From the Chair of the College Senate
New Senator Orientation for all new incoming senators, both faculty and student, will be held Thursday, September 11, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Cleveland Hall 418. It is recommended that new senators attend to become familiar with Robert’s Rules, general protocol, rules on how Senate meetings are conducted, and what is expected of serving senators. The first College Senate meeting of the fall 2014 semester will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, in E. H. Butler Library 210.

From the Chair of the College Senate
If you are interested in serving on one of the eight College Senate standing committees for 2014–2015, the Committee Interest Form will be posted on the Senate Standing Committees web page on July 1. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Monday, August 4. As with the Senate bylaws, the committee chairs must have all members chosen by August 25, the start of the fall semester, and distribute the lists to the College Senate for review before the first Senate meeting. Standing committee chairs reserve the right to determine committee membership and make all membership decisions. Not all standing committees may need members.

For more information, please contact Vincent Masci, ext. 5139.

From the Chair of the College Senate
If you are interested in serving on one of the eight College Senate standing committees for 2014–2015, the Committee Interest Form will be posted on the Senate Standing Committees web page on July 1. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Monday, August 4. As with the Senate bylaws, the committee chairs must have all members chosen by August 25, the start of the fall semester, and distribute the lists to the College Senate for review before the first Senate meeting. Standing committee chairs reserve the right to determine committee membership and make all membership decisions. Not all standing committees may need members.

For more information, please contact Vincent Masci, ext. 5139.

From the Chair of the College Senate
If you are interested in serving on one of the eight College Senate standing committees for 2014–2015, the Committee Interest Form will be posted on the Senate standing committees web page on July 1. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Monday, August 4. As with the Senate bylaws, the committee chairs must have all members chosen by August 25, the start of the fall semester, and distribute the lists to the College Senate for review before the first Senate meeting. Standing committee chairs reserve the right to determine committee membership and make all membership decisions.

For more information, please contact Vincent Masci, ext. 5139.

From the Chief Information Officer
A report and summary of results from the TechQual+ IT Services survey that concluded in November 2013 are now available. Five hundred ninety-one students, faculty, and staff completed the survey; 73 percent of the respondents were students.

The survey asked 13 questions covering three categories: Connectivity and Access, Technology and Collaboration Services, and Support and Training. The results include scoring on the 13 questions, comments from survey participants, and actions being taken to address issues identified in the survey.

From the Chief Information Officer
A new Classroom Instructional Lab Policy has been published. The policy is intended to maximize use of classroom instructional labs, reduce the cost of academic software, increase access to software for student assignments, and ensure the integrity of specialized labs. The policy was created with input from a broad range of campus stakeholders and considered current utilization data.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
Buffalo State submitted its 2013–2014 Internal Control Summary and Certification to SUNY on April 11, 2014. This is a critical submission for the campus as it summarizes a year’s worth of internal control program activities, reviews, and audits.

At this time, staff members in SUNY System Administration have completed review of all campus submissions and submitted SUNY’s agency-wide response to New York State. Buffalo State’s submission and responses were found to adequately address the six requirements set forth in Budget Policy and Reporting Manual B-350, and full compliance has been recorded for the campus for the year ending March 31, 2014.

Acceptance of Buffalo State’s certification by SUNY recognizes our comprehensive efforts to promote organizational efficiency and economy and encourage adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and managerial policies and practices.

As a member of the Buffalo State community, you should be aware that internal controls are everyone’s responsibility. A copy of the campus submission is available on the Buffalo State Internal Control Program website. I encourage your review of Buffalo State’s certification submission and welcome any questions you may have.

We look forward to your continuing support for internal controls and value your efforts toward this end.

From the Chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee
To the SUNY Buffalo State Community:

It is with great enthusiasm that I inform the campus community that State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will recommend the appointment of Katherine Conway-Turner as Buffalo State’s ninth president to the SUNY Board of Trustees at its next meeting.

If approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, Dr. Conway-Turner will begin her presidency at Buffalo State on August 4, 2014. Dr. Howard Cohen, who has been serving for the past academic year as interim president, will conclude his tenure on August 1. We all appreciate the outstanding leadership of Dr. Cohen during the past year. It is fully understood that he stepped into the presidency at a fragile time for Buffalo State, after the loss of Aaron Podolefsky. Howard has brought great leadership, direction, and priority to the institution, which he led with distinction and integrity. We are proud of our association with Howard and his wife, Patty, who has been a great advocate and partner with him, and we express our gratitude and best wishes to them in all their future endeavors.

Our institution’s future is bright, and I’m extremely confident that Dr. Conway-Turner will be an inspiring leader for Buffalo State. Her academic and educational background will provide new, insightful leadership, guiding our campus into a new era. Dr. Conway-Turner is a lifelong educator, scholar, author, and humanitarian who brings a distinguished record of leadership and administrative experience to her new position. She is clearly inspired by the mission of our college and has lived an inspiring life of personal growth and accomplishment. I know that her husband, Dr. Alvin Turner, will be a great advocate and partner for the betterment of Buffalo State as well.

Download the curriculum vitae for Katherine Conway-Turner (PDF).

I want to once again thank the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, the Buffalo State College Council, and the entire Buffalo State community for participating so actively in our search process. Thank you all in advance for your continued commitment to Buffalo State and for the warm welcome that I know you will extend to Kate and Alvin.

Sincerely,

Howard Zemsky
Chair, Presidential Search Advisory Committee
Chair, Buffalo State College Council

From the Chair of the College Council
The next meeting of the Buffalo State Council will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s executive board room.

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Executive Session
3. Adjournment

From the Chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee
Members of the campus community are reminded to evaluate Dr. Margaret E. Madden, our fifth candidate for the position of president, using the electronic survey. The survey will close tonight, Thursday, May 15, at 11:59 p.m.

Thank you.

Howard Zemsky
Chair, Presidential Search Advisory Committee
Chair, SUNY Buffalo State Council