The campus community is invited to attend the annual Arbor Day Celebration on Tuesday, April 24, during Bengal Pause (12:15-1:30 p.m.) in the Student Union Plaza under the Arbor Day tent. With Buffalo State's renewed commitment to its Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum, this is an important event. The celebration will include updates on the college's re-treeing efforts and plans for the future. An information table with tree and Arbor Day information will also be set up. Please join us.

The 20th annual Student Research and Creativity Conference is Saturday, May 5, with the Opening Reception on Friday, May 4. The conference schedule and abstracts are available online. Please plan ahead so you do not miss any presentations of particular interest.

The schedule is keyword-searchable (e.g., last name of student, last name of mentor, topic).

Please encourage your students to come and support their classmates!

The Buffalo State community is saddened by the death of Surjit Singh, professor emeritus of chemistry, who died April 16, 2018. Dr. Singh retired in 2010 after teaching at Buffalo State for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Helen, and seven children. Visitations will be held at Lane Funeral Home, 8622 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 on Wednesday, April 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 19, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. with services following. More information is available online.

The campus community is invited to attend a free screening of Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal, hosted by Zachary E. Malone, lecturer in the English Department, on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Upton Hall 230. This event is part of the English Department's Spring 2018 Film and Lecture Series.

A short (10- to 15-minute) introduction on the film's context, symbolism, and relevant themes will precede the film, and a Q&A will follow. Everyone is welcome.

From the Criterion Collection:

"Disillusioned and exhausted after a decade of battling in the Crusades, a knight encounters Death on a desolate beach and challenges him to a fateful game of chess. Much studied, imitated, even parodied, but never outdone, Bergman’s stunning allegory of man’s search for meaning, The Seventh Seal (Det sjunde inseglet), was one of the benchmark foreign imports of America’s 1950s art-house heyday, pushing cinema’s boundaries and ushering in a new era of moviegoing."

Commencement regalia rental orders for marchers are due today, Friday, April 20, for guaranteed hood colors and standard shipping charges. Marchers, if you have not already done so, please visit the Commencement website to register to march and for regalia order instructions. Also, a limited number and variety of gowns are available for loan through the Academic Affairs Office. A request for regalia loans form is provided on the marchers web page. Please provide your own hood and cap, either rented or owned.

As a reminder, graduates will participate by school:

9:00 a.m. Baccalaureate Ceremony: School of Education, School of the Professions
1:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Ceremony: School of Arts and Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, Individualized Studies
5:00 p.m. Graduate Shool Ceremony: Master's Degrees and Certificates of Advanced Study

Volunteer ushers may also register online for the ceremony(ies) they choose. Volunteer ushers do not wear regalia. Your assistance with greeting guests, the graduate lineup, and distributing booklets is greatly needed and deeply appreciated.

Thank you to the Buffalo State community for your dedicated service on Commencement day.

Buy one T-shirt at regular price and get 50 percent off a second during the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State BOGO T-shirt sale on Wednesday, April 18, and Thursday, April 19. Nike and Under Armour tees are included. We also have 2018 grad and alumni tees.

The Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore will host a book launch for Anthony Neal, associate professor of political science, on Thursday, April 19, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Dr. Neal will read from his new book, The Oral Presidency of Barack Obama," and sign copies afterward. Refreshments will be served.

The campus community is invited to attend the 61st annual Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 19, at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. The ceremony will recognize 888 students for outstanding academic achievement. One of the oldest traditions at Buffalo State, Honors Convocation is held each spring to celebrate students who have achieved academic excellence. All invited students have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have accumulated a minimum of 45 credit hours at Buffalo State (30 for transfer students). As a token of the college’s recognition, each student is presented with a Buffalo State Honors Convocation lapel pin.

Ron Stewart, professor of sociology, will deliver the keynote address. The Buffalo State College Chamber Choir will perform musical selections, and a light reception will immediately follow the ceremony. The event is sponsored by the Academic Affairs Office.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
The Senate nomination period for two faculty at-large seats and one faculty or professional staff at-large seat begins today and runs through Friday, April 20. The three at-large positions will become vacant on August 31, 2018. At-large senators represent the entirety of the college. All full-time faculty and professional staff members (PSC) are eligible to seek the position provided they meet other eligibility requirements (see below).

A call for nominations and information about candidates’ statements can be found on the College Senate website. The call for nominations for all positions began at 12:01 a.m. today, April 16, and continues through 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 20. Elections for these positions will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 23, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 27.

Senate elections conducted by the schools of Arts and Humanities, Education, Natural and Social Sciences, and the Professions as well as the Professional Staff Caucus (PSC) should be concluded before the election cycle for the at-large seats.

Eligibility: Current College Senate members who are completing two consecutive terms in their respective positions are not eligible for reelection. For additional information on eligibility requirements, please consult the College Senate bylaws.

Campaigning: The College Senate Elections and Bylaws Committee strongly discourages using college e-mail services for campaigning. Please limit campaigning to the candidate statement posted on the College Senate website (available to the college community beginning Monday, April 16).

Please note: Individuals running for a senator position in another election may not also run for at-large positions while the other election is being conducted. If the other election concludes during the period when nominations for at-large senator positions are still being accepted, eligible individuals may self-nominate for an at-large position.

If you are interested in being a candidate, please contact Vince Masci, assistant to the College Senate, 878-5139. We look forward to your participation in the vital process of campus governance.

TIAA financial consultant Michael Spogli will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Thursday, April 26, and Wednesday, May 2, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Caudell Hall 110. Appointments are required.

This is your opportunity to speak with a professional regarding your financial retirement goals. Review your investments and allocations or set up a supplemental retirement account if you haven’t already.

Visit the TIAA website to schedule your appointment today.