Academic Affairs is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals for the E. O. Smith Arts and Humanities Faculty Development Fund. These competitive, peer-reviewed projects funded at $2,000–$7,000 support opportunities for the professional development of full-time Buffalo State faculty members in the arts and the humanities. Eligible candidates must be members of departments included in the arts (art, design, art conservation, theater, music, dance, film) or the humanities (history, art history, art education, museum studies, philosophy, religious studies, literature, English, modern and classical languages) and/or who teach discipline-specific courses in the arts and humanities.

Candidates will be required to submit their proposals to the selection committee detailing how they would use the funding and include a curriculum vitae and detailed project budget. Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to professional development in his or her discipline, including research, supplies used in research or the publication of research, travel, or other similar professional activities. The fund does not include projects related to teaching pedagogy, classroom management development, teacher preparation or education development, etc.

Funds may not be directed toward internal administration (including course release fees, student assistants, or other personnel expenses) or social functions or for personal use.

Projects consistent with the mission and goals of the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center will be given preference. Previously funded candidates may reapply (for a new phase of the funded project, or a new project), but previously unfunded candidates will be given preference.

Information about the fund and application process is posted on Blackboard. The announcement of funded proposals will be made in December, and expenses according to the approved budget must be incurred during the 2020 calendar year (January 1–December 31, 2020). Recipients will be required to complete their projects during that time. A final report and participation in the 2020 Faculty and Staff Research and Creativity Fall Forum is expected.

Proposals for the E. O. Smith Arts and Humanities Faculty Development Fund are due via online in Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. Monday, November 11.

The fund's benefactor, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and historian Edward Owen "E. O." Smith Jr., was a member of the faculty of the Buffalo State History Department since 1963, serving as chair of the History and Social Studies Education Department for many years and as the first director of the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center. He also founded the college’s museum studies certificate program. During his 50-year tenure, he was known for his concern for students, his chairmanship of numerous college committees, and his efforts to improve the economic and cultural life of Buffalo’s West Side.

He also held a deep interest in art and the visual image as a document, and had been honored by the Burchfield Penney Art Center for his participation in and leadership of many collaborative center projects. Dr. Smith was named a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in 1999 and had previously received the President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Dr. Smith passed away in March 2014, and his gift endowing this fund leaves a lasting legacy at Buffalo State.

Please contact the Academic Affairs Office, (716) 878-5550 with questions.

The fall 2019 grading window will close Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m. Detailed documentation for entering grades (PDF, 191 KB) is available on the Banner website. Additional assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at 878-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call the Registrar's Office at 878-4811 with questions about grading. We have provided a grading tip sheet (PDF, 712 KB) to assist you in successful grading.

Faculty members, after you have completed (saved and submitted) your fall 2019 grades in Banner, please go back in to your roster and double-check that all grades are there as you intended. If you have questions about grading, please call the IT Help Desk at 878-4357 or the Registrar's Office at 878-4811. 

The fall 2019 grading window is now open and closes Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m.

The Anne Frank Project will provide an information session for students interested in a two-week study-away opportunity in Rwanda in July 2020 on Wednesday, October 16, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Campbell Student Union 419. Students co-facilitate AFP's story-based learning model at schools and organizations, engage in unique cultural experiences, and examine Rwanda's peace and reconciliation practices.

Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible, even if they plan to graduate in May 2020. Applications are available online and are due Friday, November 1.

Interested students who are unable to attend the meeting may contact Drew Kahn, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Theater and founding director of AFP, for more information. 

Faculty members will enter their fall 2019 grades using Banner. The grading window is now open for fall 2019 and will close Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m. Detailed documentation for entering grades (PDF, 191 KB) is available on the Banner website. Additional assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at 878-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call the Registrar's Office at 878-4811 with questions about grading. We have provided a grading tip sheet (PDF, 712 KB) to assist you in successful grading.

Faculty members will enter their fall 2019 grades using Banner. The grading window will open Monday, December 9, at 9:00 a.m. and close Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m. In preparation, faculty members are encouraged to log on to Banner to be sure that all their courses are listed under their accounts. Detailed documentation for entering grades (PDF, 191 KB) is available on the Banner website. Additionally, assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at 878-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call the Registrar's Office at 878-4811 with questions about grading. We have provided a grading tip sheet (PDF, 712 KB) to assist you in successful grading.

Faculty members will enter their fall 2019 grades using Banner. In preparation, faculty members are encouraged to log on to Banner to be sure that all their courses are listed under their accounts. Detailed documentation for entering grades (PDF, 191 KB) is available on the Banner website. Additionally, assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at 878-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call the Registrar's Office at 878-4811 with questions about grading.

The fall 2019 grading window opens Monday, December 9, at 9:00 a.m. and closes Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 p.m.

Please join the Chemistry and Physics departments for the seminar "Use of Small Endopeptides to Modulate Cardiovascular Inflammation and Fibrosis," presented by Umesh Sharma, assistant professor in the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, on Thursday, October 17, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160.

Abstract
Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) and heart failure are major sequelae of chest radiotherapy in cancer survivors. Large epicardial conduit arteries can be revascularized by stent placement; however, there are no effective therapies currently available to target microvascular disease. Our research aims to investigate the novel and previously unaddressed effects and mechanisms of a small tetrapeptide, N-acetyl-ser-asp-lys-pro (Ac-SDKP), to counteract ionizing radiation (IR)-induced coronary microvascular injury, fibrosis, and cardiac functional impairment.

Our recent studies have demonstrated profound endothelial cell loss and obliterative fibrosis of the small coronary vasculature after radiation exposure. Importantly, administration of Ac-SDKP, a thymosin ?4-derived endogenous peptide, not only prevented the cardiac fibro-inflammatory response, but also reconstituted endothelial tight junction proteins (TJPs), which are essential for endothelial barrier integrity. Ac-SDKP was shown to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis in various animal models of cardiovascular remodeling, and our initial data are strongly indicative of the cardioprotective potential of Ac-SDKP. However, the driver mechanisms of coronary microvascular disease and implications of Ac-SDKP therapy in relation to endothelial damage, myocardial perfusion and cardiac function have not been explored. In addition, translational studies for the therapeutic application of Ac-SDKP have been challenging due to its short half-life (T1/2 of 4.5 mins) in serum. Therefore, we have developed a stable, liposomal Ac-SDKP (Lip-Ac-SDKP) formulation, which we intend to test for sustained systemic effects. Currently we are testing  the biological effects of liposome-stabilized Ac-SDKP in regulating endothelial barrier function, leukocyte trafficking, inflammation, and fibrosis. Since Ac-SDKP is known to be stabilized in serum by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), synergistic cardioprotective effects of Ac-SDKP together with captopril (an ACEI) are also being examined. We use innovative in vitro models, clinically relevant animal models, and advanced MRI technology to address our aims. We believe that pre-clinical data on the protective effects of stabilized Ac-SDKP against IR-induced coronary microvascular disease will facilitate further translational studies with important therapeutic implications for cancer survivors treated with chest irradiation.

Steam systems will be shut down campuswide from 11:55 p.m. Sunday, October 13, through 11:55 p.m. Monday, October 14, during Fall Recess, to accommodate the ongoing heating plant rehabilitation project. During this time, all buildings will have reduced heating; therefore occupants should plan to dress accordingly. This procedure will also interrupt hot water service to all buildings on campus.

Temporary shower facilities will be located adjacent to Moore Complex and adjacent to Porter Hall for resident students who wish to shower during the shutdown.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated. Questions about this project can be e-mailed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu. Please refer to the Facilities Construction and Maintenance website for the latest information about current or upcoming construction.

Beginning Monday, October 14, the sidewalk between Butler Library and Bacon Hall, as well as the northwest entrance to Bacon Hall, will be closed to accommodate a water line replacement as part of the Butler Library renovation project. This work is expected to last a few weeks. Bacon Hall visitors and occupants are encouraged to use the southwest entrance during this time. Water service should not be affected. Your patience is appreciated as this important work is undertaken.