If you missed any of the past Professional Development Center sessions in the One Buffalo State campaign, please refer to the Professional Development website.

Please complete the following surveys of the past two sessions. All responses will remain anonymous. We value your feedback and plan to use the information for discussion in this year's Pedagogical Institute.

Engagement and the Buffalo State Community

Student Success

Please e-mail Lauren Turner, professional development assistant, with questions.

Actress Roslyn Ruff will present a master class to Buffalo State arts and letters, theater, and television and film arts students today, April 13, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Savage Theater and Communication Building’s Flexible Theatre. The class will be followed by a discussion with the actress, which is open to all Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Ruff, a Buffalo native, has been seen on Broadway in Fences and the revival of Romeo and Juliet. She has appeared off-Broadway in Love, Loss, and What I Wore and The Piano Lesson. Ruff’s film and television credits include The Help, the Big C, and A Gifted Man.

The event is sponsored by the Faculty-Student Association, the Theater Department, and the School of Arts and Humanities.

Charles Bachman, professor emeritus of English, will read from his new collection of poetry, Flinch Only a Little, today from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. Refreshments will be served. Please join us.

Stacey Branchini, co-founder of the It Happened to Alexa Foundation, will visit Buffalo State for the workshop "Parties, Alcohol, Drugs, and Rape" on Thursday, April 23, at 4:00 pm. in Ketchum Hall 200. Branchini, Alexa's mother, will discuss the meaning of Take Back the Night, personal responsibility, community, unity, and common goals to stop sexual assault. She will also discuss how the crime of sexual assault diminishes everyone it touches, not just the victim.

This event is one of a variety of programs held by Weigel Health Promotions in April to raise awareness and come together as a community for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. For more Weigel Health Promotions programs, check out our newsletter or follow us on Facebook.

Please contact Paula Madrigal, wellness and prevention coordinator, ext. 4719, with questions.

Weigel Health Promotions will host a coordinator from the SAFE (sexual assault forensic examiner) Program in collaboration with Crisis Services today, April 14, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Technology Building 358. The presentation will focus on the first moments and days after a sexual assault, including the victim's response, health-care needs, emotional support, and evidence collection.

This event is part of a variety of programs held by Weigel Health Promotions to promote participation in the events of Take Back the Night and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Please contact Paula Madrigal, wellness and prevention coordinator, ext. 4719, with questions.

The Professional Development Center will host "Valuing Diversity," the next session in the One Buffalo State series of conversations on creating a unified campus, on Thursday, April 16, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 181B.

Please register online via the CyberQuad Workshop Registration System. An online survey will be forthcoming for those who are unable to attend but would like to share their insights.

Please e-mail Lauren Turner, professional development assistant, with questions.

Please join the English Department to hear Charles Bachman, professor emeritus, read from his latest book of poetry, Flinch Only a Little, on Thursday, April 16, at 4:00 p.m. in the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore.

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

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Grade Center
The Grade Center in Blackboard Learn is more than just a way to record students' grades. It is a dynamic and interactive tool, allowing you to collect student submissions, record data, calculate grades, and monitor student progress. This workshop focuses on the skills necessary to use the Grade Center to manage students' grades for assignments, tests, discussion posts, etc. You can also create grade columns for any activities or requirements you want to grade, such as special projects, participation, or attendance. The Grade Center can be individualized to fit your needs.
Wednesday, April 15; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Thursday, April 16; 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

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.
Wednesday, April 15; 2:00–3:00 p.m.

A complete schedule of upcoming Blackboard training sessions and workshops is also available. Please register online.

Honors Convocation will be held on Thursday, April 16, at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. The campus community is invited to join us as we celebrate the academic achievements of our honored students. A light reception will immediately follow the event.

Requisitions for supplies, materials, services, and equipment from fiscal year 2014–2015 funds must be received in the Procurement Office by the close of business on the following dates:

$20,000 or more (noncontract)
Friday, May 15

$20,000 or more (state contract)
Friday, May 15

$2,500 to $19,999
Friday, June 5

Under $2,500
Friday, June 12

Furniture orders (all)
Friday, June 12

Purchase requisitions for computer equipment and equipment replacement requirements, as well as purchases through Staples/OfficeMax for office supplies, also must adhere to these deadlines.

In order to make ordering at the end of the fiscal year a smooth process for everyone, please do your best to plan your ordering as far in advance as possible to make sure you have the supplies you need before the cutoff dates. Sending in your requisitions well before the cutoff dates will give Procurement Services the time it needs to make sure your orders get placed before the deadlines.

Important note: It is the responsibility of departments to ensure that all requisitions for fiscal year 2014–2015 are received in the Procurement Office by 4:00 p.m. on the above deadline dates. Requests received after the deadlines will be held until the start of the next fiscal year.

Please call Steve Olsen in the Procurement Office at ext. 4113 with questions.