By Mary A. Durlak

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center at Buffalo State College held its annual awards ceremony, Celebration of Service, on May 4 to honor outstanding volunteers and participants in courses that incorporate service learning. Service-learning courses provide students with a meaningful volunteer experience that provides a service while enhancing students’ understanding of course content.

Since 2003, service-learning courses have increased from nine to 77; in 2009–2010, 1,500 students took a service-learning course. “This reflects students’ growing interest in service learning and volunteering,” said Laura Hill Rao, coordinator of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. More than 750 students took part in separate, non-course-related volunteer activities organized through the center.

The following honorees were among those who received awards:

Matthew Bucholz received the Frederick Howe Outstanding Student Volunteer Award. Bucholz established Riverside Planters, a volunteer organization that is planting trees to replace the trees in Buffalo’s Riverside neighborhood that were destroyed in the 2006 “October Surprise” storm.

Jim Pavel received the Outstanding Volunteer Community Partner on behalf of Keep Western New York Beautiful, which provides supplies and tools for students who take part in the college’s annual Service Day. “You have made a difference in Buffalo communities,” Pavel told the audience.

Douglas G. Koritz, assistant dean of University College, received the Dr. Muriel A. Howard Award for Service Leadership. Presenter Gary Welborn, associate professor and chair or sociology, praised Koritz for “exemplary leadership” in matching students to community needs.

Mary C. Cummings, a lecturer in Elementary Education and Reading, received the Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Service Learning.

The women’s soccer team was recognized for outstanding community service by a student organization. Rao also commended students who participated in community service as part of the 2010 Alternative Spring Break.

Of the 77 service-learning courses, the following were recognized as outstanding: Advanced Creative Studies, taught by Jo Yudess, lecturer in Creative Studies; and Campaign in Public Relations and Advertising, taught byDeborah Silverman, assistant professor of communication.

“The college is interested in, and engaged with, its community partners,” said Rao. “We are here to thank students, faculty members, and participating community organizations for an outstanding year.”

By Phillip Weiss

Hundreds of handcrafted bowls created by Western New York students, teachers, and local artists will be displayed and sold at the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraising event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College.

Guests select an artistic creation that catches their eye and share in a simple meal, included in the price of the bowl, usually less than $10. Keepsake bowls serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls around the world. As in years past, all proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Western New York and Friends of Night People.

“Empty Bowls has grown so much since its beginning, and I am very grateful for the Art Education students who have dedicated so much time and effort into making it such a success,” said John Siskar, associate professor of art education, who directs the event. “This year we have reached over 2,000 bowls designed by the talented and gifted artists all over Western New York, and would like to thank them for being a part of this wonderful fundraiser to purchase food to feed the hungry in our community.”

Six years ago, the Art Education and Design departments at Buffalo State adopted the program. Art education students, under the direction of Siskar, created Empty Bowls lesson plans and distributed them to teachers throughout Western New York.

This year, more than 50 area schools, 25 local artists, and hundreds of local schoolchildren are enthusiastically participating in the program. Oliver’s Restaurant and Pepsi are among the contributing local restaurants and organizations.

The Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors is the title sponsor for this year’s event. For more information, call the Art Education Department at 878-3787.

By Jerod Dahlgren

Buffalo State College’s International Center for Studies in Creativity (ICSC) welcomes more than 75 alumni, creativity experts, and current students from across the globe to campus next week as the center hosts its annual Expert-2-Expert Conference May 17–19.

The conference, which will feature a variety of workshops and presentations on creative problem solving techniques, is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to learn from colleagues in a supportive environment.

“The conference provides an excellent opportunity for our alumni and other participants to test their theories and potentially new practices,” said Gerard Puccio, chair and professor of creative studies. “It is a safe place to receive honest feedback.”

Marci Segal, president of CreativityLand Inc., will offer the keynote address. An internationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant, she is Canada’s first accredited creativity specialist. CreativityLand has worked with corporations, associations, nonprofit organizations, and all levels of government to develop applications to assist their growth, productivity, and human resource and organizational development.

Featured presentations include:

• TRIZ: The Inspiration for Innovation
  Featured presenters: Mansour Ashtiani and Richard Langevin
• Design Thinking: A Perfect Complement to CPS for Innovation Projects
  Featured presenter: Helene A. Cahen
• FourSight Certification
  Featured presenters: Gerard Puccio and Blair Miller

Presentations on day three of the conference will honor the late Mary Murdock, an associate professor of creative studies who died earlier this year.

For additional information on Expert-2-Expert, please contact conference manager Kristin Fields, 878-6223.

The final meeting of the College Senate for the spring semester will be held tomorrow, May 14, at 2:00 p.m. in Classroom Building C122. PLEASE NOTE the earlier start time. The Senate caucus begins at 12:30 p.m., just before the Senate meeting. At the caucus, candidates for officers of the Senate and chairs of standing committees for 2010–2011 will describe their interest in leadership roles and answer questions. The agenda can be found on the College Senate Web site.

From the Vice President for Institutional Advancement
To better meet the needs of the campus community, the College Relations Office is working to merge the Dailyand the Bulletin into one timely communication vehicle. The Daily Bulletin, delivered via e-mail and posted to the Web, will provide faculty and staff with a centralized source for important information each day.

In addition to serving as the college’s official source for policy, personnel, and curricular matters, the Daily Bulletin will feature campus news and events, faculty achievements, and “Today’s Messages” submitted by the campus community.

As we merge these two important publications, we want to hear from faculty and staff to find out which items, stories, or sections are most important to you.

Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey.Thank you.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
The following employees retired from Buffalo State College between June 2009 and May 2010. We thank them for their years of dedication and wish them well.

FACULTY
Marion F. Barnett, Associate Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Musa Abdul Hakim, Associate Librarian, E. H. Butler Library
Janet A. Kaye, Lecturer, Communication
Dennis G. Mike, Associate Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Wendy A. Paterson, Associate Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Katherine C. Sacca, Professor, Exceptional Education
Hilary I. Sternberg, Associate Librarian, E. H. Butler Library

STAFF
Michael J. Andrew, Maintenance Supervisor 1, Campus Services
Richard J. Biddlecom, Painter, Campus Services
Pamela C. Cercone, Secretary 1, Biology
Lawrence Clark, Maintenance Supervisor 1, Campus Services
Gary O. Danner, University Police Officer 2, University Police
Brunetta Dudley, Cleaner, Residence Life Office
Cheryl M. Fellows, Instructional Support Technician, Biology
Elaine M. Gerace, Keyboard Specialist, Registrar’s Office
Edward N. Gollwitzer, Cleaner, Custodial Services
Linda M. Kaczmarek, Calculations Clerk 1, Accounting Office
Ralph A. Kreitz, General Mechanic, Campus Services
Susan M. Labiak, Secretary 1, All College Honors Program
Thomas Laudico, Maintenance Supervisor 1, Campus Services
Samuel Lunetta, University Police Officer 2, University Police
Sharon J. Philipps, Secretary 1, Intercollegiate Athletics
Claudette S. Rich, Clerk 2, Registrar’s Office
Marjorie E. Sannes, Agency Program Aide, Admissions Office
Marianne R. Savino, Director, Disability Services Office
William L. Smock, Maintenance Supervisor 1, Campus Services
Dennis E. Swain, Supervising Electrician, Campus Services
Connie K. Vasi, Administrative Aide, Computing and Technology Services
Valerie Villari, Library Clerk 3, E. H. Butler Library
Kathryn A. Ward, Director, Alumni Affairs

From the Interim President
The Buffalo State College Academic-Year Obligation, as defined by the Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article XI, Title H, will commence on Monday, August 23, 2010, and end on Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

Article XI, Title H states that the academic-year obligation should not exceed 10 months, and that an academic-year employee may be required to commence his or her professional obligation at a date reasonably prior to September 1 as may be necessitated by a college’s operating requirements.

From the Interim President

Revised Action on College Senate Resolution for the Motion to Change the Academic Level (Class Level) Policy
At its March 12, 2010, meeting, the College Senate voted to forward the following recommendation to change the Academic Level (Class Level) Policy to the interim president for approval. Subsequent to the action by the Senate, the director of financial aid requested a change in the effective term of the recommended policy from summer 2010 to spring 2011. This change in effective term will eliminate the need to repackage awards for more than 2,000 students who received award letters prior to March 12. The policy below reflects the revised effective term. No other changes to the policy have been made. This policy and the interim president’s response replace the announcement by the interim president in the April 8, 2010, issue of the Bulletin.

Motion to Change the Academic Level (Class Level) Policy

Whereas, the current undergraduate Academic Level (Class Level) Policy does not accurately reflect the progress required for timely graduation (i.e., 120 credits within eight semesters/four years) as a full-time matriculated student at Buffalo State College; and

Whereas, the current policy is inconsistent with the typical campus practice of advising students to take an average load of 15 credits per semester; and

Whereas, the current policy creates difficulty for various office functions (e.g., Institutional Research, Financial Aid) due to external procedural requirements;

Therefore, be it resolved that effective spring 2011,the college revise the Academic Level (Class Level) Policy as freshmen from 0 to 29 credit hours, sophomores from 30 to 59 credit hours, juniors from 60 to 89 credit hours, and seniors from 90 and above credit hours.

CURRENT POLICY
(2009–2011 Undergraduate Catalog, p. 27)
Academic Levels (Class Level) 
Students are given class designations according to the number of credit hours they have earned. Undergraduate levels are:

Freshmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 to 28 credit hours
Sophomores . . . . . . . . . . . .29 to 56 credit hours
Juniors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 to 88 credit hours
Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 or more credit hours

RECOMMENDED POLICY
Academic Levels (Class Level) 
Students are given class designations according to the number of credit hours they have earned. Undergraduate levels are:

Freshmen . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 to 29 credit hours
Sophomores . . . . . . . . . . 30 to 59 credit hours
Juniors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 to 89 credit hours
Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 or more credit hours

I accept the recommendation of the College Senate and hereby authorize the changes to the Academic Level Policy as outlined above. I charge the interim provost with the responsibility of ensuring that these changes are implemented, included in all appropriate documents, and communicated widely through the institution.

From the Interim President
At its April 16, 2010, meeting, the College Senate voted to forward to the interim president a recommendation to increase the Student Health Fee by $15 per semester (for full-time students and pro-rated for part-time students), effective with the fall 2010 semester.

Resolution regarding Health Fee Increase
Prepared by the College Senate Budget and Staff Allocations Committee and amended by the College Senate
Spring 2010

Whereas, maintaining adequate access to physical and mental health services for our students is considered an essential part of providing a safe and nurturing campus environment, such that starting in fall 2007, the Student Health Fee was raised by $40 per semester for full-time students, from $75 to $115 per semester (pro-rated for part-time students), an increase of over 50 percent; and

Whereas, mandatory fees represent a sizeable fraction of the cost of attending Buffalo State and students have recently been asked to pay higher tuition, which taken together are straining our students’ ability to pay for a college education at Buffalo State in difficult economic times; and

Whereas, the Buffalo State Student Health Advisory Committee has now proposed another $15 per semester increase in the Student Health Fee, which if adopted, would raise the total fee for full-time students to $130 each semester starting in fall 2010; and

Whereas, there are a variety of other options available (e.g., fee for use, reimbursement from health insurance, grants, NY State funds) to partially offset the ever-increasing costs of providing health services to our students;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Buffalo State College administration should seek an increase in the Student Health Fee beginning in fall 2010 of $15 per semester, thereby raising the total fee to $130 per semester for full-time students (pro-rated for part-time); and

Be it also resolved that the Buffalo State College administration should earnestly and immediately examine and implement means other than the Student Health Fee to offset the costs associated with operating our student health services, thereby lessening our dependence on Student Health Fee revenues for the operation of these programs.

I approve an increase in the Student Health Fee of $15 per semester for full-time students (pro-rated for part-time students), effective fall 2010. I charge the vice president for student affairs with the responsibility of preparing a report by November 1, 2010, that describes the possibilities for alternative funding support for this fee that include but are not limited to the options cited in the above resolution.

A survey designed to gather information regarding the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at Buffalo State College is available to all campus constituents athttps://survey.itec.suny.edu/opinio/s?s=3667. Information will be collected to better serve campus employees at Buffalo State. The survey will be available through Friday, May 28.