From the Chair of the College Senate
The first meeting of the College Senate for the spring 2010 semester will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, in Classroom Building C122. The agenda can be found on the College Senate Web site.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
As a precaution against damage caused by extreme temperatures, if you open a window, please remember to close and latch it. Windows left open are the direct cause of pipes freezing and rupturing. The resulting water damage can be extensive and expensive. Thank you for your cooperation.

From the Interim Provost
I encourage the Buffalo State community to nominate deserving colleagues for Chancellor’s, President’s, and Distinguished Teaching and Service awards. A schedule for the receipt of nomination packages follows. Guidelines are available on the Academic Affairs Web site.

Nominations with supporting materials for the President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advisement; Advancement of Equity and Campus Diversity; Career Achievement for Faculty; Career Achievement for Professional Staff; Faculty and Staff Mentoring; Librarianship; Research, Scholarship, and Creativity; Service to the College; Teaching; or as an Undergraduate Research Mentor are due to the provost, Cleveland Hall 519, by the following dates (the first Monday in March each year):

March 1, 2010 (academic year 2009–2010)
March 7, 2011 (academic year 2010–2011)
March 5, 2012 (academic year 2011–2012)

Nominations with supporting materials for Distinguished Teaching Professor or Distinguished Service Professor, or for the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professional Service, Librarianship, Scholarship and Creative Activities, or Faculty Service are due to the provost, Cleveland Hall 519, by the following dates (the third Monday in October each year):

October 18, 2010 (academic year 2010–2011)
October 17, 2011 (academic year 2011–2012)
October 15, 2012 (academic year 2012–2013)

From the Office of the Governor
The New York State Senate has confirmed Gov. David Paterson’s nominee, Eunice Ashman Lewin, as the newest member of the State University of New York Board of Trustees.

A strong supporter of Buffalo State College, Lewin co-chaired the Foundation Scholarship Gala in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the most successful years ever. Her hard work was responsible for the events’ unprecedented success, both in attendance and proceeds, which benefit the All College Honors Scholarship fund. She received the Buffalo State College President’s Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

A 30-year member of the Buffalo Board of Education and its committee on special education, Lewin replaces Michael Russell, who served on the board since 2005. Her term will expire in 2016.

Read the full news release from the State University of New York.

From the Chair of the Senate Curriculum Committee
The deadline for all course and program proposal submissions is Monday, March 15. Any submission received after that date will not be reviewed until fall 2010.

Technical issues with SharePoint are handled, via Neil Palmer in Computing and Technology Services, at 878-4611. The Senate Office does not handle SharePoint technical problems.

When submitting a course on SharePoint, the signed blue routing form must be delivered to the Senate Office in order for it to be forwarded to the Bulletin editor and to the Curriculum Committee for review. If possible, submit the routing form before going to SharePoint, if the course has been approved at the department level. This will eliminate confusion and backups in the Senate Office.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The first meeting of the College Senate for the spring 2010 semester will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, in Classroom Building C122. The agenda can be found on the College Senate Web site.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
The deadline to submit applications for the SUNY B-140W Tuition Assistance Program for the spring 2010 semester is Friday, February 26.

Staff members may apply for tuition assistance after six months of service; faculty members may apply after one semester of service. The following employees are eligible:

• Full-time Buffalo State faculty and professional or classified employees.
• Part-time or temporary Buffalo State faculty and professional or classified employees who are employed at least half time (faculty must teach at least two courses in the semester).
• Full-time Research Foundation employees provided they work on the Buffalo State campus.

Program funds may be used for courses at SUNY campuses only. Eligible employees may apply for a 50 percent waiver of SUNY tuition for up to two courses per semester, to a maximum of 15 credit hours per academic year. Tuition assistance is limited to regular in-state undergraduate or graduate tuition rates. The level of support may be adjusted when necessary if funding is not adequate to cover applications received. ContactHuman Resource Management, 878-4821, for applications and program guidelines.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
In compliance with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, employees of Buffalo State College should be aware of and must adhere to the policy stated below:

• The unlawful use, possession, manufacture, dispensation, or distribution of controlled substances in all Buffalo State College work locations is prohibited. The term “controlled substance” means a controlled substance in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21USC812).
• Employees who unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance will be subject to disciplinary procedures consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Employees must notify the Human Resource Management Office of any criminal conviction for a drug-statute violation occurring in the workplace or at a work site no later than five working days after such conviction. An employee so convicted will be required to satisfactorily participate in a state-approved drug-abuse assistance or rehabilitation program as a condition of continuing employment.
• No employee will report for work or will work impaired by any substance, drug or alcohol, lawful or unlawful. “Impaired” means under the influence of a substance such that the employee's motor senses (i.e., sight, hearing, balance, reaction, or reflex) or judgment either are or may be reasonably presumed to be affected.
• Medical testing may be done if the college has a reasonable suspicion that an employee is unable to perform job duties due to the misuse of alcohol, controlled substances, or prescription drugs.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available on campus for employees who wish to seek assistance in dealing with drug- or alcohol-related problems as well as a variety of other concerns. Information on the program and a current list of EAP coordinators can be found on the Human Resource Management Web site.

Questions regarding the Policy on Alcohol and Drug Use in the Workplace should be referred to Emmanuel J. Hillery, associate director of human resource management, 878-4822.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
The Internal Control Act of the State of New York requires Buffalo State College to communicate the following information on agency responsibilities and standards:

The internal control standards define the minimum level of quality acceptable for internal control systems in operation and constitute the criteria against which systems are to be evaluated. These internal control standards apply to all operations and administrative functions (both manual and automated), but are not intended to limit or interfere with duly granted authority related to development of legislation, rule making, or other discretionary policy making in an agency.

General Standards

1. Reasonable Assurance. Internal control systems are to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of the systems will be accomplished.
2. Supportive Attitude. Managers and employees are to maintain and demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude toward internal controls at all times.
3. Competent Personnel. Managers and employees are to have personal and professional integrity and are to maintain a level of competence that allows them to accomplish their assigned duties as well as understand the importance of developing and implementing good internal controls.
4. Control Objectives. Internal control objectives are to be identified or developed for each agency activity and are to be logical, applicable, and reasonably complete.
5. Control Techniques. Internal control techniques are to be effective and efficient in accomplishing their internal control objectives.
6. Continuous Monitoring. Agency heads are to establish and maintain a program of internal review designed to identify internal control weaknesses and implement changes needed to correct the weaknesses.

Specific Standards

1. Documentation. Internal control systems and all transactions and other significant events are to be clearly documented, and the documentation is to be readily available for examination.
2. Recording of Transactions and Events.Transactions and other significant events are to be promptly recorded and properly classified.
3. Execution of Transactions and Events.Transactions and other significant events are to be authorized and executed only by persons acting within the scope of their authority.
4. Separation of Duties. Key duties and responsibilities in authorizing, processing, recording, and reviewing transactions should be separated among individuals.
5. Supervision. Qualified and continuous supervision is to be provided to ensure that internal control objectives are achieved.
6. Access to and Accountability for Resources. Access to resources and records is to be limited to authorized individuals, and accountability for the custody and use of resources is to be assigned and maintained. Periodic comparison shall be made of the resources to the recorded accountability to determine whether the two agree. The frequency of the comparison shall be a function of the vulnerability of the asset.

Audit Resolution Standard

Prompt Resolution of Audit Findings. Managers are to (1) promptly evaluate findings and recommendations reported by auditors, (2) determine proper actions in response to audit findings and recommendations, and (3) complete, within reasonable time frames, all actions that correct or otherwise resolve matters brought to management’s attention.

Additional information about internal control standards and Buffalo State’s Internal Control Program can be found on the Internal Control Program Web site.

Contact Rebecca J. Schenk, director of budget and internal controls, 878-4312, with questions about the Internal Control Act.

From the Interim President
I am pleased to invite the college community to a luncheon honoring faculty and staff who are in their 25th year of service at Buffalo State College on Tuesday, March 23, at noon in the Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware Street in Tonawanda. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, March 11.

This annual event serves to honor our colleagues for their years of service and dedication to Buffalo State. The 36 employees crossing the 25-year mark in 2010 are:

David Atzrott, Campus Services
Christopher Aviles, Social Work
Mark Bausili, Registrar
Dean Brucz, Campus Services
Richard Butz, Technology
Betty Cappella, Educational Foundations
Ann Colley, English
Sharon Cramer, Exceptional Education
Susan Davis, Economics and Finance
Gregory Ebert, Chemistry
Gina Game, Research Foundation
Andrea Guiati, Modern and Classical Languages
James Hanahan, Residence Life
Emmanuel Hillery, Human Resource Management
Sandra Hollander, Intercollegiate Athletics
Karen Johnson, Academic Advisement
Lydia Kawaler, Human Resource Management
Carol Kirby, Modern and Classical Languages
Sam LoGiudice, Psychology
Kenneth Mernitz, History and Social Studies Education
David Miller, Environmental Health and Safety
John Moffat, Campus Services
Robert Murphy, Computing and Technology Services
Mary Ann Osborne, Educational Opportunity Program
Maria Pacheco, Chemistry
Constance Payne, Fine Arts
Mark Posluszny, Exceptional Education
Tina Scibetta, E. H. Butler Library
Edward Standora, Biology
Donald Szpaicher Jr., Campus Services
Scott Tatro, Mail Room
Lori Till, Hospitality and Tourism
Barbara Weitzner-Lin, Speech-Language Pathology
Gail Wells, Student Life
Nancy Westley, Speech-Language Pathology
Barry Yavener, Interior Design

To make your reservation, please complete theregistration form, or call Laurie Graziano or Melissa Slisz at 878-4101.