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About
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Vol. XLVI, No. 35 |
Response to College Senate Resolution
Whereas this decision violates the principle of full access for all faculty and staff—that is, being available for use in locations lacking computer access (such as in studios, laboratories, classrooms, and other non-office campus facilities), for use off campus, and for use under various conditions of technical resources; and
Whereas this decision seems based on the principle of a change being made because it is technologically possible rather than because it is conducive to organizational interaction and efficiency. New technology does not mean that it is always the best, most efficient or most economical way to obtain certain kinds of information; our various publics need to access information in a user-friendly manner; and
Whereas this decision seems to better serve the goal of administrative efficiency and cost savings rather than the communication needs of the people who need to use it; even the possibility of cost saving is likely to be offset if individuals download the online version for printing and duplication. The use of personnel and Quick Copy time to download, copy, collate, and distribute multiple departmental copies is not efficient use of time or resources; and
Whereas it is often necessary to speak with undergraduate and graduate students from one's home, in the evenings or weekends to advise them, it is impossible to use the telephone and the modem at the same time. If making a referral one must hang up the phone, look up the information from the directory and then call the student back. This booting up and logging on requires much more effort than necessary for a simple task; and
Whereas students often search for faculty members, classroom changes, departmental secretaries, and other queries that require a search using the variety of ways information is currently presented in the directory in cross listing; and
Whereas when the system goes down or a computer is unavailable, the hard copy is invaluable; and
Whereas the printed faculty/staff directory provides a vast amount of information needed in the college's Archives; and
Whereas there any many inconveniences in the present printed/electronic format; and
Whereas the college has a large number of part-timers who do not have access to office space and/or computer; and
Whereas the faculty and staff will be encouraged to use the online directory to get updated information; and
Whereas the lack of a printed directory is deemed to be the denial of an important, integral tool for the successful completion of our various duties;
Therefore, be it resolved that the college shall:
To make the electronic format as efficient as possible, there needs to be:
I am pleased to respond to the recommendations contained in the senate resolution regarding the college faculty and staff campus directory:
The campus directory is now produced directly from SUNY's Human Resource Management System (HRMS) database, meaning that individuals included in this database automatically appear in the directory. Others employed at Buffalo State, such as Research Foundation, Buffalo State College Foundation, child care center, and bookstore employees, may be included by completing a directory add/update form. This form is available from the human resource management Web site at www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/dira.html or by calling ext. 4822. Because inclusion in the directory requires inclusion of a person's name in the SUNY database, offices must submit the names of their affiliated employees (for examples, see listings for UUP and the Credit Union).
All retired faculty, professionals, and management/confidential employees who were previously listed in the directory have been sent directory add/update forms. Those who respond will be included in the HRMS database and, as a result, in the campus directory.
The online campus directory is available in two versions: internal and external. The internal version includes home addresses, telephone numbers, and spouses names, according to employees' stated preferences; the external version includes only names, titles, departments, and campus addresses and phone numbers. There is a separate departmental listing available at the directory page, which starts with the name and phone number of the department manager and secretary and is followed by an A–Z listing of the faculty and staff in the office. Directory files are updated every two weeks, as the database files are transmitted back to us from SUNY. There is a delay of two to four weeks from the time new or amended data is entered into the SUNY system and the time information is fed back to the local system and appears in the electronic directory.
Each fall about mid-semester, when the printable versions of the online directory have been updated to include the fall semester faculty and staff appointments, copies will be printed and distributed to all faculty and staff.
The success of the electronic directory depends upon the entire campus community becoming familiar and comfortable with its content and structure, and skilled in its use. Computing Services welcomes specific suggestions to make accessing the Internet or logging on to the network easier for employees. Workshops are being developed to help faculty and staff become more proficient in using the electronic directory and the Internet.
Pan-Am Centennial Events at the Burchfield-Penney
Exhibitions
The Pan-American Exposition Centennial: Historic Collections
The Pan-American Exposition Centennial: Art and Technology
The Pan-American Exposition Centennial: Images of the American Indian
Lectures
John Valentino, creator of an installation that is part of The Pan-American Exposition
Centennial: Art and Technology.
Lawrence McIntyre, illustrator of Symbol and Show: The Pan-American Exposition of 1901, and the book's publisher, Brian Meyer. Book-signing to follow.
Charles Mancuso, Buffalo State professor of performing arts, examining popular music at the turn of the eighteenth century through slides and audio and video clips.
Events
Women's Pavilion Concert
Artful Table 2001, Pan-Am parties at various locations
"The City of Light" Gala and Auction 2001
For additional information, visit the Burchfield-Penney Art Center at www.burchfield-penney.org/exhibit.
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