In the midst of an unfolding economic crisis of epic proportions, Buffalo State faculty members from theEconomics and Finance Department discussed its underlying factors, potential consequences, and possible solutions during Tuesday’s Bengal Pause. Students, faculty, staff, and reporters filled every seat in Bulger Communication Center East to learn more about the current troubles on Wall Street.

Ted Schmidt, department chair and associate professor, moderated a panel of four professors, each of whom presented a different aspect of the crisis.

Theodore Byrley, associate professor, explained how cash flows from prime and subprime mortgages are used to create collateralized mortgage obligations that are at the heart of the current government bailout debate. He cautioned attendees to look beyond the proposed $700 billion bailout to the much larger, shakier, and rapidly-growing market of credit default swaps, which stands at $42 trillion.

“What happens when the $700 billion runs out?” Byrley asked. “This is not a crisis about money; it’s a crisis about confidence.”

Joëlle Leclaire, assistant professor, argued that deregulation of the banking industry in 1999 and rising household debt contributed to the current crisis. She said that banks were once rewarded for providing more loans and more opportunities for home ownership, but that selling off loans in bundles created trouble for everyone when some high-risk borrowers could not repay their debts. Further compounding the problem, she said, is the fact that homeowners now rely on home appreciation values in lieu of personal savings.

Leclaire said that while a bailout would offer stability, having no bailout could actually present a “golden opportunity.”

“We could instead rebuild from the bottom up with a new public works program,” she said. “It would create jobs so that people could pay for their homes.”

Xingwang “Kevin” Qian, assistant professor, told attendees that other factors besides “greedy” Wall Street CEOs and government deregulation policies contributed to the crisis. He examined how huge sums of foreign capital drove down the interest rate in the United States and enabled more high-risk loans but led to dried-up credit and insolvent banks. Qian said the effects of the crisis are already trickling down to other countries, with Europe having recently pumped hundreds of billions of dollars into global credit markets in an effort to mitigate losses.

Bruce Fisher, visiting professor and director of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies, reminded attendees that because Wall Street is in New York City, there could be serious repercussions for the rest of New York State, including a lack of funding for pensions and Medicaid. Fisher said that diversifying the state’s economy with more jobs in tourism, construction, and public infrastructure would keep people employed—and in turn, keep people buying things and thereby drive the economy. He predicted the state will enact a “millionaire’s tax” by year’s end to address the budget deficit.

Schmidt ended the discussion by expressing hope for quick government action.

“Unfortunately, if the government does nothing about Wall Street’s problem, everyone will get hurt,” he said.

A podcast of the full 72-minute presentation is availableonline.

From the Vice President for Student Affairs
Thank you for your overwhelming support at the 2008 SEFA/United Way Campaign Kickoff. Approximately 60 solicitors, including faculty, staff, and students, spent their lunch hour at the kickoff, held in the Campbell Student Union on Monday, September 29. I welcomed Buffalo State students, faculty, staff, and guests in officially kicking off the campaign. Paulette Crooke, regional president for upstate retail banking for HSBC Bank USA, N.A., and 2008 United Way Campaign chair, brought greetings from the United Way. Dave Wilson, regional SEFA director, provided the volunteer training at 9:30 a.m.

Campus support for this initiative was also evident at the other kickoff scheduled during our third shift, where 30 members of the Buffalo State family attended in the Classroom Building on Friday, October 26, at 6:30 a.m. We were especially pleased that Stephanie Barber, senior vice president of the United Way, was available to address the third-shift staff.

Our goal this year is to continue the Buffalo State College tradition of giving with 100 pecent participation of all departments. I look forward to surpassing our goal and seeing all of you at our closing ceremony.

Thank you again.

Vice President Hal Payne, 2008 SEFA/United Way Campaign Chair

The Emeriti Luncheon, held twice a year, will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 4, in E. H. Butler Library 210. John Carbonara, professor emeritus of philosophy and religious studies, organizes the event. He said those who attend enjoy it very much.

“The group is made up of retired faculty members,” said Carbonara, who chairs the group. “It’s a nice way to see old friends and to keep in touch with each other and Buffalo State. The president joins us and tells us about any important events or plans.”

The deans also frequently attend. Benjamin Christy, dean of the School of Art and Humanities, joined the group last fall and spring. He plans to attend on Saturday as well.

“The luncheon is a wonderful social opportunity to connect with the former faculty members who developed Buffalo State’s academic foundation,” said Christy. “We thank them for their good work, which paved the way for current faculty and programs to thrive, and we provide updates on new college directions.”

Any retired faculty member who did not receive an invitation and who would like to attend the next luncheon should call Pamela Voyer, director of special events and protocol, at (716) 878-3725.

More than a year in the making, a redesigned Buffalo State College Web site featuring a new look, streamlined navigation, updated content, better integration of the college’s popular Web 2.0 tools, and greater interactivity is scheduled to launch in late October.

“We’re continually looking for ways to add to and improve the site,” said Paul Kruczynski, associate director of Web community and development in the College Relations Office. “You have to stay current.”

The college’s home page currently serves multiple audiences—prospective and current students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, friends, and others—and receives more than 10 million unique visitors each year. As such, the needs of site users are continually assessed.

“We want to weave together all the tools we have available and make the site holistic,” said Sue Zilliox, Web graphic designer. “We want it to look elegant and smart, and we want information to be even easier to find. The site should be more of an experience.”

Ongoing discussion with the Web Tastemakers group and a campus Web forum helped the Web team identify the features that are currently most important to faculty and staff. To gauge student needs, the Web team surveyed more than 200 Buffalo State students and completedcard-sorting exercises with more than 50 current students. In 2006, the Web team approached the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) about conducting a full-scale usability study with high school students.

“The most important thing we heard from the R.I.T. study was that prospective students want college Web sites to be as simple as possible,” Kruczynski said. “Simplifying our site is actually what takes the longest time to accomplish.”

For the redesign, simplifying has meant, among other things, making more room to focus on recruitment and community-building initiatives.

“We must engage prospective students in a compelling way,” said Ann Brown, interim associate vice president for college relations. “The new site will do that by creating opportunities to better showcase departments and allow faculty and staff to ‘talk’ directly to students. The ultimate goal is to get the best students in our classrooms.”

Simplifying the site also has meant collecting resources for specific audiences and putting them into single locations. For example, the site will feature a section called MYBuffState—a one-stop audience-specific destination designed to help pave the way for the campus portal. Pre-portal MYBuffState will feature direct links to all critical applications (Degree Navigator, Banner, e-mail, etc.) and commonly used campus resources. Audience-specific announcements will also be posted under MYBuffState.

“MYBuffState begins to look at serving a need that has continually been requested by faculty and students,” said Mark Norris, associate director of Web administration. “I think the concept really took off when For Faculty/Staffwas launched with the 2004 redesign. MYBuffState will become a greatly improved repository for everything you need.”

In addition, a News and Events section will debut. News, events, podcasts, blog and forum posts, and gallery photos will all be presented in an exciting, user-friendly format.

“It’s going to be great to finally have all of these resources in one spot,” Norris added. “The News and Events section will showcase everything that’s happening on campus in one easy-to-scan location. I know it’s going to become an extremely popular destination.”

The campus will sample the new site during a “soft launch” in mid-October, when home page coverage andDaily announcements will take users to a site preview.

The Web team is grateful for the collaborative spirit found within the Web Tastemakers, a group of faculty and staff members who have volunteered to work with the team to evaluate Web applications in process. New tastemakers are always welcome. Please contact Melissa Meehan, 878-3903, for more information about the site redesign or to volunteer to become a tastemaker.

Tutoring isn’t just for struggling students. So says Thomas Renzi, coordinator of the Academic Skills Center, a place on campus where instructors can refer students seeking individualized attention for academic achievement and personal success.

“The Academic Skills Center is much more than just a place for remedial help,” Renzi said. “Many students who come here are A and B students who are conscientious of maintaining their grades.”

Opened in 1984 through a Title IV grant, the Academic Skills Center has seen many changes during its 24 years. It has been housed in a variety of locations, including Cleveland Hall, Porter Hall, and since 1999, South Wing 330. What began with a few tutors has turned into a dozen.

Most importantly, the center operated for many years under a walk-in format. In contrast, today’s Academic Skills Center is much more formal and organized, Renzi said. A few years ago, staff members began using ScheduleVIEW, a software program that functions like an advanced spreadsheet to keep track of instructors’ availability as well as students’ visits and specific needs.

Recent changes like these have bolstered attendance and satisfaction. The center handled about 1,500 visits last semester, and a student evaluation survey reported a 92 percent satisfaction rate.

But beyond the changes, Renzi said, increased awareness and referrals from faculty and staff are the driving factors for the Academic Skills Center’s success. Students agree, citing instructors (40 percent) and word-of-mouth (22 percent) as the top two ways they learn about the center.

Renzi encourages instructors to deliver course syllabi and assignments to the center ahead of time if they would like students to receive focused tutoring. He cited instructors from two courses—EDU 201: Introduction to Education and SWK 317: Research in Social Work—who follow that model, resulting in better student performance. Instructors may also submit a referral form if they would like a record of a student who received course-specific tutoring.

Cynthia Eggleston, special assistant to the chair of the Elementary Education and Reading Department, knows the value of the form. Early each semester, she distributes it to instructors and lets both students and faculty members know that help is available if needed. She said students who go to the Academic Skills Center end up getting the boost they need to succeed in their classes.

“I find the Academic Skills Center staff members to be very friendly and accommodating to us and to our students,” Eggleston said. “The center has greatly assisted with our retention efforts, and when students utilize the services, the results have been very beneficial.”

Many students come to the Academic Skills Center for writing help, particularly to organize the structure of a paper, Renzi said. The center’s staff members are trained, however, in a variety of subject areas, including math, business, history, sciences, languages, literature, and grammar.

“Everyone here is a tutor-teacher,” Renzi said. “We’re skilled in different and multiple areas. I teach music, writing, and film. Keith Fulcher tutors writing and the social sciences. Lauren Copeland tutors writing, reading, study skills, and business. The list goes on for every tutor.”

In addition to individual tutoring, the Academic Skills Center offers an annual series of lectures and workshops, dubbed “Workshops to Success,” which tackle areas of personal development, computer proficiency, and writing and study skills. The center also has collaborated with the College Writing Program for “Write Right,” a similar series of writing-intensive workshops. A nearby computer lab with 25 terminals in South Wing 320 provides the center with additional support for students.

The Academic Skills Center’s Web site poses the opening question to visitors: “What student couldn’t use some special help once in a while?” Renzi believes that regardless of a student’s grade point average, it can sometimes feel intimidating to raise a hand in class for help. He hopes faculty and staff will become more accustomed to working with the Academic Skills Center and referring students.

“We can address specific, individual issues facing students,” Renzi said. “That’s the value and nature of tutoring. There is help. Students don’t have to struggle.”

Buffalo State College honored five of its most accomplished young alumni at a special reception on Friday in the Campbell Student Union. The Young Alumnus Achievement Award recognizes graduates of the last 20 years for their professional advancement, dedication to the community, and commitment to the college and its mission. The following individuals were honored for their achievements:

Cesar A. Cabrera, ’90, ’06
B.A., Broadcasting; M.S., Multidisciplinary Studies, Public Relations
WNY Regional Representative, NYS Department of Labor 

In his role, Cabrera develops community partnerships to address economic and workforce development needs for Western New York. He is a member of the Buffalo State College Alumni Association’s board of directors and assists a variety of local organizations in promoting social issues such as stable families, AIDS assistance, and mentoring. Cabrera also serves on the board of Citizen Action of New York and the statewide board of directors for the Public Policy and Education Fund of New York.

Gerald L. Cornish, ’90
B.S., Economics
First Vice President, Merrill Lynch

An 18-year employee of Merrill Lynch, Cornish manages hundreds of millions of dollars of financial assets for families, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. He serves on the boards of the Buffalo State College Foundation and the Summit Educational Resources Foundation, a nonprofit agency that provides therapeutic and educational services to children with learning, communication, and behavioral challenges. He has been involved with the Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, the Western New York Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Eastern Hills Rotary Club.

Kelly (Monahan) Frothingham, ’94, ’97
B.S., Urban and Regional Analysis and Planning; M.S., Multidisciplinary Studies
Associate Professor, Geography and Planning, Buffalo State College

Frothingham joined the Buffalo State College faculty in 2000. She was one of the college’s first members of the McNair Scholars Program and continues to play an active role in the organization as a mentor to students. She has also been involved with many community initiatives, including the Cayuga Creek Restoration Steering Committee and the Scajaquada Creek Watershed Advisory Council.

Christopher R. Gallant, ’92
B.A., Broadcasting
Director of Photography for Special Projects, WGRZ-TV

Gallant is a 16-year broadcasting industry journalist, producer, and director. He recently received an Emmy Award for a report on the wrongful conviction of Anthony Capozzi. An active participant in Buffalo State activities, Gallant regularly takes part in the Bengal 5K Run and Fun Walk, has volunteered for the Newman Center, and has served as a mentor for students in the Communication Department. He also is a volunteer board member for Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo’s independent media arts center.

David A. Kopasz, ’93
B.S., Food Systems Management
Vice President for Food and Beverages, Seneca Niagara Casino

Kopasz manages food and beverage operations for the Seneca casinos operating in Western New York. He is a member of the Buffalo State College Alumni Association’s board of directors and a prominent supporter of the Hospitality and Tourism Department, regularly visiting student classes. He also donates refreshments and food for the Alumni Association’s annual “Toast to the City” wine-tasting event.

More than 100 members of the Peterson Society were recognized for their generosity to the college at the annual Peterson Society Dinner on September 17 at the Buffalo Club. The Peterson Society is the college’s honor society for those who have made a gift to the college in their wills or through other estate-planning techniques.

“We cannot thank this group of people enough,” said Susanne P. Bair, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the Buffalo State College Foundation. “Their contributions are critical to the mission of this college and to its students.”

Bair joined Linda A. Dobmeier, ’71, chair of the Buffalo State College Foundation, in welcoming the gathering. President Muriel A. Howard; James Brandys, ’71, ’73, chair of the Buffalo State College Foundation Planned Giving Committee; and Bair also offered remarks. Paul R. Homer, professor emeritus of performing arts, served as pianist for the event.

Seventeen new members were inducted into the society this year, including Mark G. Littlefield, professor emeritus of modern and classical languages. When asked why he chose to make a gift to Buffalo State, Littlefield explained that he was grateful for the support his scholarship received from his colleagues and college administrators. “Because of that support,” Littlefield said, “my work received worldwide recognition. More importantly, it shows that Buffalo State College is a place that supports real scholarship.”

Other new members of the Peterson Society are Susanne P. Bair; Dolores E. Battle, ’71, and Charles Battle, ’88; Paula J. Devereaux, ’96; Dorothy Gustafson, ’37 (deceased); Daniel R. Idzik, ’56, and Kathleen Osborne; Daniel Gustave Leskow, ’69, ’75; Essie Gaffin Leskow, ’69, ’74; Phyllis M. Lutwack; Scott W. Phillips, ’94, and Mary C. Carroll, ’75; Hilary Sternberg; Vernon G. Strub, ’41 (deceased); Ralph M. Williams; and Loraine L. Yates.

To become a member of the Peterson Society, contact the Buffalo State College Foundation, Cleveland Hall 511, (716) 878-5536. A planned gift of any amount to Buffalo State College is welcome.

The Philosophy and Humanities Department presents its semiannual colloquia, encouraging critical thinking and discussion in the discipline. All sessions are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, October 1
“The Politics and Promise of Diversity in Philosophy”
Colette Davenport, philosophy major
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Ketchum Hall 313

Thursday, October 9
“Acting with Cartesian Resolve”
Kimberly A. Blessing, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, with commentator Colette Davenport, philosophy major
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Rockwell Hall, Metcalf Room

Wednesday, October 15
“Use of Student Feedback on Reflection Papers to Assess Critical Thinking”
Marianne Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of religious studies
2:00–4:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 208

Thursday, October 30
“Oedipus at the Trial of Socrates”
George T. Hole, Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy, with commentator Eric Umphreyville, philosophy major
3:00–5:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 210

Wednesday, November 5
“Who Wrote the Bible?”
Allen Podet, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, with commentators Yusuf Pratt, economics major; Matthew Abrantes, graduate student in history; Mark Abell, history education major; and Brenden Switzer, social studies education major
2:00–4:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 208

Wednesday, November 12
“Respect Thy Neighbor”
John Draeger, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, with commentator Joniel Howard, philosophy major
2:00–4:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 208

Thursday, November 20
“Untainted Dependency: An Answer to the Epistemological Challenges”
Julian Cole, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Rockwell Hall, Metcalf Room

Faculty members from the Economics and Finance Department will present a panel discussion on the current economic crisis on Tuesday, September 30, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Bulger Communication Center East.

The discussion, “The Wall Street Meltdown of 2008: What Happened, Why, and How,” will feature moderator Ted Schmidt, department chair and associate professor; Theodore Byrley, associate professor; Joëlle Leclaire, assistant professor; Xingwang Qian, assistant professor; and Bruce Fisher, visiting professor and director, Center for Economic and Policy Studies.

Don’t miss this year’s Homecoming/Family Weekend. Events continue through Saturday, September 20, and include the Buffalo State food drive and the Young Alumnus Achievement Awards Reception on Friday, and the ever-popular Shopping Cart Float Competition, Homecoming football game, and Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday. Please visit theHomecoming Web site for a complete list of events and activities.