University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Frito Fighters take weight-loss honors

The Frito Fighters—on right, Lani Jendrowski and Manny Wong—lost 13.72 percent of their total weight as a team to win the second edition of Move It To Lose It. They are congratulated by Kathie Frier, left, and Amy Myszka. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

The Frito Fighters took top honors in the second edition of Move It To Lose It, UB’s weight-loss challenge based on the popular NBC show "The Biggest Loser."

The Fighters—Lani Jendrowski and Manny Wong, both of whom work in the Educational Opportunity Program—lost a total of 58 pounds, or 13.72 percent of their total weight as a team. They each won a 32-inch flat-panel television set, courtesy of sponsor Tim Hortons.

In second place was Project Diesel—Justin Alger and Brian Haggerty, both with University Residence Halls and Apartments. Although the Diesels lost a total of 77 pounds, their percentage of total weight—13.41—lost was slightly less than that of the Frito Fighters. Alger alone lost 53 pounds during the eight-week competition.

The 34 participants in the contest lost a total of 392 pounds. Between the two Move it to Lose It programs conducted this year, “UB is 1,000 pounds lighter than they were one year ago,” says Katherine L. Frier, director of wellness & work/life balance.

The Wellness & Work/Life Balance unit administers Move It To Lose It in collaboration with the School of Public Health & Health Professions and the Division of Athletics

Applications for the next edition of Move It To Lose It, which will begin Jan. 29, are available at http://hr.buffalo.edu/movetolose. The deadline to apply is Jan. 16.

—Sue Wuetcher

UB to close Dec. 26, Jan. 2

With the Christmas and New Year’s holidays falling on Thursday this year, many UB employees either have requested or expressed an interest in taking the day after each of the holidays off. To accommodate these employees, UB has elected to close the campus on Friday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Jan. 2, Scott Nostaja, interim vice president for human resources, has announced.

Only essential employees should report to work on the official holidays—Dec. 25 and Jan. 1—and the succeeding Fridays. Employees should check with their supervisors to determine if they are considered essential.

Because Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 are not official state holidays, employees who are absent will be required to charge time not worked to accrued vacation, personal leave or compensatory time. Employees who choose to work on those days must be permitted to work. Employees who wish to work will be provided an alternative work site. The University Libraries will serve as a central location for employees who elect to work. Questions regarding the alternate work site should be directed to Karen Senglaup at 645-2814, ext. 453, or lolkds@buffalo.edu.

In addition, the need for nonessential services likely will remain low Dec. 29-31. While the campus will be open on those dates, vice presidents and deans have the discretion to close or reduce services on any or all of those days. UB could save significant energy costs if units close during the period.

Employees who are absent from Dec. 29-31 must charge time not worked to accrued vacation, personal leave or compensatory time. Those who elect to work on those days, even if their particular unit is closed, must be permitted to work. Employees should check with their supervisors before taking days off during this time period.

Questions regarding the use of accruals during this time may be referred to Claudia Samulski, personnel associate, 645-5000, ext. 1273, or samulski@.buffalo.edu; Elizabeth Dundon, manager, benefits administration, time and attendance, 645-5000, ext. 1266, or Dundon@buffalo.edu; Rosemary Tripi, human resources associate, Research Foundation, 645-5000, ext. 1005, or tripi@buffalo.edu; or Ann Marie Davis, human resources assistant, 645-5000, ext. 1285, or aa32@buffalo.edu.

—Sue Wuetcher