Welcome to Canisius:
Amy George, assistant director Annual Fund
Jennifer Skowron, secretary/Personnel
Transfers:
Sharon Sicignano, secretary/International Student Programs
Good Luck To:
Ruth Coleman, secretary/International Student Programs
Laurie Eikemeyer, computer support specialist II/ITS
Jennifer Shields, technician/Print Shop
Jaimie Taylor, assistant director/Admissions
Summary of Ergonomic Workshops on October 30 & 31, 2001
by Dave Teloh, safety director, Personnel Office
John Klotz of Marsh, the college's risk insurer, conducted four well-attended sessions of a one-hour workshop on "Principles of Working Safely at Computer Keyboards."
Citing the fact that almost two million musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) occur annually in the workplace due to ergonomic factors, John went on to cover:
- How to perform a self audit of one's workstation
- How to set up a workstation using good ergonomic principles
- How to avoid work-related MSDs
Setting up an ergonomically sound workstation is a process:
- The Chair
- Adjust the height so thighs are parallel to the ground and feet are comfortably flat on the ground
- Adjust the seat back to support the lower back
- The Keyboard
- Adjust height so it is at elbow height when seated. Keyboarding should be done with wrists straight and shoulders relaxed.
- Position mouse on same level as keyboard
- Align center (G & H keys) of keyboard on center of monitor. (If there is no keyboard height adjustment, readjust the chair to mate with the keyboard and employ a footrest to obtain the proper lap angle.)
- The Monitor
- Align on same axis as keyboard and chair
- Tilt back approximately 5-15 degrees
- Adjust top of screen to or slightly below eye level. If wearing bifocals or small reading glasses, set at a lower comfortable level.
- Position document holder close to the monitor and at the same height if possible.
Also covered were office procedures that compliment the workstation arrangement and promote good ergonomic conditions.
If the demand exists, we can repeat the workshop for those who were unable to attend. If interested, please contact Judy Bruce in the Personnel Office at ext. 2240.
Canisius Care Accounts
A reminder that the deadline for Canisius Care services for plan year 2001 is December 31, 2001. Claims for services prior to this date may be submitted until March 20, 2002.
December Service Recognition Honorees Celebrating Significant Anniversaries:
15 YEARS
Frederick A. Kaczkowski, housekeeper/ Maintenance
10 YEARS
Michele A. Rizzo, assistant director/Financial Aid
New York State Tax Relief
There is still time to open a New York State College Saving Program account and reduce your New York State income tax liability. Information is available on-line at www.nysaves.org or toll-free at 1-877-NYSAVES. This New York State program is managed by TIAA-CREF.
SRA Loans Available
Canisius College TIAA-CREF Supplemental Retirement Annuities (SRA's) have loan provisions. Interested faculty and staff who have SRA contracts can call the Participant Information Center for details and calculations of loan amounts available to them. The toll-free number is 1-800-842-2776.
College Has New Employee Assistance Program
As of December 1, 2001, Canisius College has contracted with Child and Family Services to administer for the college a greatly enhanced and extremely comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Under the college's expanded EAP, all members of the Canisius faculty and staff, as well as family members residing with them, are eligible to receive FREE and CONFIDENTIAL consultation and counseling for a wide range of personal and family problems.
You will be hearing more about the Employee Assistance Program through informational sessions which will be scheduled at various times in the coming months. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call Child and Family Services at 681-4300 for further information or assistance with a personal problem you may be having.
How to Survive the Holidays
Has the holiday season arrived without you? Since we can't control the season's arrival, it is not unusual for adults to feel out-of-sync with the holiday crowd. These tips might help you pick up your spirits and see you through:
Start New Traditions - Since the carrying on of tradition is one of the hallmarks of the holidays, you might feel most acutely sad if it's not possible to carry out some of your usual traditions. You can start new holiday traditions! They may not seem like much at first, but if you are able to repeat them over the next few years, they'll begin to feel comfortable.
Participate When You Can - If you're feeling blue, it is difficult to have much enthusiasm for social expectations such as gift-giving or party-going. Participate at a level that feels comfortable, but try not to isolate yourself entirely. A little participation might pick up your spirits.
Take Care of Yourself - Holiday media messages can be overwhelming at the height of the season. This might be a good time to spend evenings with a good book or quiet music instead of watching television. Write letters to friends and loved ones instead of sending cards. By staying involved in some activity, you might find your mood lifting a little.
Volunteer Your Time - There are many social service programs for people in need over the holidays. Taking time to participate, if only for a few hours, can be a good way out of the holiday doldrums and help bring season's greetings to others.
Talk Things Out - Many adults experience holiday blues. If you're not able to compensate for it in some other way, or feel that the "blues" might be drifting into depression, get professional help through your physician or your community mental health agency.
These holiday tips are courtesy of Child and Family Services, the college's new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) administrator, which began on December 1, 2001. If you would like to speak to a counselor, please call 681-4300.