Want to run as a candidate in the 2016 Buffalo State undergraduate student elections? Visit the United Students Government website to fill out an application. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 12.

The following positions are available:

• USG President (one position, one-year term)
• USG Executive Vice President (one position, one-year term)
• USG Treasurer (one position, one-year term)
• USG Vice President for Academic Affairs (one position, one-year term)
• USG Vice President for Campus Affairs and Government Relations (one position, one-year term)
• USG Vice President for Public Relations (one position, one-year term)
• USG Vice President for Student Life (one position, one-year term)
• USG Senator (40 positions, one-year term)
• Faculty/Student Association Board Member (two positions, two-year term)
• College Senator (10 positions, one-year term)
• College Council (one position, one-year term)
• Student Assembly Delegate (two positions, one-year term)
• Intercollegiate Athletics Board Member (no-competitor and at-large position, one-year term)
• Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee (one position, one-year term)
• Grant Allocations Committee (three undergraduate positions, two-year term)

Descriptions and requirements of the positions are available online. Students will vote in the student elections on Monday, March 28; Tuesday, March 29; and Thursday, March 31, in the Campbell Student Union lower lobby. Please contact USG Election Committee chair Sarah Young, 878-4631, with questions.

Buffalo State undergraduate student elections will be held Monday, March 28, through Thursday, March 31, in the Campbell Student Union lower lobby. Undergraduate students must show a Buffalo State ID card or driver's license to vote.

Polls are open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Election results will be posted online at www.bengalconnect.com by 9:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31.

Be sure to cast your vote!

The Student Life Office will offer or host the following leadership opportunities during the spring semester:

• Peer Leadership Certificate Program
  Begins Thursday, February 4, during Bengal Pause in Campbell Student Union 412
• SophoMORE Event
  Tuesday, February 9, during Bengal Pause in the Campbell Student Union basement lobby
• WNY Student Leadership Conference
  Saturday, February 20, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center
• Men's Leadership Conference
  Friday, March 4, 1:00–5:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union
• Women's Leadership Conference
  Friday, March 11, 1:00–5:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union

For additional information, please visit the Student Life website or e-mail us at studentlife@buffalostat.edu.

Tim Herzog, '80, owner and president of Flying Bison Brewery, will present "How Beer Saved Buffalo" on Tuesday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210.

This event, sponsored by the Buffalo-Lille Association Inc., is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jean F. Gounard, director of international student affairs, 878-5331.

Buffalo State Women's Basketball presents the second annual free MLK holiday basketball clinic for boys and girls ages 6 and up on Monday, January 18, from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in Houston Gym.

The clinic includes games, fundamentals, and agility and skillwork. Bring a basketball and water. Please contact Kevin Clifford, head women’s basketball coach, 878-3587, for more details or to register.

Please join the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Coastal Biota and Anthropogenic Stress in the Great Lakes,” presented by Katya Kovalenko, research associate at the University of Minnesota Duluth, on Thursday, January 21, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science Building 272. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Seminar Abstract
Coastal habitats of large lakes harbor a large proportion of freshwater biodiversity, but they are also epicenters of human activity, placing this biodiversity at risk from the intense anthropogenic stress. I will present an overview of major findings of the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators project, focusing on non-linear changes in fish, macroinvertebrate, diatom, and wetland birds and vegetation in response to watershed land use; how biota responds to land- vs. lake-based stressors; and how these high-resolution data can be used to develop more precise habitat models. Finally, I will discuss implications of these findings for biomonitoring and natural resource management and conservation across the Great Lakes.

The Research and Creativity Council Incentive Program is accepting applications until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, for funds to promote faculty creativity and research. Please submit completed applications (PDF) 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. One year after receiving an incentive award, 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.

The Bengal Creamery free food date has been changed to Thursday, January 21. Please pick up your tickets on that day in the Campbell Student Union 105H starting at 9:00 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please join the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Coastal Biota and Anthropogenic Stress in the Great Lakes,” presented by Katya Kovalenko, research associate at the University of Minnesota Duluth, today, January 21, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science Building 272. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome.

Seminar Abstract
Coastal habitats of large lakes harbor a large proportion of freshwater biodiversity, but they are also epicenters of human activity, placing this biodiversity at risk from the intense anthropogenic stress. I will present an overview of major findings of the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators project, focusing on non-linear changes in fish, macroinvertebrate, diatom, and wetland birds and vegetation in response to watershed land use; how biota responds to land- vs. lake-based stressors; and how these high-resolution data can be used to develop more precise habitat models. Finally, I will discuss implications of these findings for biomonitoring and natural resource management and conservation across the Great Lakes.

Michael Spogli from TIAA-CREF will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Friday, January 15, in Butler Library 210B. Confidentially discuss your personal financial situation with an experienced TIAA-CREF financial consultant to help you pursue your financial goals.

Appointments are required. All appointments are between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please visit the TIAA-CREF website or call (800) 732-8353 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.