"Modeling as an Interactive Learning Environment: Inquiry-Based Strategies for the Classroom," an introductory workshop on computational science, will be held at Buffalo State June 3–9. The workshop will show modeling resources and tools that are available and accessible and how these can be included as pedagogical resources. Tools include interactive numerical simulations, scientific visualizations, computer-assisted algebra systems, and data mining.

Residence Life is putting on another great program for Union Bash! We would like to invite all faculty and staff members and their families to join us on Wednesday, April 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Campbell Student Union. At this event, your children will be able to take part in fun crafts, activities, food, a magic show, clowns, and a caricature artist. This event will be fun-filled, interactive, and a great opportunity for you and your children to enjoy some quality time together on campus! We look forward to seeing you all!

The field of computer science has seen a dramatic decline in the number of students majoring in this discipline since the “dot com” bubble burst in 2000. One way to make the computing field more interesting and attractive to students is to reinvent the way we teach, especially at the introductory level. To this end, SUNY Brockport will host a one-day workshop on the Alice system on Tuesday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the SUNY Brockport campus. This workshop will be open to instructors at both the K–12 and the college level.

The Environmental Health and Safety Office is accepting public comments on the Storm Water Management Program Annual Report for the Buffalo State campus. This report, which addresses campus storm water pollution prevention activities for the calendar year ending March 9, 2007, can be found on the Storm Water Pollution Prevention  Web site. A paper copy is also available for viewing at the Campus Services and Facilities Office, located in the Clinton Center.

Responses to the 2007 Faculty and Staff Appeal have started to come in, and the support for Buffalo State students, programs, and the campus community is inspiring!

With 78 responses returned as of April 19, we have raised over $25,000 in pledges and donations! These gifts are supporting academic departments across campus, student scholarships, student support programs such as the Weigel Health Center and the Educational Opportunity Program, the Alumni Association, and Burchfield-Penney Art Center.

So far, 22 members of the campus community have made gifts at the Anniversary Club level ($135) or higher. Thank you!

If you haven't made your tax-deductible donation yet, please do so today! Whether you make a cash gift or make your gift through payroll deduction, your participation is important! If you can't find your appeal packet, contact the Foundation Office at ext. 5536 to request a new packet.

Join your colleagues in celebrating Buffalo State's 135th anniversary by making your gift to the 2007 Faculty and Staff Appeal.

Thank you for making a difference!

Be sure to request your fall course sites before May 11 to be entered into a drawing to win great prizes! One grand prize: MP3 player; five winners of ANGEL computer mice; and 10 winners of ANGEL T-shirts. Request your course sites online.

"We Accept! Homosexuality in Society," with guest speaker Reverend Sara Smith, takes place tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Union Assembly Hall. Reverend Smith is a pastor from Kenilworth United Church of Christ in North Tonawanda. She lives in Batavia with her life partner, Reverend Lee Ann Bryce, who is also a pastor of a church in Rochester, New York. This event will kick off the official start to "Pride Week" with hopes of allowing the campus to acknowledge the level of acceptance that has already started in our Western New York community and how participants can contribute toward this.  Refreshments will be provided.

The Verizon Foundation will serve as the platinum sponsor for the Educational Technology Conference presented by the Educational Computing Program in cooperation with Erie 1 BOCES. The daylong conference will be held on Friday, May 11.

Are you curious about the long British experience in Afghanistan? Dr. B. G. Flickinger will explore this phenomenon with us on Tuesday, April 24, in Butler Library 210, starting at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. She will show slides of Afghanistan and offer some insights into the art, history, and economy, as well as the warfare, in this mysterious and troubled land.

The sixth annual Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, April 24, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall atrium. Friends and families of those students, staff, faculty, and alumni who have passed away this year are invited to the ceremony, which will honor those who have died. Please join us for a time of remembrance, poetry, prayers, and songs. The victims of the Virginia Tech shootings will also be honored at this time. This ceremony is coordinated by the Critical Incident Support Team volunteers and the Counseling Center. Please call the Counseling Center at ext. 4436 if you have any questions. Thank you.