From the Assessment Advisory Board
The Assessment Advisory Board (AAB) is pleased to announce the 2014 Department Outstanding Assessment Award. This award ($4,000 added to department OTPS for one year) will be given to one department each academic year. This award is intended to recognize a department that is committed to best practices in assessment to improve student learning in its major program(s). Departments with multiple major programs may choose to submit an application based on one program or more than one program.

A department recognized by this award will serve as a model of how to achieve innovative reform, enhanced learning, strong leadership, and departmental commitment to ongoing evidence-based improvement. A previous winning application is available for review on Buffalo State’s Assessment website. Preference will be given to a major program that is fully developed and implemented, revealing the complete assessment cycle.

Applications must be received by Friday, May 30, and the award recipient will be announced after July 1. The AAB will evaluate applications according to the evaluation rubric and decide the award recipient. If, in the judgment of the AAB, no submission reflects excellence in assessment, no award will be given for this year.

AAB membership for 2013–2014:

• Lisa Berglund, Professor and Chair, English
• Susan Birden, Professor and Chair, Adult Education
• Shannon Budin, Associate Professor, Exceptional Education
• Kelly Frothingham, Associate Professor and Chair, Geography and Planning
• Lisa Hunter, Associate Dean, School of Arts and Humanities
• Meg Knowles, Associate Professor, Communication
• Christine Lai, Associate Professor, Business
• Rosalyn Lindner, Associate Vice President for Assessment and Curriculum
• Karen O’Quin, Associate Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences
• Elizabeth Szockyj, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
• Kathy Wood, Associate Dean, School of Education
• Rita Zientek, Associate Dean, School of the Professions

Questions concerning this application may be addressed to either Roz Lindner, ext. 5915, or Karen O’Quin, ext. 6434.

Please let your student leaders know that we are accepting applications until Friday, February 21, for orientation leaders, office assistants, and tactical assistants.

Orientation provides information and events that create a common experience and promote school spirit by fostering student learning and development both in and out of the classroom. To that end, Orientation is seeking student leaders who will work closely with and assist in our new students’ transition to Buffalo State.

More information is available on the Orientation website.
 

This program provides up to $400 to assist students in carrying out their research and creative activities during the academic year; up to $600 may be requested for a single project that involves two or more students. The funding is intended to help defray the cost of travel, supplies, and other materials necessary to conduct a research, scholarly, or creative project. It is not intended as salary for the student(s). Students receiving small grant awards will be required to participate in the 16th annual Student Research and Creativity Celebration scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3. The deadline for submission of applications by students is Monday, February 24 (mentors have until Wednesday, February 26, to complete their portion of the application). Applications for the Small Grants Program are completed online.

The International Student Affairs Office has officially established an International Student Orientation Fund that can receive donations at any time. The purpose of the initiative is to have funding that can cover the cost of taxi rides from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Buffalo State for international students when they arrive to move into their rooms. (International students will obtain a receipt for reimbursement.)

This program will apply only to those international students who have made prior reservations to live on campus.

The campus community is warmly invited to make donations to this special fund by calling the International Student Affairs Office at ext. 5331 or sending e-mail to Jean Gounard, director of international student affairs.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
This is an internal job posting open to employees of Buffalo State who are currently paid from any state-appropriated-funds payroll (i.e., State Funds, Income Fund Reimbursable, Residence Halls, Summer Session).

Manage caseload of Educational Opportunity Program students by monitoring academic, personal, financial, and career progress. Provide academic advisement to all students on caseload; maintain daily computerized log of counseling activities and anecdotal records as required for the state; actively participate in EOP advisement and registration process at college orientation; assist with completing department and individual reports as needed; instruct required EOP workshops and classes; actively participate in planning and implementing EOP Summer Program; work as the EOP point person for Admissions.

Required Qualifications:

• M.S. in counselor education, student personnel administration, human services, or related field
• Demonstrated experience with mental health counseling
• Demonstrated experience providing support to students who have historically shown ability and motivation in the face of economic and academic challenge
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history, purpose, and mission of EOP
• Demonstrated understanding of how to read and interpret applicants' folders for academic and financial credentials toward EOP admission
• Demonstrated ability to develop, plan, and present programs and workshops

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to work with a diverse student population in an academic support service area
• Experience with academic advisement and financial aid policies
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills

Closing Date: Friday, February 28

More information about EOP can be found on the department website.

Apply online.

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 they will take back with them to their home countries.

The American Host Family Program is designed to give an international student 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 students 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.

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, February 20.

Please come to an organizational meeting on Thursday, February 20, at 12:30 p.m. in Classroom Building B218 to learn about several exciting initiatives on campus concerning the study of law. Information will be provided about the following:

• Access for students to WestlawNext, the law research program used by UB and most of the major law schools in the United States
• An overnight trip to Washington, D.C., to sit in on an oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court and tour other law-related sites
• This semester's law luncheon series
• This semester's law school selection, application, and enrollment forum

Please contact Peter Yacobucci, assistant professor of political science, ext. 6207, if you have any questions. See you on Thursday!

Want to run in the 2014 Buffalo State student elections? Visit the United Students Government website to fill out an application. Today is the last day to submit applications.

The following positions are available:
USG President (one position, one-year term)
USG Executive Vice President (one position, one-year term)
USG Treasurer (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Academic Affairs (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Campus Affairs and Government Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Public Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Student Life (one position, one-year term)
USG Senator (40 positions, one-year term)
Faculty Student Association Board Member (two positions, two-year term)
College Senator (10 positions, one-year term)
College Council (one position, one-year term)
Student Assembly Delegate (two positions, one-year term)
Intercollegiate Athletics Board (non-competitor and at-large position available, one-year term)
Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee (one position, one-year term)
Grant Allocation Committee (three undergraduate positions, one graduate position, two-year term)

Descriptions and requirements of the positions are available online. Students will vote in the student elections between Monday, March 31, and Thursday, April 3, in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Want to run in the 2014 Buffalo State student elections? Visit the United Students Government website to fill out an application. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 28.

The following positions are available:
USG President (one position, one-year term)
USG Executive Vice President (one position, one-year term)
USG Treasurer (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Academic Affairs (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Campus Affairs and Government Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Public Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Student Life (one position, one-year term)
USG Senator (40 positions, one-year term)
Faculty Student Association Board Member (two positions, two-year term)
College Senator (10 positions, one-year term)
College Council (one position, one-year term)
Student Assembly Delegate (two positions, one-year term)
Intercollegiate Athletics Board (non-competitor and at-large position available, one-year term)
Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee (one position, one-year term)
Grant Allocation Committee (three undergraduate positions, one graduate position, two-year term)

Descriptions and requirements of the positions are available online. Students will vote in the student elections between Monday, March 31, and Thursday, April 3, in the Campbell Student Union lobby.