Please join the Chemistry and Physics departments for the seminar "Dynamics and Transport of Sulfur Dioxide in the North Pacific Troposphere," presented by Fang Huang "Jim" Tu, research scientist from Honeywell's Buffalo Research Lab, on Thursday, February 23, at 12:30 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 173. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Abstract
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) plays an important role in the atmospheric sulfur cycle through the formation of new aerosol and the modification of existing aerosol. The major sources of SO₂ are anthropogenic fuel combustion and volcanoes. The reliance of East Asian nations on fossil fuels in their rapid development over the last three decades has led to concerns about the potential impact of SO₂ on the western Pacific troposphere. There are also concerns about the impact on global climate through the formation and modifications of aerosols and their effects on the radiation balance of the atmosphere. In 2001, NASA conducted the last global tropospheric experiment (GTE) for studying transport and chemical evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P). This talk will present the data related to the dynamics and transport of SO₂ in the north Pacific troposphere collected during the TRACE-P campaign and provide a different point of view on  global climate change.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Young Artist Concerto Competition! These students will perform with the Buffalo State Philharmonia Orchestra, led by Daniel Bassin, orchestra director, on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Kacy Harrison, senior, music - voice
Sarah Rice, senior, music education - violin
Marcus Roper, senior, music education - guitar

The Research and Creativity Council Incentive Program is accepting applications until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, for funds to promote faculty creativity and research. Please submit completed applications (PDF, 257 KB) to the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office in Bishop Hall 24. Three council members have been appointed to review all applications received by the above deadline.

Incentive funds administered by the Research and Creativity Council are intended to promote faculty creativity and research. Their ultimate goal is to generate additional funded programs. At the end of the award period, recipients are required to submit a report documenting the use of the funds. They are then required to submit a grant proposal within the following year to an outside sponsoring agency through the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office. Submitting a proposal through the Buffalo State College Foundation does not meet this requirement. Recipients are also obligated to participate in the Faculty and Staff Fall Forum, which takes place in October.

Expenditures considered for support under this program include travel to consult with a funding source, secretarial assistance, student assistance, consultation with grant specialists, preparation of specialized support materials for proposal (e.g., graphs, drawings, resource books), release time, and any other expense that can be justified. Funds cannot be requested for the purchase of computers, laptops, etc. Also, it is not the council’s intention to directly pay an individual for writing a proposal.

To mark this year's International Writing Centers Week, the Buffalo State Writing Center invites students to visit the center for a celebration of the written word, in particular, the Lost Art of Letter Writing, on Tuesday, February 14, in Butler Library between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. We’ll have plenty of pens, paper, cards, and decorations on hand so that visitors may compose letters—whether DIY Valentines or missives to local representatives. To make an appointment to work with a tutor—for advice on composing that perfect letter—or anything else involving the written word, visit the Writing Center Online.

Given the political climate and the recent executive order restricting immigration from certain countries, the International and Exchange Office will host a session to inform international students of their rights on Friday, February 17, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210.

If you have any questions, please let the International and Exchange Office know. We are here to help.

Brent Peterson from Fidelity will be available to meet with Buffalo State faculty and staff members regarding their individual retirement needs on Tuesday, February 28, 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 you are investing properly and on track with your retirement savings. Find out how to bring your retirement savings together.

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.

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

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

Buffalo State’s Affordable Learning Materials Initiative (ALMI) and the Provost’s Office are pleased to announce a new campuswide ALMI Award program. This program will recognize the important work of faculty members who are taking steps toward improving affordability for their students.

Three award tiers are available: Award for Exceptional Innovation in Affordability (Individual); Award for Exceptional OER Creation (Individual); and Award for Exceptional Advancement in Affordability (Departmental). Individual award recipients will receive an award certificate, $300 in professional development funds, and acknowledgment on ALMI’s Exceptional Educators website. Departmental award recipients will receive an award certificate, a catered lunch for all departmental faculty, and acknowledgment on ALMI’s Exceptional Educators website.

Applications will be judged on three main criteria: cost savings, overall impact of initiative, and innovation of initiative. Applicants need not focus on open educational resources—any innovation or initiative that leads to increased affordability of course materials is eligible.

To apply, complete the individual application or department application by Friday, March 17. Applications and more information about ALMI and OER can be found on the ALMI website. Winners will be announced in April.

To assist faculty members with finding, using, and developing OER, Butler Library and Instructional Design and Training created an “Understanding OER” workshop series. This series will include “An Introduction to OER and Creative Commons”; “Locating, Evaluating, and Incorporating OER”; and “Creating and Sharing OER.” Attend all workshops to earn an “ALMI OER Champion” certificate. For more information or to register, see the Open Educational Resources workshops in the Workshop Registration System.

For more information, or for assistance updating your course to improve affordability, contact Leah Galka, outreach and engagement librarian, or Brooke Winckelmann, instructional designer.

Please join us for the mini-conference "Race and Social Justice in American Culture" on Thursday, February 23, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210. Paper presentations, posters, and a roundtable discussion will feature students and faculty from English, psychology, history, and other disciplines. Light refreshments will be served. The conference is hosted by the English Department, the African and African American studies program, the Women and Gender Studies Interdisciplinary Unit, and the History and Social Studies Education Department.

If you plan to submit a proposal for a SUNY Innovative Instructional Technology Grant (IITG), please e-mail your narrative and itemized budget to Melissa Miszkiewicz, director of RITE strategic partnerships, by the close of business Thursday, February 23. 

The CIO will review all proposals and write letters of support for submissions by the March 5 SUNY IITG deadline.

If you plan to make purchases with SUNY IITG funds, please remember that funds should be available in August. Also, please be sure to observe Buffalo State Procurement guidelines.

The Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee and the CSEA Local 640 wish to congratulate the winners of the spring 2017 Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to our member recipient, Rachel Vicario, who is pursuing a psychology degree and works in the Weigel Health Center, and our department recipient, criminal justice major Tyler Winkowski, son of Allison Winkowski. This scholarship is sponsored by the Elmes family, and its continued success is made possible by donations to the Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation Account.

Watch for the fall 2017 application to go live in CAPS in July. Remember, new applicants and those who have already won are eligible and welcome to apply.