We would like to remind all faculty and staff that the college account at the bookstore is to be used strictly for the purchase of office supplies that are not available through our state contract vendor Office Max. Any items purchased for personal use and not for business, such as gifts, greeting cards, wrapping paper, decorations, etc., are not valid state or foundation expenditures and should not be charged against the college account.

Manners Matter: A Professional Etiquette and Networking Workshop designed to help students learn the networking and dining skills necessary for career success, will be held November 2 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. A “mocktail” party with appetizers will teach students how to mingle with employers and make positive first impressions. After mocktails, a five-course gourmet dinner will be served. Instruction will be provided by etiquette experts, and community and campus leaders will offer feedback.

Your campus bookstore, Barnes & Noble, has recently upgraded its non-textbook ordering system to Bookmaster 8.6, the same book-ordering system used in the Barnes & Noble Superstores. Our new system allows customers to special order music and DVDs as well as books. Visit the bookstore today and receive an additional 20 percent off special orders placed through the month of October.

Plastic bottles go to landfills and take 700 years before they start to decompose. Instead of tossing out those bottles, recycle them in the green bins found throughout the campus.

Submit maintenance work orders online and get automatic updates on the status of your requests. Bookmark http://workrequest.buffalostate.edu and visit the site to give it a try. Call ext. 6111 with questions.

An iMovie workshop has been added to the October training schedule. Go to http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration for details.

The Buffalo State McNair Scholars Program was re-funded for $934,888 over four years by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal TRIO Programs. This program is designed to encourage low-income students and minority undergraduates to consider careers in college teaching as well as prepare for doctoral study. Under this project, 27 students are provided with research opportunities and faculty mentors, receive financial assistance, GRE preparation, and guidance through the graduate school admissions process. Sandra D. Washington will continue as project director of the program.

Thanks to a collaboration between the Buffalo State College Music Department and Artist Pianos, our music faculty and students have had access to a dozen new Yamaha pianos over the past year. As part of this agreement, these year-old pianos will be sold at reduced prices and with full warranty, allowing our students to once again have access to new instruments this year. Acoustic uprights, grands, and digital pianos will all be available during this event.

Faculty and staff volunteers are needed for the Buffalo State College Community Service Day, October 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Each year, Buffalo State College connects with the wider community to help area organizations, parks, and neighborhoods with beautification projects that improve the quality of life in the city. Lunch is provided. To register, contact the Volunteer and Service Learning Center at ext. 3692 or whitesl@buffalostate.edu.

Campus network upgrades were completed in Upton Hall and Weigel Health Center last week. Work in Chase Hall and Bishop Hall will continue, and upgrades will begin in Moot Hall during the week of October 1.