The SUNY Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program helps Buffalo State students who major in or intend to major in STEM fields prepare for graduate study. Students who participate in this program are provided with paid research opportunities ($1,000) and faculty mentors, along with workshops and activities to aid with graduate school preparation. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through academic performance, retention, graduation, and graduate school admission rates in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders. Please inform any student you feel qualifies for this program. Applications can be obtained in Science and Mathematics Complex 264.

For more information, please call the LSAMP/McNair office at 878-3411 or e-mail Jennifer Johnson, program coordinator.

The Internal Revenue Service saw a surge of nearly 400 percent in phishing (PDF, 906 KB) and malware (PDF, 410 KB) incidents during the 2016 tax season. Remember that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by text messages, social media, or e-mail. Learn more on the IRS Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts web page.

The next Winter Farmers Market at Buffalo State is Saturday February 4. With more than 15 local vendors and live music, this weekly community event has become a highlight of our winter weekends. Activities this weekend include information on sleep and SNAP benefits for students. In addition, there will be free yoga at 11:00 a.m.

The Winter Market is open to the public each Saturday through mid-April from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Buckham Hall A Wing. Help support our local growers and food producers and have fun at the same time. This collaborative project is brought to you by the Small Business Development Center, the Research and Economic Development Office, the Elmwood Village Association, and the Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics Department. Don't miss it.

Robert Warren, associate professor of biology, will present “Competition and Cooperation in the Natural World: No More Mister Nice Guy” today at 3:00 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 320 as the first talk in the spring "Conversations in and out of the Disciplines" series. A Q&A and short wine-and-cheese reception will follow the talk. Everyone is welcome.

Please tell students to attend the annual Residence Hall Association week. Faculty and staff members are welcome and encouraged to support these events as well.  

Monday, February 6
Wildn' Out: RHA Edition
A fun and competitive team-spirited game that will challenge students to think on their feet. This program provides on-site comedy and will be sure to make you laugh. Please be sure to pick up a free ticket from the Rockwell Hall Box Office by Monday, February 6. This event is first come, first served and guaranteed to sell out!
8:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall

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Tuesday, February 7
You Got Game?
Come out and enjoy an evening of games, relaxation, and childhood classics with RHA. There will be an abundant amount of board games, gaming systems, and light refreshments. This event is free. Buffalo State ID required.
6:00 p.m.
USG Game Room, Campbell Student Union

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Wednesday, February 8
How Many Licks: Ice Cream Social
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Come out and enjoy free ice cream, courtesy of RHA and the Faculty Fellows. Over five flavors to choose from, plus various toppings, floats, and much more.
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Butler Library 210

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Thursday, February 9
Dancing with the Stars
Are you ready to sweat? If so, let the Residence Hall Association keep you on track with your New Year fitness goals. We will be moving our bodies and having fun while doing so. Please wear athletic attire and sneakers. Come on, Buffalo State, let's move!
8:00 p.m.
Moore Complex Lounge

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Friday, February 10
Struck by Cupid: Lights Out Edition
Celebrate pre-Valentine's Day with the Residence Hall Association (RHA), United Students Government (USG) Black Active Minds (BAM), and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. This event is free of charge and open to students of Buffalo State. Please bring your Buffalo State ID to gain admission.
9:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall

Black Active Minds, a student organization funded by the mandatory student activity fee, will host its annual week of events, "Black to the Future," February 6–11. Please tell students about the events listed. Faculty and staff members are welcome and encouraged to support these events as well. 

Monday, February 6

The Black Family
A discussion on the transition in the black family from the twentieth century to now. What effects have led to major changes in the family structure?
7:00 p.m.
Bulger Communication Center East 2

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Tuesday, February 7

General Interest Meeting: #BlackBoyJoy
A discussion on hypermasculinity in the black community. What exactly has an effect on the image of black men and how they perceive masculinity?
12:30 p.m.
Technology Building 358

Music Cypher
A conversation on the transition and comparison of rap and hip-hop through the decades. The program will include a cypher between various student organizations.
7:00 p.m.
Buckham Hall A214

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Wednesday, February 8

What’s Under the Rug?
A dialogue on molestation in the black community and how this major social problem goes unnoticed in black families.
7:00 p.m.
Classroom Building C 122

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Thursday, February 9
Flavor of Love: BAM Edition
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, BAM members and Buffalo State students will participate in a date auction. Participants will earn BAM Bucks through a variety of games and then, in turn, use their BAM Bucks to take their person of choice on a date.
7:00 p.m.
Buckham Hall A114

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Friday, February 10
Struck by Cupid Lights Out
Glow Party with RHA, USG, and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.
9:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall

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Saturday, February 11
Community Service with BAM
Please visit BAM on Instagram or visit Bengal Connect for updated information regarding the time and service site.

The Buffalo State Travelers Club started last semester when students who were studying abroad returned from their adventures and wanted a place to share stories and learn about new travel opportunities. The Travelers Club is for seasoned travelers, new explorers, and storytellers. Please tell students about this exciting club on campus.

First Event: CHILE 
Tuesday, February 7
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Butler Library 208
The International Professional Development Schools (IPDS) Chile program, through the School of Education, welcomes eight students and one faculty member from the Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. Join us to learn more about Chile and exciting travel opportunities  Refreshments provided.

Contacts: Gyasi Curry (president) and Eve Everette (staff adviser)

Ransomware, as defined by the SANS organization, is a type of malware. Malware is software—a computer program—used to perform malicious actions. Once ransomware infects your computer (desktop, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, etc.), it encrypts your hard drive so that you are locked out. Buffalo State technicians are locked out, too. The computer will not be unlocked until the ransom is paid, and SUNY will not pay ransom to unlock an employee's files. Back up your files regularly, and read this article from the OUCH! newsletter to learn how to protect yourself from ransomware.

Please join us for the faculty development workshop "Infusing Mindfulness into First-Year Seminars" on Tuesday, February 28, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Butler Library 181B.

First-year students are coming to college with greater levels of anxiety and stress, which ultimately affects academic success. This workshop will provide brief insights from a pilot study conducted at Buffalo State examining the impact of infusing mindfulness and happiness activities into UNC 100 courses on students' states of well-being. While this particular study used technological interventions through headspace.com and Happify, additional strategies for consideration will be presented.

Presented by Kimberly Kline, department chair and professor, and Amy Wilson, assistant professor, Higher Education Administration.

Light snacks will be provided. Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Please join us for the workshop "Project Management: Simple Strategies for Achieving Project Success" on Thursday, February 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Butler Library 181B.

Do you sometimes feel you could be more effective at managing new projects or initiatives to meet timelines and attain your desired goals? Project management strategies provide an evidence-based framework for executing projects that use appropriate methods to manage timelines, resources, communications, and quality performance measures to attain established objectives. This session, presented by the Buffalo State RITE Technology Planning Project Management Office, will provide participants with strategies and tools they can use to manage projects as individuals and in groups.

Presented by RITE's Carolynn Krupp, director of technology, planning, and outreach; Khaleel Gathers, project manager; and David Marcinkowski, desktop systems engineer.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please register through the Workshop Registration System.