Buffalo State College Policy on Smoking
Preamble
The New York State Clean Indoor Air Act became effective on July 24, 2003. This law, which amends Public Health Law Article 13-E (Regulation of Smoking in Certain Public Areas), requires every employer in the state to provide smoke-free work areas for all employees in the workplace.

Policy
In accordance with the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act, the college policy on smoking, in effect since January 5, 1990, was revised effective July 24, 2003. It is the college's policy to comply with all sections of this act and, therefore, smoking is prohibited in all college buildings and vehicles.

Exceptions
The vice president for student affairs designates smoking/nonsmoking areas in residential areas of the residence halls. Currently, smoking is permitted in student bedrooms if all residents of the room agree. All other residential areas are designated as nonsmoking by the state and the college.

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Compliance
It is the responsibility of all members of the college community to observe this smoking policy. Since the college is legally responsible for compliance with this state law, the following enforcement system will be used if necessary.

The person with direct supervision of an area is responsible for requesting compliance. If a person refuses to stop smoking in a nonsmoking area, after receiving such a request, University Police will be notified. University Police will assess the situation and, if necessary, complete a State Incident Report (SIR).

Copies of the SIR will be sent to the Environmental Health and Safety Office and as follows:

• Students: A copy is forwarded to the Student Judicial System for review and action.
• Faculty/Staff: A copy is forwarded to the individual's supervisor, who will be responsible for speaking to the individual and his/her violation of college policy. Violations of the college policy may result in disciplinary action pursuant to applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Visitors/Guests: In the event of noncompliance, University Police will be notified and will take appropriate action.

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Buffalo State College Policy on Computer Software Installation
It is college policy that Computing and Technology Services will install only appropriately licensed software in computer labs and on other machines. Department chairs or computer lab coordinators are responsible for providing Computing and Technology Services with a copy of the valid software license along with the software to be installed. Previously installed software for which an appropriate license cannot be verified is subject to removal.

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Computer Training, SkillSoft E- Learning,
and Webmaster Training
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/registr ation. Contact Paul Reynolds at ext. 3361 or reynolap@buffalostate.edu with questions.

Class Registration
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

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SkillSoft E-Learning
Employees also may participate in SkillSoft, an online learning program that offers more than 800 courses and a variety of certificate programs that allow participants 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 Paul Reynolds at ext. 3361 to schedule an appointment. Please check in at E. H. Butler Library 315 (CyberQuad) before starting.

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Webmaster Training Program
The FAST Development Center and the College Relations Office offer a sequential training program especially for campus Web developers. Faculty and staff are welcome to take any or all of the 10 courses offered. More information about the Webmaster Training Program is available from the College Relations Web site, www.buffalostate.edu/offices/collegerelations/webtools/index.asp?sub=cam pusrt&subint =webtrain. Employees may register for courses at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration.

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SUNY Internal Discrimination Complaint Procedure Revisions Advisory
The revised SUNY Internal Discrimination Complaint Procedure took effect July 1. Of particular note is the provision that allows 90 calendar days for filing a formal complaint through the campus procedure—a change from the former 45-day period.

On July 21, the SUNY chancellor issued an advisory to change two provisions of the revised procedure. The changes allow greater clarification on the external filing of complaints under the SUNY process and the form of the report transmitting the findings of the tripartite panel in a formal investigation. The revised procedure, which includes the recent advisory, is available from the Equity and Campus Diversity Web site: www.buffalostate.edu/offices/equity/Complaint.htm

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Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action in College Admissions
In June, the Supreme Court issued an opinion on the use of race as a factor in admission to the University of Michigan. The rulings, which recognize the educational benefits of diversity and validate reasonable means by which to achieve that diversity, reaffirm support for affirmative action and endorse universities' rights to consider promising students' full range of qualities. The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University Web site gives an interpretation of that decision by experts in the area of affirmative action: www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu.

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Buffalo State College General Policy against Discrimination and Harassment
Buffalo State College is committed to proper treatment of all members of the college community. The college can achieve its educational mission only in an atmosphere of mutual respect that is free from intolerance and that offers equal opportunity to all. Every member of the college community shares the responsibility for addressing incidents of disrespect for the dignity of others and acts of discrimination, racism, bigotry, harassment, exclusion, abusive language, or mistreatment of individuals or groups.

Among the goals of the college is the empowerment of a diverse population of students to succeed as citizens of a challenging world. The college is dedicated to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual vitality, collegiality, and collaboration. It will not have attained its goal until and unless all in its midst obtain fair and equitable treatment in employment and education. For this reason, Buffalo State College condemns and pledges itself to fight against all acts of invidious discrimination, bias, intolerance, or harassment.

Racial discrimination is a particularly serious problem. The goals of the college are undermined and human dignity is offended where employment or educational benefits, opportunities, or privileges are denied or restricted on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin, or where a racially hostile environment exists. Racial or illegal discrimination of any sort limits the opportunity for individuals to realize their potential and denies them the rigors, joys, and fulfillment of intellectual curiosity.

Therefore, it is the policy of Buffalo State College to provide an employment and educational environment free from invidious discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital or veteran status. It shall be a violation of this policy for any agent, student, or employee of Buffalo State to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital or veteran status against any individual with respect to terms of employment, education, or benefits of any program or activity at Buffalo State.

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To implement this policy:

• All college faculty, staff, and students are expected to comport themselves in a manner that does not convey to others in the college community any disrespect, intolerance, or rude behavior based on age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, veteran, or socioeconomic status.
• All members of the college community are expected to contribute to the college environment to move the college community in the direction of respect for all.
• All persons within the college community who perceive that they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment based on age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability, marital or veteran status, or sexual orientation are urged to present their concerns to the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415.
• All faculty, staff, and students who know of a member of the community who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment are expected to encourage that person to visit the Equity and Campus Diversity Office and, if need be, offer assistance to help that person do so.
• All supervisory and management staff have the responsibility to educate faculty, staff, and students about the value of diversity to the institution. To meet this responsibility, supervisors, department heads, and management staff are expected to:
  • Regularly communicate with employees and students under their supervision about the college's policy against discrimination, its commitment to diversity, and the need for civility in the community.
  • Monitor their own behavior to ensure that it offers an appropriate model for employees and students under their supervision.
  • Promptly and thoroughly respond to all reports or incidents of invidious discrimination or harassment in their areas of responsibility.
  • Identify and respect the needs of the victims of discrimination and attempt to restore collegiality and equity following reported incidents of discrimination.
  • Confer directly with the Equity and Campus Diversity Office whenever reports or complaints of discrimination or harassment are brought to their attention in their areas of responsibility or if they have concerns about appropriate responses to complaints.

Complaints should be reported to Dolores E. Battle, senior adviser to the president for equity and campus diversity, Cleveland Hall 415, ext. 6210.

Other college policies related to equity and campus diversity are located at www.buffalostate.edu/offices/equity/contents.html.

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