Pilot Statewide Telecommuting Program has expired and all operations are to be conducted on-campus to ensure an in-person and engaging welcome for our students. We greatly appreciate the efforts all offices have made to arrange for a full, in-person return to the workplace. Your extraordinary dedication to serving our campus community is remarkable.

The grace period for the 2020 plan year has been extended. Employees can now submit claims for expenses incurred between January 1, 2020 - September 15, 2021 for reimbursement from their 2020 Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA). Additionally, employees can seek reimbursement for children who turned 13 during the 2020 plan year from their 2020 DCAA. The last day to submit DCAA claims is September 30, 2021 for expenses incurred through September 15, 2021. The grace period will temporarily expand the ability for certain employees to utilize any unused amounts in their 2020 DCAA that would normally be forfeited at the end of a plan year. The grace period is applicable for the DCAA only, as long as the employee had a DCAA as of December 31, 2020.

A great way to stay connected with news from the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) is to read the latest member newsletter.

Proof of Vaccine

Mandatory weekly surveillance testing will continue to be required for any person who has a physical presence on campus and who has not been fully vaccinated, or who has not shown proof of vaccination. Fully vaccinated employees are exempt from mandatory weekly testing upon the submission of documentation that shows completion of a full vaccination series. (You are fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose or two weeks after receiving a single dose vaccine.)  If you would like to submit documentation and have not already done so, please complete the secure Employee Vaccination Verification Form

New York State revised guidance

SUNY Will Continue to Work to Vaccinate All Employees

Vaccinated Employees Will Be Tested Much Less Frequently and on Sampling Basis to Monitor Breakthrough Infections

Renewed Testing Deals Extend Agreements From 2020-2021 Academic Year

SUNY Has Conducted Nearly 2.5 Million COVID-19 Tests to Date, With 0.39 Percent Overall Positivity Rate

Read the Full Testing Extended MOU Here

 Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Mary E. Sullivan an extended agreement to provide mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated CSEA-represented employees working in-person at SUNY state-operated colleges, universities, and hospitals. The agreement is effective through December 31, 2021.

Human Resources is pleased to announce effective immediately all contract letters will be sent to employees electronically through Hirezon/Interview Exchange. The employee will be able to review their contract letter, electronically sign and submit to the Office of Human Resources. All individuals who have been cc’d on contract letters through email in the past will still have access to the contract letters through the guest feature section in Hirezon/Interview Exchange for your records.

Click here for easy step-by-step instructions on how to view and sign your contract letter.

Please feel free to share this with anyone who may need this information.

Just a friendly reminder that all of our retirement systems are still conducting meetings virtually. You can request a virtual meeting or phone consolation with your provider. Please see the instructions below regarding how to contact your provider and schedule a meeting. If you already had a meeting scheduled, the provider should have reached out to you directly to make accommodations to meet virtually. 

Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and the Supplemental Retirement Program (403(b))

As announced on May 14, 2021, I shared important information with employees working remotely regarding the transition back to in-person operations effective Tuesday, July 6, 2021. This previously announced transition was due to the expiration of the Pilot Statewide Telecommuting Program at the close of business on Friday, July 2, 2021. This program expiration date remains unchanged.

We have received notice that as a result of the interest arbitration between APSU and the State of New York health insurance rates will change starting August 5, 2021. Option transfer will be from July 1, through July 30, 2021. The 2021 Health Insurance Choices booklet, which outlines the benefits of each plan, is available here.

To change your health insurance option, you must complete a NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form, located here.  Changes will be effective August 5, 2021.