Thank you to those who provided feedback on SANS training. Many people asked about using Office 365 for sensitive information. While our governance committees are working to provide documented guidance to the campus, here is some basic information:

Faculty and staff members should never remote in to a campus computer from a public network, such as a hotel, library, or coffee shop. Likewise, you should never place files containing FERPA, HIPAA, or contractually protected information in Office 365. Nor should you carry them on portable media (e.g., phone, USB, or external drive). Documents that do not contain FERPA, HIPAA, or contractually protected information can go into Office 365 for use off campus. Examples of this kind of work include committee work, syllabi, writing or reports (that do not have FERPA, HIPAA, or contractually protected information), and de-identified data.

Moreover, if a browser prompts you to save your password when you log in to O365, always choose "No."

Please see the security awareness training FAQ page on the RITE Information Security website for more information.

We are excited to announce that the new RITE self-service portal, powered by TeamDynamix, is now available. Do you have a question about campus technology? Head over to the Knowledge Base to find how-to guides, training resources, troubleshooting information, common questions, information about ongoing problems, and more. Need to request something or report an issue? Open a ticket directly from the Service Catalog, a categorized listing of our service offerings.

To get started, watch a short video that demonstrates how to open and track tickets from the portal. We strongly encourage everyone—faculty, staff, and students—to sign in and start using the RITE Self-Service portal today.

Contractors will replace the fire alarm control panel in Bacon Hall today, July 13. The alarm may sound during this work, but there is no need to evacuate the building, as these alarms should last only a few seconds. The contractor will provide a fire watch within the building while the work is taking place. In the event of an emergency, the fire watch crew would direct evacuation from each room of the building. The work is anticipated to last through the day today, with normal fire alarm operation resuming on Friday. Thank you for your cooperation.

Rockwell Road near Porter Hall will be closed in both directions from about 7:00 to 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 17, and roughly a dozen parking spaces on Rockwell Road south of Porter Hall will be barricaded to make way for the passage of a crane from Lot R-14 to the Porter Hall loading dock. Your patience is appreciated as this project is undertaken. Please e-mail vpfm@buffalostate.edu with any related questions or concerns.

If you are interested in serving on one or more of the eight College Senate standing committees for 2017–2018, please complete and submit the Committee Interest Form to the College Senate Office, Cleveland Hall 211. The form is now posted on the College Senate website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 18.

The College Senate Office will forward all information to the committee chairs for review and consideration. Committee memberships are determined solely at the discretion of committee chairs. Not all committees may need members. Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, 878-5139, with general questions.

Academic Plan Committee
Chair: Kimberly Kline, Chair and Professor, Higher Education Administration

Budget and Staff Allocations Committee
Chair: Frederick Floss, Chair and Professor, Economics and Finance

Bylaws and Elections Committee
Chair: Amy Rosen-Brand, Associate Director, Student Accessibility Services

Curriculum Committee
Chair: Ann Emo, Chair and Associate Professor, Theater

Faculty and Staff Welfare Committee
Chair: Maria Brickhouse, Coordinator, EOP Academic Center for Excellence

Instruction and Research Committee
Chair: Arlesa Shephard, Associate Professor, Fashion and Textile Technology

Standards for Students Committee
Chair: Amy Wilson, Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

Student Welfare Committee
Vice Chair: Steve Macho, Associate Professor, Career and Technical Education

Applications for the Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship are now available for the fall 2017 semester. All CSEA local 640 members and their dependent children registered at Buffalo State College for at least 3 credit hours for the fall 2017 semester may apply for the $250 scholarship. Fliers were mailed to all CSEA members with application instructions. Applications must be completed in the Campus Application Portal for Scholarships (CAPS) system by Monday, July 31. If you did not receive the flier and need instructions, please contact Mary Codick, secretary 1 in the Teacher Certification Office, 878-6121. Thank you and good luck.

Please join Chartwells Dining at Buffalo State for a job fair on Wednesday, July 19, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union's Retail Food Court. Hiring for supervisors, cooks, food service workers, and more. Apply online at www.compasssgroupcareers.com. See you then!

Buffalo State is hosting a group of high school students from Korea on a cultural exchange this month, and the International Education Office is looking for host families. Students will work on conversational English and experience the Buffalo Niagara region. Part of this experience is a home stay. Host families will provide transportation to and from their home; dinner on Saturday, July 29, and breakfast Sunday, July 30; a private bedroom; and opportunities for students to practice their English. Each family will host one student. Pickup and drop-off will take place in Cleveland Circle at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If you are interested in hosting a student or if you have questions, please contact Tricia Herritt, director of international education, 878-6834.

Infosecurity Magazine has published an article on how brain-computer interface devices such as EEG headsets, which allow users to control their computers using only their thoughts, open up immense opportunities for everyday users—and raise significant security and privacy threats. Read the article and the supporting research from computer scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of California Riverside.

No doubt you’ve heard about the WannaCry ransomware attack that was recently in the news. The June 2017 SANS Ouch! newsletter (PDF, 423 KB) has some helpful lessons learned from the attack. It is recommended reading.