Consider the Alternatives asks its audience to consider the alternatives—always. Using an eclectic array of subject matter, the films showcased in Consider the Alternatives explore both alternative responses to social problems and alternative ways of living and organizing families and societies, all while celebrating human triumph over adversity and repression. Consider the Alternatives is curated by documentary filmmaker Meg Knowles and media and social critic Mike Niman, both professors in the Buffalo State College Communication Department.
Cost: Free for Burchfield Penney members and Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff; $5 for “not yet” members.

Consider the Alternatives begins Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. and continues throughout the academic year. For the complete schedule, visit www.BurchfieldPenney.org.

We Love You, Jonathan Kalafer, 2009
Consulting Producer, Michael Niman
40 minutes
Every summer since 1972, Rainbow Gatherings have attracted tens of thousands of people to a different U.S. National Forest. They create a temporary city in the wilderness, complete with kitchens, plumbing, medical care, sanitation, and child care. The gathering culminates with an elaborate and graceful prayer for Peace on the Fourth of July. Gatherings attract all kinds of people, all for different reasons, from all different places despite intense pressure from federal law enforcement, which attempts to prohibit them. All this happens through the efforts of individuals without any formal organization or leaders, and without anyone buying a ticket or being paid for their labor.

The Diary of Immaculee, Peter LeDonne, 2006
38 minutes
The Diary of Immaculee reveals the horrific yet inspiring true story of a remarkable woman’s experience in the midst of one of history’s most tragic events. Immaculee llibagiza and others who were there will tell you what happened… You shall never forget it. With powerful and emotional appearances from the good Samaritans who kept Immaculee alive in Rwanda.

Students can learn about national and international student exchange programs and how affordable it is to take courses at another campus within the United States or around the world during an information session on Thursday, September 8, at 12:15 in Bulger Communication Center South. Hope to see your students there!

Through National Student Exchange, students have the opportunity to study for a semester or an academic year at one of 200 participating colleges or universities at affordable tuition rates. Please call Christine Cali, ext. 4328, to schedule a class visit. Provide your students with information about this possibility for enriching their college experience!

The Electronic Learning Office has been renamed Instructional Design. The office remains part of Instructional Resources and its role remains the same; however, the URL for the office website and ANGEL resources has changed. While redirects are in place, please update your bookmarks and links from www.buffalostate.edu/offices/ir/E-Learning/ANGELHelp/Guide.html to www.buffalostate.edu/offices/ir/Instructional_Design/index.htm.

Classroom Technology Support hours have changed. Instructional Resources staff members will be available to respond to requests for classroom support between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Fridays. When possible, Classroom Technology Support will be staffed by student workers until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Staff members will no longer be available on Saturdays. Please call ext. 6670 to request support.
 

Stop by for coffee, lunch, or a sweet treat at Moura’s NY Deli and Café at the Burchfield Penney. Moura’s features salads, homemade soups, deli-style sandwiches, and delicious desserts.

Visit the café this week and receive a free soft drink or brewed coffee with your Buffalo State ID.

This offer is valid through Friday, September 2.

"Assessing Your Learning Objectives," a workshop on specifying behaviorally based learning objectives that can be assessed by a variety of methods, will be held on Thursday, September 8, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Center (E. H. Butler Library 181B). We will discuss assessment methods and the process of matching learning outcomes to appropriate assessments. Presented by Sue McMillen. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2573.

A demonstration of Elluminate, “web collaboration designed for education,” will be presented on Tuesday, September 6, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., and again on Friday, September 23, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m., in Bulger Communication Center 120. Learn about the possibilities that Elluminate Live! software can open up for you, including live instruction, classroom collaboration, meetings, virtual office hours, and more. Many of Elluminate Live’s features, such as interactive chat, group webcam communication, live voice communication, virtual whiteboard presentation, media distribution, application sharing, and recording, will be demonstrated.

To attend the workshop on Tuesday, September 6, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2572.

To attend the workshop on Friday, September 23, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2574.

Presented by Instructional Resources.

Active Minds started its founding year at Buffalo State in spring 2010, and it has quickly made its presence known through several innovative initiatives such as the BeSeCret Community Art Project and Send Silence Packing, and through partnerships with several organizations and offices such as Health Promotions, Student Life, and the Counseling Center.

Active Minds is an official chapter of the national Active Minds organization. Please encourage students to check it out at this semester's first general meeting on Thursday, September 15, at noon in Classroom Building B108.

Officers will be elected in the next few weeks. There are rewarding opportunities to continue to open up the conversation at Buffalo State regarding mental health, to decrease the stigma associated with mental health concerns and receive support, and to increase awareness of mental health resources. Students interested in leadership, empowerment, and connecting with others will really enjoy their involvement with Active Minds. See the Buffalo State Active Minds Facebook page for more information. Any student who is interested in the group but is unable to attend the first meeting should contact Suzanne Johnson at counselingcenter@buffalostate.edu.

Please contact Johnson with any questions.

University College announces the first Buffalo State Common Reading. This year’s reading, “Colonial Memory and the Crime of Rhetoric: Pedro Albizu Campos,” by Victor Villanueva, will be the focus of events throughout the term. The article addresses issues of academic and cultural identity, and explores the power of rhetoric and the risks and rewards of giving voice. The author will speak on campus at 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, in Rockwell Hall.

Villanueva, professor and head of the Department of English at Auburn University, was declared “Rhetorician of the Year” in 1999 by the Young Rhetoricians Conference, and he received the Conference on College Composition and Communication Exemplar Award in 2009. His book Bootstraps: From an American Academic of Color has been recognized with two national awards.

All freshmen have participated in orientation activities that addressed the themes of the article. The article will also be highlighted in all CWP courses and BSC 101. All faculty members are invited to involve their courses in the Common Reading initiative. The article, supplementary materials, and videos connecting the reading to the disciplines can be accessed through the BSC 101 Foundations of Inquiry Faculty Resources link on ANGEL by  clicking on Common Reading. A calendar of associated events will be updated throughout the term. The full text of the article is available to all Buffalo State students via the E. H. Butler Library databases.