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Vol. XLVI, No. 6 September 28, 2000

In this issue: From the President College Council Meeting From the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Open House Conversations in the Disciplines From the Vice President for Finance and Management 2000 SEFA/United Way Campaign Travel Reimbursement Rates Winter Pause: Saving Energy for Tomorrow From the Vice President for Student Affairs Graduate School Awareness Activities Athletic Events From the Senior Adviser to the President for Equity and Campus Diversity Project Success Veterans Employment Opportunities Act Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America Minigrant Application Deadline Campus-Climate Survey Revised Guide to Effective Administrative, Faculty, and Staff Searches College Nondiscrimination Policy for Vietnam-Era Veterans College Policy on Discrimination Based on National Origin From the Chair of the College Senate Senate Meetings From the Chair of the Curriculum Committee

College Council Meeting The next meeting of the Buffalo State College Council will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5 in Bacon Hall 116W. Agenda Call to Order Action Items Approval of Minutes: May 9, 2000 Council Chair's Report President's Report Reports by College Council Committees Facilities Development Governmental Relations/Advocacy Student Affairs Announcements Adjournment back to top Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Open House Please join the faculty and staff of the Speech-Language Pathology Department for the new Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic grand opening and open house on Thursday, October 5 during Bengal Pause. Tours of the new facility, located in Caudell Hall, will be conducted, and refreshments will be available. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome. For more information, call ext. 5502. back to top Conversations in the Disciplines "Emergency Service Professionals: Promoting Well-Being in Work and Family," a Conversations in the Disciplines, will be held Friday, October 13 at the Adam's Mark in Buffalo. The conference is intended to raise awareness, offer support, and identify strategies and programs to address the unique issues facing emergency service professionals and their families. The Conversations in the Disciplines grant was awarded to Robert Delprino, associate professor of psychology. The conference also is sponsored by Buffalo State College, the Police/Mental Health Coordination Project, Crisis Services, and the Western New York Stress-Reduction Program. The conference fee is $45 and includes parking, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. Students and emergency service professionals' family members pay $35. Call Delprino at ext. 6669 or Mary Healy, Crisis Services, at 834-3131 with questions. back to top 2000 SEFA/United Way Campaign As chair of the campus State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA/United Way), I am pleased to announce that the campaign began September 26 and will run through October 27. This year's theme, "Give a Little, Help a Lot," recognizes the importance of each and every gift and the impact of those gifts on people in need in our community. Buffalo State's faculty, staff, and students have a strong tradition of community involvement and of leadership in SEFA/United Way campaigns. Last year the college was recognized by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County as one of the Top 100 Workplace Campaigns. Our goal for this year's campaign is to increase participation by encouraging every employee to make a gift to SEFA. A reserved parking space will be offered as the prize in a raffle drawing to be held on Friday, October 27. Each employee who pledges any amount will receive one ticket. Employees who pledge at least $26 ($1 per paycheck) will receive three tickets, and employees who pledge $52 or more will receive five tickets. Raffle tickets will not be sold and will be available only in recognition of SEFA donations. One of your colleagues has volunteered to serve as campaign solicitor in your department and will soon ask for your donation. Please take time to listen to what your solicitor has to say. I am confident that when you learn more about SEFA and the local United Way programs, you will understand how much your generous gift will help in making our community a better place to live and work. The following members of the Buffalo State community have generously donated their time and energy to serve on the 2000 campus SEFA Campaign Team: Kelly Boos, Susan Earshen, John Frederick, Barbara Meyer, Melanie Miller, Phillip Santa Maria, Joanne Sloan, and Rita Zientek. If you have any questions regarding the SEFA campaign or ideas to help make the campaign more successful, please call any member of the team. back to top Travel Reimbursement Rates Travel reimbursement rates for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses have been revised and are effective October 1. The basic U.S. per-diem rate is $55 for lodging and $30 for meals and incidental expenses. Rates for higher-cost metropolitan areas are listed on the Web at www.policyworks.gov. Rates outside the continental United States are listed at www.state.gov. Rates for some locations may be adjusted during the year. Please check the Web sites for current rates before traveling. back to top Winter Pause: Saving Energy for Tomorrow Buffalo State College will limit campus operations from the close of business Friday, December 22, 2000, through the beginning of business Tuesday, January 2, 2001. The college administration thanks all campus employees, as well as others who may be inconvenienced by limited operations and services, for their cooperation in helping us to conserve energy and save resources. What Will Happen? The majority of campus buildings will be closed during Winter Pause. Temperatures will be reduced to 55 degrees in all closed buildings, and electricity will be turned off where feasible. Temperatures may be reduced in buildings designated as alternate work sites, but the buildings will be adequately heated. Employees who plan to work should dress comfortably and wear or bring sweaters. Employees and students are asked to secure their offices and residence-hall rooms; take home plants, aquariums, and other temperature-sensitive items; and make certain that equipment and appliances, such as refrigerators, are cleaned out and unplugged. Plan ahead and take home all books and research materials that might be needed during this period of limited operations. Turn off or disconnect fax machines so messages do not accumulate. Turn off personal computers and printers. Please notify Campus Services, ext. 6111, of experiments in progress that may not be disturbed or moved during Winter Pause. Snow removal will be limited to providing access for emergency vehicles and access to the few open buildings. Parking lots generally will not be plowed, and staff who opt to work are asked to park on Rockwell Road or in Lot S-1 (Science Building/Upton Hall) only. back to top Facilities The following facilities will be open December 23 through January 1 (inclusive), with limited access during Winter Pause: Rockwell Hall, to honor contractual commitments and to protect art exhibits; Bishop Hall (selected offices only), to serve as an alternate work site; Science Building, to maintain the animal facilities, honor scheduled planetarium shows, and serve as an alternate work site; Cleveland Hall (selected offices only), to serve as an alternate work site; Houston Gym, for intercollegiate athletic team practices only; The ice rink, for scheduled events (the Sports Arena will be closed); Moore Complex and Moore Complex apartments; Twin Rise Center (Computing Services), for limited operations; South Wing computing lab, to serve as an alternate work site by prior arrangement only; North Wing and Tower 1, as necessary, to accommodate resident students and residence life staff on a space-available basis. back to top Services The Payroll Office will be closed during Winter Pause. Those who do not have direct deposit and wish to have paychecks mailed on Wednesday, December 20 must provide a written request to the Payroll Office (or send e-mail to galoneac) by 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 15. All work-study and student assistant paychecks scheduled for distribution on Wednesday, December 27 will be mailed to students. Work-study and student assistant time sheets must be in the Payroll Office by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 20. Supervisors must notify students that paychecks cannot be picked up during Winter Pause. Sodexho Marriott Dining Services will be closed. No food service will be available on campus during Winter Pause. The Buffalo State Bookstore will be closed. The Buffalo State Child Care Center will be closed. The Mail Room and Central Receiving: Vendors will be notified of the shutdown, and no deliveries will be accepted. Mail will be received and sorted in the Mail Room, but no on-campus deliveries will be made. Mail may be picked up only by prior arrangement with the Mail Room. University Police will remain open, and officers will be on duty. back to top Registrar The deadline to submit the registrar's copy of grade rosters to the Registrar's Office (as listed in the 2000–2001 academic calendar) is 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 22. Employee Options and Alternate Work Sites Participation in Winter Pause is voluntary, and employees who wish to work will be accommodated. Employees in areas that must provide continued services during Winter Pause may be asked to work. Classified employees who request alternate work sites must contact their supervisors to develop work assignments. Supervisors should assign work that is consistent with employees' job classifications. Campus Services employees should report to the Maintenance Service Center for assignments on scheduled work dates. Campus Services employees who wish to take time off during Winter Pause must submit vacation requests to their immediate supervisors. Professional employees should review work plans with appropriate line officers in advance of Winter Pause. For safety and security reasons, employees who work during Winter Pause may be asked to sign in and out with a University Police aide at entrances to buildings. In order to ensure that only authorized people are provided access to campus buildings, employees may be asked to show a campus identification card. Employees who do not have a current identification card should visit the SUNYCard Office in E. H. Butler Library before Winter Pause. Employees not working during Winter Pause must charge appropriate leave accruals or request leave without pay. Approved compensatory time also may be used to cover absences during this period. Please contact the Human Resource Management Office at ext. 4822 with questions regarding Winter Pause. back to top Graduate School Awareness Activities The Career Development Center and the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Offices are sponsoring several events in October to increase student knowledge about graduate-school options. Getting into Graduate School: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why Thursday, October 5 12:15-1:30 p.m. Campbell Student Union Social Hall Donald Asher, nationally renowned writer and graduate-school expert, will return for a second year to demystify the graduate-school application and selection process. Asher has written several books, including Graduate Admissions Essays: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why and The Fool-Proof Job Search Workbook. He also is a contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal, National Business Employment Weekly, and Managing Your Career. Students, faculty, and staff are invited. back to top Choosing a Graduate Program: Options and Opportunities Thursday, October 12 Bulger Communication Center This new program is designed to inform students about graduate-school options associated with specific subject areas. Students will hear tips on program alternatives, as well as information to help them evaluate the variety of curriculum options. The following presentations are scheduled: 12:15–12:50 p.m. Communication South 2 Health/Medical East Education South Humanities East 2 Psychology West 2 12:55–1:30 p.m. Business South 2 Counseling/Human Services East Design/Fine Arts East 2 Environmental Science West 2 Law South Local graduate-school representatives will be available in the center lobby to discuss program information and financial aid opportunities. For more information about these events, contact the Career Development Center at ext. 5811. back to top Athletic Events The following home athletic events are scheduled September 28–October 4: Women's Tennis Buffalo State vs. Fredonia Thursday, September 28 3:30 p.m. Women's Volleyball Buffalo State vs. St. John Fisher Thursday, September 28 7:00 p.m. Men's Soccer Buffalo State vs. Utica/Rome Friday, September 29 4:00 p.m. Men's Soccer Buffalo State vs. New Paltz Saturday, September 30 1:00 p.m. Women's Tennis Buffalo State vs. Wells Sunday, October 1 1:00 p.m. Women's Tennis Buffalo State vs. St. John Fisher Tuesday, October 3 3:30 p.m. Women's Soccer Buffalo State vs. D'Youville Tuesday, October 3 4:00 p.m. Women's Volleyball Buffalo State vs. Rochester Tuesday, October 3 7:00 p.m. All events take place at their respective fields or courts, or in the Sports Arena. back to top Project Success Thanks to the more than 75 administrators, deans, directors, and department chairs who attended the workshop "Ensuring that Students with Disabilities Receive a Quality Education." Additional workshops are planned for professional staff members during the January 2001 Winterim and, for faculty, in spring and summer 2001. Information about Project Success can be found on the Equity and Campus Diversity Web page at www.buffalostate.edu/offices/equity. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Public Law 105-339 of 1998 added new reporting requirements that extend affirmative action to an additional group of veterans, "other eligible veterans." SUNY affirmative action policies and procedures that apply to "special disabled veterans" and "Vietnam-era veterans" now apply to this category as well. "Other eligible veterans" are defined as those veterans who (1) served in active duty during a war, or (2) served in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. The current list of military engagements from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is available at www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vgmedal2.htm. Employees are encouraged to contact the Human Resource Management Office if they wish to self-identify as an "other eligible veteran" to benefit under the affirmative action program. back to top Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley has announced "Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America," the department's third annual initiative to promote racial reconciliation and college opportunity. The initiative comprises two efforts during the month of October: the Campus Week of Dialogue, October 10–17; and National College Week, October 16–23. Last year, Buffalo State College joined more than 700 campuses responding to the call for a campus week of dialogue. A series of focus groups,"Campus Dialogues for Diversity," and a campus town meeting, "Why Can't We Talk about Race?" were conducted. These activities were the catalysts for the Campus Climate Survey that is being conducted this semester. Riley is again asking all college and university communities to engage in discussions of the complex issues of race and diversity during October. Suggested activities include discussions of race and diversity on campus, in the community, or in society; campus community partnerships; promoting racial reconciliation through community-service projects; faculty lectures on racial issues; film presentations; and cultural festivals. Faculty and staff are encouraged to respond to the secretary's challenge. "Such efforts are important as America becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, and institutions of higher education play an essential role in reaching young people and bridging racial divides," Riley said. Funding to support Building One America activities may be available through the Equity and Campus Diversity minigrant program. back to top Minigrant Application Deadline The deadline for receipt of applications for the fall Equity and Campus Diversity minigrants is 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 29. Extensions may be granted for Building One America projects, upon request. Applications for the spring 2001 minigrant program may be submitted any time before February 1, 2001. Campus-Climate Survey The President's Council on Equity and Campus Diversity is excited about the more than 500 responses to the Campus-Climate Survey. The council appreciates the willingness of members of the campus community to help address the issues explored in the survey. The council will begin to analyze the data within the next week. If you have not responded, it is not too late; return your survey to Cleveland Hall 415 as soon as possible. Revised Guide to Effective Administrative, Faculty, and Staff Searches The revised Guide to Administrative, Faculty, and Staff Searches has been distributed to all administrative offices, including vice presidents, deans, directors, and department chairs. If your office has not received a copy of the guide, please notify the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, ext. 6210. back to top College Nondiscrimination Policy for Vietnam-Era Veterans Section 402 of the Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 prohibits job discrimination and requires affirmative action to employ and advance employment to (1) qualified Vietnam-era veterans during the first four years of their discharge and (2) qualified disabled veterans throughout their working lives. The term "Vietnam-era veteran" applies to those who served in active duty for a period of more than 180 days, any part of which occurred during the Vietnam era (between August 4, 1964, and May 7, 1975). The term "disabled veteran," for the purpose of this policy, applies to those entitled to disability compensation rated at 30 percent or greater, or to those whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. In accordance with the law and with Buffalo State's own policies and programs of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, the college reaffirms its policies, responsibilities, and commitments to veterans. All applicants for employment and current employees who believe themselves to be covered by Section 402 of the Vietnam-Era Veterans Adjustment Act of 1974 and who wish to benefit under the policy are asked to self-identify on employment forms and/or through a periodic update of personnel files. Employees who self-identify as disabled veterans and/or Vietnam-era veterans are asked to describe any special methods, skills, or procedures that qualify them for positions for which they might otherwise presumably be unable to fill because of their disabilities, so that they may be considered for such positions, and to alert the college as to accommodations that might be made to enable them to perform their jobs properly and safely, such as changes in the physical layout of the job or modifications to certain nonessential duties related to the job. To meet this commitment, the college will communicate its obligation to engage in proactive efforts on behalf of veterans, develop internal procedures to determine the opportunities for promotion and/or transfer of veterans presently employed, determine whether their present and potential skills are being fully utilized and developed, and enlist the assistance and support of all possible sources (organizations and offices that serve veterans) in meeting this responsibility. Buffalo State College will make every effort to assist employees identified as disabled veterans of the Vietnam era in reaching their full employment potential. (Policy Number: VI:01:01 May 1986) back to top College Policy on Discrimination Based on National Origin The college policy on affirmative action ensures that there will be no discrimination based on national origin against any faculty/staff member or student. Any faculty/staff member or student who believes that there has been a violation of this policy is encouraged to discuss his or her concerns with the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415. Resolution of grievances will be handled according to the Buffalo State College Procedure for Review of Allegation of Discrimination. Note: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against any individual because of lack of citizenship. This title not only prohibits the disparate treatment of noncitizens, but also prohibits discrimination against individuals because of limited English fluency, accents, or manner of speaking. back to top Senate Meetings College Senate meetings will be held on the following dates at 3:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210: Friday, October 20 Friday, November 10 Friday, December 15 From the Chair of the Curriculum Committee The College Senate Curriculum Committee will not set a due date for curricular submissions during the 2000/2001 school year. Instead, it 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. back to top