| April 19, 2006 | Vol 7. No. 14 |
Health Insurance Forum This Afternoon
Canisius will hold an important health insurance forum today, Wednesday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. in the Regis Room North, to discuss the college’s move to a single health-care provider. All employees who did not attend the first meeting on April 11 are strongly encouraged to attend this forum, as a final decision on a single medical insurance provider will be made by the end of April.
About 18 months ago, the Board of Trustees directed the college to explore a single source of medical insurance coverage to determine if a cost savings could be achieved without reducing the plans. Currently, the college pays a “community rate,” which means that regardless of our utilization, the college pays the same rate for the same plan as any other group in the community. The alternative to this is an “experienced rated plan.” An “experience rate” is based on the actual utilization of the participants. In order to obtain an experience rate, a group must utilize one insurance provider.
The college, along with a health benefit subcommittee has been working with Lawley Benefits Group, a benefits consultant. The college’s current carriers, BlueCross and BlueShield of Western New York, Independent Health, and Univera were asked to provide quotes. You can view the proposed plans at www.canisius.edu/hr/health.asp.
The quotes reflect plans that are very similar to the plans we offer. For example, Independent Health quoted not only the HMO plans, but also a traditional indemnity plan, that models our traditional Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan. Independent Health provides this coverage to several municipalities and schools, including Daemen College. Another example is BlueCross and BlueShield added to its HMO the lifestyle benefit that participants in Independent Health utilize.
The cost savings are significant, more than $400,000. This means that both the college and employees will pay less for essentially the same coverage.
Univera, which now covers only 12 percent of the college’s participants, could not provide a competitive quote because of the low number of participants in the plan. Univera offers health services through its Lifetime Centers, which are essentially one-stop health centers. Those who now use Univera may be interested to know that Independent Health has reached an agreement with Univera’s Lifetime Centers and BlueCross and BlueShield is also in negotiations with Univera. However, the extent to which Canisius employees will be able to utilize these centers under either provider is unknown at this time.
It is important to note that both insurance providers are good choices. Ninety-eight percent of Western New York physicians participate in both networks. Both BlueCross and BlueShield, and Independent Health offer HMO type plans and traditional plans.
Watch your mailboxes for information regarding open enrollment meetings in early May.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the plan information, please contact Human Resources at Extension 2240.
Parrotta Named New Men's Basketball Coach
Director of Athletics Bill Maher and Tom Parrotta
After a nationwide search, Canisius College named Tom Parrotta as the new men's basketball coach. Director of Athletics Bill Maher made the announcement at a news conference April 10.
"Tom brings to Canisius great experience in both the MAAC and Western New York as a coach and student-athlete from his playing career at Fordham University," said Maher. "He has progressed through the coaching ranks at Nazareth, Niagara and Hofstra to earn this head-coaching opportunity at Canisius College. I am confident that he has the passion and energy to help us toward our goal of winning MAAC Championships."
Parrotta signed a four-year contract and became the 22nd men's basketball coach in the 103-year history of the program. He comes to Canisius from Hofstra University, where he spent the last five seasons under head coach Tom Pecora.
"I'm excited to become a part of the proud tradition of Canisius basketball," said Parrotta. "This is an excellent opportunity for me not only to become a head coach of a first-rate Division I basketball program but to return to the MAAC, a league filled with quality institutions that I'm very familiar with."
For more information, click here.
Wanted: Commencement Volunteers
The University at Buffalo has instituted a new policy for undergraduate commencement that requires everyone who enters Alumni Arena to have a ticket, except workers with an ID badge. In addition to marshals, Canisius will need additional volunteers to serve as ushers and ticket takers. Marshals assist graduates with their caps and gowns, lead them into the ceremony and pass out diplomas after they cross the stage. All volunteers receive paid time off for their service. To sign up as a volunteer for either the undergraduate or graduate commencement ceremonies, contact Judy Bruce, secretary to the dean of students, at Ext. 2130.
Graduate Ceremony Wednesday, May 17
Approximately 275 degrees will be conferred at the graduate commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center. Steve Forbes, editor in chief of Forbes magazine and president and CEO of its publisher, Forbes, Inc., will give the commencement address and also receive an honorary degree. Wilson Greatbatch, inventor of the cardiac pacemaker, will also receive an honorary degree during the ceremony.
Baccalaureate Mass Friday, May 19
Canisius College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., will be the prinicipal celebrant at the Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center. Graduates, faculty and family members will gather to give thanks for blessings bestowed on all graduates.
Undergraduate Ceremony Saturday, May 20
Approximately 600 degrees will be conferred at undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Arena at SUNY Buffalo's north campus. Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., is the commencement speaker. Philanthropists Sebastian and Leonore Rosica will receive honorary degrees, along with Luiz F. Kahl, former president of The Vector Group, posthumously.
LaSalle Medal Goes to DiVita
The Canisius College Alumni Association will confer the LaSalle Medal on Richard DiVita '55. DiVita is The LaSalle Medal is the association's most distinguished award and recognizes substantial contributions in advancing the interests of the college. The medal will be presented at the undergraduate commencement.
Father Cooke Visits Great Wall
Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., with the breathtaking expanse of the Great Wall of China in the background.
College President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., took some time out while in China this March to visit the Great Wall. The purpose of his trip was to explore study abroad possibilities for Canisius undergraduate students at the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies at the University of International Business and Economics. In addition, Father Cooke visited the University of Peking. Canisius is a member of the consortium that staffs the university's MBA program.
April Connections Now On-line
The April issue of Connections, the on-line newsletter of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), is now available by clicking here.
CANISIUS EVENTS
Dunkle Finishes First at 2006 Shoes for Shelter
Congratulations to Rev. Brian P. Dunkle S.J., instructor of classics, who was the first overall finisher at the Canisius College and BlueCross BlueShield Shoes for Shelter 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, March 26 in Forest Lawn Cemetery. His time was 16:32, which beat his time of 17:06 from last year. Ellen M. Hamm, PhD, assistant professor of education, was the top Canisius female finisher, with a time of 21:33, which beat her time of 22:35 from last year. More than 400 people participated and a record 1,173 pairs of shoes were collected at the event.
Ellen M. Hamm, PhD, associate professor of education, accepts her award at the ceremony following the Shoes for Shelter 5K.
2006 JP Morgan Corporate Challenge
It’s not too late to start training! The 2006 JP Corporate Challenge Race/Walk is Thursday, June 8 at 6:45 p.m. in Delaware Park. Join your Canisius College co-workers for a 3.5 mile run or walk, then enjoy a delicious Chartwells cookout in the Canisius tent afterwards. The registration fee of $20 includes race entry, t-shirt and refreshments. Entry fee to the Canisius tent without participation in the race is $5 per person. Family and friends are welcome but must sign up in advance. Registration forms are available from Gary Lew, senior facilities operations manager, in Bagen 07 or click here to download a form. Do not register on-line at the Corporate Challenge Web site. The deadline to register is Tuesday, May 23. For more information, contact Gary at Ext. 2255 or send an E-mail to lew@canisius.edu.
| Comptroller General to Speak at 50th Anniversary Accounting Banquet David M. Walker, CPA, comptroller general of the United States, will be the keynote speaker at the 50th Anniversary of the annual Canisius College Accounting Society Banquet on Wednesday, April 26 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m.; dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the Department of Accounting at Ext. 2870 or click here. |
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Historian and Foreign Policy Scholar to Speak at Canisius
Robert Buzzanco, PhD, historian and foreign policy scholar, will speak at Canisius College on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Regis Room located in the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. The lecture, entitled “Is Iraq Really Another Vietnam?” is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Offie of Campus Ministry at Ext. 2421 or click here.
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Thursday, April 27 is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (formerly Take Our Daughters to Work Day). Canisius welcomes the children of faculty, staff and administrators. Parents are responsible for ensuring their children’s safety. The Ms. Foundation for Women started Take Our Daughters to Work Day 12 years ago to encourage children to reach their potential by participating fully in family, work and community.
CSW Dessert Hosts Dessert and Conversation
The Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) will host Dessert and Conversation on Tuesday, May 2 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Lyons Hall Room 118. Join your co-workers and catch up on the latest campus news. Bring or buy your lunch; dessert and beverages are provided. For more information, contact Barb Wozniak at Ext. 3737 or send E-mail to wozniakb@canisius.edu.
Regents Ball to Honor Sadler
The 40th annual Canisius College Regents Scholarship Ball will be held on Saturday, May 13 at the Statler Towers. Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m.; dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Robert E. Sadler, president and CEO, M&T Bank, will receive the Canisius College Board of Regents Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award. For reservation information, contact Marion Mittler, director of endowed scholarships, at Ext. 8217. To read more about the event, click here.
Ben Stein Speaks at Canisius
More than 250 people turned out to hear award-winning actor and writer Ben Stein speak on Thursday, March 24 in the Montante Cultural Center. Stein’s lecture was entitled “Honoring America’s Soldiers.”
CANISIUS KUDOS
Creative Services Team Wins Silver ADDY Award
Shaun Maciejewski, graphic designer for creative services; and Linda Prinzi, associate director for creative services.
The Liz Tower Art Exhibition created by the Canisius College Department of Creative Services was honored with a silver ADDY award at Brainstorm’s fifth annual awards ceremony at the Statler Towers March 31. Congratulations to Linda Prinzi, associate director for creative services, who served as creative director; Shaun Maciejewski, graphic designer for creative services, who served as art director; and to Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J., associate professor of fine arts and director of studio art.
Brainstorm is the Communicators Club of Buffalo, affiliated with the American Advertising Federation.
Church Named Student Employee of the Year
(from left to right) Maureen Millane Rusk, associate dean, external business programs; Andrew Church ’06; Eileen Abbatoy, assistant director, Career Center; Amy Diati, conference manager, Canisius Center @ Amherst.
Andrew Church ’06, student employee for external business programs, was named Student Employee of the Year by the Niagara Frontier College Placement Association. Church, who will graduate in May with a degree in management, accepted his award a ceremony at ECC North on April 6. He was nominated by his supervisors, Maureen Millane Rusk, associate dean for external business programs, and Amy J. Diati, conference manager for the Center for Professional Development.
Butler Has Two Essays Published
Two essays written by Robert J. Butler, PhD, professor of English, were recently published. “The Loeb and Leopold Case: A Neglected Source for Richard Wright’s Native Son,” was published in African American Review, winter 2005, p. 555-569. In addition, “The Religious Vision at Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird” was included in Harper Lee: Essays and Reflections edited by Alice Hall Petry, University of Tennessee Press.