SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will deliver the first State of the University address of her tenure today, Wednesday, January 19, at 10:00 a.m. at the Egg’s Swyer Theatre in Albany.

Live video and audio of the event will be available at www.suny.edu.
 

Chancellor Zimpher will outline how SUNY will answer Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s recent call for the system to be “the key economic driver” for New York and present a clear action-oriented agenda that will enable the state to capitalize on SUNY’s ability to create and retain jobs in every one of its communities.

Additionally, Chancellor Zimpher will highlight the system’s achievements and progress made over the last year and announce new ways in which SUNY will continue to provide excellence in education while stimulating the economy. 

Buffalo State will honor the life of Distinguished Service Professor Horace “Hank” Mann on Friday, February 11. The day will begin with a special coffee hour from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., sponsored by Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. Come have a complimentary cup of regular coffee served at Dr. Mann’s favorite table in Java-U.

A celebration of life program will be held in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall starting at 3:00 p.m., with a reception immediately following. College Relations is creating a pictorial composition of Dr. Mann’s life. If you have a digital image, or traditional photo(s) for scanning, you would like considered, please send it in a jpeg format to neesonkc@buffalostate.edu by February 1.

We all want this to be a day that celebrates Dr. Mann’s wonderful life and contributions as a mentor, friend, and teacher to the community, nation, world, special education profession, and Buffalo State.

Please confirm your attendance by calling ext. 5115 before February 4. Reserved parking is available in Lot X and Lot B.  For more information contact Pamela Voyer at ext. 3725 or voyerpb@buffalostate.edu.

The Daily Bulletin will not be published from Monday, July 4, through Friday, July 8. During that time users will be able to submit items for Monday, July 11, and beyond.

From the Chair of the Senate Curriculum Committee

The deadline for all course and program proposal submissions is Tuesday, March 15.

The Daily Bulletin will not be published from Monday, July 4, through Friday, July 8. During that time users will be able to submit items for Monday, July 11, and beyond.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
A necessary power interruption to Rockwell Hall, Ketchum Hall, Campus House, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center is planned from Friday, January 4, at 5:00 p.m. until Saturday, January 5, at 11:30 p.m. Faculty and staff members in these buildings should shut down all networked computers and other equipment before this scheduled interruption. Buildings will remain closed during this period, including the BPAC, which will be closed to the public on Saturday, January 5.

This power interruption will facilitate the underground utilities upgrade taking place on the eastern portion of the campus. Your understanding is appreciated as we move forward with this important project. For more information about current and upcoming construction, please visit www.buffalostate.edu/construction. Questions about this service interruption may be e-mailed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

From the Vice President for Finance and Management
President Podolefsky and the Buffalo State College Council have approved the renaming of the building originally called Buckham Campus School (most recently referred to as Campus West) to Buckham Hall. This name reflects our institution’s history as a normal school and recognizes the significant contributions of its first principal, Henry B. Buckham (principal from 1871 to 1886). The building is currently being used as surge space, facilitating various campus construction projects. The four-letter building abbreviation for Buckham Hall is BUCK.

Please use the new name and abbreviation on all institutional records and documents going forward.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The final meeting of the College Senate for the fall 2012 semester will be held at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, December 14, in E. H. Butler Library 210. Please note that the December meeting begins one hour earlier than usual. The meeting agenda is now posted on the College Senate home page. The College Senate Office sends holiday greetings to everyone.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The final meeting of the College Senate for the fall 2012 semester will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 14, in E. H. Butler Library 210. Please note that the December meeting begins one hour earlier than usual. The meeting agenda is now posted on the College Senate home page.

From the Special Adviser to the Provost for Academic Research Initiatives
The Research Foundation (RF) at Buffalo State is launching a series of communications in the Daily Bulletin to share details with the campus community about the resources, processes, support, and guidance that are available at the RF.

The RF staff located in Bishop Hall is composed of 19 knowledgeable and experienced individuals. This team supports campus research and sponsored program activities from pre-award development and proposal submission through post-award operations, including award administration, purchasing, and accounts payable as well as information systems and human resource management.

This introductory message highlights four key leaders with experience in finance management and research administration who have been appointed to oversee and guide the RF initiatives and operations. A synopsis of their roles at the Research Foundation follows:

James A. Thor, associate vice president and comptroller, has been appointed Research Foundation operations manager (OM). The OM is responsible for overall RF operations on campus including (1) sponsored program administration services to the SUNY community and stewardship to our sponsors, (2) creating an environment to support and increase sponsored program funding, and (3) creating an environment to increase technology transfer and commercialization in support of SUNY’s efforts to revitalize New York’s economy.

Additionally, the OM is responsible for financial administration of all RF funds, which includes ensuring that all regulatory and compliance requirements as well as risk management and control systems are in place. This position provides oversight for nonfinancial compliance (i.e., responsible conduct of research) and manages coordinated efforts related to preventing potential conflicts of interest and potential litigation.

Robert L. Baumet, director of campus accounting, has been appointed Research Foundation deputy operations manager (DOM). The DOM works closely with the OM, fulfilling responsibilities for financial and risk management controls; overseeing commitments of matching funds; monitoring key sponsored program financial activity, including metrics, data, and reporting; and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures. In this role, the DOM participates in developing policy and program plans, and has direct involvement in daily operations with RF staff, the director, and related RF personnel.

Lisa H. Krieger, assistant vice president for finance and management, serves as interim director of sponsored programs. In this capacity, she manages personnel activities and is fundamental in day-to-day office operations, interacting with staff regularly to address, resolve, and advocate solutions while ensuring that policies and procedures are adhered to by the RF and project staff. The interim director works closely with the DOM and OM, contributes to policy formation, and is the primary liaison between the RF, the campus, and the leadership team.

Mark W. Severson, Ph.D., dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences, will serve as special adviser to the provost for academic research initiatives until the search for a vice president for research and economic development is completed. The special adviser provides leadership to advance institutional efforts in support of the initiatives in Strategic Direction 2 (regarding research, scholarship, and creativity) in the campus 2009–2013 Strategic Plan. Specific expectations are to champion and articulate the Buffalo State research mission; advise on campus research infrastructure and incentive programs; cultivate relationships to expand academic research, especially interdisciplinary research; identify, develop, and nurture innovative steps to enhance awards and research support; and ensure that regulatory compliance is observed.

These leaders are available to answer your questions and may be contacted via e-mail. Please watch this space in the future for more RF news.

Sincerely,

Mark W. Severson, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences