The Teaching and Learning Center, Instructional Design and Training Department, and Professional Development Center encourage all faculty, staff and administrators to take part in relevant professional and leadership development opportunities throughout the fall 2019 semester. We have created this calendar of events (PDF, 174 KB) for October and early November workshops as a central source of information for trainings, workshops, presentations, and other opportunities for professional development on campus. Individual events will also continue to be announced in the Daily Bulletin.

If you are a student who is interested in discovering what entrepreneurship is, or if you have a business idea, you are invited to sign up for the Buffalo State Entrepreneurship Club, the INC.ubator. The INC.ubator, managed by the School of the Professions’ Small Business Development Center, offers students entrepreneurial training, an opportunity to meet local business owners, and a chance to participate in the New York State Business Plan Competition in spring 2020, with an opportunity to win up to $10,000.

Ongoing meetings take place every Thursday throughout the semester at 12:15 p.m. in the INC.ubator Suite, located in Buckham Hall A107. Please sign up online or contact Karina Loera, business adviser, 878-4030.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center today, September 23, for the seminar "Disruption of the Molecular Circadian Clock in Cancer," presented by Brian J. Altman, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics in the University of Rochester Medical Center, from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. in Technology Building 160. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Abstract
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles present in most eukaryotes that govern many physiologic and molecular processes, including global gene expression and metabolism. These cycles serve to balance energy expenditure to the day/night cycle and are governed by a complex transcriptional/translational feedback loop known as the "molecular clock." While the molecular clock connects somatic cells to external timing stimuli, its role in cancer is still not well understood. Epidemiological studies have long suggested that circadian disruption in night-shift workers results in a higher incidence of cancer, and recent analyses suggest that oscillation of the clock is lost in human lung cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that the MYC oncoprotein disrupts the molecular clock by inducing the negative regulatory factors REV-ERB? and REV-ERB? in cell models representing a bone cancer, liver cancer, and nerve cancer. Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer deaths annually in the United States, and the circadian clock is known to be a tumor suppressive process in lung cancer. Building off the observation that MYC-family mutations occur early in the development of lung cancer and correlate with poor prognosis, we set out the study to the role of MYC in control of the circadian clock in lung cancer. Our recent findings suggest that oncogenic MYC disrupts the clock in the normal lung, and lung cancer cells become dependent on clock dysfunction for growth. In the future, these studies will lay the groundwork for potentially utilizing existing molecular clock targeting agents to restore clock function and slow growth of lung cancer.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Disruption of the Molecular Circadian Clock in Cancer," presented by Brian J. Altman, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center, on Monday, September 23, from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. in Technology Building 160. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Abstract
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles present in most eukaryotes that govern many physiologic and molecular processes, including global gene expression and metabolism. These cycles serve to balance energy expenditure to the day/night cycle and are governed by a complex transcriptional/translational feedback loop known as the "molecular clock." While the molecular clock connects somatic cells to external timing stimuli, its role in cancer is still not well understood. Epidemiological studies have long suggested that circadian disruption in night-shift workers results in a higher incidence of cancer, and recent analyses suggest that oscillation of the clock is lost in human lung cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that the MYC oncoprotein disrupts the molecular clock by inducing the negative regulatory factors REV-ERB? and REV-ERB? in cell models representing a bone cancer, liver cancer, and nerve cancer. Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer deaths annually in the United States, and the circadian clock is known to be a tumor suppressive process in lung cancer. Building off the observation that MYC-family mutations occur early in the development of lung cancer and correlate with poor prognosis, we set out the study to the role of MYC in control of the circadian clock in lung cancer. Our recent findings suggest that oncogenic MYC disrupts the clock in the normal lung, and lung cancer cells become dependent on clock dysfunction for growth. In the future, these studies will lay the groundwork for potentially utilizing existing molecular clock targeting agents to restore clock function and slow growth of lung cancer.

From the Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Buffalo State College and the Institutional Effectiveness Office are proud to host “Enhancing Excellence in Assessment: Assessing for Equity; Using Assessment to Promote Diversity and Equitable Outcomes in Education” on Friday, November 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center.

This one-day workshop, sponsored by the SUNY Council on Assessment and the SUNY Center for Professional Development, will focus on using assessment to promote diversity and equitable outcomes on campuses.

This workshops will be offered in three regional locations, including Buffalo State, and will have a similar agenda, with variations based on regional interests and events. A featured presentation will explore the linkages between SUNY expectations, Middle States accreditation, and meeting local goals, expectations, and experiences measuring student success as well as achievement of outcomes aligned with the institutional missions. Presenters will discuss examples of their experiences with accessibility, accountability, equity, inclusion, or social justice as related to student success. They will highlight the need for further discussion, collaboration, and intentional planning to implement promising practices that promote the equitable achievement of outcomes.

The program will also emphasize active engagement and interdepartmental collaboration, allowing participants to examine and reflect on their current practices while exploring SUNY Initiatives and resources as well as other potential opportunities to network and continue their work with others. Participants are encouraged to consider the current or changing demographics of their institutions as methods for disaggregating assessment data are explored. Examples of work currently underway will be provided for participants to bring back to their institutions.

Participants will

• understand the changing demographics of their institutions and methods for disaggregating assessment data;
• identify strategies, techniques, and promising practices that promote equitable achievement of outcomes;
• discuss strategies to promote, engage, and assess student success on their campuses;
• collaborate inter-departmentally to discuss trends and assessment practices; and
• examine and reflect on their current practices while exploring SUNY Initiatives and resources, potential opportunities, and networking with others. 

Registration fee (cost includes a light breakfast and lunch): 

• CPD Member Campus - $30
• Non-CPD Member Campus - $35
• Other/Non SUNY Campus - $50 (as space permits)

Please register on the SUNY CPD website.

Join the UUP/NYSUT team—the Buffalo State Striders (UUP)—or make a donation to support the team in the Making Strides against Breast Cancer walk/run on Saturday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Outer Harbor, Lakeside Bike Park, 825 Fuhrmann Boulevard, in Buffalo. Please join our team or donate to the team or a specific person today.

Registration opens at the NYSUT tent at 8:30 a.m. The run begins at 10:00 a.m., the walk at 10:15. The team will walk as a group and have a great time. Special treats for those with the highest pledges. Wear pink! Please e-mail Ramona Santa Maria, associate professor of computer information systems, with questions.
Hope to see you there!

From the Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness

Buffalo State College and the Institutional Effectiveness Office are proud to host “Enhancing Excellence in Assessment: Assessing for Equity; Using Assessment to Promote Diversity and Equitable Outcomes in Education” on Friday, November 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center.

This one-day workshop, sponsored by the SUNY Council on Assessment and the SUNY Center for Professional Development, will focus on using assessment to promote diversity and equitable outcomes on campuses.

This workshops will be offered in three regional locations, including Buffalo State, and will have a similar agenda, with variations based on regional interests and events. A featured presentation will explore the linkages between SUNY expectations, Middle States accreditation, and meeting local goals, expectations, and experiences measuring student success as well as achievement of outcomes aligned with the institutional missions. Presenters will discuss examples of their experiences with accessibility, accountability, equity, inclusion, or social justice as related to student success. They will highlight the need for further discussion, collaboration, and intentional planning to implement promising practices that promote the equitable achievement of outcomes.

The program will also emphasize active engagement and interdepartmental collaboration, allowing participants to examine and reflect on their current practices while exploring SUNY initiatives and resources as well as other potential opportunities to network and continue their work with others. Participants are encouraged to consider the current or changing demographics of their institutions as methods for disaggregating assessment data are explored. Examples of work currently underway will be provided for participants to bring back to their institutions.

Participants will

• understand the changing demographics of their institutions and methods for disaggregating assessment data;
• identify strategies, techniques, and promising practices that promote equitable achievement of outcomes;
• discuss strategies to promote, engage, and assess student success on their campuses;
• collaborate inter-departmentally to discuss trends and assessment practices; and
• examine and reflect on their current practices while exploring SUNY Initiatives and resources, potential opportunities, and networking with others. 

Registration fee (cost includes a light breakfast and lunch): 

• CPD Member Campus - $30
• Non-CPD Member Campus - $35
• Other/Non SUNY Campus - $50 (as space permits)

Please register on the SUNY CPD website.

Are you a faculty member who is new to advising at Buffalo State College? Have you already been advising for a few semesters, but are seeking ways that you can be more efficient or effective in your practice? We are here to help!

Please consider joining us for a "New(ish) Faculty Adviser Lunch and Orientation," co-sponsored by the Academic Commons and the Teaching and Learning Center. Join other faculty members as we discuss best practices, strategies for streamlining your advising process, some nuts and bolts for new advisers, and how to make the experience of advising richer for both yourself and your students. 

Please fill out this one-minute survey by Thursday, September 26, to help us best tailor this session to your interests, needs, and availability.

Buy one clearance item and get one free during the flash sale at Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. Today only, September 19. Includes clothing, accessories, and school supplies—clearance merchandise only.

Monday, September 30, is the deadline to submit applications for the SUNY B-140W Tuition Assistance Program for the 2019 fall semester.

Staff members may apply for tuition assistance after six months of service; faculty members may apply after one semester of service. The following employees are eligible:

• Full-time Buffalo State faculty members and professional or classified employees.
• Part-time or temporary Buffalo State faculty members and professional or classified employees who are employed at least half time (faculty must teach at least two courses in the semester).
• Full-time Research Foundation employees, provided they work on the Buffalo State campus.

Program funds may be used for courses at SUNY campuses only. Eligible employees may apply for a 50 percent waiver of SUNY tuition for up to two courses a semester, to a maximum of 15 credit hours an academic year. Tuition assistance is limited to regular in-state undergraduate or graduate tuition rates. The level of support may be adjusted when necessary if funding is not adequate to cover applications received.

Employees who decide to drop a class or find it has been covered by another source after submitting an application are asked to please notify Human Resource Management immediately to update their applications.

Please contact Human Resource Management, 878-4821, for applications or program guidelines.