Buffalo State is pleased to welcome Chenn Zhou, director of the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) and interim associate vice chancellor for research and graduate studies at Purdue University Calumet, who will speak about the methodologies and applications of virtual reality (VR) technologies on Monday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 208.

CIVS is a multidisciplinary center that combines advanced simulation techniques with 3-D visualization and VR technologies. Recognized globally for its applied research, CIVS has developed methodologies to integrate numerical simulation and VR visualization with various applications in disciplines such as engineering, technology, health care, science, and the humanities. A number of interactive virtual learning and training modules have been developed and demonstrated to be highly effective, with significant educational and economic impacts. These methodologies have also proved useful for virtual design to solve real-world problems addressing issues on energy, environment, productivity, safety, and quality. Through its industrial partnerships, CIVS has provided innovative solutions to companies, saving over $30 million.

The public administration program invites the campus community to the spring 2014 MPA Project Poster Session on Wednesday, May 14, at 4:00 p.m. E. H. Butler Library 210. Students matriculated in the master of public administration in public and nonprofit management will present posters summarizing their MPA project research. For more information, please contact Jyldyz Kasymova, assistant professor of political science, ext. 3879.

Buffalo State's public administration program will host John Ericson, chief of the Outreach Unit in the Office of Human Resources Management of the United Nations in New York, on Thursday, April 17, at 4:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. Ericson joined the UN in Vienna in 1982 and has worked in social affairs, training, administration, recruitment, and staffing. He spent five years at the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa as a social affairs officer. He has served in peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia and Cambodia, and has also worked in Bangkok and Nairobi. During this period, he was involved in the evacuation of UN staff from Ethiopia in 1991 and ran a polling station during the 1993 elections in Cambodia. This event is free and open to the public. Funded by the Grant Allocation Committee.

All students are invited to be part of an evening of songs, dance, and poetry and participate in this opportunity to write a letter to a faculty member, staff member, or student they appreciate because the person has touched their life in a positive way. Meet and be inspired by participating student UPstanders! Sharing how someone has had an impact on us reinforces our goal to nurture a civil and caring community.

Monday, April 7
6:00–8:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 210

This event is part of Mental Health Awareness Week. For other scheduled events, visit the Counseling Center's website.

Music arranged and inspired by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca will be performed by members of the SUNY Fredonia School of Music on Thursday, April 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Ciminelli Recital Hall (third floor of Rockwell Hall). Musicians include Natasha Farny, cello; Daniel Ihasz, baritone; and James Piorkowski, guitar. The concert is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, the Music Department, and the Modern and Classical Languages Department.

Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend the WNY ACE Women's Network breakfast seminar featuring keynote speaker Mary-Beth Cooper, president of Springfield College in Massachusetts, on Friday, April 4, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. The title of her presentation is "The Road to Presidency: Navigating a Path to Senior Leadership in Higher Education." Admission is $15, payable at the door by cash or check. Hope to see you there.

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the regulatory framework used to determine whether or not a student has made acceptable progress toward a degree or certificate for continued aid eligibility. These regulations place accountability on both the institution and the student to promote the efficient use of federal aid funds and encourage timely degree completion. The Financial Aid Office (FAO) reviews SAP after grades are officially posted each semester. (Note: J-Term is included in the spring review.) 

Students must meet or exceed each of the following three federal SAP standards:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Undergraduate students must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 2.0. 
• Graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 3.0. 

2. Cumulative Pace Rate (Earned Credits/Attempted Credits)

• All students (undergraduate and graduate) must successfully complete at least 66.67 percent of all courses they attempt. Grades that are considered unsuccessful attempts, thereby lowering the pace rate, include F, U, E, I, IP, N, W, EV, X, and grades removed through clemency.

  Exception: New first-time freshmen must successfully complete 50 percent of their courses their first two semesters. Beginning with their third semester, their cumulative pace rate must be at least 66.67 percent.

3. Maximum Time Frame

• All students must be able to complete their degree or certificate program within 150 percent of the published program length, as measured in credit hours. Federal aid is terminated when the FAO determines that it is no longer mathematically possible for the student to complete the degree within this time frame. Students cannot appeal the maximum time frame standard for any reason.

  Example: For a degree program that requires 120 earned credits, students must be able to complete the degree within 180 credit hour attempts (120 x 150%).

Students who do not meet the minimum federal SAP standards are given one warning semester to come into compliance while still receiving aid. If the SAP standards are not met at the end of the warning semester, students forfeit federal aid eligibility until all standards are met. Federal aid includes all federal grants, loans, and work-study. In limited cases, students who have experienced a mitigating circumstance (e.g., death of a parent) may appeal to have their aid reinstated for one semester.

Additional SAP Resources:

• Federal SAP Guide
• Case studies of each SAP component
• Federal aid appeal process

If you have questions regarding this article, please contact us at finaid@buffalostate.edu or ext. 4902. All questions and answers will be posted in the “You Asked for It” section of the FAO website. Click on the “Faculty and Staff” link (bottom left).

Research indicates that hard skills (specific functions on the job) and soft skills (interpersonal relations) are valuable in the workplace, especially if you're seeking a promotion. What can you do to improve your soft skills? Learn more on Tuesday, April 8, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 181B. Snacks provided.

Register through the CyberQuad Workshop Registration System.

Tuesday Talks: Brown-bag lunches with a purpose!

Matthew Bitterman from U.S. Border Patrol and Richard J. Misztal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection will present "Homeland Security Rules and Regulations" on Tuesday, April 8, from 12:10 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160. This lecture is given at the invitation of Buffalo State's International Student Advisory Council. The talk is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information, please contact Jean F. Gounard, director of international student affairs, ext. 5331.

On behalf of the Buffalo State Campus Intercultural Communications Committee, the International Student Affairs Office is delighted to invite all internationally minded faculty, staff, and students to attend our well-known weekly International Social Hour, which allows all international students, scholars, and their friends to meet informally. This special get-together takes place every Thursday from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Assembly Hall 1 of the Campbell Student Union.

Coffee, tea, and other light refreshments are graciously shared.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 10.