Because of the cancellation of classes from the winter weather advisory, the student and mentor deadlines for the 19th annual Student Research and Creativity Conference have been extended to give students and mentors additional time to complete the submission process.

The revised deadlines are as follows:

• Student submission of applications: midnight Thursday, March 16
• Mentor review/edit and approval: midnight Saturday, March 18

Please note: These dates reflect a 48-hour extension for both the student and mentor deadlines.

Applications can be found on the Undergraduate Research website.

The Teacher Education Council Faculty Development Committee invites you to attend the free lunch and workshop focusing on preparing our teacher candidates to use technology in the P–12 classroom on Friday, March 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Butler Library 210. A brief keynote about using "bug in the ear" technology to coach and give feedback to student teachers will kick off the event, followed by two breakout sessions of your choice. 

Please register online and review session descriptions through the Workshop Registration System.

Thinking of using the "secure" messaging app currently used by Sean Spicer and other White House staffers? Think again. Confide "confidential messenger" flunked its security reviews. Read about it in Security Breach Today.

The SUNY Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT²) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the third annual FACT² Symposium, held this year on Friday, April 7, at SUNY System Administration in Albany. This year’s symposium topic is "Virtual and Alternative Labs for the STEM Subjects."

Meet your STEM colleagues, learn about the growing use of virtual and alternative labs, and participate in the conversation about the value and assessment of virtual labs. UUP will provide financial assistance for registration, travel, and parking costs. To receive financial assistance from UUP, members must register for the conference through UUP via the registration form (PDF, 143 KB). Direct registration can be completed on the FACT² Symposium registration page.

Full-time or part-time Buffalo State students working toward a degree in elementary or secondary education still have time to apply for the 2017–2018 Joseph S. Sperrazza Endowed Scholarship. This endowed scholarship honors Buffalo State alumnus Joseph Sperrazza, a revered teacher and administrator with the Buffalo Board of Education. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 31. Scholarship and application details can be found on the CAPS website. Please contact Gail Phillips, secretary in the Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education, 878-3610, with questions.

Remember what IoT (Internet of Things) devices are? If not, please re-read this Ouch! newsletter article (PDF, 421 KB), and when you’re done, take a look at this article from Data Breach Today about Spiral Toys and a rather serious data breach.

Five tips for staying secure when you're on the move and using mobile devices are outlined in this Educause article:

1. Avoid keeping unnecessary data.
2. Secure your mobile devices.
3. Don't access private information using public Wi-Fi networks or computers.
4. Take advantage of your mobile device's "lost and found" capabilities.
5. Enroll in two-factor authentication (2FA) programs when possible.

If you are still not using Buffalo State's secure wireless network, please enroll your devices today.

Brent Peterson, Fidelity retirement planner, will be available to meet with Buffalo State faculty and staff members regarding their individual retirement needs on Thursday, March 16, in Butler Library 210B between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Appointments are required.

Let Fidelity assist you in making sure you are on track toward a future that’s unique to you. Ensure you are saving enough for retirement and make sure that you are investing properly and on track with your retirement savings. Find out how to bring your retirement savings together.

To schedule your free one-on-one appointment, call 844-FOR-SUNY or register online. 

Set up a SUNYORP account with Fidelity Investments if you have not already. Consider bringing relevant account statements and any paperwork to help address your retirement questions.

Fidelity has built its reputation on helping people create the future they envision. Put their experience to work for you. Schedule an appointment today.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is more secure than a password alone. 2FA is a system that requires two different methods of identification. Please read this article on 2FA. When you’re done, you can check out this list of websites supporting 2FA.

The following Blackboard professional development workshops will be held in April: 

• Achievement Badges
• Introduction
• Assessments
• Grade Center

Detailed descriptions of each training session?(PDF, 66 KB) are available on the RITE website. All sessions will be held in?Bulger?Communication Center 122 or in an online virtual webinar format. Workshops can be taken independently or as a part of the Blackboard Specialization Certificate Series.

All workshops are suitable for instructors teaching face-to-face, hybrid, or online courses. All workshop presentations will be one hour and are limited to 10 participants. The instructor will be available for an additional 30 minutes after the workshop for questions and discussion (optional).

Please?register online through the Workshop Registration System.