Please join the Civic and Community Engagement Office for a webinar on how to work change in your community on Tuesday, April 28, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. This webinar is about creating a civic action plan that has been transformational for Buffalo State College and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). This webinar will provide inspiration and honest feedback from colleagues at Buffalo State and UNI about the initial reasons for creating a civic action plan, the process of creating the plan, the challenges encountered, and the unforeseen tremendous impact the plan has already had at both institutions. We will answer your questions about the process, and encourage you to set up a framework for success through a civic action planning process.

RSVP by e-mail. Log-in information will be supplied upon RSVP.

The Research and Creativity Incentive Program (RCIP) is accepting applications until 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, for funds to promote faculty research, scholarly, and creative activities. An electronic copy of the entire proposal, signed by the principal investigator (PI) and the PI’s department chair and dean, should be submitted via e-mail to Jessica Berg, director of pre-award and contract services. Three members of the Research and Creativity Council (RCC) have been appointed to review all applications received by the deadline.

Incentive funds administered by the RCC are intended to promote faculty research and scholarly and creative activities. The ultimate goal of an award from the RCIP is to receive an external award to continue research or a scholarly or creative activity. At the end of the award period, recipients are required to submit a report documenting the use of the funds. They are then required to submit a grant proposal within the following year to an outside sponsoring agency through the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office. Submitting a proposal through the Buffalo State College Foundation does not meet this requirement. Recipients are also obligated to participate in the Faculty and Staff Fall Forum.

Expenditures considered for support under this program include travel to consult with a funding source or program officer or to a workshop sponsored by a potential sponsor; student assistance; consultation with specialists in the field; preparation of specialized support materials for proposals (e.g., graphs, drawings, resource books); and release time. Funds may not be requested for the purchase of computers, laptops, etc. Also, it is not the council’s intention to directly pay an individual for writing a proposal. Please contact Jessica Berg with questions regarding the incentive application.

Come and join the panel conversation during this Teaching and Learning Center event, “Civic Engagement and Study Abroad: Takeaways for Our Daily Practice,” on Monday, February 24, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Chase Hall 109. Panel members include Kimberly Kline, professor of higher education administration; Pixita del Prado Hill, professor of elementary education, literacy, and educational leadership; Joy Guarino, professor of dance; Ann Emo, chair and associate professor of theater; Laura Hill Rao, director of civic and community engagement; John Cabra, associate professor of creative studies; and Don Schmitter, lecturer, and Kathleen O’Brien, chair and lecturer, both of Hospitality and Tourism.

Several Buffalo State College faculty members are designing courses and participating in short-term study-abroad experiences that combine the experience abroad with civic engagement. Join us as we discuss our varied journeys that enhance our global understanding via personal, professional, and academic development. Through personal reflection, interaction with higher education professionals, and civic engagement opportunities, we will engage in a dialogue about what we learned with our colleagues in order to better serve both our students and the new American population in New York State.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Please join the Civic and Community Engagement Office for a webinar on how to work change in your community on Thursday, April 16, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. This webinar will teach participants how to engage in making change in their city, state, and country by becoming an advocate. The workshop will lead participants through the advocacy process, including

• why we should speak up for the issues that matter,
• how to effectively make your voice heard,
• how to engage your elected officials,
• how to share powerful stories.

RSVP by e-mail. Log-in information will be supplied upon RSVP.

From the Chair of the College Senate
Happy Valentine’s Day. The first meeting of the College Senate for the spring 2020 semester will be held tomorrow, February 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 217. The meeting agenda is posted on the Senate website. All information pertaining to the College Senate is available on the website, including the complete Senate roster and spring meeting schedule as well as all meeting podcasts, reports, and minutes. Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, 878-5139, with questions.

The campus community is invited to attend a presentation by the second candidate for the position of coordinator of the Math Center on Thursday, February 20, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 161. Space is limited, so if you plan to attend, please e-mail Darlene Sadkowski, administrative assistant 1 in Academic Commons.

The campus community is invited to attend a presentation by the first candidate for the position of coordinator of the Math Center on Tuesday, February 18, from noon to 12:30 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 178. Space is limited, so if you plan to attend, please e-mail Darlene Sadkowski, administrative assistant 1 in Academic Commons.

Please join us for the professional development workshop “Managing Student Workers Part 2:* Creating Student Employment Learning Experiences,” on Wednesday, March 4, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418.

Student workers can be vital to the success, operations, and productivity of many departments, but at times their skills and perspectives are underutilized. Also, meaningful on-campus employment experiences can assist students in developing career competencies and increase their likelihood of persistence to graduation. During this session, participants will learn (1) methods for creating valuable learning experiences for student workers that lead to the development of career competencies, increase workplace motivation, and improve departmental productivity; and (2) how to write and assess student employment learning outcomes.

*Please note: It is not necessary to have attended Part 1 of this workshop on February 19 to attend Part 2; however, those who attend both Part 1 and Part 2 will receive a certificate of completion. 

Please register through the Workshop Registration System. Light snacks will be provided.

The Western New York Service Learning Coalition invites faculty, staff, students, and community partners to its half-day symposium, "Embrace Your Impact: Collaborations of Passion, Knowledge, and Action," on Friday, March 6, at Hilbert College in Hamburg, New York. Buffalo State College is a member institution of the WNYSLC, and Buffalo State faculty and staff members qualify for the reduced rate of $25.

More information and a registration link can be found on the WNYSLC website. Please register by Sunday, March 1.

Please contact Rachel Wozniak, Hilbert's director of service learning and community engagement, with questions.

The Graduate School will host its annual Spring Open House on Wednesday, March 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. The Open House allows prospective graduate students to learn more about academic degree and certificate programs, as well as admission requirements and the application process. Guests will have an opportunity to explore financial aid options, meet our faculty, and hear from current students.

For more information or to register, please visit the Graduate School Open House web page.