From the Director of Business Services
As recently announced by Vice President LeVine, Procurement Services now reports to me. The primary goals of the Procurement team are to advise, train, and aid the campus in its purchasing needs while remaining fiscally responsible and accountable to New York State.

Procurement recognizes that the campus community is our primary customer; therefore, providing excellent customer service is an important objective of the Procurement team. Procurement Services will distribute a customer service survey via e-mail tomorrow, October 11, so that we may acquire feedback about your experiences.

Please watch your e-mail tomorrow for the link to this brief survey. All responses will be recorded anonymously. Those completing the survey will be entered in a drawing for lunch for two at Campus House with me. The winner will be randomly selected from eligible entries at the close of the survey period in early November. Thank you.

From the Director of Business Services
As recently announced by Vice President LeVine, Procurement Services now reports to me. The primary goals of the Procurement team are to advise, train, and aid the campus in its purchasing needs while remaining fiscally responsible and accountable to New York State.

Procurement recognizes that the campus community is our primary customer; therefore, providing excellent customer service is an important objective of the Procurement team. Procurement Services will distribute a customer service survey via e-mail on Wednesday, October 11, so that we may acquire feedback about your experiences.

Please watch your e-mail for the link to this brief survey. All responses will be recorded anonymously. Those completing the survey will be entered in a drawing for lunch for two at Campus House with me. The winner will be randomly selected from eligible entries at the close of the survey period in early November. Thank you.

The Buffalo State community is saddened by the death of Julie Ann Lockett, lecturer in the Biology Department (retired), who died on September 27, 2017. She is survived by her husband, Michael, and three children. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, October 11, at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Additional information is available online.

All employees are encouraged to review the “Plain Language Guide to the State Ethics Laws,” which can be found on the Human Resource Management website.

This two-page guide provides important information regarding state regulations pertaining to conflicts of interest, employment of family members, financial disclosure requirements, gifts and gratuities, outside employment, political activity, and privacy and confidentiality.

If you have questions regarding the Ethics Laws, please contact Susan Earshen, associate vice president for human resource management, 878-3042.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff from Monday, October 2, until sunset Friday, October 6, in conjunction with a federal proclamation to honor the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting.

"Once again the nation mourns in the wake of yet another senseless and horrific mass shooting," he said. "New York stands with Las Vegas in the aftermath of this heinous and vile act of gun violence, and my heart aches for its victims and their loved ones on this darkest of days.

"I have directed flags at state buildings to be flown at half-staff in the memory of the innocent lives lost and the others irreparably altered by this act of mass murder. How many more times must we see the effects of gun violence and feel the devastating effects of these shootings before we act as a country and as a people? 

"While facts continue to be gathered, I have directed additional security measures at key points around the state as a precaution. The safety of New Yorkers and our visitors is our number one priority, and we are remaining vigilant and in close contact with local and federal officials and our partner law enforcement agencies."

Phase 3 of the Science and Mathematics Complex (SAMC) project, demolition of the Science Building's vacant south wing, will begin soon. Protective fencing will be installed around the building in the coming days to safely separate demolition work from campus activity.

This demolition will allow phase 4, construction of the final addition to the SAMC, to get under way during summer 2018. Phase 4 will add teaching spaces and research labs, as well as the planetarium, caf, and greenhouse.

The south wing of the Science Building was constructed in 1962 as an addition to the former Science I, which was recently fully rehabilitated as the second phase of the complex.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we continue to improve this facility. Questions about this project may be e-mailed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

From the Chief of University Police
Buffalo State College’s 2017 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF, 4 MB) is now available online. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the college. The policy statements address Buffalo State’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses. Three years’ worth of crime statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the college, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. This report is posted online at http://police.buffalostate.edu/sites/police.buffalostate.edu/files/uploads/Documents/annualsecurityreport2017.pdf.

You may also request a paper copy from University Police at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu if you are unable to view or print a copy from the website.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The next College Senate meeting of the fall 2017 semester will be held on Friday, October 13, at 3:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210. The full meeting schedule is posted on the College Senate website. Senate meetings are recorded and posted as podcasts on the College Senate website. Please visit the website to catch up on past Senate news, listen to podcasts of past meetings, read minutes from past meetings, or review meeting summaries. The College Senate Office is located in Cleveland Hall 211. Please stop by the office, call 878-5139, or e-mail Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, with questions or for general information.

As work is done to replace its main electrical systems, the Classroom Building will experience impacts to electrical power, Wi-Fi, hot water, and building cooling from Friday, October 6, to Monday, October 9. Electricity in the building will be shut down on Friday, October 6, at about 7:00 p.m. Occupants are asked to shut down their computers and peripherals before this time.

Special accommodations will be made where ongoing power is needed. The system is scheduled to be back online Monday, October 9, at about 3:00 p.m.

Questions about this undertaking can be directed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu. Thank you for your cooperation.

Academic Affairs is pleased to announce a request for proposals for the E. O. Smith Arts and Humanities Faculty Development Fund. These competitive, peer-reviewed projects funded at $2,000-$7,000 support opportunities for the professional development of full-time Buffalo State faculty members in the arts and the humanities. Eligible candidates must be members of departments included in the arts (art, fine art, design, art conservation, theater, music, dance) or the humanities (history, art history, museum studies, philosophy, religious studies, literature, English, modern and classical languages) and that teach disciplinary-specific courses in the arts and humanities.

Candidates are required to submit their proposals to the selection committee detailing how they would use the funding and include a curriculum vitae and detailed project budget. Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to professional development in the applicant's discipline, including research, supplies used in research or publication of research, travel, or other similar professional activities. Funds may not be directed toward internal administrative or social functions or for personal use. Projects consistent with the mission and goals of the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center will be given preference. Previously funded candidates may reapply (for a new phase of the funded project, or a new project), but previously unfunded candidates will be given preference.

Information about the fund and application process is posted on Blackboard. The announcement of funded proposals will be made in December, and expenses according to the approved budget must be incurred during the calendar year from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Recipients will be required to complete or make significant progress on their projects during that time. Complete applications are due online by 11:59 p.m. Friday, November 10.

The fund's benefactor, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and historian Edward Owen Smith Jr. (E. O. Smith), was a member of the faculty of the Buffalo State History Department since 1963, serving as the chair of the History and Social Studies Education Department for many years and as the first director of the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center. He also founded the college’s museum studies certificate program.

During his 50-year tenure, he was known for his concern for students, his chairmanship of numerous college committees, and his efforts to improve the economic and cultural life of Buffalo’s West Side. He also held a deep interest in art and the visual image as a document, and had been honored by the Burchfield Penney Art Center for his participation in and leadership of many collaborative center projects. Dr. Smith was named a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in 1999 and had previously received the President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Dr. Smith passed away in March 2014, and his gift endowing this fund leaves a lasting legacy at Buffalo State.