Welcome Back 2003
Welcome back for the 2003–2004 academic year. I hope that we all
feel a sense of renewal and purpose as we embark on the fall semester
under the leadership of our new provost, Dennis Ponton.
We will celebrate the start of a new year of learning and excellence
with Academic Convocation on Thursday, September 18 at 12:15 p.m.
in Rockwell Hall Auditorium. This year's Bonnie and Vern L.
Bullough Academic Convocation Address will be given by Peter
Salins, SUNY provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. I urge
everyone to attend.
I hope we all embrace this new academic year with optimism and
enthusiasm. While we do face another year of financial caution,
requiring prudence and some difficult choices, we cannot allow the
economic climate to prevent us from pursuing our goals. As always,
maintaining an instructional program to serve student course needs is
our first priority.
As we go forward with the implementation of our strategic plan, we
need to place emphasis on the kind of institutional transformation that
will enable us to deal with both external and internal driving forces. It
becomes ever more important to establish specific priorities. Last
year, we produced a draft technology plan and adopted a template for
institutional distinctiveness.
This year, we look forward to the completion of our academic plan, to
new recommendations on general education, to full implementation of
SABRE components, to the completion of a review of our graduate
programs, and to the institution of late-night hours at E. H. Butler
Library.
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We begin the year with new student leadership in place, including
Kamal Jefferson, the new president of United Students Government,
as well as Shawn Lavin, treasurer, and Todd Espinosa, executive vice
president.
Our residence halls are at full occupancy, reflecting a continuing
strong demand for on-campus housing. The external brick repair and
replacement in the Towers residence halls has been completed, and
the scaffolding that was in place all summer has been removed.
In the weeks ahead, we will have an opportunity to celebrate Buffalo
State as a community with our Homecoming/Parents' Weekend,
taking place from Thursday, October 2 through Saturday, October 4.
This weekend is evolving into an increasingly important tradition, as
we celebrate our alumni and help instill a sense of institutional pride
in our next generation of alumni.
Our academic year will culminate with Commencement on Saturday,
May 15, 2004. I hope we can continue a trend toward robust
participation in this most important occasion.
I wish everyone a safe, productive, and fulfilling year and look
forward to working with you all as we strive to fulfill the mission of
this historic and beloved institution.
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Promotions
Upon the completion of the review procedures at the department, dean, and vice
presidential levels, I am pleased to announce the following promotions:
Promotion to associate professor, effective September 1, 2003:
Cheryl Marie Albers, Sociology
Robin Lee Harris, Earth Sciences and Science Education
David A. Hunter, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Eric J. Krieg, Sociology
Michael G. MacLean, Psychology
Susan E. McMillen, Mathematics
Joseph A. Miller, Fine Arts
Andrew D. Nicholls, History and Social Studies Education
Jill M. Norvilitis, Psychology
Ralph L. Wahlstrom, English
Donn M. Youngstrom, Performing Arts
Appeals
Negative decisions on promotions may be appealed. Appeals are probably best suited to
instances in which an individual believes that his or her case was misunderstood or
inadequately advocated. If an appeal seems warranted, the president should be notified in
writing of the intent to appeal by Thursday, October 2.
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Curricular Approval
I have approved the following new course, which has been recommended by the appropriate
dean, the College Senate, and the provost and vice president for academic affairs:
New Course:
NFS 108 Food Culture and Civilization in the Far East
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Connie Porter Lecture and Book Signing
Award-winning author and Lackawanna native Connie Porter will speak at Buffalo State at 7:30
p.m. Wednesday, September 24 in Bulger Communication Center North.
A graduate of Buffalo's City Honors School, Porter is the author of two novels:
Imani All Mine and All-Bright Court, which was selected
as one of the American Library Association's Best Books of 1991 and as one of the New York Times
Notable Books of 1991. Porter is also the author of the Addy book series
of the American Girls Collection for young readers, which has sold more than three million copies.
Named a regional winner in Granta's Best Young American Novelists contest (for All-Bright Court),
Porter lives in Virginia.
A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow the lecture. The event is free and open
to the public, and is cosponsored by the Buffalo State Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural
Education, the English Department, and the Urban Educators Network.
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SUNY TLT Cooperative Courses
The State University of New York Teaching, Learning, and Technology Cooperative, in
partnership with the SUNY Training Center, is offering eight-week, noncredit, online
professional development courses. Registration is now open; courses begin Monday, October 6. Titles include:
- Basic Web Page Design: Using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
- Delivering Web-Based Multimedia via Distance Learning
- Designing a Course in Blackboard
- Designing a Course in WebCT
- Incorporating Information Literacy Tasks into Web-Enhanced Courses
- Math Notations and Diagrams in E-learning Courses
- MERLOT for Faculty Development Professionals
- Online Pedagogy: Creating a Successful Web-Enhanced Course
- Online Surveys: The Complete Workshop
- Plagiarism: Detection and Prevention
- Teaching Science Online Effectively
- Theories and Structure of Blended Learning
The complete list of TLT Cooperative online courses is available on the SUNY Training Center
Web site. To view a class description or to register for a class, follow these instructions:
- Go to www.tc.suny.edu.
- Under Training Center Class Schedule, click on "General."
- Click on "TLT Cooperative Classes" to select and complete the online registration.
To learn more about the SUNY TLTechnology Cooperative, see
http://tlt.suny.edu/TLTCoop/overview.htm. Contact the SUNY Training Center at
(315) 464-4078 or suny_training@tc.suny.edu with questions.
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Weekend Incident
This past weekend, a large gathering of students took place within an apartment in Moore
Complex and the surrounding area. A nonstudent associated with this party reported to University Police
that he was stabbed. It is believed that this was not a random act of
violence but was related to a dispute between non-Buffalo State students. The
individual was treated and released from a local hospital, and the University Police
Department is leading an investigation to identify the individual(s) responsible for this
incident. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the University
Police Department at ext. 6333.
Please remember that the nature of the incident and the filing of criminal charges prohibit the
college from commenting on the case. In view of issues of legality and liability, as well as
the risk of jeopardizing the investigation or its outcome, faculty and staff who are approached
by the media are advised and encouraged to refer all inquiries to News Services at ext. 4325.
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NYS Flex Spending Account 2004 Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for the 2004 New York State Flex Spending Account is
September 29–November 12. The account offers two benefits: the Health Care Spending Account
(HCSAccount) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount).
The HSCAccount allows employees to set aside from $150 to $3,000 annually in pretax salary
to pay for health-related expenses not reimbursed by health insurance. The DCAAccount
allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually for child-care, elder-care, or other
dependent-care expenses on a pretax basis. (The employer contribution for the DCAAccount
expired in 2003 and will not be available in 2004.) Participants currently enrolled in the
HCSAccount or DCAAccount must reenroll to continue benefits in 2004. Reenrollment
instructions will be sent directly from the Fringe Benefits Management Company.
A brochure describing both benefits will be distributed with the September 24 paychecks.
Paperless enrollment is quick, easy, and secure. Apply online at
www.flexspend.state.ny.us
or call the Flex Spending Account hotline at (800) 358-7202. No
enrollment applications will be accepted by the plan administrator after the open enrollment
period.
Call the Human Resource Management Office at ext. 4821 with questions.
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Political Activities Involving State Employees
Federal Election Law and New York State Law regarding political activities provides:
- No employee is to conduct political activities on paid state time.
- A state employee may participate in an election as a candidate and, if elected, serve in the office, provided such service will not interfere with state duties or create a conflict of interest.
- A state employee may engage in political activities in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for elected office or a political issue, provided such activities do not interfere with state duties and provided the employee does not associate political activities with his or her official position or state affiliation.
- State equipment, vehicles, and office space are to be used only for official state business.
- State employees may not use their official position to procure either campaign contributions or volunteer assistance.
- No appointments, promotions, demotions, or salary increases are to be made on the basis of political affiliation.
The above provisions also pertain to individuals employed by the state whose salary is financed in whole or part by any federal loan or grant.
Questions on the above may be referred to Susan Earshen, director of human resource management, at ext. 3042.
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Independent Health Donation
Independent Health has donated $5,000 to the Bridging the Health Insurance
Gap Fund, established to assist students who are facing financial
hardship under the college's new compulsory
student health insurance program. This donation will be added to the monies
already received from the Hyde Foundation and from generous contributions
from faculty and staff. There is now $10,000 committed to the fund.
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Student Affairs Television Network
Student Affairs has installed a new communication network
to address the information needs of students. The system,
VideoNet 3, by Inlighten, is an in-house network that allows
the college to promote campus events and to broadcast important emergency
information to all televisions in the residence halls and in parts of the Campbell
Student Union. The Inlighten system allows the college to customize news content and
disseminate information to students about events or activities on campus
or in the community, blending global, national, and campus news.
It can be used synergistically with the college Web site and
publications to promote departmental events.
For more information about the Student Affairs Television Network,
or to promote an event or provide a news update, send e-mail to
satv@buffalostate.edu or call Doug Chase at ext. 6641.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Event: Cuba: Getting Closer
The community is invited to view an exhibition by photographer Errol Daniels on display
in the E. H. Butler Library Circulation Gallery beginning Monday, September
22. Also on Monday, Daniels will present a slide lecture titled Cuba: Getting Closer at 6:00 p.m.
in E. H. Butler Library 210.
Daniels began photographing in the 1960s, while active in the civil rights movement
in Chicago, and was particularly drawn to social documentary. He lost
the use of his hands in the 1980s and stopped shooting until the early '90s, when his
love for the camera was rekindled as he adapted to his disability
with help from physical and occupational therapists.
Daniels's photographs are part of the George Eastman House collection in
Rochester, as well as private collections.
For more information about this event, call Daniel C. Velez, coordinator of
Latino/Caribbean student services, in the Minority Student Services Office at ext.
4631.
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Graduate School Fair
The Career Development Center is proud to sponsor its annual Graduate School
Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7 in the Campbell Student
Union Social Hall. Buffalo State students will meet with representatives from more
than 50 local and national graduate and professional school programs to learn
more about advanced educational opportunities. All students are encouraged
to attend.
For more information, including a list of participating schools, call the
Career Development Center at ext. 5811 or visit the Web site at
www.buffalostate.edu/offices/cdc/gsa.html.
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Free, Anonymous HIV Testing
Staff from the New York State Department of Health will offer free, anonymous HIV
testing to students, faculty, and staff on Thursday, October 16 in the Weigel Health
Center.
Call ext. 6715 to schedule an appointment. No names or personal identification will be
used or recorded.
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Home Athletic Events
Men's Soccer
Buffalo State vs. Brockport
Friday, September 19
4:00 p.m.
Coyer Field
Buffalo State vs. Geneseo
Saturday, September 20
1:00 p.m.
North Field
Football
Buffalo State vs. Albion
Saturday, September 20
1:00 p.m.
Coyer Field
Women's Soccer
Buffalo State vs. Fredonia
Monday, September 22
4:00 p.m.
Coyer Field
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College Senate Meetings
College Senate meetings for the fall 2003 semester will be held Fridays,
September 19, October 17, November 14, and December 12. All meetings begin at 3:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler
Library 210.
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Senate Standing
Committees
The College Senate always needs faculty and staff
representation on its standing
committees. Below are the names of committees and brief descriptions of their basic
missions. If you wish to serve on a committee for the 2003–2004 academic
year, please
print this form and return it
to the College Senate Office, Cleveland Hall 211.
Academic Plan
Assumes leadership in the intermediate- and long-range planning of the overall
academic
function of the college. Areas include the mission of the college, master plan,
regionalism, enrollment projections, and accreditation.
Academic Services
Recommends policies designed to make academic support services more useful and
available to academic programs.
Budget and Staff Allocation
Gathers, analyzes, and recommends criteria for all data and policies needed to
determine
budget and staff allocations.
Bylaws and Elections
Conducts necessary elections provided for in the bylaws to ensure proper
representation
on the College Senate. Recommends changes in the bylaws designed to facilitate the
democratic governance of the college.
Curriculum
Receives, reviews, and recommends approval or nonapproval of all courses and
programs
offered by the college, consistent with Senate policies and procedures.
Instruction and Research
Concerns itself with aspects of policy that relate to the improvement of instruction
and
the development of services and resources necessary to carry out or enhance
instruction
and research.
International Education
Develops the content of overseas academic and faculty exchange programs and
makes
recommendations regarding admission of and services to foreign students attending
Buffalo State.
Professional Welfare
Responsible for matters concerning faculty and staff welfare and well-being.
Standards for Students
Reviews and recommends policies dealing with student admission, readmission,
retention, and
probation, as well as with graduation standards for undergraduate and graduate
students.
Student Welfare
Examines matters and recommends policy concerning aspects of student
life.
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