Buffalo State currently has 43 high-tech, or “smart,” classrooms and averages between eight and 10 regular-to-smart classroom conversions each year. Smart classrooms, designed for general use, leverage the latest technology. Each comes equipped with a networked computer, a VCR and DVD player, a document camera, a video projector, an audio amplifier, networked laptop connectivity, and an overhead projector.

Computers in these classrooms run on Windows XP, include a CD/DVD drive, and come loaded with a host of software, including Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, SPSS, SAS, Minitab, Mathematica, and ARTstor Offline Image Viewer.

Melaine Kenyon, associate director of instructional technology, manages the conversion and upgrade of Buffalo State’s technology classrooms. As a result of her efforts, Buffalo State is making its mark as a technology resource—most recently with the unveiling of Bulger Communication Center N2A as the college’s first IP videoconference learning space (photo above). In place for only two months, the classroom is being used regularly to host remote meetings and facilitate distance learning.

“I’m excited that we are able to interact with five other sites simultaneously and also that no proprietary networks are involved,” said Maryruth Glogowski, associate vice president for library and instructional technologies. “We can connect anywhere in the world as long as they have an Internet address.”

A large—and ongoing—task, classroom conversion is something Kenyon won’t take on alone. She works closely with the Smart Classroom Committee, a group she assembled and charged at the start of 2006 to assist with the identification of classrooms and classroom technology. The committee is composed of the associate deans as well as representatives from Instructional Resources, Computing and Technology Services, E. H. Butler Library, Campus Facilities, the Registrar’s Office, and Events Management.

The group meets regularly to select which classrooms will be targeted for technology enhancement or rehabilitation and also to evaluate the latest teaching technologies. Currently, the group is considering wider installation of wireless whiteboards, already in place in two School of Education instructional spaces, Bacon Hall 108 and 116A. The group is also discussing “clickers”—handheld devices that allow students to respond to questions, vote on issues, and complete multiple-choice exercises—as use expands steadily across campus.

This summer, smart classrooms Ketchum Hall 320, Caudell Hall 212, and Classroom Building 118 and 119 will be upgraded to reflect the current smart classroom setup; tab-arm chairs will also be installed in these classrooms to make better use of space and encourage discussion. In addition, Classroom Building 118 and 119 will be outfitted with instructor consoles designed especially for wheelchairs. For a complete list of technology classrooms and features, classroom images, and information on how to schedule technology classrooms, please visit the Instructional Resources Web site.

A sabbatical leave is a professional development opportunity available to academic employees. Guidelines are stated in the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees. Buffalo State’s yearly academic calendar defines application and notification deadlines.

Goals pursued during a sabbatical vary but in general involve activities such as research, travel, writing, creative and artistic endeavors, or other experiences of professional value.

Sabbatical reports, filed six months after completion of the leave, affirm scholarly products and experiences that are likely to enrich both the individual and the institution.

Buffalo State consistently supports sabbaticals as an outstanding opportunity for faculty development. Sabbaticals awarded in the past few years are:

Academic year 2004–2005: 15 sabbaticals
Academic year 2005–2006: 16 sabbaticals
Academic year 2006–2007: 19 sabbaticals
Academic year 2007–2008: 21 sabbaticals

I’m delighted that the college will continue support for sabbaticals in academic year 2008–2009. The following sabbaticals have been awarded:

Fall 2008
Sarbani Banerjee, Computer Information Systems
Theodore Byrley, Economics and Finance
Joaquin Carbonara, Mathematics
Daniel Cunningham, Mathematics
Ellen Friedland, Elementary Education and Reading
Lin Xia Jiang, Fine Arts
Susan Leist, English
Mary Murdock, Creative Studies
Alicia Perez-Fuentetaja, Biology
Phyllis Pomerantz, Social Work
Jean Richardson, History and Social Studies Education
Cherry Searle, Technology
Aimable Twagilimana, English

Spring 2009
Zeki Al-Saigh, Chemistry
Lisa Berglund, English
Susan Birden, Educational Foundations
Simeon Chilungu, Anthropology
George Hole, Philosophy
P. Rudolph Mattai, Educational Foundations
Susan McMillen, Mathematics
Rehka Menon, Fine Arts
Nanci Monaco, Educational Foundations
Tara Nahabetian, Design
Ted Schmidt, Economics and Finance

Fall 2008 and Spring 2009
Donald Hetzner, History and Social Studies Education
Barbara Miller, Modern and Classical Languages

Applications and nominations are requested for students to be considered for the following student awards:

• Mildred Keller Campbell Leadership Award
• Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
• Phillip Santa Maria Memorial Award

Nomination forms are available on the Student Life Web site and from the Academic and Student Affairs Office, Cleveland Hall 519; the Student Life Office, Campbell Student Union 400; Dean of Students Office, Campbell Student Union 306; United Students Government, Campbell Student Union 402; Student Union Information Desk, Campbell Student Union lobby; Residence Life, Porter Hall; Career Development Office, Cleveland Hall 306; Weigel Health Center; and the Intercollegiate Athletics Office, Sports Arena. Completed nomination folders must be submitted to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Office, Campbell Student Union 306, by the specified deadline for each award.

For additional information, call Charles B. Kenyon, associate vice president and dean of students, at (716) 878-4618.

The Mildred Campbell Leadership Award

Deadline: Friday, February 22

The Mildred Campbell Leadership Award recognizes a Buffalo State College student whose work has had a positive impact on student life and who has excelled as an extracurricular leader among students on campus. The award is offered annually to an undergraduate student based on the evaluation of the nominee’s leadership credentials in accordance with established criteria.A plaque and award citing the recipient’s distinction is presented at a ceremony held in the spring semester. The recipient also will receive a monetary award.

Criteria for Selection:

• Undergraduate student
• Minimum of 24 credit hours completed at Buffalo State College
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
• Strong record of extracurricular leadership at Buffalo State College, demonstrated through personal development, campus organizational leadership and citizenship, and community service

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges

Deadline: Friday, February 22

For nearly seven decades, Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges has assisted in the tradition of furthering the aims of higher education by recognizing and rewarding academic excellence on a national level.Buffalo State is among the 1,900 institutions participating in this national program. As a lifetime benefit, students selected for inclusion in Who’s Who are entitled to use a free reference/placement service when seeking postgraduate employment or fellowships.A certificate citing the recipient’s distinction will be presented at a ceremony held in the spring.

Criteria for Selection:

• Undergraduate student with a minimum of 24 credit hours completed at Buffalo State and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Graduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.5
• Strong record of leadership at Buffalo State, demonstrated through personal development, organizational leadership, citizenship, and community service

The Phillip Santa Maria Memorial Award
Deadline: Friday, February 29

The Phillip Santa Maria Memorial Award recognizes a Buffalo State College undergraduate student who has demonstrated a well-rounded character, exhibiting not only scholastic achievement but also active participation in campus life at Buffalo State College and in the Western New York community, and a desire to improve the world. A plaque and award citing the recipient’s distinction are presented at a ceremony held in the spring. The recipient also will receive a monetary award.

Criteria for Selection:

• Undergraduate junior or senior enrolled full time (minimum 12 credit hours) at Buffalo State College during the academic year in which the award is made
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Evidence of high integrity
• Evidence of volunteer service on campus and within the larger community while a student at Buffalo State College

University policy prohibits the assessment of general science fees, laboratory fees, and fees for course materials, i.e., texts and/or supplies. These fees are prohibited, as university tuition guarantees students access to the facilities and supplies considered necessary for their courses. However, campuses may establish deposits in science courses requiring laboratory work as collateral against which replacement costs for damage may be assessed.

University policy also requires that students purchase supplies and materials necessary for credit-bearing courses at the campus store or other appropriate commercial outlet. When this is not feasible in terms of efficiency, cost containment, or method of distribution, a request may be submitted to establish a course-related fee if students will retain the end product of the laboratory course work, e.g., sculpture/ceramics, photography. Please review your department fee schedule for compliance with university fee policy. Fees not in accordance with the above directives should be discontinued.

Contact James Thor, associate vice president and comptroller, at (716) 878-4117 with questions concerning this policy.

All student, faculty, and staff personal and academic information is private and confidential, and is protected by various state and federal laws. Buffalo State College employees must, by law, protect the privacy of this information.

Failure to protect personal and academic information may result in legal action against offending employees. Employees accused of failure to protect confidential information that results in harm to an individual may not be covered by the Public Officer's Law, and therefore not defended by New York State.

Examples of personal information that must be kept confidential: Social Security number, health information, disability status, etc. Faculty and staff must ensure that information contained on the employee change form is kept confidential.

Examples of academic information that must be kept confidential: grades, class schedule, student ID number, etc. Faculty and staff members may not post test scores or grades using any portion of a student's name, Social Security number, or student ID number. Faculty and staff must refrain from providing students' parents with information related to their student's academic performance or other personal information, unless given permission to do so by the student.

For more information:

State and Federal Laws:

• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (confidentiality of financial information): see the Human Resource Management and the Federal Trade Commission Web site.

   

   

• HIPAA (confidentiality of health information): see the Buffalo State Bulletin and the NYS Governor’s Office of Employee RelationsWeb site.
   

   

• FERPA (confidentiality of student/academic information): see the Academic Affairs or theU.S. Department of Education Web site.
   

   

• Restrictions on use of student Social Security numbers: see the New York State LegislatureWeb site; search for Education Law 2-b.
   

   

• New NYS law on notification of information security breach: see the New York State Legislature Web site; search for Article 39-F of GBS (General Business Law)

Questions regarding privacy of the employee change form, employee contracts, official employee files, etc.:
Susan Earshen, director, Human Resources, (716) 878-3042

Questions regarding privacy of student information and FERPA:
Mark Bausili, registrar, (716) 878-4907

Questions regarding health information and HIPAA:
Rock Doyle, assistant director, medical systems, (716) 878-6711

Questions regarding legal liability and any legal action against the college or an employee: 
James Thor, comptroller, (716) 878-4117

The SUNY Office of University Counsel advises that all college offices be notified of the procedures to follow regarding the receipt of legal papers of any kind by a campus employee. Accordingly, Buffalo State’s procedures are as follows:

The associate vice president for finance and management/comptroller is the college’s official liaison to the Office of University Counsel for the purpose of receipt of service of legal papers on the college, notification of the area of the college affected (required to respond), and decision about who should notify SUNY counsel, the attorney general, or other parties. When legal papers of any kind are served upon a campus employee or the college, the campus liaison should be contacted immediately and the legal papers should be forwarded to the liaison.

If the associate vice president for finance and management/comptroller is unavailable, the referral should be made to the assistant vice president for finance and management.

This procedure is especially important when legal papers request personnel files or information on students or are requests made under the USA Patriot Act. Various other rights, such as those afforded by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the Personal Privacy Protection law, and collective bargaining agreements, are involved in those situations.

College resources, including equipment, supplies, services, and facilities, shall be used for official college business only. Use of college resources for commercial purposes or for personal gain is prohibited. Any loan of college property (other than library materials) to any party for personal use is prohibited. Direct any questions regarding this policy to James Thor, associate vice president and comptroller, ext. 4117.

Since the appointment of Kevin Railey as associate provost and dean of the Graduate School in June 2007, the Graduate School staff has been reviewing roles, responsibilities, and charges. That review now complete, the Graduate School announces the following changes:

Professional Staff

Kimberly Jackson, Assistant Dean for Strategic and Enrollment Planning and Program Coordinator for Individualized Studies, Multidisciplinary Degree

Kim Jackson has some new duties and a new title reflecting those duties. This shift is horizontal in nature. Jackson will be program coordinator for the individualized studies portion of the multidisciplinary degree and work closely with associate deans, chairs, and coordinators. She will no longer manage day-to-day office operations. She continues to report to the dean of the Graduate School.

Jackson is responsible for planning and implementing effective policies and procedures related to advancing the mission of the Graduate School. She is charged particularly with managing the enrollment of graduate students in all regards—effective graduate marketing, recruitment, and retention; overseeing the academic probation process; and periodically reviewing the effectiveness of all policies and procedures and making recommendations to the graduate dean. Key roles are to provide leadership in achieving the college’s graduate enrollment and retention goals and to work with campus constituents including the associate vice president for enrollment management, associate deans, and department chairs and coordinators to achieve those goals.

Marsha Moses, Assistant to the Dean, Internal Operations
In addition to her other ongoing duties, Marsha Moses will become the day-to-day manager of office operations; she will no longer serve as secretary to the dean. No title change will occur.

Moses is responsible for general oversight of the operations of the office and the staff. Working with the dean and the secretary to the dean, Moses is responsible for developing plans and strategies for the effective operation of the office, for reviewing operations and procedures, and for making recommendations for improvements (when appropriate). She reports to the dean.

Mary Lou Hartnett, Assistant to the Dean, Operational and Banner Training (and Liaison to the Banner Team)
Mary Lou Hartnett will continue her training functions for the staff, but she will no longer be the program coordinator of the individualized studies portion of the multidisciplinary degree. No title change will occur.

She is responsible for training staff to develop a comprehensive understanding of office operations and processes and to learn and utilize the Banner enterprise system. She reports to dean.

Jessica Sobzcak, Staff Assistant for Data Reporting and Recruiting
Jessica Sobzcak supports the work of the assistant dean and the dean by providing data reports and analysis of data, and by playing a lead role in recruiting efforts.

CSEA Staff

The sole change within the CSEA staff affects Lynn Weldon, who is now secretary to the dean.

Lynn Weldon, Secretary to the Dean
Linda Wick, Graduation Coordinator
Mary Jo Illuzzi, Receptionist
Susan McKnight, Admissions Coordinator

All members of the campus community are cordially invited to the president’s annual State of the College address at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, February 21, in Warren Enters Theatre in Upton Hall. After her remarks, President Howard will respond to questions. Refreshments will be provided in Upton Hall lobby following the presentation.

From the President
At its December 14, 2007, meeting, the College Senate voted to forward the following proposal to the president for approval and action:

The President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty and Staff Mentoring

The President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty and Staff Mentoring will be presented annually to a maximum of two individuals—one faculty and one staff member—who demonstrate those qualities associated with outstanding mentoring of new faculty and staff. Good mentoring needs to be recognized as a significant aspect of faculty and staff responsibility within or outside the department. A major goal related to the establishment of these awards is to encourage wider support and recognition of the importance of faculty and staff mentoring at Buffalo State College.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Evaluation of nominees will be based on the evidence of effective mentoring qualities and practices that distinguish each nominee as an outstanding faculty or staff mentor. Individuals nominated must have been full-time faculty or staff members and engaged in mentoring activities at Buffalo State College for a minimum of two academic years prior to nomination.

1. Demonstration of a strong mentoring relationship with mentee(s).
2. Accessibility to mentor.
3. Ability to help the mentee(s) work toward his/her academic and career goals.
4. Mastery of relevant institutional and departmental regulations, policies, and procedures.
5. Assistance and support provided to mentee(s) in the mentorship process.
6. Use of appropriate information sources and referral sources.
7. Input by students, colleagues, or supervisors of nominee’s mentoring skills.

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by a colleague, department, student, or other member of the college community. A selection committee of four faculty members (one from each of the schools), one librarian, one professional staff member, and two students selected by the provost will recruit and screen nominees and make recommendations to the provost. Nominators will submit to the committee:

1. Nomination form.
2. Letter of nomination detailing
   ---- the subjective and/or objective criteria and measurements used to determine that this mentor is eligible for this award;
   ---- the specific characteristics that qualify this mentor for the award and examples of how these characteristics are demonstrated;
   ---- the contributions made to the campus mentorship program as well as to individual mentee growth and development.
3. Letters of support from colleagues/mentors (maximum of three).
4. Evaluative statement from chairperson or supervisor.
5. Letter of support from mentee.
6. Current vita.

I hereby approve the resolution to establish the President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty and Staff Mentoring and charge the provost with the responsibility of implementing the nomination and selection process for the 2008–2009 academic year.