Intersemester and Winterim weren’t the only options for exercising the mind during the winter break. From January 3 through 5, nearly 20 faculty and staff members participated in a series of workshops designed to create a team of diversity trainers on campus.

Gail Wells, director of student life, and Joyce Shabazz, a consultant and associate with the National Coalition Building Institute, led the training in Butler Library 210. An eclectic group of participants experienced small-group sessions, role-playing exercises, and deep-listening techniques as part of NCBI’s Welcoming Diversity Train-the-Trainer program.

While participants ultimately learned how to lead the NCBI’s “Welcoming Diversity Campus Program”—a one-day session designed to diminish prejudice—the effects of the three-day series will be far more reaching, according to Kevin Railey, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. Railey worked with Wells to organize the sessions; together, they will lead the new team of facilitators.

“This training was very different than the traditional academic model,” he said. “As opposed to what we’re accustomed to—being persuasive and argumentative, and being quick to judge and criticize—the activities taught everyone how to respect people across differences and to build coalitions through support and acceptance.”

In the long term, Railey and Wells hope the skills learned will influence academic curricula and lead to NCBI-related research. In the short term, the series served to reenergize Buffalo State’s status as an NCBI campus affiliate and lay the foundation for a new Coalition Building Team composed of dedicated faculty and staff.

Buffalo State has been an NCBI campus affiliate since 1995 and has hosted Shabazz before for various trainings, but this is the first time this decade that the college has offered the Train-the-Trainer program. Plans to bring the program back to campus began nearly two years ago; the Provost’s Office agreed to provide investment funds last fall.

“There’s no quick fix for diversity—it needs long-standing relationships,” said Wells. “We need to build teams, and have all layers invested in the solution.”

The training was a resounding hit among attendees, who described it as “extremely useful,” “eye-opening,” and “phenomenal.”

“We were all close to tears once we had to say goodbye—it’s really great to have so many new connections throughout campus,” said Maureen Lindstrom, associate director for information commons in Butler Library. “I learned why people react the way they do to certain situations, learned to respect people’s differences, and learned about the magnitude of people’s differences. I think, inherently, all people are good inside—it’s just that their reactions sometimes reflect what [limited information] they’ve learned.”

Laura Hill Rao, coordinator of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center, sees many applications for her department. “We can use the NCBI model to better prepare our students for engaging in a diverse community,” she said. “From there, we can help them relay what they encountered back to other students, in an effort to help even more people learn from these experiences.”

Program organizers think the campus’s commitment to diversity has never gone away, but rather that the recent training program complements college goals. The program, they say, was an invaluable experience that created “transferable communication skills.”

“Buffalo State’s relationship with NCBI is an opportunity for us to create a culture that fully supports the development of relationships among different groups of people across campus,” said Wells. “Through the Coalition Building Team, people now have a place where they can explore people’s differences and learn how to respect them.”

Two parking lot assaults last month heightened awareness of safety and crime prevention across campus. But well before the incidents occurred, one group—the Student Behavior and Risk Assessment Committee—began focusing more intently on community well-being.

The Virginia Tech tragedy last April provided the impetus for the college to take a more systemic approach to documenting and preventing crime. “At the start of the fall semester, we assembled a group of people from many areas of the college and then met weekly to discuss incidents,” said Charles Kenyon, dean of students and head of the committee. “We’re tracking incidents and connecting the dots to see if patterns emerge.”

The committee seeks to ensure that students receive appropriate counseling, support, and when warranted, discipline. Meetings are confidential, and meeting minutes do not include names. There are slightly more than a dozen appointed members on the committee, including associate deans, directors, and representatives of areas such as the Counseling Center, Residence Life, and University Police. Deans and directors made the appointments.

As the committee reviews both old and new incidents, the cases are grouped under categories. At present, six main categories of incidents have been identified: alcohol-related, disruptions, high-risk background, psychological, violence, or high-risk admission. Each incident includes a description, a risk level (low, medium, high), and planned action.

Kenyon guides the committee members with the maxim “collect, connect, and prevent.”

“We first need to collect the information about students who demonstrate that they may pose a safety risk to themselves or the campus community,” he said. “From there, we connect the information to an assessment of risk, and then aim to prevent possible harm by providing counseling, support, or disciplinary action.”

Kenyon said a similar group convened weekly for many years to address concerns about student conduct and behavior. But after the Virginia Tech shootings, representatives from each of the academic deans’ areas were added to the group, and procedures for reporting and tracking were tightened. “We made the changes with the goals of better communication to faculty and to provide the campus community with greater awareness of how to respond to potentially troublesome situations,” he said.

Currently, the deans’ “watch list” contains about 60 incidents, with the majority classified as “low risk.” The refined procedures and increased faculty representation, according to Kenyon, are resulting in faster responses to incidents and better direction for students who seek help.

Kenyon looks to faculty and staff as the first line in reporting and prevention. For example, after the initial parking lot assault on December 7, he said, the student victim first reported the incident to a professor, who consulted the department chair, who in turn contacted University Police. Through an upcoming awareness campaign, Kenyon hopes to increase response time and knowledge about resources among faculty and staff.

“We all need to act quickly whenever there is even a shadow of concern,” he said. “When someone has even a momentary hesitation of concern about what a student might do, they should contact University Police at [extension] 6333 or contact our committee. We’ll investigate to find out what’s happening. It’s best not to leave anything to doubt.”

------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources for consultation and referral for use with students of concern:

• Emergency Response: University Police, (716) 878-6333
• Mental Health Consultation: Counseling Center, (716) 878-4436
• Conduct/Disruptive Behavior: Dean of Students, (716) 878-4618
• Students with Disabilities: Disability Services Office, (716) 878-4500

Faced with a housing crunch and years of universal complaints about the lack of parking spaces close to campus, Buffalo State will institute a parking ban for first-year resident students this fall. The new policy, decided by the Parking and Transportation Task Force on October 22, 2007, and endorsed by United Students Government (USG), could free about 300 spaces.

Both Enrollment Management and USG are pleased with the decision.

“I doubt this change will have much of an impact on enrollment,” said Mark Petrie, associate vice president for enrollment management and a member of the task force. “This could have a positive effect of students spending more time on campus.”

“Parking has been a constantly debated item for years at USG meetings,” said Allison Brady, executive vice president for USG. “Parking, food, and housing are always our biggest concerns. The fact that the administration took a step to address this issue shows that students are on their agenda.”

Serving on the task force with Petrie are Tim Ecklund, associate vice president for campus life; Kris Kaufman, director of residence life; Lesa Loritts, director of admissions; and Jayme Riter, director of parking services. Together with USG, the task force administered student surveys as early as 2004 and worked with an outside consultant to investigate the impact such a policy would have on parking and admissions efforts.

Many schools throughout the nation, including most local colleges and universities, already have such a policy. Brady said that when she worked as an admissions ambassador two years ago, many visiting parents asked if there was a parking ban for first-year students. “It’s as if they were expecting to hear that there was one,” she said. “They were surprised to learn that freshman residents could park on campus.”

Petrie and Brady agree that because the ban does not begin until fall, the change will not affect many current students.

“Many students I talk to feel uneasy about parking across Grant Street, so I think the student body will really welcome the change,” said Brady. “If I’m not mistaken, I think 300 free spots is almost the size of the entire G lot.”

“Commuters will especially love the open spaces and will probably feel a bit safer parking closer to campus buildings,” added Jamie Jueckstock, USG’s vice president for communication.

Incoming students will learn about the parking ban via the admissions process, their housing contracts, and the Buffalo State Web site. Exemptions from the ban may be granted for medical reasons, employment, and the need to travel to off-campus academic programs. The Parking Appeals Committee also will consider other exceptional circumstances.

“If parking is absolutely needed by a student, we can investigate a way around the ban,” said Petrie.

Despite his optimism, Petrie said he is keeping his eye on one recent trend in higher education. “Even local students are wanting to stay on campus these days,” he said. “We’ll have to see what, if any, impact this has on enrollment. But overall, I’m not too concerned from an admissions standpoint.”

USG members also see the potential for many positives as a result of the ban. They expect more students to stay around campus on weekends and more to use their NFTA bus passes.

“Every little bit helps,” said Brady. “I can see more students going out for nearby food and shopping…and most importantly, attending on-campus events. So this ban might even boost school spirit. All in all, it’s pretty much a ‘win’ for everyone involved.”

From the Provost
It is my pleasure to announce the following sabbatical leaves for 2007–2008:

Fall 2007
Felix Armfield, History and Social Studies Education
Betty Cappella, Educational Foundations
Kelly Frothingham, Geography and Planning
Katherine Hartman, Art Education
David Henry, Elementary Education and Reading
Michael Johnson, Modern and Classical Languages
Andrew Nicholls, History and Social Studies Education
M. Stephen Pendleton, Economics and Finance

Spring 2008
Richard Batt, Earth Sciences and Science Education
Bruce Baum, Exceptional Education
Louis Colca, Social Work
Michael DeMarco, Physics
Gordon Fraser, Great Lakes Center
Mark Fulk, English
William Ganley, Economics and Finance
Robin Harris, Earth Sciences and Science Education
Richard Ross, Design
Mark Warford, Modern and Classical Languages

Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
Michael Zborowski, Psychology

New York State Teachers’ Retirement System 2008 Winter-Spring Pre-retirement Planning Seminars have been scheduled. These daylong meetings are designed to help active NYS Teachers’ Retirement System members age 45 and older prepare for retirement. Discussions will be devoted to system benefits, financial planning, legal affairs, adjusting to retirement, Social Security, and other pertinent topics. Please note that these seminars are not designed for one-on-one retirement counseling.

Seminars will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with registration from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend, but participants must register in advance.

The Buffalo seminars are scheduled for Thursday, March 27; Wednesday, April 16; and Friday, May 2, at the Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga. For additional locations, call Human Resource Management at (716) 878-4821. To make a reservation, call (800) 356-3128, ext. 6180, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. or register online atwww.nystrs.org. Space is limited. Register now.

The campus community extends its gratitude to longtime Mail Room employee Diana Ilecki, who provided a valued service to everyone throughout the years. We hope her retirement is going well. She will be missed.

The new Mail Room supervisor is Nelson Locher. The Mail Room location remains the same: behind the Classroom Building and across from Weigel Health Center, Building 44. Hours are 7:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The campus is asked to comply with the following procedures to help the Mail Room receive and distribute mail more efficiently.

Metered Mail

1. Include department or individual name in return address. Without it, mail will be returned.
2. Include a completed blue meter slip with department account number, department name, and signature. If special handling is required, please indicate this on the meter slip.
3. Seal all manila envelopes and over-stuffed envelopes before sending to the Mail Room.
4. Overlap the flaps of business-size envelopes, and make sure they are all facing in the same direction.
5. Separate international mail from domestic mail. Also, please separate Canadian mail (postage is different).
6. If enclosed mail includes a staple or paperclip, please make sure it’s not in the upper right corner, where the meter will affix postage. Staples and paper clips damage the meter machine.
7. Do not mix pre-stamped envelopes or interoffice mail with mail to be metered. Please make sure the blue meter slip is attached to the mail, either with a paperclip or a rubber band.
8. Cover all nonprofit organization permits on letters or manila envelopes with a blank label before sending to the Mail Room. These envelopes cannot be processed in the meter machine unless permits are covered. Mail with uncovered nonprofit permits will be returned.
9. Please inform the Mail Room before any large mailing. We can bring a cart to your location. This is much easier on the drivers.

Intercampus Mail

1. Please use only brown interoffice envelopes. Large envelopes must be tied, and small envelopes must have the flaps tucked in.
2. Do not mix empty envelopes with interoffice mail in the same bin.
3. Large mailings must be bundled by building and department.
4. All information on any envelope must be clearly printed and legible.
5. Please include name and department where mail is to be delivered.
6. Do not attempt to send intercampus mail via metering (a waste of time and money).

Bulk-Mail Procedures
The Mail Room has adopted the following new procedures for bulk-mailing:

1. All bulk-mail requests must be e-mailed tolochernr@buffalostate.edu.
2. All e-mail requests require the following information:
   >> Department name
   >> Department account number
   >> Number of pieces
   >> Number of containers
   >> Exact location of pickup (building and room number)
   >> Date of requested pickup (at least one day’s notice is required)
   >> Mail service being used (e.g., Mail Masters or other service)
   >> Any special instructions (e.g., apply labels, sort, etc.)
3. Further bulk-mail changes are pending. If and when instructions vary, the campus community will be notified. 

Services Not Available in the Campus Mail Room

1. The Mail Room does not sell stamps.
2. The Mail Room does not supply packing materials.
3. The Mail Room will not process personal mail. Personal mail can be delivered with the proper postage; however, it is not an accepted practice.
4. Arrangements for returns via UPS or other service must be made prior to drop-off in Mail Room. Mail Room staff will not make these contacts (e.g., UPS call tag, etc.).
5. The Mail Room does not know when departments move from one location to another. Please notify the Mail Room of changes within your department. Mail will continue to be delivered to the current address until the Mail Room is notified of changes.

Mail Room staff members are available to answer any questions at (716) 878-5515. Help them better serve the college community! Thank you for your cooperation.

President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Student
One undergraduate student and one graduate student are awarded the President’s Medal each year. The President’s Medal is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State College. This award is given to a student who, through use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the college’s mission statement. The recipients deliver the student address at Commencement. A grade point average of at least 3.5 is required for consideration for this award. Students graduating in December 2007, May 2008, or August 2008 will be considered.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor bestowed by SUNY upon a student. This award recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, entrepreneurship, leadership, and career achievement. Although there is no prescribed grade point average for this award, it is assumed that recipients will have high academic achievement. Award recipients are recognized at a spring ceremony in Albany and at Commencement. Only students graduating between June 2007 and May 2008 will be considered.

Nominations are being sought for both awards. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member. Candidates must have demonstrated the qualities recognized by each award.

Selection criteria are the same for each award; however, to be considered for the President’s Medal, a grade point average of 3.5 or higher is required. A student may be nominated for either or both awards.

Selection Criteria for Both Awards

Academic Performance
Documented via grade point average, honors received, rank in class, research, and other scholarly projects.

Citizenship
Documented membership in a professional organization or community outreach activities.

Leadership/Creativity
Documented local, state, national, or international recognition for excellence (e.g., receipt of major national scholarships or athletic awards, recognition by national and international associations or honor societies, etc.).For Graduate Students: Documented activities related to the discipline of graduate degree program or other college service leadership in a professional organization, or community-outreach activities related to the field of study.

More information is available online or from the Associate Vice President for Campus Life Office, Campbell Student Union 222. Nominations and supporting documentation must be forwarded to Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president for campus life, Campbell Student Union 222, by Tuesday, January 22.

Buffalo State College is committed to the need for proper treatment of all members of the college community. The college can achieve its educational mission only in an atmosphere of mutual respect that is free from intolerance and that offers equal opportunity to all. Every member of the college community shares the responsibility for addressing incidents of disrespect for dignity of others, acts of discrimination, racism, bigotry, harassment, exclusion, abusive language, or mistreatment of individuals or groups.

Among the goals of the college is the empowerment of a diverse population of students to succeed as citizens of a challenging world. The college is dedicated to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual vitality, collegiality, and collaboration. It will not have attained its goal until and unless all in its midst obtain fair and equitable treatment in employment and education. For this reason, Buffalo State College condemns and pledges itself to fight against all acts of invidious discrimination, bias, intolerance, or harassment.

Racial discrimination is a particularly serious problem. The goals of the college are undermined and human dignity is offended where employment or educational benefits, opportunities, or privileges are denied or restricted on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin, or where a racially hostile environment exists. Racial discrimination and illegal discrimination of any sort limit the opportunity for individuals to realize their potential and deny them the rigors, joys, and fulfillment of intellectual curiosity.

Therefore:

It is the policy of Buffalo State College to provide an employment and educational environment free from invidious discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital or veteran status. It shall be a violation of this policy for any agent, student, or employee of Buffalo State College to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital or veteran status against any individual with respect to the terms of employment, education, or benefits of any program or activity at Buffalo State College.

To implement this policy:

>> All college faculty, staff, and students are expected to comport themselves in a manner that does not convey to others in the college community any disrespect, intolerance, or rude behavior based on age; race; religion; color; national origin; gender; sexual orientation; disability; or marital, veteran, or socioeconomic status.

>> All members of the college community are expected to contribute to the college environment to move the college community in the direction of respect for all.

>> All persons within the college community who perceive that they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment based on age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability, marital or veteran status, or sexual orientation are urged to present their concerns to the Equity and Campus Diversity Office.

>> All faculty, staff, and students who know of a member of the community who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment are expected to encourage that person to go to the Equity and Campus Diversity Office and, if need be, to offer personal assistance to that person in making the visit to the Equity and Campus Diversity Office.

>> All supervisory and management staff have a responsibility to educate faculty, staff, and students about the value of diversity to the institution. To meet this responsibility supervisors, department heads, and management staff are expected to:

• Regularly communicate with employees and students under their supervision about the college's policy against discrimination, its commitment to diversity, and the need for civility in the community.
• Monitor their behavior to ensure that their behavior offers an appropriate model regarding the policy for employees and students under their supervision.
• Promptly and thoroughly respond to all reports or incidents of invidious discrimination or harassment in their area of responsibility.
• Identify and respect the needs of the victims of discrimination and attempt to restore collegiality and equity following reported incidents of discrimination.
• Confer directly with the Equity and Campus Diversity Office whenever reports or complaints of discrimination or harassment are brought to their attention in their area of responsibility or if they have concerns about an appropriate response to a concern or complaint.

The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation awarded a grant of $120,000 to the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Buffalo State. The grant, along with a contribution of $50,621 from the college, will be used to renovate the department’s faculty offices and research laboratories and to purchase educational technology for the department’s clinic.

“We are grateful to the Wendt Foundation for their support of both our academic facilities and the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic,” said Gary Jones, dean of the School of the Professions. “Their generosity will also benefit the clients we serve.”

In addition to updated office and research laboratory space for faculty members, a student computing lab will be built. The department will also purchase state-of-the-art digital video/computing technology that will enhance the educational experience of speech-language pathology students, both in the classroom and during their clinic practicums.

“This most noteworthy and highly esteemed gift from the Wendt Foundation will support the training of increasingly greater numbers of highly competent, technologically savvy speech-language pathologists to work in the Western New York region,” said Constance Qualls, professor and department chair. “It will provide our students with quality research experiences, increase opportunities for our faculty to engage in research, improve student learning and clinical skills development, and enhance the quality of services to individuals with speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders.”

“Before the seed there comes the thought of bloom,” wrote E. B. White. And this is what happened when Lisa Forrest, instructional technology librarian, had the idea to start the Rooftop Poetry Club in 2005.

During a celebration of National Poetry Month in April that year, Forrest heard library-goers say they wished the focus on poetry lasted longer than a month. So Forrest sent a few e-mails, posted some fliers, purchased refreshments, and initiated the first meeting of a poetry club at her favorite place in E. H. Butler Library—the rooftop. Only four people attended the first meeting.

But today, readings regularly have a few dozen attendees—sometimes upwards of 50. “I think most people can relate to poetry in some way,” said Forrest. “There are many creative people here on campus, so I think the Rooftop Poetry Club is a natural draw.”

While a variety of events—including guest poets from New York City and San Diego—are scheduled this spring, one of the more truly interactive activities is already under way. A Valentine’s Day–themed poetry contest called “Love Is a Four-Letter Word” allows anyone to submit an original poem via the club’s blog. The only catch: poems may not include the words “love” or “heart.” The winner will be announced during an open mike meeting on February 13.

Despite the group’s name, events are not always held on the rooftop—particularly not during colder months. Alternative meeting spots inside the library include room 210 and the International Students Reading Area in the southeast quadrant of the third floor, near the literature books. Otherwise, the second-floor area known as the “Rooftop Garden” provides a tranquil setting for readings.

Forrest poignantly described her love for the rooftop in an article titled “Up on the Roof—with Poets,” published in the October 2006 issue of American Libraries:

Those who are unfamiliar with rooftop gardens may not appreciate the poetic nature of such a space. But if you’ve ever sat up on a roof—away from the world, yet smack dab in the middle of it all—you can surely see how one might be drawn to read, write, and think in such a space.

The rooftop includes a stray painted bison from the Herd about Buffalo public art project of 2000 and occasionally some potted flowers, but Forrest says the place could otherwise benefit from a maintenance makeover. Nevertheless, recent meetings have been spruced up by local musicians who complement the readings. Also, thanks to published listings by poetry editor R. D. Pohl of the Buffalo News, attendees now regularly include local poets and other members of the community.

“I remember when Norma Kassirer and Irene Sipos read in August 2006,” said Forrest. “I thought it was going to be a smaller event. When more than 50 people showed up, that’s when it hit me that the Rooftop Poetry Club was really starting to catch on with people.”

With help from Dennis Reed Jr., webmaster and library communication specialist for Butler Library, the Rooftop Poetry Club boasts a sophisticated Web site complete with podcasts, photos, and member bios. Forrest said the site, like the club itself, serves as a marketing tool for the library.

“The Rooftop Poetry Club breaks down library anxiety,” she said. “Some students who came to club meetings said they didn’t ordinarily come to the library for help, and now feel more inclined to do so. When I’m working at the reference desk, sometimes a student will say, ‘Hey, you’re the poetry lady.’”

Forrest describes typical meetings as low-key, usually with tea and cookies, plenty of opportunities to network, and time at the end for open readings. Members have participated in unique projects during the past few years, including a hybrid art-poetry collaboration called “Slide,” where poets chose a handful of discarded 35 mm art slides from the library’s collection and wrote and recorded a poem to match. Videos of the projects are posted on YouTube.

Anyone may join the Rooftop Poetry Club at any time; the group is a mix of faculty, staff, students, and community members. Forrest said many come to meetings just to listen, while others “come out of their shells.” Forrest herself majored in science and initially enjoyed poetry as a hobby. This spring, local publisher BlazeVox will issue a book of Forrest’s poems.

“The beauty of this group is that it’s a mix of established and new writers,” said Forrest. “It’s definitely the furthest thing from being cliquey or snobby. You can talk about anything through poetry, and it’s a safe forum to discuss things you otherwise might not feel comfortable expressing in ordinary speak. The Rooftop Poetry Club gives people voices. It’s the people’s forum.”