An incident of workplace violence could have lifelong consequences for employees and their families. The Human Resource Management Office offers a Workplace Violence/Domestic Violence Prevention Training program for all employees. Sessions will be conducted by Sam Lunetta, retired University Police lieutenant. Participation at this training is mandated for all public employees under New York State Labor Law Section 27-b.

Topics to be covered include: recognizing warning signs for potential violence, assessing risk in various work settings, what to do and what not to do if presented with a violent situation, and campus resources available to prevent violence.

Sessions will be held in Cleveland Hall 418 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on: Thursday, November 4, Wednesday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 16. To register for one of the sessions, visit the HR website or call ext. 4822.

This training is now available online for those who are unable to attend the group sessions. Employees may access the program on ANGEL. In the Campus Group Section, select “Workplace Violence Prevention Group.”

The campus community is invited and encouraged to read and comment upon the current draft of the Academic Plan (PDF). The progress report on the development of the current plan and the plan itself can be accessed on the Academic Affairs Web site. Anyone with comments is encouraged to send them to both Elisa Bergslien, chair of the Academic Plan Committee, and Kevin Railey, interim provost.

Please attend the 10th annual Celebration of Life Memorial Service where we will honor and remember students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have passed away this academic year.

Join the Buffalo State fashion program for Runway 3.0. This one-of-a-kind event transforms the uniquely eclectic and historical Pierce Arrow Building into a "Technology: Obsession Progression" high-tech fashion event and features designs by Buffalo State students and WNY designers including Holly Hue, Aella, Morgen Love, and Adam Lippes.

How can I work full time and consider entering graduate school? Can I balance work, school, and a family? Will I have to take the Graduate Record Exam? Again? What should be in my statement of purpose? How much time will I need to complete a doctoral program? How can I pay for it? These questions and more will be addressed by a panel of professionals who have been there and survived to tell the story. Come and gather the necessary information and, like Nike, "Just Do It!," Tuesday, May 4, at noon in E. H. Butler 210. Lunch provided. R.S.V.P. to Carol Reed before Friday, April 30.

The Buffalo Society of Artists with the Burchfield Penney Art Center present a daylong series of panel discussions on the topic of "Estate Planning for Artists," Saturday, April 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Buffalo State Alumni Association invites you to join us, Thursday, April 29, for a Jazz Ensemble reception/concert. Stop by the Metcalfe Room at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments and a special memento, followed by an opportunity to hear our talented student musicians at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

If you are an eligible campus voter, the E-Voting site is available at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/vote. You will need a password to vote for three at-large senators, one University Faculty senator, and one alternate faculty senator. Please contact Slade Gellin for technical support.

National Library Week is April 11–17. The staff at E. H. Butler Library wishes everyone a great week and encourages you to pay a visit to the library. Today, Tuesday, April 13, is National Library Workers Day—Please feel free to stop in, browse around, and perhaps catch up on some reading.

Members who joined the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) on or after July 27, 1976, have been required to contribute three percent of their salary to their ORP contracts. The Governor signed legislation that eliminates the required three percent employee contribution, for employees with ten or more years of SUNY ORP (TIAA-CREF, ING, MetLife, and/or VALIC) membership. The state, or sponsoring organization, will increase the employer contribution as the employee contribution is correspondingly reduced.