"A Renaissance Christmas" will be presented by the Harmonia Chamber Singers on Thursday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the East Gallery of the Burchfield Penney.

Orientation for incoming transfer and first-year students will be held Thursday, January 21. If you have questions about the program, please call the Orientation Office at ext. 5336, or visit the Web site at www.buffalostate.edu/orientation.

The Museum Store at the Burchfield Penney is the perfect place to do your holiday shopping. For four days, Thursday, December 3, through Sunday, December 6, Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff will receive 10 percent off their entire purchase. Hours: Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00–5:00 p.m.

The Women’s Studies Interdisciplinary Unit is pleased to announce a research symposium showcasing student, faculty, and staff work on women’s and gender issues. If you are interested in delivering a paper, participating in a roundtable session, or creating a poster presentation, please submit the following materials in hard copy form to Jennifer Ryan, Ketchum Hall 304 (878-5415):

Effective January 1, 2010, annual deductibles for M/C, UUP, PEF, NYSCOPBA, and Council 82 employees will increase to $375 per enrollee, $375 per enrolled spouse or domestic partner, and $375 for all dependent children combined. This change reflects the 3.3 percent increase in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. The annual deductible for CSEA employees will increase to $250.

This past year, Buffalo State alum Keith Kowalsky was one of the recipients of the inventor of the year award for this technology applied to industrial processes. At present he is CEO and president of Flame Spray Industries Inc. Kowalsky will discuss some physical aspects of this technology on Thursday, December 3,  at 12:30 p.m. in Science Building C205.

Clothing donations for the Asarese Youth Center will be accepted from now until the clothing giveaway, December 5. Items should be taken directly to the center on Rees Street (off Rockwell Road). The center is open after 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, however it is advisable to call first, 886-1040, before dropping items off. Toiletry items can be dropped off at the Alumni Office, Cleveland Hall 305.

A learning community at Buffalo State is a block of courses integrated around an interdisciplinary theme. A cohort of first-year students takes these courses together to explore the theme in greater depth and augment their learning experience. Faculty who teach in learning communities consider it some of the most challenging and rewarding teaching they have ever done. There will be two interest meetings: a lunch meeting Thursday, December 3, at Bengal Pause in Cleveland Hall 416 and a breakfast meeting Friday, December 4, at 8:30 a.m. in Twin Rise 102. Come explore the possibility of teaching in a learning community.

New transfers may start registering for spring 2010, today, Monday, November 30. Students registered by December 8 will have bills mailed on approximately December 9, with a due date of January 14. There will be no other billings until after spring classes start.

The fraudulent use of a municipal parking permit for persons with disabilities is a serious offense. Such misuse may result in a $50 fine, tow of the vehicle in use, and confiscation of the municipal parking permit. The issuing office of the municipal parking permit for persons with disabilities will be advised of the infraction. Students found misusing the permit will be referred to Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action.