Congratulations to student senator Aishwarya Patwardhan, who was elected chair of the Student Welfare Committee by the Senate body on Friday, September 14. Steve Macho, associate professor of career and technical education, is the committee’s vice chair.

Congratulations to Fahad Yusuf, student representative on the Senate Agenda Committee, who was also elected at the September 14 Senate meeting. The Agenda Committee (a.k.a. Senate Executive Committee) consists of the nine Senate committee chairs, university faculty senators, and the chair and vice chair of the College Senate. The president and provost also attend in the planning of the agenda for each monthly Senate meeting.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The next College Senate meeting of the fall 2018 semester will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 12, in Bulger Communication Center 214. The agenda will be posted on the College Senate website on October 4. Please visit the College Senate website to catch up on Senate news and listen to podcasts of past meetings.

The College Senate Office is located in Cleveland Hall 211. Joseph Marren, professor of communication, serves as chair of the College Senate for the 2018–2019 academic year. Please stop by the office, call 878-5139, or e-mail Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, with questions or for general information.

Please join University Police officers for the third annual Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Campbell Student Union Retail Food Court. Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together over coffee to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Attending Coffee with a Cop is an easy way for faculty, staff, and students to get to know the men and women of University Police who serve our campus community. This is a great opportunity to chat with UPD officers to ask any questions you may have. University Police at Buffalo State is partnering with Chartwells Dining Services to provide this community policing event.

Please join us for the Teaching and Learning Center workshop "Strategies for Classroom Management," presented by the associate deans: Carlos Jones, School of Arts and Humanities; Kathy Wood, School of Education; Karen O'Quin, School of Natural and Social Sciences; and Rita Zientek, School of the Professions, on Tuesday, September 25, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Chase Hall 109.

The presenters will discuss ways to cope with a variety of classroom disruptions and student concerns.

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

Buffalo State’s Rotaract Club will host its September bake sale on Monday, September 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All baked goods are made fresh right here on campus in the Caudell Hall kitchen and will be sold for $1 each. All baked goods for this sale will be delivered by Rotaract Club members. No pickup is available. If you’re interested in having one of our members stop by your office with a basket of goodies, please e-mail rotaractclub@mail.buffalostate.edu and we will be sure to make a special visit to your location. All proceeds will be donated to Jericho Road Community Health Center. We thank you for your support.

Saturday, October 27, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and Buffalo State will host a drop-off site from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Cleveland Circle (front of Cleveland Hall).

Recent news about the detection of prescription drugs in drinking water has caused concern about the impact on human health. Also, storing expired or unwanted medications in your home increases the risk of accidental poisoning. Help protect our water and your safety by disposing of medicines properly through collection and incineration.

Please bring medications in their original labeled containers; blacken out personal information. The following items will be accepted, no questions asked:

• prescription or over-the-counter medications (any type, expired or unwanted)
• syringes
• inhalers
• liquids
• ointments
• patches

Please DO NOT bring mercury-containing or radioactive products.

For a full list of drop-off locations or more information, please visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website or call (800) 882-9539.

If you have young children in your life, knowing how to protect them before they know how to protect themselves is key. If they use your phone, tablet, or computer to watch videos, send e-mail, or post to a YouTube channel, you need to be extra careful. Check out the RITE Information Security Blog with topics for securing youngsters using web-enabled devices. And please share this information.

Are you adapting well to campus life? Are you getting the most out of your classes and relationships? Join us tonight, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Coles restaurant, 1104 Elmwood Avenue, on the second floor for a night of discussion based on the book The Freshman Survival Guide by Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey. Bring your comments and questions on issues of transitioning that come with college. Free food and drinks; a free copy of the book will also be provided.

Flu vaccines for faculty and staff members will be available today, September 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Campbell Student Union 415. No appointment is necessary.

The following health insurance plans will be accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, Independent Health, Blue Choice, MVP, and Medicare Part B. Employees without a participating insurance plan will be charged $30 for the flu shot.

Participation and acceptance of any insurance is not a guarantee of benefits or payment in full. Copayments or a deductible may apply. Please call your insurance provider’s member services department with questions regarding coverage.

Empire Plan enrollees may obtain their flu shot from an Empire Plan participating pharmacy without a copay or at their doctor’s office (participating provider) for their usual copay should they wish to do so.

Please call Employee Benefits at 878-4821 or the member services department of your insurance company with questions regarding your health insurance coverage. The phone number should be on your insurance card.

The Anne Frank Project is accepting applications for its sixth student delegation to Rwanda in June 2019. General information meetings will be held from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Caudell Hall 127 on Thursday, October 11; Tuesday, October 16; and Tuesday, October 23. Please encourage interested students to attend one of these sessions.

Each year, AFP brings students to Rwanda to teach story-based education and learn about the peace and reconciliation practices that have repaired Rwanda since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. AFP encourages students from all disciplines to apply for the study-abroad program. For more information or to read student blogs, please visit AFP's Global Connections website. Applications are due Thursday, November 1.

Questions? E-mail Drew Kahn, director of AFP, or Eve Everette, assistant director of AFP.