Ensemble Video will be unavailable from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, August 18, while we update the server. Once the update has been completed, you will be able to log in to Ensemble using your Buffalo State username and network password.

Additionally, there will be a new URL for Ensemble: http://ensemble.buffalostate.edu. Please update any bookmarks you may have.

When logging in to Ensemble, please make sure "Buffalo State - LDAP" is selected in the Identity Provider drop-down menu.

If you have any difficulty logging in to Ensemble, please contact Ginger Bidell, instructional designer in Instructional Resources, 878-3688.

Free enrollment verification for students is available through Student Self-Service. Student Self-Service enrollment verification saves students a trip to the Registrar’s Office by providing them with the ability to perform the following services securely via the web 24/7:

• Print enrollment verification certificates to send to health insurers, housing providers, insurance companies, banks, consumer product companies, or other organizations requiring proof of enrollment.
• Check deferment forms and electronic notifications sent to lenders.
• Obtain a list of student loan lenders and link to real-time loan information.
• View enrollment history.
• View enrollment verifications provided to student service providers.

Student Self-Service is free, easy to use, and secure. Students can try it by logging on to Banner using their student IDs and PINs. Click path: Main Menu > Student > Online Enrollment Verification. Note: If students want an enrollment verification for the fall 2015 semester before the first day of classes, they must select the “advanced registration” option once they reach the enrollment verification page.

Student Self-Service is provided through the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit organization serving the higher education community.

Nominations for SUNY Distinguished Faculty Ranks or for Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Professional Service, Librarianship, Scholarship and Creative Activities, or Faculty Service, and are due to the provost, Cleveland Hall 519, by Monday, October 19. Please visit the Academic Affairs website for guidelines and nomination resources.

Butler Library’s redesigned website is scheduled to go live Monday, August 17, in time for the start of the fall semester. Preview the new site at http://buffalostate.beta.libguides.com/home/.

Most library URLs will remain the same, including the home page: library.buffalostate.edu.

In addition to giving the site a fresh look and feel, we have made significant changes to the site’s structure to improve the user experience. Features of the redesign include the following:

• Simplicity is key. Improved navigation, organization, and condensed web content will connect you to needed resources in less time.
• Easier access to important tasks. Content and resources are now organized by task, helping you clearly identify and find information.
• More intuitive. You will see less library jargon and more user-friendly language and iconography.
• More seamless and consistent user experience. You will find fewer unique web pages and more consistency between library service applications.
• Need help? Ask us. Use the chat help widget located in the main menu to get help from a librarian more quickly and easily.
• Easier site maintenance and management on our end = more timely and relevant content for you.
• Responsive design. Take the library with you on your phone, tablet, or desktop using any web browser.

As we make the transition on August 17, you may experience intermittent access to the Butler Library website. Thank you for your patience.

The library’s web team welcomes feedback on the new site. Please submit comments and suggestions using the "Submit Feedback" form on the preview site's home page (lower right side) or via e-mail.

Reminder: Nominations for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching are due to the provost, Cleveland Hall 519, by Tuesday, September 15. Details can be found on the Academic Affairs website.

Colin Phoenix from Fidelity Investments will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on the following days:

• Tuesday, August 18: Butler Library 210B
• Tuesday, September 15: Butler Library 210B
• Thursday, October 15: Butler Library 210B

Sessions are by appointment only, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please register online or call (800) 642-7131.

The following Blackboard training sessions and workshops will be held in September. Please register online. All sessions will be held in Bulger Communication Center 104.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Open Lab
This lab is an open forum devoted to answering questions and solving problems that faculty members may have about navigating Blackboard Learn 9.1. Bring your course-specific questions and have them answered here.

Tuesday, September 1; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, September 9; 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 10; 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23; 1:00– 2:00 p.m.

Friday, September 25; 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 29; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Introduction
This workshop is designed for instructors new to Blackboard Learn 9.1 or anyone who would like a refresher course. We will address the basics of navigation, course tools, and procedures necessary to create new course content. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to navigate the LMS, upload files, create course content, add text, add multimedia, and organize content in meaningful ways.

This workshop presentation will be one hour and is limited to 10 participants. The instructor will be available for an additional 30 minutes after the workshop for additional questions and discussion.

Thursday, September 3; 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Friday, September 4; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 15; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, September 16; 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Assessments
This workshop focuses on the available assessment tools in the latest version of Blackboard Learn. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to create, configure, and deploy individual and group assignments to collect student submissions to manage grades and feedback. The use of auto-graded tests, Turnitin - Plagiarism Checker, and rubrics to simplify the grading process will also be covered.

This workshop presentation will be one hour and is limited to 10 participants. The instructor will be available for an additional 30 minutes after the workshop for additional questions and discussion.

Tuesday, September 8; 12:30–1:00 p.m.

Friday, September 11; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 22; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Thursday, September 24; 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Are you trying to transfer content to your new section or make your course available and you just can't remember how? All you need to get ready for the new semester in Blackboard is available on the Instructional Resources website.

Please visit these links for answers to the three most frequently asked questions:

Make Your Course Available in Blackboard
Move Content between Courses
Merge Course Rosters

If you need further assistance, please contact Michael J. DiFonzo, Blackboard trainer, 878-3036.

The following Blackboard training sessions and workshops will be held in August. Please register online. All sessions will be held in Bulger Communication Center 104.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Introduction
This workshop is designed for instructors new to Blackboard Learn 9.1 or anyone who would like a refresher course. We will address the basics of navigation, course tools, and procedures necessary to create new course content. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to navigate the LMS, upload files, create course content, add text, add multimedia, and organize content in meaningful ways.

This workshop presentation will be one hour and is limited to 10 participants. Instructor will be available for an additional 30 minutes after the workshop for additional questions and discussion.

Thursday, August 20; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Friday, August 21; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, August 26; 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 27; 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Please join us on Friday, September 18, for the WNY Blackboard User Group (WNYBUG) eLearning Day at Hilbert College to exchange your ideas and expertise with fellow Blackboard users. This is a free day of professional development that includes complimentary parking and lunch.

We are looking for presenters to share innovative stories and practices with other Blackboard users. Suggestions for presentation topics:

• Advanced Features or Innovative Uses of Blackboard
• Pedagogical Best Practices
• Model Courses
• Third-Party Integrations
• Building Blocks
• Accessibility in Blackboard

Submit your abstract.

Register for this event.