Response to Senate Recommendation
At its April 2 meeting, the College Senate approved the recommendation agreed upon by
the Graduate Advisory Council and the Standards for Students Committee for a new
policy on the acceptance of transfer credit for graduate studies at Buffalo State College:
"A maximum of 12 graduate-level credit hours of transfer work may be applied to a
degree program or certificate of advanced study upon departmental/adviser approval.
Academic departments reserve the right to allow fewer transfer credits."
I accept the recommendation of the College Senate and hereby authorize the provost and
vice president for academic affairs to implement the new policy on the acceptance of
transfer credit for graduate studies at Buffalo State College, effective July 1, 2004.
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Online Grading
SABRE will continue to be available for online grading from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday,
May 13, and Friday, May 14, and from 1:00 a.m. Saturday, May 15, to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 17.
Grades for spring 2004 are due by 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 17. See the SABRE Web site,
www.buffalostate.edu/sabre/facstaff,
for details about support for faculty during CEP week (week of May 10) and on May 17.
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Employees' Retirement System Meetings
Beginning June 1, representatives of the New York State Employees' Retirement System
at the Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building, 65 Court Street, room 500, will conduct
consultations by appointment only rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. Call
(866) 805-0990 to schedule an appointment. Call the Human Resource Management
Office at ext. 4821 with questions.
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Retirement Loans
The SUNY Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution permitting loans from the
Optional Retirement Program. TIAA-CREF, VALIC, and MetLife are now able to
process loans; ING is committed to having its system operational by September 2004.
Employees will be permitted to take one loan per carrier per 12-month period. The total
borrowed from any one carrier may not exceed 50 percent of the accumulated value of
the employee's contracts. Individual carriers may have additional restrictions on loan
amounts.
Loan provisions also apply to tax-deferred annuities provided by TIAA-CREF.
All loans are subject to IRS regulations, which currently set the maximum combined loan
balance at $50,000. It is the employee's responsibility to ensure that he or she does not exceed
this limit.
Employees should be aware of the consequences of loan default: Defaults are taxable as
ordinary income in the year in which they occur; employees younger than 59˝ may be
subject to an additional 10 percent federal tax penalty; loan defaults reduce the retirement
income an employee will receive.
Employees wishing to take a loan should call carriers directly:
| TIAA-CREF |
(800) 842-2776 |
| VALIC |
(800) 448-2542 |
| MetLife |
(800) 560-5001 |
| ING |
(800) 677-4636 (beginning September 2004) |
Call the Human Resource Management Office at ext. 4821 with questions.
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Summer Office Hours
Summer office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. will be in effect Monday, May 17, through
Friday, August 13. All offices are expected to maintain at least minimal staffing during
these core hours. Offices may extend hours to meet the needs of students or other clients.
All office schedules are subject to the approval of department heads, who should obtain
approval from their respective vice presidents before implementing summer schedules.
Regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. will resume Monday, August 16, two
weeks prior to the start of the academic year.
Employees who wish to work four-day workweeks during the summer may
request to use vacation accruals for one day each week for a specified period. As always,
such requests are subject to supervisors' approval and contingent upon departments'
operational needs.
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Call for Nominations: 2004 Young Alumnus Achievement Award
The Buffalo State College Alumni Association seeks nominations for the 2004 Young
Alumnus Achievement Award, which will be presented at a special awards reception on
October 1, 2004, during Homecoming Weekend.
Now in its third year, the award recognizes young alumni who have demonstrated records
of achievement since graduating from the college. Nominees must be graduates of the
class of 1984 or later who have (1) achieved significant professional advancement; (2)
provided outstanding service to the community; and (3) demonstrated loyalty and
commitment to Buffalo State College.
Last year's winners were Randy Burd, '94; Kenneth Conner, '85; Robert Denning, '90; Sam
Hoyt, '92; Gerald Mead, '85, '86; and Sundra Ryce '96. Representing the professions of
radiation oncology, psychiatry, business administration, politics, and art, these recipients
demonstrated the wide range of careers pursued by successful Buffalo State graduates
and served as superb examples of generosity and service to the college and the
community.
The deadline for 2004 nominations is Friday, June 25; however, nominations are
accepted year-round, and all nominations are active for three years. No posthumous
awards are given.
This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and honor an outstanding young graduate of
Buffalo State College. The Alumni Association welcomes nominations from alumni,
faculty, staff, emeriti, students, and friends of the college. Self-nominations also are
acceptable. For nomination forms or more information, contact Jennifer Small, events
coordinator, at ext. 6001 or smalljl@buffalostate.edu, or submit a nomination form
online.
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2004 Undergraduate Student Award Winners
President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student
SUNY Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Kevin A. Reynolds
A computer information systems major with a GPA of 4.0, Kevin Reynolds
is also a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, a husband, and a father. He has
served as vice president of the Information Processors Association, as treasurer
of the High Performance Computing Club, as president of the Student
Technology Association, and as a member of the Non-Traditional Students
Organization and the Physics Club. Reynolds coaches youth soccer for the
Niagara Falls Police Athletic League and previously coached youth football
and volunteered with youth boxing programs.
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Chancellor's Awards for Undergraduate Student Excellence
Tiffany D. Ciolek
Tiffany Ciolek, a public communication major and member of the All College
Honors Program, is a student-athlete who serves as the representative to the
Student Athlete Advisory committee. She cofounded Bengal Paws, a
community outreach program in which student-athletes speak to inner-city
youth on respect, leadership, sportsmanship, and good manners, and she
created the first-ever Athletics Department Captain's Leadership Retreat in
conjunction with the NCAA. Ciolek has also received recognition for her
athletic skill in softball.
Brian R. Kramer
Brian Kramer is a U.S. Army medic and nurse who earned an overall GPA of
3.89 while completing two majors, earning both a bachelor of arts in history
and a bachelor of science in social studies education. He presented papers on
"Elbert Hubbard and the Roycroft Experience" at the Phi Alpha Theta Western
and Central New York regional meeting and on "The Arts and Crafts
Movement in Western New York" at the National Conference on
Undergraduate Research. Kramer is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the
international honor society in education, and president of the Buffalo State
chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society.
Siobhan K. McCollum
Siobhan McCollum majored in broadcasting, earning an overall GPA of 3.95.
She has been a mentor in the Anthropology Department, a peer mentor for
freshman seminars, a student representative on the College Senate Curriculum
Committee, and a volunteer at the Buffalo State Child Care Center,
where she also serves as a student representative on its board of directors.
McCollum is vice president of the Buffalo State chapter of the
Anthropology Society and is the program director and producer of BSC-TV.
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Carol J. Shaw
Carol Shaw, an exceptional education major with a 3.83 GPA, received the
2003–2004 Horace Mann Award for Outstanding Undergraduate in
Exceptional Education. Since 1997, Shaw has been a volunteer firefighter and
is currently a certified first responder as well as secretary to the Strykersville
Fire Department. A member and the treasurer of the Holland Community
Choir, Shaw is the chapter treasurer of the Student Council for Exceptional
Children and president of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in
education.
Andrew D. Verity
Andrew Verity is a psychology major with a 3.94 GPA and is the recipient of
the David Vernon Bullough Outstanding Senior in Psychology Award. He was
selected as a fellow in the Psychology Department's National Institute of
Mental Health and has served as a teaching assistant and as the student
representative on the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching Selection
Committee. He is active in both the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the honorary
society in psychology. He also volunteers at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and is a
certified sign language interpreter.
Krista L. Wierzbicki
Krista Wierzbicki is a public communication major with a GPA of 3.90.
Wierzbicki has been a Buffalo State volleyball superstar and was named to the
State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) All-Academic
Team following her freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was
named to the SUNYAC Commissioner's Team after her sophomore, junior,
and senior years, and to the 2003–2004 Academic All-District Volleyball
Second Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She
also received the Alumni Scholar Athlete Award.
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Chancellor's Award for Undergraduate Student Excellence
Mildred Campbell Leadership Award
Jude M. Jayatilleke
Jude Jayatilleke is a hospitality administration major with a 3.34 GPA. A
recipient of the Statler Foundation Scholarship, he also participated in the
Student Research and Creativity Celebration in April 2003 with a presentation
that examined the accessibility of Campus House for individuals with
disabilities. Jayatilleke is a member of Alpha Beta Gamma honor society and
served as president of the Culinary Arts Club, president of the International
Student Organization, chair of the International Student Advisory Council, and
secretary of the International Student Organization. A native of Sri Lanka, he
worked at the Hotel Suisse and Hotel Topaz there, and interned and worked
locally at the Buffalo Marriott.
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Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Awards
Brian N. Miller
Timothy D. Giagios
Brian Miller (Tonawanda/Kenmore East), a junior on the Bengals men's soccer
team, was a Second Team All-Conference selection after leading Buffalo State
with 16 goals and 35 points. A childhood education major, Miller has
maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.48.
Timothy Giagios (Rochester/Gates-Chili), a senior on the men's indoor track and
field team, captured the SUNYAC Championship in the 500-meter run. He has
a 3.83 GPA as a health and wellness major.
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Minnie and Joe Engel Student Humanitarian Award
Ruth Jean
Ruth Jean, a Haitian American from Queens, is a social work major who has
been recognized by the department for her volunteer service at
Journey's End Resettlement Services, the Western New York Veterans' home,
and the college's Educational Opportunity Program. The recipient of the 2002
Theresa A. Shepard Advocacy Award, Jean sought and obtained funding to
conduct Red Cross CPR and first aid training for students, faculty, and staff. In
2001, she was trained as a member of the college's Critical Incident Stress
Management team, and was pressed into service helping her fellow students
cope with the aftermath of the September 11 attack that year. As a resident
assistant, Jean was on duty in Tower 3 the evening of December 7, 2002, when
the eighth floor—including her own room— exploded in fire. She helped her
fellow students escape without injury and to cope in the days that followed.
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Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Tanvi Asher, Carla Beneduce, Chatrane Birba, Tiffany Ciolek, Michael Colombo, Susanne Conrad, Kathy Doody, Maria Gonzalez, Nalini Goolsarran, Jude Jayatilleke, Yuko Kagawa, Brian Kramer, Gayle Kraus, Christopher Lape, Francisco Lopez, Aaron Masters, Siobhan McCollum, Jewel McMillan, Hideki Muneyoshi, Beata Nagy, Isabel Norman, Samir Osmancevic, Megan Pawelski, Kevin Reynolds, Shankhan Roy, Carol Shaw, Kathleen Tastrom, Michael Taylor, Andrew Verity, Harshana Weerasingha, Erica Wehling, Krista Wierzbicki, and Maria Genylyn Yusi
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Weigel Health Center Accreditation
Weigel Health Center has achieved accreditation from the Accreditation
Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
Status as an accredited organization means Weigel Health Center has passed a
series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards set by the AAAHC for
the provision of quality health care.
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC
undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services.
Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all
undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.
Accreditation underscores a long-standing commitment to provide the highest
possible levels of care to the community the college serves.
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Counseling Center Reaccredited
The College Counseling Center has been reaccredited by the International
Association of Counseling Services Inc. The center was cited as "offering an
effective program of services that continues to make a vital contribution to the
quality of student and campus life." The review team made special note of the
center's role in developing a Critical Incident Stress Management team.
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Athletics News
Coach of the Year
Buffalo State women's lacrosse head coach Meg Stevens was named
SUNYAC Coach of the Year by her peers. Stevens guided the Bengals to their
best-ever record and first playoff berth in the program's 10-year history.
Buffalo State finished with a 10-4 record, breaking nine team and several
individual records. The Bengals shattered school records for goals in a season
with 144, for wins in a season with 10, for least goals in a season with 121, and
for lowest goals against average in a season with 8.58. Under Stevens's
stewardship, the Bengals also enjoyed the team's longest unbeaten streak with
a stretch of five games that included wins over RIT, Elmira, Medaille, Fredonia,
and Allegheny.
Lacrosse
Buffalo State's Chelsey Frail (Hilton/East Rochester) and Annie Tallchief
(Perrysburg/Lakeshore) were named Second Team All-SUNYAC and were
selected to the SUNYAC Championship All-Tournament Team.
Softball
Freshman Lauren Mruk (Lancaster/Lancaster) was named SUNYAC Softball
First Year Player of the Year, joining Nadine Sirianni (Niagara Falls/Niagara
Falls), Liz Beiter (North Tonawanda/North Tonawanda), Lindsey Matheis
(Hamburg/Williamsville South), and Emily Goldyn (Lancaster/Lancaster) on
the All-SUNYAC Team.
Track and Field
Two Buffalo State athletes received top honors at the NYSCTC
Championships at Brockport: Justin Muise (Kenmore/Kenmore West) captured
Runner of the Meet honors as he earned an automatic qualifier for the NCAA
Championships in the 400-meter dash, and Ken Ciolek (Limestone/Bradford
Area) was named the Rookie of the Meet.
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Election Results
The following people were elected in the recent College Senate election:
At-Large Senators
Roswell Park
Ted Schmidt
SUNY Senator
John DeNisco
Faculty of Applied Science and Education
Ellen Kennedy
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Katherine Hartman
Susan Leist
Faculty of Natural and Social Sciences
Lisa Brooks
Gregory Wadsworth
Professional Staff
Josephine Adamo
Camille Spyra
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