The Grant Allocation Committee (GAC) requests proposals from individuals, departments, and student clubs and organizations for funding of programs, speakers, and events to take place during the 2015–2016 academic year.

The deadlines for submitting applications under this funding cycle are Friday, October 9 (extended date), for fall 2015 and spring 2016 program proposals; Friday, November 20, and Monday, February 15, 2016, for spring 2016 program proposals; and Friday, April 15, 2016, for summer and fall 2016 proposals. Applications for funding and complete details of requirements may be found on the Student Affairs website. In an effort to cut costs and in keeping with our efforts to go green, all proposals must be submitted electronically to marzolkl@buffalostate.edu with one hard copy delivered to Cleveland Hall 519.

Questions about the GAC may be addressed to Daniel Vélez, associate vice president for student success, 878-3506, or Kathy Marzolf, secretary 2, 878-4704.

Please join the Fine Arts Department for a closing reception in honor of the Fine Arts Faculty Exhibition on Thursday, October 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Upton Hall lobby.

The Fine Arts Faculty Exhibition is open in Upton Hall's Czurles-Nelson Gallery now through October 8. Please stop by during the open hours to visit the exhibition and join the Fine Arts faculty for a closing reception on Thursday, October 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The Buffalo State Performing Arts Center proudly welcomes Olate Dogs, winners of Americas Got Talent, on Friday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m.
 
Olate Dogs were the winning participants from Season 7 of America's Got Talent, scooping up the $1 million prize and headlining the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas Olate, Olate Dogs are a high-energy, fast-paced theatrical act filled with dog tricks, live music, film, comedy, and more. Richard Olate grew up in Chile in a poor family. A third-generation circus performer, he has been in the spotlight since he was 12, and through hard work and constant struggle, he made it to the United States at the age of 33. Most of the Olate Dogs are rescue dogs. The Olate Dogs can be seen touring the country making kids of all ages laugh and smile.

Tickets are on sale now and are $15 for students and children and $30 for the general public. Tickets may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, by phone at 878-3005, or on the Performing Arts Center website. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is presented by M&T Bank.

Tim Switalski, director of leadership development, will present "The Art of Facilitation," a daylong workshop on how to facilitate in the workplace, on Friday, October 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m in Chase Hall 215.

If you ask employees in any organization what they think about meetings, they are likely to say they are a waste of time. Whether it's a staff meeting, project team, or committee meeting, someone must manage the process in order to have group members fully engage and achieve effective outcomes. Skillful facilitation is now being recognized as a core competency for creating dynamic group settings where people are able to collaborate and make high-quality decisions.

By definition, a facilitator is one who contributes structure and process to interactions so groups are able to function effectively, explore important issues, and achieve their collective goals. Facilitators manage participation so that everyone is heard. This generally leads to higher levels of buy-in, active participation, and empowerment to take responsibility for action.

This program will focus on the development of core processes and techniques for effective facilitation. Opportunities for practice and feedback will help participants gain confidence as facilitators. We will also explore the important connection to leadership, coaching, mentoring, and teaching.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please register through the CyberQuad Workshop Registration System.

Faculty, staff, researchers, and students are invited to attend a complimentary MATLAB seminar on Tuesday, October 6, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Butler Library 181B. The event will feature a two-part technical session presented by a MathWorks engineer:

Part 1: Data Analysis, Acquisition, and Visualization in MATLAB
Learn how to analyze and visualize data, edit your code with desktop tools, and publish and share your results.

Part 2: Optimizing and Accelerating Your MATLAB
Learn simple ways to improve and optimize your code that can boost execution speed.

Complete session descriptions and registration information are available on the Mathworks website.

Please contact Debbie Cohen, account manager in the MathWorks Education Department, (508) 647-7057, with questions.

The midterm grading window will close today, October 30, at 9:00 p.m. Faculty members who have not already done so are encouraged to enter midterm grades in Banner to assist in academic intervention and support efforts. Students will be able to view their grades in Degree Works on October 31.

Thank you for your commitment to our students’ success.

The midterm grading window is now open in Banner and will close Friday, October 30, at 9:00 p.m. Faculty members are encouraged to provide midterm feedback for their students in Banner to assist in academic intervention and support efforts. Students will be able to view their grades in Degree Works on October 31.

Please contact Heather Maldonado, assistant dean of University College, 878-5222, with questions. Thank you for your commitment to our students’ success.

The midterm grading window will open in Banner on Monday, October 19, at 9:00 a.m. and close Friday, October 30, at 9:00 p.m. In addition to an estimated midterm grade, faculty members can mark how regularly a student has attended a course by entering 0 (never attended), 1 (sporadic, unsatisfactory attendance), or 2 (consistent, satisfactory attendance) in the “Hours Attended” field.

Although all faculty members are able and encouraged to provide mid-term feedback for any of their students in Banner, the Early Intervention Program (EIP) seeks information on particular student populations. Faculty members with EIP students in their courses will be sent a list of EIP students requiring midterm feedback on October 13 (delivered to their campus addresses). Your comments concerning attendance and performance are deeply appreciated and quite helpful to us in our academic intervention efforts. Students will be able to view their grades in DegreeWorks on October 31.

Please contact Heather Maldonado, assistant dean of University College, 878-5222, with questions. Thank you for your commitment to our students’ success.

The SUNY Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT²) is pleased to offer a one-day symposium, "Accessibility: Designing Access for All Learners," on Friday, November 6, at SUNY Empire State College, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Presenters will address a broad range of accessibility topics that include the student experience and how assistive technology supports students in achieving their goals, guidance for a proactive approach to accessibility through universal design for learning, and an administrative overview of how campuses can comply with accessibility laws and regulations.

The cost is $40 (includes morning beverages and lunch). For more information or to register, please visit the symposium registration page.