Robert Warren, assistant professor of biology, will share his research on Friday, April 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Bacon Hall 115 as part of the Emerging Scholar Speaker Series.

Whereas most climate-change research investigates big impacts at large scales, Warren examines big questions at small scales by looking for signals in the little things below the trees. He demonstrates how an active teacher-scholar approach makes accidentally stumbling into novel discoveries seem like a brilliant plan. He will discuss his scientific journey as a process of curious observation, paradigm infidelity, and blind luck.

The Counseling Center will host the webinar "Almost Anorexia on College Campuses: Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention" on Wednesday, February 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. The presenters are Jennifer J. Thomas, Ph.D., and Jenni Schaefer (author of Life without Ed).

Millions of men and women struggle with disordered eating. While one in 200 adults has experienced full-blown anorexia nervosa, at least one in 20 (one in 10 teen girls) has exhibited some key symptoms. Many suffer from the effects but never address the issue because they don't fully meet the diagnostic criteria. In their book of the same name, Thomas and Schaefer call this once-overlooked category "almost anorexic."

Drawing on the latest research, this webinar combines a psychologist's experience with a patient's personal recovery story to assist you in detecting and preventing eating disorders on campus. Further, you will learn proven strategies to help those who struggle find full and lasting recovery.

Please e-mail counselingcenter@buffalostate.edu or call ext. 4436 to let us know if you plan to attend. We hope you will join us.

Sharon Beckford-Foster, assistant professor of English at the Rochester Institute of Technology, will present "Canada, Eh? Modern Narratives of Race and Gender by British Caribbean Writers: (Re)Positioning the True North in a Black Diaspora" on Tuesday, February 11, from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 320. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Refreshments will be served.

Beckford-Foster also serves as a lecturer in Buffalo State’s School of Natural and Social Sciences. Her talk is sponsored by the English Department.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so why not purchase a Love Note from Buffalo State Dining for your friend or Valentine? Visit Spot Coffee and tell the cashier you would like to purchase a Love Note. You will then be asked to choose a treat for your special someone. Select from chocolate-covered strawberries, jumbo cupcakes, or heart-shaped sugar cookies. You will receive a red envelop and a piece of paper to write a Love Note to leave behind on the large red heart located by Spot Coffee. You will also receive a card to give to that special someone, letting them know they have a sweet treat and a Love Note waiting at Spot Coffee. This promotion runs through Friday, February 21, so get yours today!

For more information on Buffalo State Dining, please visit our website.

A SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grant (IITG) funded the development of a student success program at Tompkins Cortland Community College. The project, named Kaleidoscope, resulted in a significant increase in student success and retention rates and has improved student passing rates. In this program, faculty members worked through a course development process based on using open educational resources, or OER. This program is different from most OER programs in that instead of creating OER, the focus is on adopting existing OER to use in courses. The use of existing OER also saves students thousands of dollars in textbook costs.

Tompkins Cortland Community College will host a colloquium on Friday, March 28, funded by SUNY IITG, which will train faculty in the key areas of math and psychology. There will also be a general track for faculty who might be interested in other disciplines.

Watch a program overview video.
Watch a video that addresses faculty questions about the course development process.

For more information, please visit the Cvent website.

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center's Alternative Break program will host a Flower Sale Fundraiser on Thursday, February 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help cover the costs associated with travel and lodging during Alternative Break trips. 

Cost:

• $2 each
• three for $5
• seven for $10

The Faculty Development Center (FDC) invites interested faculty members to submit themes for Faculty Reading Groups. The FDC will work with reading group conveners to announce themes, facilitate group interactions, and provide appropriate space. While all themes will be accepted, the FDC is particularly interested in broad-based ideas that offer faculty from all academic areas the opportunity to join the conversations.

Please send ideas and themes to Bill White.

VALIC Financial Advisors will conduct the workshop "Social Security and Your Retirement," led by Jeffrey Otterstein, on Tuesday, February 11, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210.

You'll learn

• how Social Security benefits affect retirement,
• what married couples can do to increase their overall benefits,
• how to maximize your retirement income.

Guest speaker Marianne Koenig, Esq., will also briefly discuss wills, estates, and trusts and the use of these tools in a financial plan.

Visit VALIC online for additional information and to register. Space is limited. Lunch will be provided.

Camille Holmgren, associate professor of geography and planning, will present "Sonoran Desert Biogeography: Past, Present, and Future," on Friday, February 7, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 320. Everyone is welcome. A short, informal wine-and-cheese reception will be held after the talk.

Today is the last day to submit applications for the SUNY B-140W Tuition Assistance Program for the spring 2014 semester.

Staff members may apply for tuition assistance after six months of service; faculty members may apply after one semester of service. The following employees are eligible:

• Full-time Buffalo State faculty and professional or classified employees
• Part-time or temporary Buffalo State faculty and professional or classified employees who are employed at least half time (faculty must teach at least two courses in the semester)
• Full-time Research Foundation employees provided they work on the Buffalo State campus

Program funds may be used for courses at SUNY campuses only. Eligible employees may apply for a 50 percent waiver of SUNY tuition for up to two courses per semester, to a maximum of 15 credit hours per academic year. Tuition assistance is limited to regular in-state undergraduate or graduate tuition rates. The level of support may be adjusted when necessary if funding is not adequate to cover applications received. Visit the Human Resource Management website or call ext. 4821 for applications and program guidelines.