BFS News: Risk Summit 2013, CatBuy, Meetings and Training

Save the Date: Risk Summit 2013 Coming June 5-7

Mark your calendars for the 2013 UC Office of the President Risk Summit, happening June 5-7 at the Marriott Oakland City Center. This annual gathering of UC professionals provides an opportunity for campuses to share perspectives, best practices, challenges, and solutions for improving efficiency and better managing risk. Last year, UC Merced and several of its staff were honored for various initiatives, including the acceptance of the 2012 UC Ready Excellence in Mission Continuity award. For more information about this year’s conference, visit the Risk Summit website.

Purchasing News: Tangram/Steelcase Catalog went “Live” in CatBuy on April 3

Purchasing is pleased to announce the addition of the Tangram (a Steelcase dealer) catalog to CatBuy, effective April 3. The CatBuy system now provides a punch out to the University’s custom Tangram/Steelcase catalog, allowing departments to place orders through the system for drop-ship products, request quotes and information from our local representatives and access a variety of information regarding products, services and ergonomic considerations. Any questions related to this new feature should be directed to Denise Garcia at extension 4085 or dgarcia@ucmerced.edu.

Reminder: 2011-2012 Annual Financial Reports Posted, Available for Review

The 2011-2012 UC Merced Annual Finance Report and the 2011-2012 UC Consolidated Audited Financial Report are now available for review or download on the “Resources” section of the Business and Financial Services website. Please send any report-related questions to ucmfinance@ucmerced.edu.

Stay informed on the UCPath July 2014 Updated Timeline Implications

The postponement of the UCPath project go live date to July 2014 in no way means implementation efforts have slowed down; quite the contrary. Stay informed on progression of the UCPath project by visiting the campus’s UCPath website, which holds a collection of background materials and updates surrounding the new system for payroll, academic personnel, timekeeping and human resources information. For further inquiries related to UC Merced’s UCPath implementation, the UC Merced project team is reachable via ucpath@ucmerced.edu (please allow up to 48 hours for a response).

Upcoming Meetings and Training

• You don’t have to be an administrative officer or management services officer to attend the next AO /MSO meeting on April 16 from 10:45 a.m. to noon in KL 232. This group meets on the third Tuesday of every month to be informed of campus updates,  requirements, training, support and information that is beneficial to many campus constituents.
• Learn about campus purchasing policies and procedures and Full Accounting Units (FAU) on April 15 and 16. The classes are required prerequisites to the CatBuy Training but are also informative for any staff and faculty member seeking to familiarize themselves with the university’s purchasing protocols. Click here to find out more.
• CatBuy/BruinBuy training gives attendees a hands-on overview of how to use UC Merced’s purchasing system, and passing the class is required for access to the live system. Details about the April 17 session can be found on the training website.
• Visit training.ucmerced.edu to explore other upcoming opportunities for classes designed to help you with CatBuy, SharePoint, and other systems and protocols you use on the job.

Designated Walk-in Days, Times; No appointment necessary

Tax Tuesdays - A representative from UC Merced’s Tax Services department is on campus between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in KL 201. Drop by if you need assistance with campus tax-related questions and matters. While staff cannot offer specific tax advice on any matter, we can direct you to the appropriate resources. Tax Services looks forward to serving you. You may email us at tax@ucmerced.edu or contact Tax Services Manager Kiran Samran at extension 4075. More helpful information is available on the Tax Services webpage.

Payroll Fridays - Have a payroll question? Every Friday until 5 p.m. , the Payroll unit stations an expert in KL 201 to discuss your concerns and questions without making a formal appointment. For more information, email payroll@ucmerced.edu or call extension 2729.