State Funds New Burchfield-Penney Art Center
We are pleased to report that the Governor's Office has allocated $16.5 million toward the construction of the new Burchfield-Penney Art Center museum building. The museum, designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, will be located at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Rockwell Road on a parcel acquired several years ago for this purpose. The facility will be a mixed-use building that will support academic programs such as art conservation, museum studies, fine arts, and art education as well as house the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.
The H. H. Richardson property also received an allocation. The governor will appoint an advisory group to work with the college on the future use of those landmark buildings and the Olmsted-designed site.
We anticipate that construction of the museum will commence this summer.
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Internal Control Standards and Public Officers Law
The Internal Control Act of the State of New York requires Buffalo State College to communicate the following information on agency responsibilities and standards:
The internal control standards define the minimum level of quality acceptable for internal control systems in operation and constitute the criteria against which systems are to be evaluated. These internal control standards apply to all operations and administrative functions (both manual and automated), but are not intended to limit or interfere with duly granted authority related to development of legislation, rule making, or other discretionary policy making in an agency.
General Standards
- Reasonable Assurance. Internal control systems are to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of the systems will be accomplished.
- Supportive Attitude. Managers and employees are to maintain
and demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude toward internal controls at all
times.
- Competent Personnel. Managers and employees are to have personal and professional integrity and are to maintain a level of competence that allows them to accomplish their assigned duties, as well as understand the importance of developing and implementing good internal controls.
- Control Objectives. Internal control objectives are to be identified or developed for each agency activity and are to be logical, applicable, and reasonably complete.
- Control Techniques. Internal control techniques are to be effective and efficient in accomplishing their internal control objectives.
- Continuous Monitoring. Agency heads are to establish and maintain a program of internal review designed to identify internal control weaknesses and implement changes needed to correct the weaknesses.
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Specific Standards
- Documentation. Internal control systems and all transactions and other significant events are to be clearly documented, and the documentation is to be readily available for examination.
- Recording of Transactions and Events. Transactions and other significant events are to be promptly recorded and properly classified.
- Execution of Transactions and Events. Transactions and other significant events are to be authorized and executed only by persons acting within the scope of their authority.
- Separation of Duties. Key duties and responsibilities in authorizing, processing, recording, and reviewing transactions should be separated among individuals.
- Supervision. Qualified and continuous supervision is to be provided to ensure that internal control objectives are achieved.
- Access to and Accountability for Resources. Access to resources and records is to be limited to authorized individuals, and accountability for the custody and use of resources is to be assigned and maintained. Periodic comparison shall be made of the resources to the recorded accountability to determine whether the two agree. The frequency of the comparison shall be a function of the vulnerability of the asset.
Audit Resolution Standard
Prompt Resolution of Audit Findings. Managers are to (1) promptly evaluate findings and recommendations reported by auditors, (2) determine proper actions in response to audit findings and recommendations, and (3) complete, within reasonable time frames, all actions that correct or otherwise resolve matters brought to management's attention.
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Public Officers Law
In addition, all state employees must abide by the laws governing ethical behavior contained in the Public Officers Law.
While many private companies and professional associations have their own codes of ethics, state code differs from these in that the state code is also the law. Like private codes of ethics, state code is a list of proscribed activities. The following is a summary of its provisions:
New York State employees are prohibited from engaging in any activity that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest, accepting other employment that would impair their judgment in the exercise of their official duties, or disclosing confidential information gained from their state positions.
State employees cannot use their official positions to secure unwarranted privileges for themselves or others. State employees with financial interests in a business entity should not engage in any transaction between the state and that entity that might be in conflict with the proper discharge of the employee's official duties. State employees also must avoid making personal investments in enterprises that might directly involve decision making or that might create a conflict of interest.
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State employees cannot, by their conduct, leave the impression that they can be influenced based on their family relationship, rank, position, or influence. Nor should they act in a way that raises a suspicion among the public that they are likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of their public trust.
No full-time state employee, any firm or association of which he or she is a member, or any corporation which he or she owns or controls can sell goods or services to any person, firm, or association that either is licensed or has its rates set by the state agency by which he or she is employed.
Violations of certain restrictions on business and professional activities or the financial-disclosure filing requirement may result in a maximum fine of $10,000. In lieu of a fine, the commission may refer the matter for criminal prosecution. Upon referral and conviction, a violation may be punished as a Class A misdemeanor.
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Under Section 94(13) of the Executive Law, assessment of a civil penalty is final unless modified, suspended, or vacated within 30 days of imposition.
For any violations of Sections 73, 73-a, or 74, the Ethics Commission also may recommend that the appointing authority take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from employment. Where applicable, discipline must be taken in accordance with the provisions of Section 75 of the Civil Service Law or the particular collectively negotiated agreement between the employee's union and the state.
Contact Gary Phillips, associate vice president and comptroller, at ext. 4312 with questions about the Internal Control Act or Public Officers Law.
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Computer Training, SkillSoft E-Learning, Webmaster Training, and Web Templates
Computing and Technology Services and the Technology and Application Support Collaboration (TASC) 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 or USB flash drive (to save your work), a pen, and paper. For a complete list of courses and registration information, visit http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration. Contact Paul Reynolds at ext. 3361 or reynolap@buffalostate.edu with questions.
Student Workshops
Most computer training classes are now open to students. In addition, TASC offers student-only workshops on certain Tuesdays and Thursdays during Bengal Pause, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Announcements for these classes are made through student e-mail and/or flyers distributed on campus.
To register, students should contact Paul Reynolds at reynolap@buffalostate.edu or ext. 3361 with the following information: name, e-mail address, telephone number, and name(s) and date(s) of desired workshops.
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Class Registration
Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) is necessary for online registration. Enter the following information in the required fields:
PC Users
User Name: bsclogon\your user name (e.g., bsclogon\publicjq)
Password: your password
Mac Users
User ID: your user name (e.g., publicjq)
Password: your password
Domain: bsclogon
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January 2006 Workshops
Advance registration is required.
| Angel Grade Books |
Friday, January 27 |
noon–1:00 p.m. |
| Angel Grade Books |
Monday, January 30 |
2:00–3:00 p.m. |
February 2006 Workshops
Advance registration is required. Student assistants, work-study students, and graduate assistants also may attend these workshops.
| Using the Web Template System* |
Friday, February 3 |
9:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Creating Organizational Charts |
Friday, February 10 |
9:00–11:00 a.m. |
| Protecting Critical Files |
Monday, February 13 |
2:00–3:00 p.m. |
| Basic PowerPoint for Students |
Thursday, February 16 |
12:30–1:30 p.m. |
| Best Practices Using Online Discussions |
Thursday, February 16 |
1:00–3:00 p.m. |
| Accessing Your Office Computer Remotely |
Friday, February 17 |
9:00–10:00 a.m. |
| Writing for the Web* |
Wednesday, February 22 |
9:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Accessing Your Office Computer Remotely |
Thursday, February 23 |
1:00–2:00 p.m. |
| Using the Web Template System* |
Friday, February 24 |
9:30–11:30 a.m. |
*Webmaster Certification course
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SkillSoft E-Learning
Faculty, staff, and students also may participate in SkillSoft, an online learning program of 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 for an appointment. Please check in at E. H. Butler Library 315 (CyberQuad) before starting. SkillSoft courses also are accessible from your home.
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Webmaster Certification, Web Templates, and Web Site Support
Web template training, service, and support is available for academic departments and administrative offices. TASC and the College Relations Office offer a five-course training program especially for campus Web developers. The course lineup consists of Writing for the Web, Using the Web Template System, Introduction to HTML, Customizing Your Web Site for Search Engines, and Understanding Site Traffic Logs. Faculty and staff are welcome to take any or all of the five courses offered. Employees may review course descriptions and register at bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration. Those who complete all five workshops will receive Webmaster Certification.
The College Relations Office offers full-service Web development support for academic departments and administrative offices. Please contact Melissa Meehan at ext. 3903 or meehanme@buffalostate.edu for more information.
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2004–2005 Affirmative Action Report
The 2004–2005 Affirmative Action Report is available for review in the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, and at the E. H. Butler Library Circulation/Reserve Desk at the Information Commons during regular business hours. The Executive Summary can be viewed on the Equity and Campus Diversity Web site at www.buffalostate.edu/equity/documents/ExecutiveSummary.pdf.
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