Please join us for the fourth presentation in our annual Philosophy and Humanities Fall 2014 Faculty Colloquia, "Millennials and the Meaning of Life and Work in Downton Abbey," presented by Kimberly Blessing, professor of philosophy, on Wednesday, December 3, at 2:00 p.m. in Bishop Hall 242.

Please note: This presentation was rescheduled from November 12.

The Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore is featuring 25 percent off all fleece school spirit apparel through Sunday, November 23. Be sure to stop by the bookstore for your holiday shopping!

Registration Add Error messages have been simplified in Banner. For example, if a section is closed because it has reached maximum enrollment and there is no waitlist offered, the Registration Add Error message students receive is "Closed - Select another course." Another example: if a section is closed because it has reached maximum enrollment and there is a waitlist but it's full, the Registration Add Error message students receive is "Closed - Waitlist full - Select another course."

Please take a moment to review and bookmark the Registration Add Error message page. When students attempt to register for a section and receive a Registration Add Error message, they will also automatically receive an e-mail to their Gmail account with additional information. Students should then contact the instructor of the course they are trying to register for and forward the e-mail to request an override for the course.

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 2014–2015 academic year.

The deadline to submit applications under this funding cycle is Monday, December 1, for spring 2015 program proposals. An application for funding and complete details of requirements may be found online. 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, ext. 4631.

Letters from President Conway-Turner notifying UUP employees that they will receive a discretionary award were mailed Monday, November 10. UUP employees who did not receive an award letter are reminded that they may appeal the decision by Tuesday, November 18, as follows:

Appeal Process

• Any eligible faculty or professional staff member who is not notified by the president of an award by the designated date should assume that his or her name was not on the preliminary list. Employees not scheduled for an award and employees dissatisfied with the amount of their award may file an appeal with the Appeals Board. Reminder: self-nominations are not required to be eligible to appeal.
   
• The Appeals Board includes the president, the provost, the vice presidents, the CIO, the deans, and other administrative staff members selected by the president. The board will consider written appeals of no more than 600 words. The board meets in closed session, and testimony or personal appeals will be by invitation only.
   
• Written appeals, addressed to the president, must be delivered to the President’s Office by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 18. Copies (not originals) of the appeal must also be provided to the associate vice president for human resource management (secretary to the Appeals Board) and to the appropriate vice president, dean, director, or department chair.
   
• Appeal candidates will be notified of the outcome of the appeal by Tuesday, November 25.
   
• Discretionary awards will be reflected in the paychecks dated December 17, 2014.

Students from all over the world enroll at Buffalo State, and an important part of their orientation is the opportunity to learn firsthand about our cultural patterns, economic and political outlooks, and everyday language skills. These experiences can assist them in class discussions and in their social relations with other students. It also gives them a better understanding of the American culture, which they will take back with them to their home countries.

The American Host Family Program is designed to give an international student-scholar a family with whom he or she can visit, enjoy an occasional meal, celebrate holidays, participate in community sporting and cultural events, and gain insight about our country and culture. The program also gives host families the opportunity to learn about another country’s culture, holidays, and language. (It is important to note that it will be up to the host family and the student to discuss when and how often they will meet.)

International student-scholars are often far from home and do not see their families for months or even years. Some students may find the transition from their home country to our country very difficult. Being without their families and friends and adapting to a new culture and a new school can be difficult in many ways. The warm support of an American family can help alleviate their fears and frustrations.

We hope that your family will be interested in participating in this program.

Please contact Jean Gounard, director of international student affairs, ext. 5331, to join the Buffalo State American Host Family Program.

The Burchfield Penney hosts something great on the Second Friday of every month, thanks to the support of M&T Bank. With openings and happy hours, programs, concerts, screenings, and other special events, visitors experience the best of the Burchfield Penney. Gallery admission is free all day (10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.), with special events and programs beginning at 5:30 p.m. More information is available on the Burchfield Penney website. RSVP on Facebook, and invite your friends!

5:30–7:30 p.m. Opening celebration of Alexander O. Levy: American Artist, Art Deco Painter in the East Gallery and David Moog: When the Self Is Not in the Budin Corridor and Collection Study Galleries.

5:30–7:30 p.m. Happy hour with music by Jim Newhouse in the reception area 

5:30–7:30 p.m. Drop-in art-making workshop in the studio classroom

8:00 p.m. A Musical Feast
Tickets: $10 for Burchfield Penney members, $20 for “not yet” members.
Buy tickets online or call ext. 6011 during gallery hours.

The Burchfield Penney hosts something great on the Second Friday of every month, thanks to the support of M&T Bank. With openings and happy hours, programs, concerts, screenings, and other special events, visitors experience the best of the Burchfield Penney. Gallery admission is free all day (10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.), with special events and programs beginning at 5:30 p.m. More information is available at www.burchfieldpenney.org. RSVP on Facebook, and invite your friends!

5:30–7:30 p.m. Opening celebration of Alexander O. Levy: American Artist, Art Deco Painter in the East Gallery and David Moog: When the Self Is Not in the Budin Corridor and Collection Study Galleries.

5:30–7:30 p.m. Happy hour with music by Jim Newhouse in the reception area 

5:30–7:30 p.m. Drop-in art-making workshop in the studio classroom

8:00 p.m. A Musical Feast
Tickets: $10 for Burchfield Penney members, $20 for “not yet” members.
Buy tickets online or call ext. 6011 during gallery hours.

Please help the Buffalo State Student Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America collect
nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the Food Bank of Western New York during a campus food drive November 12–18. Students will complete a day of service at the Food Bank when they deliver the donations from Buffalo State.

The campus community may bring donations to any of the following locations:

• Buckham Hall A238 (Hospitality Department)
• Campus House foyer (J7 on the campus map [PDF])
• Butler Library Circulation Desk

Specific items needed:

• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruits
• Canned tomato sauces
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• Canned tuna, chicken, stews, and chili
• Canned or dried beans and legumes
• Peanut butter
• Pasta, rice, cereal, and oatmeal
• Shelf-stable milk (dry or evaporated)
• Canola or olive oil

Monetary donations payable to the Food Bank of WNY will be accepted by Krista Constantino,
Campus House guest services manager. Please call ext. 3300 for more information.

Want to show your Bengal pride in a new and exciting way? Please join Fashion and Textile Technology students and faculty, along with members of the campus community, on Tuesday, November 18, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Butler Library 210 for the next step in determining an official Bengal plaid. Light refreshments will be served.

Licensed college plaids are the newest way to show your school colors. Students taking classes in textile design and computer-aided design are working to develop a plaid that incorporates the official colors of Buffalo State. The campus community is invited to be among the first to see all the plaids and watch as the final selections are narrowed down to four.

What will be the result of the focus group? Once we have narrowed the choices to four, we will set up a website so that the entire campus community, including alumni, can vote to choose the new official plaid of Buffalo State. This plaid will be licensed to Buffalo State and registered as a tartan in Scotland. By next spring, we hope to have plaid ties, scarves, and other items that represent Buffalo State that we are proud to wear!