It’s time for the annual chili sale, sponsored by the dietitian education program. If you would like a large bowl of classic beef chili, our vegan chili option, or sugar cookies, please place your order online. All orders will be delivered to your specified location on Tuesday, October 8, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Pickup is also available in Caudell Hall 218. Cash and credit are both accepted.

Thank you for your support!

Please join the Chemistry and Physics departments for the seminar “The Recreation of Wound Patterns Using Various Tissue Simulants for the Purpose of Crime Scene Reconstruction,” a final project presentation by Breanne Steimle, M.S. Forensic Science student, on Thursday, September 26, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 176.

Abstract
Within the field of forensic science, there are not many reliable methods for the reconstruction of crimes, such as developing apparatuses to simulate pattern injuries on human skin and tissue. The media of the apparatus must be sufficient for recording blunt force trauma and bite mark impressions, electrocution, cutting, and gunshot wound-related injuries for the purpose of reenactment, court exhibition, and distance determination. For wound reenactments (such as blunt force trauma, bite mark impressions, and electrocution), dead skin and tissue from human cadavers do not show abrasion patterns that would occur on live tissue. This study looks at different tissue simulants for the recreation of wound patterns without the use of live animals. For each wound reenactment, tissue simulants (such as ballistic soap, ordnance gelatin, and “ballistic dummies”) were penetrated and wound patterns were formed and were analyzed in detail. Penetration depth, as well as the path shape, are analyzed for both stabbings and gunshot wounds. For the electrocution wound pattern, a Taser was tested on ballistic soap.

Instruments, such as cameras, provide visualization and understanding of very rapid events, especially for gunshot injuries in tissue simulants and skin. In this research, comparison and confocal microscopes were also used to observe the different wound patterns in detail and compare the weapon used to the wound it formed. The wound patterns were also compared with patterns observed during other crime scenes on human remains to determine which simulant was the most ideal for recreating several types of wound patterns. This is a means by which the events of a crime can be visualized and validated and then be brought before a jury to help understand how a pattern injury occurred. This research gives instruction in an area that is relatively unexplored in crime scene investigations and to altogether help in forensic applications of crime scene reconstruction by identifying the type of injury based on the appearance of wounds.

Buffalo State's Anne Frank Project is excited to share the incredible lineup of workshops, exhibits, and presentations that will activate lessons of collaboration during AFP 2019: Engage for Change, the 11th annual Social Justice Festival at SUNY Buffalo State College, taking place on campus next week.

Please take a moment to review this year's distinguished presenters, and then head to the AFP website to view the full schedule and to register.

AFP 2019: Engage for Change is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 1
Tales from the Porch
Artist Talk with Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Buffalo State Alumna
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Upton Hall 230

An Evening with Celebrated Author Alexis De Veaux
Dr. Paul G. Lecture Series and Buffalo State's Anne Frank Project Presenter
7:30 p.m.
Burchfield Penney Art Center - Tower Auditorium

Wednesday, October 2
Festival Welcome with Alexis De Veaux
9:00–10:15 a.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall

Thursday, October 3
Engaging through Change: The Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls
Director's Talk with Ally Spongr, Buffalo State Alumna
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Upton Hall 230

Questions? Please e-mail Eve Everette, AFP assistant director and festival curator.

Classes are scheduled on the Veterans Day holiday this year, Monday, November 11. Department heads and supervisors should communicate to their classified and professional employees whether they will be required to work on that day.

Department heads and supervisors are encouraged to make every effort to consider requests to have the holiday off from employees who are veterans.

For employees who are required to work, the following state attendance rules will apply:

Classified employees who work on November 11 will be compensated according to their holiday waiver status. Those who have not elected to waive additional money for holiday work will receive holiday pay per their bargaining unit agreements. Employees who have waived additional money for holiday work will receive compensatory time off instead of additional holiday pay. Classified employees who wish to inquire about their current holiday waiver status may call the Payroll Office at 878-4124.

UUP-represented and M/C employees who are eligible to observe holidays and are required to work on November 11 will be granted a compensatory day off. The compensatory day off should be scheduled at a time agreeable to the employee and his or her supervisor within one year of the holiday.

Employees who are not required to work on November 11 do not need to charge leave accruals for that day.

Open enrollment for the 2020 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) begins Monday, October 7, and ends Friday, November 8. The account offers three benefits: the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount); the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount); and the Adoption Advantage Account.

The HCSAccount allows employees to set aside from $100 to $2,700 annually in pretax salary to pay for health-care expenses not reimbursed by health insurance.

The DCAAccount allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually in pretax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses. The DCAAccount employer contribution will be available to M/C employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and GSEU for the 2020 plan year

The Adoption Advantage Account allows you to set aside up to $14,080 to pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars.

Employees who do not work for 26 pay periods should consider electing a shorter time frame for their deductions so they do not lose coverage while off the payroll. For example, faculty members who are not paid through the summer should elect to have all deductions taken in the spring semester in order to have coverage for all of 2020.

Participants currently enrolled in the HCSAccount or DCAAccount must re-enroll to continue benefits in 2020.

Paperless enrollment is quick, easy, and secure. For program details or to enroll in the FSA, visit the FSA website or call the FSA hotline at (800) 358-7202.

The November 8 (10:00 p.m.) deadline for 2020 enrollment will be strictly enforced.

The Buffalo State Alumni Association and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company will offer a defensive driving course for Buffalo State faculty, staff, alumni, and students from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 5.

Save money on your auto insurance by taking this class offered through Liberty Mutual. Friends and relatives are also welcome if accompanied by a faculty or staff member, alumni, or student. The discount is 10 percent off liability insurance in New York State, regardless of one’s auto insurance provider; this course will also remove points from your driver’s license. The cost of the class is $25 per person.

Attendees should park in Lot R-2 or along Rockwell Road and enter Ketchum Hall through the door on the west side of the building (across from Moot Hall).

To enroll, please call Damien Lawrence, Buffalo State’s local representative, at (716) 984-9111. The registration deadline for this class is Wednesday, October 2. 

All Buffalo State students are invited to attend this semester's Student Open Forum, hosted by President Conway-Turner, on Tuesday, October 1, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. This event empowers students to share their opinions, ask questions, and engage with President Conway-Turner and her cabinet. Students who have questions prepared are encouraged to submit those questions ahead of time online.

For more information, please e-mail the Dean of Students Office.

The Fashion and Textile Technology Department invites the campus community to a presentation by Dawne Hoeg, founder and executive director of Stitch Buffalo, today, September 24, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160. Stitch Buffalo aims to empower refugee women in Buffalo by providing meaningful work and a fair wage through the creation of handcrafted textile items. In addition, most of the items made and sold at Stitch Buffalo are created from donated and repurposed textiles. Ms. Hoeg, who also teaches in the Art and Design Department at Buffalo State, will discuss the wonderful work being done at Stitch Buffalo. Please contact Arlesa Shephard, associate professor of fashion and textile technology, 878-4461, with questions.

The Fashion and Textile Technology Department invites the campus community to a presentation by Dawne Hoeg, founder and executive director of Stitch Buffalo, on Tuesday, September 24, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160. Stitch Buffalo aims to empower refugee women in Buffalo by providing meaningful work and a fair wage through the creation of handcrafted textile items. In addition, most of the items made and sold at Stitch Buffalo are created from donated and repurposed textiles. Ms. Hoeg, who also teaches in the Art and Design Department at Buffalo State, will discuss the wonderful work being done at Stitch Buffalo. Please contact Arlesa Shephard, associate professor of fashion and textile technology, 878-4461, with questions.

Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo continues to offer free Introduction to Tai Chi classes every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Rockwell Hall 302. Tai Chi is often referred to as mindfulness meditation in motion. Classes are taught by James Roach, who has over 40 years of experience in several styles of Tai Chi. Please e-mail Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo to register. More information can be found on the organization's website and Facebook page.