Welcome Back
Welcome back for the spring 2001 semester. I hope everyone had an opportunity over the holidays to relax and spend pleasant time with friends and family. We now begin the "real" millennium, 2001.
As we continue to find better ways to serve the changing needs of our students, the college has just completed its most expansive and successful Winterim ever. I thank all those who participated, as well as those who worked to prepare for the return of students for the new semester.
There have been a number of developments at the college since the fall, with many new developments coming this spring. I look forward to speaking with the campus community about some of these in a few weeks. Instead of a traditional State of the College Address, I will hold town meeting–style gatherings on Tuesday, February 13 and Thursday, February 15 at 12:15 p.m. in the Classroom Building, room 122. At these sessions, I will offer remarks, after which members of the administration and I will answer questions from the group. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend.
I wish everyone a rewarding semester as we work to fulfill the mission of Buffalo State College.
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Response to Senate Resolution
I am pleased to respond to the College Senate resolution passed at the December 15, 2000, meeting, expressing concern over the inference of possible equity and diversity issues in the receipt of a single bid for food services at Buffalo State College. Our Request for Proposals (RFP) was sent to a wide pool of 46 food-service vendors. To be eligible to participate in the New York State bidding process, a vendor must meet equity and diversity requirements. Details of the process are as follows:
The names of prospective vendors were obtained from Peterson's Contract Services for Higher Education and from professional organizations for higher education auxiliary and food services. Additional food-service providers came forward after reading of our RFP in the New York State Contract Reporter. New York State reaches out to minority- and women-owned business enterprises by encouraging them to subscribe to this publication, the state's official mechanism for soliciting bids or proposals for goods and services.
After this stage of the process, six food-service vendors came forward and participated in the mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit on October 2. Of these participants, one submitted a bid. We share the senate's concern that our RFP did not attract a larger bidding pool. The document was, however, distributed to a large pool of potential bidders, in a manner sensitive to issues of equity and diversity. As this institution remains strongly committed to equity and diversity, I appreciate the senate's diligence and attention to this matter.
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SABRE Certification Training
With the start of the new year, I am pleased to announce and encourage the inauguration of SABRE Certification Training. The SABRE team, working with Computing Services, the Human Resource Management Office, and Ikon, has prepared a program that will start in February. Trainers from on and off campus will provide all members of our campus community with opportunities to learn how to use the system. The training program will give us time to learn and use the software programs, which will have short-term benefits for the work we do now, as well as help us in the longer term to capitalize on the SABRE system when it becomes available in a year. Members of units reporting to academic affairs will soon receive a personal invitation from me, providing details about the training program.
I see this as a time to aspire, to build on our talents, and to extend our reach to each other. The training (in software programs such as Outlook, Windows, Word, Excel, and Internet browsers, and in change management) will provide us with ways to improve our communication and efficiency. As some of you know, my own technology skills can accurately be described as primitive and in need of massive remediation. I plan, therefore, not only to encourage you to participate in these opportunities, but to take part myself. As we participate together in this process, I am optimistic about our abilities to take full advantage of these learning opportunities, to surrender our Luddite ways, and to stroke a few keys instead.
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Director of Performing Arts Center Appointed
I am pleased to announce that Jeff Marsha has been appointed director of operations of the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. A former marketing associate for Shea's Performing Arts Center, Marsha assumed his duties January 8.
Dean of Natural and Social Sciences Candidates' Presentations
The search committee for the dean of the Faculty of Natural and Social Sciences has invited the following candidates for campus interviews:
Lawrence Flood, interim dean, Faculty of Natural and Social Sciences
Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York
February 5–6
Jerome Steffen, chair, Department of History
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
February 13–15
Joseph Bragin, associate dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences
California State University, Los Angeles, California
February 20–22
Each candidate will give a presentation to the campus community in E. H. Butler Library 210 as follows:
Lawrence Flood, 3:00–4:00 p.m., Monday, February 5
Jerome Steffen, 2:00–3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 14
Joseph Bragin, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 21
Complete candidate interview schedules and résumés are available at the library reserve desk and in the Academic Affairs Office. All faculty and students in the natural and social sciences are especially encouraged to attend.
Contact Virginia Grabiner, search committee chair, at ext. 5402 with questions.
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Advising Codes for General Education Core and General Education 2000 Courses
New codes have been assigned to General Education 2000-only (GE2K) requirements. Existing General Education Core (GEC) codes have been used where possible for GE2K.
These codes will appear in class schedules (beginning summer 2001 for GE2K) and STARS (student profile, catalog file, course section).
| General Education Category |
Core Indicator |
GEC Code |
GE2K Code |
Applied Science and Technology |
C |
T |
T |
| Arts |
C |
A |
A |
| Humanities |
C |
H |
H |
| Mathematics and Science* |
C |
M |
M |
| Social Science |
C |
S |
S |
| Mathematics* |
|
|
Z |
| Civilizations: American History |
|
|
V1 |
| Civilizations: Western |
|
|
V2 |
| Civilizations: Other World |
|
|
V3 |
| Foreign Language |
|
|
F |
| Basic Communication |
|
|
B |
*MAT103 is M (math/science) for GEC, Z (mathematics) for GE2K
Notes:
- Mathematics (Z) – GEC Math requirement is examination only
- Civilizations (V1, V2, V3) – Civilizations requirement not applicable for GEC
- Foreign Language (F) – GEC foreign language requirement is degree-based, not general education
- Basic Communication (B) – GEC equivalent requirement is degree-based, not general education
Other advisement codes in STARS, schedule, audit:
- D = Diversity (GEC and GE2K)
- G = Global (for GEC only)
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President's Awards for Excellence
Nominations and supporting materials for President's Awards for Excellence in teaching; research, scholarship, and creativity; librarianship; academic advisement; service
to the college; or equity and campus diversity must be submitted to the provost, Cleveland Hall 519, by Monday, March 5. Guidelines may be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office, Cleveland Hall 519, ext. 5903.
President's Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student
Nominations are sought for the 2001 President's Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student. Students completing graduate programs in December 2000, May 2001, or August 2001 are eligible for nomination. Nomination packets and guidelines are available in the Graduate Studies and Research Office, dean's offices, and departmental offices that offer graduate programs. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, February 21. Address questions to the Graduate Studies and Research Office, Cleveland Hall 511, ext. 5601.
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Tuition Assistance Program Deadline
The deadline to submit Employee Tuition Assistance (SUNY B-140W) Applications is Wednesday, February 28. Contact the Human Resource Management Office, Cleveland Hall 410, ext. 4821, for guidelines and applications for this or other tuition assistance programs.
Revised CSEA LEAP Tuition Benefit Program
Eligible CSEA employees may now apply for up to two courses between April 1, 2000, and March 31, 2001. LEAP (Labor Education Action Program) catalogs are available from LEAP, (800) 253-4332, or the Human Resource Management Office, Cleveland Hall 410, ext. 4821. Contact human resource management with questions.
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NYS Employees' Retirement System Seminars
Members of the New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) who are within five years of retirement are invited to attend a pre-retirement seminar. Seating is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 (those who joined ERS on or before July 26, 1976) employees attend Wednesday, May 9.
- Tier 3 and Tier 4 (those who joined ERS on or after July 27, 1976) employees attend Thursday, May 10.
The seminars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel on Genesee Street in Buffalo. To attend, contact the Human Resource Management Office, ext. 4821, by Friday, February 16.
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Retirement System Seminar, "Planning for Tomorrow—Today"
Tier 3 or Tier 4 members (those who joined ERS on or after July 27, 1976) of the Employees' Retirement System who are under age 50 are invited to attend the seminar "Planning for Tomorrow—Today" on Tuesday, May 1 or Friday, June 1 at the Radisson Hotel on Genesee Street in Buffalo.
This financial-planning seminar will demonstrate the need for pre-retirement preparation and will provide information on how to adjust personal financial situations to reach retirement goals. To attend, contact the Human Resource Management Office, ext. 4821, by Friday, February 16.
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Assistant Director of Career Development Center Appointed
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa A. August as the assistant director of the Career Development Center. August has been the recruitment coordinator/senior career counselor at the University at Buffalo since 1997. She held the position of director of career services at Bryant & Stratton from 1995 to 1997 and has held sales and marketing positions in various Western New York companies, including the Schutte Group and the Buffalo News.
August holds a master of science in counselor education and a bachelor of arts in communication from Canisius College. As assistant director of the Career Development Center, August will be responsible for employer relations and internship coordination. We look forward to her joining Buffalo State as a member of the student affairs team.
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President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Once again, an outstanding senior will be honored with the President's Medal at this year's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12. This award recognizes an outstanding member of the senior class who has demonstrated excellence in the areas of achievement, citizenship, leadership, and community service.
Each faculty or staff member may submit the name of one graduating senior for consideration. Nomination forms are available from department chairs and directors. Supporting documentation must accompany recommendations. Nominations must be forwarded to Phillip Santa Maria, dean of students, Campbell Student Union 306, by Friday, February 16.
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Winter Homecoming Events
Intercollegiate Athletics, the Alumni Association, and the Bengal Club are sponsoring a Winter Homecoming on Friday, February 2. This evening will feature a trio of athletic competitions.
At 6:00 p.m., the Lady Bengals will take on the women's basketball team from New Paltz. At 7:00 p.m., the Bengals hockey team faces Cortland. And at 8:00 p.m., the men's basketball team will host New Paltz. All events will take place in the Sports Arena. Admission is free for Buffalo State students and for faculty and staff using the recently issued athletic pass.
After the games, the public is invited to attend the Winter Homecoming party, featuring the Dixieland jazz sounds of Santa Maria and the Bourbon Street Brass. Tickets are $12 for students, faculty, and staff; guests pay $15 in advance or $17 at the door. For more information, call the Alumni Affairs Office, ext. 6001, or Intercollegiate Athletics, ext. 6533.
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Payne Heads Arts Organizations' Boards
Hal D. Payne, vice president for student affairs, was elected president of the board of directors of the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations at its meeting in Ithaca, New York, on October 23. Payne also was elected president of the board of directors of the Alliance/Arts Action for New York at its meeting in New York City on December 4.
The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations is New York's primary service association for community-based arts and cultural organizations, including the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County. The alliance delivers services and resources to strengthen the environment necessary for the success of community cultural organizations in New York State. The Alliance/Arts Action for New York is committed to influencing the formation of public policy in support of the arts, increasing existing resources, developing new sources of funding, and creating new partnerships for arts organizations.
Members of the campus community who are interested in the programs and services of either organization should contact Payne, Cleveland Hall 513, ext. 4704.
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Athletic Events
The following home athletic events are scheduled January 25–January 31:
Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Opener
Saturday, January 27
10:00 a.m.
Women's Ice Hockey
Buffalo State vs. RIT
Tuesday, January 30
7:30 p.m.
All events take place on their respective fields or courts, or in the Sports Arena.
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Curricular Items
The following course was approved by the Senate Curriculum Committee and will be forwarded to the president for final review and approval:
New Course:
BUS 303 Instructional Strategies in Business/Marketing
The following course has been received in the College Senate Office and will be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee for review and approval:
New Course:
HIS 385 Aztec and Mayan History. This course is a survey of the history of the Aztec and Mayan empires in Mexico and Central America before and during the Spanish conquest. The political, economic, and religious motivations for empire building among indigenous cultures are examined. Topics include the construction of rulership, Aztec and Mayan historiography, systems of trade and tribute, imperial expansion, war and sacrifice, and encounter with the Spanish.
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Curricular Proposals
The College Senate Curriculum Committee will not set a due date for curricular submissions during the 2000–2001 academic year. Instead, the committee will consider proposals on a continuing basis and do its best to provide a six-week turnaround. Proposals will be processed in the order received. Proposals received by the committee chair after Wednesday, March 14, 2001, will be considered initial business of the 2001–2002 College Senate Curriculum Committee.
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