From the Associate Vice President for Assessment and Curriculum
Starting Monday, February 27, freshman and senior students (only) will receive electronic invitations to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The NSSE is critically important to help Buffalo State learn more about its students’ participation in programs and activities designed to foster their learning and development, particularly high-impact practices (e.g., undergraduate research, service learning, first-year programs), which are strongly linked to retention and graduation rates.

The NSSE measures student engagement in two ways: (1) the amount of time and effort students put into their studies and other educational activities; and (2) how the college uses its resources, curriculum, and other learning opportunities to encourage student participation.

All students who complete the NSSE will receive a free Buffalo State T-shirt. Please tell your freshman and senior students to watch their e-mail for the NSSE and encourage them to complete the survey promptly. Thank you.

The Buffalo State community is saddened by the death of Mary Ann DeKarz, payroll manager (retired), who died on February 3, 2017. She is survived by her partner, Sydney Friedson, and two siblings. A memorial service will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, at Amigone Funeral Home, 8440 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14221. Additional information is available online.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The first College Senate meeting of the spring 2017 semester will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, in Butler Library 210. The agenda is posted on the College Senate website.

We will discuss the Buffalo State All College (Institutional) Learning Outcomes introduced at the December 9, 2016, meeting. Please visit the SharePoint site to read and comment (or find it through our new Senate Forum on the left navigation pane of the College Senate website). This information is open to all Buffalo State faculty and staff members, so please share it widely.

Podcasts of College Senate meetings are now posted to the College Senate website. Senate meeting minutes and summaries are also posted to the website and distributed to Senate members with the monthly Senate packet.

All members of the campus community are invited to attend a campus presentation by a candidate for the position of director of international student and scholar services on Thursday, February 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Butler Library 210. The candidate will give a 20-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period. Copies of the job description and the candidate's rsum will be available at the presentation. Attendees will be asked to provide feedback on the candidate to help inform the search committees recommendations.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, February 10, for the 2016–2017 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes classified service employees for excellence and superior service to students and the community at large. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online. Thank you.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, February 10, for the 2016–2017 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes classified service employees for excellence and superior service to students and the community at large. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online. Thank you.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, February 10, for the 2016–2017 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes classified service employees for excellence and superior service to students and the community at large. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online. Thank you.

The campus community is encouraged to nominate deserving colleagues for President’s Awards for Excellence in Academic Advisement; the Advancement of Equity and Campus Diversity; Career Achievement for Faculty; Career Achievement for Professional Staff; Faculty and Staff Mentoring; Librarianship; Research, Scholarship, and Creativity; Service to the College; Teaching; as an Undergraduate Research Mentor; or as a Graduate Research Mentor.

Nominations are due to the provost by Monday, March 6. Please submit nominations with supporting materials electronically to facultystaffawards@buffalostate.edu. Questions may be directed to Carolyn Martino, assistant to the provost, 878-5903.

Applications and nominations are invited for the following student leadership and humanitarian awards. We are using a new, easy-to-complete online nomination and application process. The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 24, but we encourage early nominations to ensure that all deserving students are considered.

Student Leadership Awards
Mildred Keller Campbell Leadership Award
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Phillip Santa Maria Award for Student Leadership in Equity and Campus Diversity (PDF, 43.6 KB)

Student Humanitarian Awards
Luis M. Antonetti Student Humanitarian Award
Minnie and Joe Engel Student Humanitarian Award
Phillip Santa Maria Memorial Award

Nomination forms are available on the Dean of Students website.

For more information, please contact Charles B. Kenyon, dean of students, 878-4618.

From the President's Council on Equity and Campus Diversity
Nominations are encouraged for the Dr. Muriel A. Howard Presidential Award for the Promotion of Equity and Campus Diversity. The award recognizes faculty and staff members who promote respect for diversity and individual differences through classroom discussions, curricular experiences, out-of-classroom activities, projects, conversations, or special mentorships that go beyond what is usually expected as a part of their regular job expectations or teaching assignments.

We welcome nominations from students, faculty, and staff so that we might acknowledge members of our community who live the values of respect for diversity and advocacy for social justice at an awards reception on Tuesday, April 11.

Award criteria and nomination forms can be found on the Equity and Campus Diversity website. The application deadline is close of business Friday, March 10.

Please contact the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, 878-6210, with questions.