All faculty members are strongly encouraged to view and print a copy of the grading tip sheet (PDF), which should be used in conjunction with the grading instructions on the Banner website (PDF).

You may also view our video “How to Grade in Banner” and view or print the faculty grading tip sheet, the faculty grading schedule for 2014, and an explanation of grades at www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/FacultyGrading.xml.

The grading window for spring 2014 will open Monday, May 12, at 9:00 a.m. and close Wednesday, May 21, at 9:00 p.m.

Whether you are getting ready for teaching in the summer or just want to reacquaint yourself with some of the functions and tools within Blackboard, trainings are now available. Please visit the CyberQuad workshop website to review and register for sessions.

National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in April to encourage Americans to improve their understanding of financial principles and practices. The theme for 2014 is "Making Strategic Efforts for Financial Wellness."

Focusing on this theme, the following events are available this month to all employees, whether you wish to learn more about balancing a budget, managing credit cards, or saving for retirement.

One-on-One Consultations with Jeffrey Otterstein of VALIC Financial Advisors
Tuesday, April 8
Cleveland Hall 416
To schedule an appointment between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., visit VALIC online.

One-on-One Consultations with Jason Bird of MetLife Financial Services
Thursday, April 10
Cleveland Hall 410
To schedule an appointment between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., e-mail Jason Bird or call (716) 929-3378.

One-on-One Consultations with Richard Thompson of TIAA-CREF
Wednesday, April 16
Cleveland Hall 416
To schedule an appointment between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., visit TIAA-CREF online or call (800) 732-8353.

Workshop – "Financial Life Planning: Merging Your Money and Your Life," conducted by ING
Wednesday, April 23
Cleveland Hall 418
Noon–1:30 p.m.
RSVP to molly@teamifs.com or call (716) 626-3928. Lunch will be provided.

Workshop – "Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt," conducted by TIAA-CREF
Tuesday, April 29
E. H. Butler Library 210
Noon–1:00 p.m.
RSVP online or call (800) 732-8353. Lunch will be provided.

The SUNY benefits web page also offers a variety of financial education and planning tools.

This month is a particularly appropriate time to recognize the importance of planning for tomorrow, so please take this time to reflect on your own planning and what you can do to ensure that you are saving enough for your future. Please note: all employees are eligible to participate in the SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan.

Please call the Employee Benefits Office at ext. 4821 with questions.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, E. H. Butler Library will host a book spine poetry contest April 1–21. What is book spine poetry? It’s a form of poetry created using the titles on book spines to form brief poems at least two books tall.

How it works:

1. Create your book spine poem using any book available to you. Use any element of the spine you like (title, author, color, etc.). The format, length, and theme are entirely up to you (bonus points for poems about books or libraries).
2. Take a picture of your poem.
3. E-mail your poem to Katie Bertel, academic outreach and engagement librarian, or tag your poem with #butlerbookspine on Facebook or Twitter. To be eligible for a prize, you must include your name and title of the poem.
4. Submit as many poems as you like by Monday, April 21. 
5. Submissions will be posted anonymously to E. H. Butler Library’s Pinterest page.
6. Three winners will be announced at the end of the month. Winners will receive a prize from Argo Tea and will be featured on the E. H. Butler Library blog.

The contest is open to all Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff.

Questions? Ask Katie Bertel.

China Week 2014 is taking place this week, March 31 to April 4. Chinese culture with its arts and crafts exhibits is shown in the Student Union lobby from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day this week. Items are for sale. Please tell your students and colleagues to come and show their support.

The EV grade is now a permanent grade that will show on students' academic records. The EV grade is defined as "failure, never attended." You should not assign a Last Date of Attendance when an EV grade is assigned to a student.

X Grade Alert
When a grade is left blank on a submitted grade roster, Banner assigns an X grade. An X grade is defined as "grade not submitted." A grade should be submitted for each student on your roster. If the student did not attend, use the EV grade (for "never attended"). X grades posted to your rosters cause subsequent disruption to student academic records, leading to student inquiries and submission of grade change forms.

The grading window will open Monday, May 12, at 9:00 a.m. and close Wednesday, May 21, at 9:00 p.m.

We all forget what things like a (;) is for. Never fear. We are here to remind you.

Write Right: Quick Grammar Refresher
Friday, April 4
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Bacon Hall 217
Presenter: Emily Rose Barry

Please call the Academic Skills Center at ext. 4041 to reserve your seat.

Unyts will be on campus on today, April 1, for a blood drive. Please remind students that the bus will be outside Porter Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We are always looking for help to promote the drive, so if anyone needs volunteer hours and wants to help us distribute fliers around campus today, we could definitely use their help.

For more information, call Maureen MacLefko, community resources manager, at (716) 853-6667, ext. 3807.

This year’s Spring Forum, sponsored by the Research and Creativity Council, will be held on Friday, April 11, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in E. H. Butler Library 210. This year's theme is "Digging for Funding: Finding Fertile Ground." Taking a slightly different approach from previous years, the event will feature a panel discussion during the first hour. Faculty and staff members who have received funding in various ways will discuss their experiences with subcontracting, traditional grant funding, larger scale research grants, and partnering with other higher education institutions. The panel will be followed by roundtables facilitated by successful faculty members who will discuss their own funding, highlighting a variety of sources. RSVP for the Spring Forum on the Sponsored Programs website by Monday, April 7.

The SUNY Conversations in the Disciplines (SUNY CID) grant program is designed to bring together SUNY faculty and visiting scholars from non-SUNY institutions to examine trends, address changes and challenges, review promising research findings, and become acquainted with professional developments in their fields and on other campuses. SUNY CID focuses on scholarly and creative development designed to foster the professional and personal growth of participants and their respective campuses, rather than on administrative, curricular, or instructional matters.

For more information, please visit the SUNY CID website.

The deadline for proposals is Friday, April 18.