Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to join the Career Development Center for its annual Greater Western New York Law School Fair on Monday, September 28, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara. This free event is a great opportunity for those interested in attending law school to meet with admissions recruiters from more than 65 programs across the country. For more information, please visit the CDC website.

Please join representatives from the College Senate’s 2015 campuswide Academic Advisement Review Work Group to discuss the final draft of our campus self-study during one of two open meetings in Butler Library 208: Monday, September 14, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. or Tuesday, September 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The meetings will provide an overview of the advisement review process, share self-study findings and recommendations, and invite feedback, which the Standards for Students Committee will consider before the final presentation of the self-study report at the October Senate meeting.

The Buffalo State College Parking and Transportation Committee will sponsor a series of workshops and information sessions on bicycling-related topics through the month of September. The sessions, which are free and open to students, faculty, and staff, are one of a number initiatives being implemented as part of the recommendations of the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan to enhance bicycling conditions on and around the campus. All levels of riders, from new to more experienced, are welcome to attend.

GoBike Buffalo will present the first session, "Bicycling Opportunities," on Tuesday, September 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall 1. This session will be repeated on Wednesday, September 16, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160. Advance registration is not required, but seating is limited. This session will cover an introduction to bicycle commuting in the Queen City with emphases on traffic laws, bicycle safety, route planning, local bicycle clubs, events, and new infrastructure. Attendees can also find out more about the various events and programs run by GoBike Buffalo, how to become a GoBike member, and the organization’s membership benefits.

This environmental benefit project is being undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation related to Article 19 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The enforcement action relates to power plant emissions in 1997 and 1998 that were found to exceed the acceptable threshold.

The Fellow Chat speaker series is a signature event produced by the Open SUNY Center for Online Teaching Excellence (COTE) for Open SUNY fellows in the COTE Community of Practice. Open SUNY Fellows have committed to sharing their knowledge for the benefit of all members of the community. Each Fellow Chat features original work, effective practices, research, and innovations of Open SUNY fellows.

Fellow Chats require registration, but are open to all free of charge, so please share this invitation broadly with anyone you feel may be interested. If you are unable to join the live presentation, each program in the series will be recorded.

If you are interested in sharing what you know with the COTE Community of Practice, I encourage you to submit a proposal.

The following Fellow Chats are scheduled through the end of the year. Please register online.

Reporting on Assessment: A Presentation on the Development and Implementation of an Enterprise Assessment Service, UB's Online Annual Academic Program Assessment
Thomas Slomka, University at Buffalo
Wednesday, September 23
Noon–1:00 p.m.
This presentation covers the development and implementation of the University at Buffalo's Annual Academic Program Assessment, a web application designed to help programs provide assessment reports, program assessment coordinators share best practices and resources, faculty and staff compare assessment efforts, and administration track and report on program learning outcomes and assessment-based program planning. Attendees will learn about the development of the application, its features, and goals for its use.

Give PIE a Try: An Introduction to Instructional Design Models
Christine Leake, Empire State College
Wednesday, October 14
Noon–1:00 p.m.
This chat will provide an overview of the instructional design process using instructional design models (PIE will be featured). While this sounds like a mouthful, having knowledge of one easy-to-use model can greatly influence a decision to engage in distance learning as well as how that decision translates into quality learning. In this field, we know the models and that the "front end" can be time-consuming and thus have an impact on "adopters" interested in taking on the "flipping" process. If an institution does not subscribe to any one particular instructional design model, give PIE a try!

Collaboration in a Virtual Learning Environment for Nursing Simulation
Tara Zacharzuk-Marciano, Ulster County Community College
Wednesday, November 18
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Second Life learning experiences in nursing curriculum will provide another avenue for educators to engage students in the practice and development of clinical reasoning skills beyond the traditional clinical setting. With the ever-dwindling number of available clinical sites, simulation that features real-life experiences is a significant feature of Second Life that permits learning in a safe, controlled environment.

Designing an Optimal Online Learning Experience: Meeting the Needs of All Students
Russell Khan, SUNY Poly Tech
Tuesday, December 8
Noon–1:00 p.m.
This chat will apply best practices in teaching, and participants will develop a course outline and use web-based tools to create a rich learning space. The talk applies cognitive learning theory.

A flu vaccine clinic for students will be held Tuesday, September 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all students, especially those who have a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes or who are currently on prednisone, receive a flu shot.

Insurance companies that might cover the vaccine at this clinic are Independent Health, Cigna, Aetna, CVS/Caremark, Merck/Medco, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare Parts B and D, Empire, and Fidelis. Students must present a valid health insurance card. Others must pay the $32 cost of the injection by cash or check.

The flu clinic is arranged through the Weigel Health Center. Please contact Debbie Sarratori, assistant director of medical administration, 878-6711, with questions.

The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) announces a new online course, "Critically Reflective Teaching Practices." This online asynchronous course will run October 12 through November 20 and will be taught through the Blackboard learning management system by Keith Landa, director of the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center at SUNY Purchase College.

Critical reflection allows us to examine our experiences as instructors, to evaluate our strengths and opportunities for improvement. This course will review models of critical reflection, allow participants to identify sources of information and resources to support critical reflection on their teaching, and provide a framework for participants to map out a personalized project to explore a teaching and learning topic of interest in their professional development.

By the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to

• identify and evaluate sources of evidence concerning their current strengths and challenges as an instructor;
• determine potential directions for professional development to enhance their teaching practices and foster student engagement and learning, based on principles of good practice and personal philosophies of teaching and learning;
• map out a plan to execute a specific, individual project that critically examines a teaching and learning topic;
• begin development of a teaching portfolio and other tools to support critical reflection about teaching and learning and assist with the teaching and learning project.

Course Topics

1. Autobiography of teaching and learning
2. Student evaluations of teaching, their strengths and weaknesses
3. Peer review and mentoring, and the role of teaching and learning centers (and what to do if you don’t have one)
4. Frameworks of good practice and critical review of the literature
5. Workshop topic proposals for the advanced certificate
6. The teaching portfolio and other tools

The cost for Buffalo State faculty is $250. CPD points may be available. Please contact Melaine Kenyon, director of instructional technology, for more information.

Please register for the course online.

The Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee and the CSEA Local 640 congratulate the winners of the fall 2015 Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to Laurie Graziano, our member recipient who is pursuing a master’s degree in multidisciplinary studies and works in the President’s Office, and political science major Sydney Favors, a first-time dependent recipient.

Local 640 members are reminded that the scholarship will once again be offered for spring 2016. New applicants and those who have already won are eligible and welcome to apply. Watch for applications in early January. This scholarship is sponsored by the Elmes family, and its continued success is made possible by donations to the Robert J. Elmes Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation Account.

While the Anne Frank Project is proud that over 70 percent of this year’s presenters are from off campus, we continue to celebrate Buffalo State’s own students, faculty, and staff.

Tuesday, September 15
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Stitch Buffalo: A Refugee Woman’s Workshop presents its Buffalove embroidery project.
Co-directors Dawne Hoeg, lecturer of design, and Shelby Deck
Czurles-Nelson Gallery, Upton Hall

Wednesday, September 16
9:00–9:20 a.m.
Welcome Ceremony
Katherine Conway-Turner, president of Buffalo State College, and Drew Kahn, professor and director of AFP
Savage Theatre

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
LGBTQ Relationship Violence
Charlene Vetter, interim associate director of the Counseling Center
Assembly Hall 1

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Turning Research into Revolution
Andrea Nikischer, assistant professor of adult education
Assembly Hall 2

1:40–2:55 p.m.
Keep Pedaling
Madeline Allard, Buffalo State student
Activity Tent, Student Union Plaza

3:05–4:15 p.m.
Mirror/Rorrim – AFP’s new play that teaches the tools and vocabulary to learn to love your story. Touring local schools in fall 2015.
Savage Theatre

5:50–7:05 p.m.
What Does It Mean to Be a Survivor?
Jill Gradwell, professor of history and social studies education
Assembly Hall 2

Thursday, September 17
11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
“It Will Never Happen to Me” Has Happened to Me
Paula Madrigal, wellness and prevention coordinator, Weigel Health Center
Campbell Student Union Social Hall

11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
I Am (8x10)
Candace Masters, associate professor of art education
Butler Library 210

12:15–1:30 p.m.
Eyes of Others, Molly Bader, Buffalo State student
Margaret E. Bacon Gallery

3:05–4:20 p.m.
The Many Faces of Anne Frank
Sophia Veffer and Drew Kahn
Savage Theatre

5:00–7:00 p.m.
Artist reception celebrating works by Stitch Buffalo: A Refugee Woman’s Workshop and Molly Bader
Upton Hall galleries

Download the AFP 2015 app to check in and view details (iPhone/Android/HTML web view).

View the AFP 2015 program (PDF)

Visit the AFP website.

Questions? Call 878-5559 or e-mail Eve Everette, AFP assistant director.

The following officers of the College Senate began their academic-year terms August 31: 

College Senate Chair
Amy McMillan, Associate Professor of Biology

College Senate Vice Chair
Howard Reid, Professor of Psychology

Standing Committee Chairs
Academic Plan
Jason Grinnell, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities

Budget and Staff Allocations
Frederick Floss, Department Chair and Professor of Economics and Finance

Bylaws and Elections
Kevin Williams, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences and Science Education

Curriculum
Marc Bayer, Interim Director of Butler Library

Faculty and Staff Welfare
Amitra Wall, Assistant Dean of Intellectual Foundations

Instruction and Research
M. Scott Goodman, Department Chair and Professor of Chemistry

Standards for Students
Heather Maldonado, Assistant Dean of University College

Student Welfare (Vice Chair)
Amy Rosen-Brand, Associate Director of Disability Services

An orientation session for new college senators will be held today, September 10, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Cleveland Hall 418. All newly elected incoming senators, including student senators, are encouraged to attend.