Abstracts for presentations, panels, demos, workshops, posters, and Birds of a Feather for the SUNY Conference on Instruction and Technology can be submitted online at www.cit.suny.edu.

The conference will be hosted by Stony Brook University from May 29 to June 1, 2012. The conference theme is "The Power of Connections."

Tracks are

• Connecting: Building Communities and Bridging Campuses
• Innovated Instruction: Supporting Academic Excellence and Student Success
• Education Pipeline: From Developmental through Continuing Education
• Mobile: Anytime, Anywhere, Any Tool
• Open Everything

Publishing opportunities are available; visit the CIT website for more information.

CIT is sponsored by FACT2 – Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology.

The McNair Scholars Alumni Chapter invites you to attend its scholarship fundraiser at the Delaware Applebee’s, 2656 Delaware Avenue, today, October 26. Dine in the restaurant any time from 11:00 a.m. to closing and Applebee’s will donate 10 percent of your check (excluding tax and tip) to the David Matyjasik Scholarship Fund, named in honor of a McNair scholar who tragically passed away in 2003. The “Dining to Donate” event voucher must be presented at the time of payment for the scholarship fund to receive credit. Please call the McNair office at ext. 3411 or e-mail Jennifer Johnson for a voucher.

The Buffalo State Marketing Club is looking for more members. The club will hold a kickoff meeting on Thursday October 27, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Chase Hall 341. Pizza and drinks will be provided. 

The Marketing Club was recently chartered as a collegiate member of the American Marketing Association. The club is open to all majors, because marketing is an appropriate activity for all majors.

Please come to the kickoff meeting and bring your friends. Meet new people and have fun. For more details, contact club president Victoria Palmiotto.

Buffalo State faculty members who attended this year’s conference “Creative Thinking on Instruction and Technology” will share what they learned on Thursday, November 3, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (E. H. Butler Library 181B). Explore the use of blogs, Twitter, and virtual worlds. See sample alternative student projects such as videos and wikis. Learn about resources for supporting the implementation of alternative projects. Join Michelle Bae, assistant professor of art education; Amy Greenan, lecturer of communication; Jevon Hunter, assistant professor of elementary education and reading; Kristina Garcia, assistant professor of health and wellness; Sue McMillen, professor of mathematics and director of faculty development; and Sheldon Tetewsky, senior research analyst in the Center for Health and Social Research. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2602.

The midterm grading window opened in Banner at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 17, and will close at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 1. In addition to an estimated midterm grade, faculty can note how regularly a student has attended a course by entering 0 (never attended), 1 (sporadic, unsatisfactory attendance), or 2 (consistent, satisfactory attendance) in the “Hours Attended” field.   

Although all faculty members can provide midterm feedback for any of their students in Banner, the Early Intervention Program (EIP) seeks information on particular student populations. New this year, at the request of the College Senate, is the inclusion of all first-year and first-semester transfer students in the EIP program. Faculty members with EIP students in their courses will receive a list of students requiring midterm feedback. Your comments concerning attendance and performance are deeply appreciated and quite helpful to us in our academic intervention efforts. Students will be able to view their grades in Banner after 9:00 p.m. November 1.

Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call ext. 5222 or e-mail maldonhd@buffalostate.edu. Thank you for your commitment to our students’ success.

View sample PowerPoint teaching presentations designed for maximum learning without using bulleted lists. Learn optimal slide design principles and discuss their implications for teaching with PowerPoint. Be willing to “think outside” the bulleted list. Presented by Sue McMillen on Thursday, November 10, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (E. H. Butler Library 181B). A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2598.

Participate in research-based activities that you can use with your students to help them learn how to study more effectively. You will leave with a half-dozen short, fun, ready-to-use activities. This presentation is based on the work of Tara Lineweaver and Mandy Gingerich. Presented by Sue McMillen on Wednesday, November 9, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (E. H. Butler Library 181B). A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2603.

Learn how to determine an appropriate coding scheme for your qualitative data on Friday, November 4, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (E. H. Butler Library 181B). This includes data from open-ended survey questions, as well as the identification of themes within questions and among related groups of questions. Presented by Kelly Marczynski. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2580.

Please join the Biology Department for a biotechnology seminar on Thursday, November 3, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Classroom Building B119. November's seminar will be presented by Carleen Pope, chief molecular scientist for the Erie County Public Health Laboratory. Her seminar is titled "Role of Molecular Technologies in Improving Public Health Preparedness and Response."

All faculty, staff, and students are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Seminar Abstract
Significant advances have been made in the field of laboratory testing since the structure of the gene was described by Watson and Crick in 1953. Advances in the understanding of molecular biology and new developments in technology and applications from the 1960s through today have allowed public health laboratories to better understand the disease process, expand diagnostic and surveillance relevance and capacity, and facilitate disease control strategies.

Over the last decade, the Erie County Public Health Laboratory (ECPHL) has been incorporating molecular testing methods into their efforts toward emergency preparedness and response, disease detection and surveillance, and, most recently, environmental health and food safety. The role of molecular techniques and the application of these methods in the detection and control of novel emerging disease were best illustrated in the quick response of the public health laboratory system during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
 

Father Patrick Zengierski, director of the Newman Center, invites you to the Feast of All Saints on Tuesday, November 1, to celebrate the lives of all those who have gone before us. Mass will be celebrated at 12:05 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 208 and at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel, 1219 Elmwood Avenue. There will be time after the liturgy to inscribe the names of those we love in a Book of Remembrance.