About the Bulletin Past Issues Search the Bulletin Bulletin home

Vol. XLVIII, No. 20 January 23, 2003

In this issue: From the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Extended Library Hours From the Vice President for Finance and Management "Declare Yourself" Image Campaign Reception Computer Training and SkillSoft E-Learning From the Senior Adviser to the President for Equity and Campus Diversity EEOC Compliance Manual Addresses Language, Accent, and Dress Buffalo State Policy on Discrimination because of National Origin Project Success: First Friday Dialogs for Disabilities

Extended Library Hours The first floor of E. H. Butler Library will remain open from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday beginning Monday, January 27. Without exception, only current Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff with valid SUNYCards will be admitted after 11:00 p.m. First-floor access includes computers, printers, photocopiers, reference books, and periodicals. See the complete schedule of hours, with holiday exceptions, at www.buffalostate.edu/library/info/hours2.html. back to top   "Declare Yourself" Image Campaign Reception Faculty, staff, and students are cordially invited to attend a campuswide reception from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 28 on the first floor of Moot Hall to recognize and thank those who have participated in the "Declare yourself" image campaign and celebrate its spring kickoff. A fabulous selection of delicious desserts will be served. For more information, contact College Relations at ext. 4201 or collrel@buffalostate.edu. back to top Computer Training and SkillSoft E-Learning Computing and Technology Services and the FAST Development Center offer monthly computer training classes. Unless otherwise stated, classes are held in CyberQuad, E. H. Butler Library 318. Please bring an IBM-formatted 3.5" disk. For a complete list of courses and registration information, visit http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration. Contact Debbie Riservato at ext. 4060 or risedl78@buffalostate.edu with questions. Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) or Netscape 4.7 (or higher) is necessary for online registration. Enter the following information in the required fields: Explorer User Name: your user name (e.g., publicjq) Password: your password Domain: bsclogon Netscape User Name: bsclogon\your user name (e.g., bsclogon\publicjq) Password: your password SkillSoft E-Learning Employees also may participate in SkillSoft, an online learning program that offers 106 courses and a variety of certificate programs that allow employees to demonstrate mastery of a set of skills. More information about the SkillSoft E-Learning Program is available from the Human Resource Management Web site, www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr. Employees also may register for courses on the site. This month's SkillSoft courses may be taken in CyberQuad's Faculty/Staff Workroom, E. H. Butler Library 310, by appointment only; call Debbie Riservato at ext. 4060. Please check in at E. H. Butler Library 315 (CyberQuad) before starting. back to top   EEOC Compliance Manual Addresses Language, Accent, and Dress A revision to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Compliance Manual (Section 13, "National Origin Discrimination") issued on December 2, 2002, states: "The most important step for an employer [or educator] in preventing harassment is clearly communicating to employees [and students] that harassment based on national origin will not be tolerated and that employees who violate the prohibition against harassment will be disciplined." and "Because linguistic characteristics are a component of national origin, employers [and educators] should carefully scrutinize employment [and educational] decisions that are based on accent to ensure that they do not violate Title VII. "An employment [or educational] decision based on foreign accent does not violate Title VII if an individual's accent materially interferes with the ability to perform job duties. [But] employers [and educators] should distinguish between a merely discernable foreign accent and one that interferes with communication skills necessary to perform job duties." (EEOC Compliance Manual, December 2, 2002, www.eeoc.gov/docs/national-origin.html). back to top Buffalo State Policy on Discrimination because of National Origin The college policy on affirmative action ensures that there will be no discrimination against any faculty/staff member or student based on national origin. 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. Assistance for international students regarding visas, work permits, and relevant regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service is available through the International Student Affairs Office, Campbell Student Union 400. back to top Project Success: First Friday Dialogs for Disabilities Recognizing Reading and Writing Difficulties in College Students Noon to 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 7 E. H. Butler Library 210 Many college students have undiagnosed learning disabilities that hamper their academic performance. Disabilities often manifest themselves through reading and writing difficulties that lead to academic failure. Faculty experts will lead this First Friday Dialog discussion to help participants quickly identify the indicators of reading and writing difficulties exhibited by adult learners. Participants also will learn ways to assist students in the classroom and to advise them on matters of assistance, tutoring, and other services for academic success. Presenters will be Mark Fulk, assistant professor of English, and Alfred Tatum, lecturer of elementary education and reading. Lunch will be served; R.S.V.P. to Peggy Bristol, Project Success coordinator, at ext. 3515 or bristopa@buffalostate.edu by Tuesday, February 4. The First Friday Dialog for March, "Students with Disabilities Talk to Faculty and Staff," will be held March 7. back to top

About the Bulletin Past Issues Search the Bulletin Bulletin home