Please join us for Winterim 2018 from January 16 to 19 to support the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of the Buffalo State community. More than 15 innovative sessions are being offered this year, which include technology tips, security awareness, food and drink tastings, and arts and crafts. Please register for sessions soon; they will fill up quickly!

TIAA financial consultant Michael Spogli will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Tuesday, January 16, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 418. Appointments are required.

This is your opportunity to review your retirement savings or start a tax-deferred annuity if you haven’t already. As the new year begins, be sure you are saving enough to meet your retirement needs. Visit the TIAA website to schedule your appointment today.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff today, January 9, in honor of New York State Police Trooper Michael J. Anson.

"Trooper Anson embodied all of what it means to be a member of the State Police: dedicated, tough, and committed to his colleagues, friends, family, and community," said Governor Cuomo. "He made the ultimate sacrifice through his selfless service at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. I ask all New Yorkers to join me in offering our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues at the New York State Police." 

Trooper Anson was a member of the State Police for 31 years, serving his entire career in Troop G. He was last stationed at SP New Scotland. He lived in Albany County and is survived by his wife and their three children.

Earn the Blackboard Specialization Certificate and the Advanced Blackboard Specialization Certificate in a compacted four hours for each specialization. Earning a Blackboard Specialization Certificate will demonstrate your ability to enhance student learning and foster better engagement, interaction, and quality learning. This certificate is suitable for instructors teaching face-to-face, hybrid or blended, or online courses.

To earn your certificate, you must attend the workshops, self-enroll in the Blackboard organization called RITE Professional Development Certifications, and post in the accompanying blog. Follow the directions on how to self-enroll in the organization.

The following Blackboard workshops are offered in January. These workshops can be taken independently or as a part of the Blackboard Specialization Certificate:

Introduction
Assessments
Grade Center
Collaboration Tools
Rubrics
Retention Center
Collaborate

Please register online through the Workshop Registration System.

Detailed descriptions of each workshop session are available on the RITE website. All sessions will be held in Bulger Communication Center 122.

We need your help. We are collecting T-shirts that will be turned into reusable grocery bags for the Matt Urban Hope Center during New Student Orientation next week. At least 50 used T-shirts in good condtion are still needed for this project. Please drop off shirts in the Civic and Community Engagement Office in South Wing 130, or contact us to have someone stop by your office to pick them up any day this week. Thanks so much!

If you receive an e-mail that you believe is phishing, please forward the e-mail to phishreports@buffalostate.edu. If you receive a phishing attempt via another form of communication (e.g., telephone, direct mail), please also report this via e-mail with a description of the event.

If you receive an e-mail or other form of communication that you feel goes beyond traditional phishing techniques and threatens physical violence, you should save the communication and report it to University Police immediately at (716) 878-6333.

The Buffalo State community is saddened by the death of Richard J. McCowan, professor emeritus of educational foundations, who died January 3, 2018. Dr. McCowan retired from the faculty in 1989 and accepted a position with the Center for Development of Human Services. He retired from CDHS in 2012. Dr. McCowan is survived by three children. Friends may call today, January 5, between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Kaiser Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 6, at noon in St. Stephen's Church. Additional information is available online.

The American Red Cross will hold a campus blood drive today, February 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. Call (800) RED-CROSS or visit the Red Cross website to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Presenting donors will receive a free American Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

The American Red Cross will hold its next campus blood drive tomorrow, February 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. Call (800) RED-CROSS or visit the Red Cross website to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Presenting donors will receive a free American Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

The American Red Cross will hold its next campus blood drive on Tuesday, February 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. Call (800) RED-CROSS or visit the Red Cross website to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Presenting donors will receive a free American Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.