The Economic and Finance Department is pleased to welcome Kevin Qian, associate professor of economics and finance at Buffalo State, and Lei Yuan from the Central University of Finance and Economics, China, for a seminar on blockchain and bitcoin on Thursday, March 8, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Classroom Building B119.

Blockchain and bitcoin have gained a great deal of attention recently. This seminar will introduce the concepts and discuss the pros and cons of bitcoin.

Dr. Qian is an expert on international finance and cross-border capital flows. He works extensively on capital flight and capital controls of emerging market economies and has published numerous papers in such peer-reviewed journals as the Journal of International Money and Finance and Review of International Economics. He has also been interviewed on the topic of capital controls by major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal. Drs. Qian and Yuan are currently collaborating on a research project titled “Bitcoin and Capital Controls.”

The Theater Department and Chartwells Dining urge you to catch previews of "Movers and Shakers: Dance as Activism" from the choreographers themselves today in the Bengal Kitchen, starting at noon. Listen to them speak about the motivation behind their work and get a glimpse before you attend the performance March 8, 9 or 10.

The search committee for the college’s next chief information officer and vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications would like to thank the campus community for their participation in the open forums this week. Please be reminded that the surveys for each of our three candidates will close today, Friday, March 2, at noon. If you have not yet provided feedback, please do so before noon today.

For more information on the position, please visit the search website. Thank you.

All members of the Teacher Education Unit (TEU) are invited to attend the Teacher Education Council (TEC) meeting on Friday, March 9, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Carmine A. Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. Current issues in teacher education and assessment will be discussed.

Ted Schmidt, professor of economics and finance, will sign copies of his book "The Political Economy of Food and Finance" on Wednesday, March 7, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. Refreshments will be served. Please join us.

Please consider making a donation of household items for the children and families from Puerto Rico who have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Maria. A total of 120 children are currently enrolled locally at Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy and Buffalo Public Schools 3 and 33. They are in need of basic household necessities such as bed linens, bath towels, shower curtains, rugs, pots, pans, utensils, plates, or anything considered practical in a home.

Items may be dropped off at the Campbell Student Union Donation Station, located across from the Information Desk, from February 19 through March 5.

For more information, please contact Kim Meissner from Herman Badillo or Evelyn Rosario, senior academic adviser in Buffalo State's Educational Opportunity Program, 878-4426 or 878-4224.

Thank you for helping to make a difference!

Faculty, staff, and administrators: Online registration for Commencement is open!

The Class of 2018 eagerly anticipates celebrating graduation at the 146th Commencement on Saturday, May 19, in the Sports Arena. Your participation in the most auspicious campus event of the year makes it especially meaningful for our graduates and their families. Please honor them by marching in the procession or serving as a volunteer usher to help with graduate lineup or to greet and guide guests.

Recent graduates and degree candidates will attend their ceremonies by school as follows:

9:00 a.m. ceremony for bachelor’s degree candidates: School of Education, School of the Professions

1:00 p.m. ceremony for bachelor’s degree candidates: School of Arts and Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, Individualized Studies

5:00 p.m. Graduate School ceremony: master’s degree and certificate of advanced study candidates

Volunteer ushers registration

Marchers, including all Platform Party members, registration

Rehearsal schedule

Note about regalia: The bookstore will take orders for regalia rentals until Friday, April 20. (Order by Tuesday, March 13, if you wish to use rented regalia for both Honors Convocation and Commencement.) Information with pricing is posted on the marchers page. A limited number and variety of gowns is available for loan through the Academic Affairs Office, and a request for regalia loans form is provided on the marchers web page. Please provide your own hood and cap, either rented or owned.

Thank you for your dedicated service on Commencement day.

Individualized Studies announces an international summer program in Siena. The program will be based in Siena and will involve travel to Rome and Florence. It's designed to balance significant international exposure with affordability and is open to all Buffalo State students. For more information, please visit the International and Exchange Programs website.

In response to the intensity of this year’s flu season, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) offers a comprehensive collection of online influenza-related resources.

All employees are encouraged to visit this DOH website, which provides information on preventing the flu, identifying symptoms, risks and complications associated with the flu, and treatment options.

Please join Shannon Budin, associate professor of exceptional education, in a conversation about the successes she has had teaching online on Thursday, March 8, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Bulger Communication Center 120.

Dr. Budin, a 2017 Open SUNY Effective Practices Award winner, will discuss strategies for student engagement in online video lectures. This session is open to anyone interested in online teaching and learning. There will also be time for those who attend to ask questions and share their expertise of online learning.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.