From Rosalyn Lindner, associate vice president, Assessment and Curriculum: The spring assessment newsletter is now available online. For all assessment information—Middle States Updates, results of surveys, learning outcomes, new assessment initiatives, what's new from SUNY, and more—take a look at the Assessment Matters newsletter.

The Buffalo State Alumni Association has teamed up with Liberty Mutual to offer a defensive driving class to Buffalo State faculty, staff, alumni, and students. Save money on your auto insurance by taking this class offered through Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. Friends and relatives are also welcome if accompanied by a faculty, staff, alumnus/na, or student. The cost of the class is $22 per person. To enroll, contact Brad Waldron, our local representative, at (716) 677-2734, ext. 53691. Space is limited, so don’t delay and call to make your reservation.

Would you like to explore cutting-edge technology? Do you want to learn about the newest technological gadgets? Would you like to participate in hands-on demonstrations? Then come to the Gadget Gathering and try out the devices that interest you. There will be demonstrations of iPads, clickers, interactive white boards, smart phones, flip cameras, podcasts, ebook readers, 3-D scanners, and more.

Browse the demonstrations at your own pace. Complete the gadget scavenger hunt for the chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card. The Gadget Gathering is a collaborative effort of Faculty Development, Information Commons, and Instructional Resources.

Tuesday, March 1, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., E. H. Butler Library 210

Banner PREVIEW begins Monday, March 14. Students can search a draft of the master schedule and view their holds (if applicable). The summer 2011 master schedule is currently available online. The fall 2011 master schedule will be viewable online starting Wednesday, March 23, on the Registrar's Office website.

Students will also be able to view their assigned timeticket (assigned registration date) directly in Banner self-service starting Wednesday, March 23. All registration begins at 6:00 a.m. on the assigned date and is then continuous. A PDF of the summer/fall 2011 web registration schedule can be viewed at http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/documents/SummerFall2011WebExternal.pdf. Registration begins on April 6.

Join a faculty tour to experience visual techniques aimed at engaging students in learning. Meet at the Burchfield Penney Café, Friday, March 4, at noon. This one-hour tour is presented by Kathy Shiroki.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2342

If you’ve ever wanted to participate in the Ride for Roswell, this is your year. We have put together a new team that represents Buffalo State's faculty, staff, family, and friends. Please contact me for more information or visit our website and join!

There are 10 routes to choose from, ranging from 3 miles to 100 miles, so there is something for everyone. Join today.

Yoga with Tara Laurenzi offered today, February 24, at 12:30 p.m. in the Houston Gym Dance Studio, Room 213 (follow the signs). Open to faculty and staff.

Key for developing physical and mental strength, flexibility, and balance, yoga will leave you feeling connected and calm. The variety of poses and levels that are taught make yoga accessible to people of all levels and body types. No registration required. Contact Tamara at horstmath@buffalostate.edu with questions.

The Anne Frank Project announces a call for proposals for its 2011 conference, September 14-16. The AFP proposal review committee is seeking proposals from students, faculty, staff and community members that help to explore this year's conference theme, "Our Shared Humanity: Looking Inward." Complete proposal forms, directions, and focus stream explanations can be found at http://www.theannefrankproject.com/2011.html

The deadline for submissions is April 8, 2011.

The Anne Frank Project is an annual college-wide diversity conference where the words and wisdom of Anne Frank are used as a springboard for an intense examination of intolerance, bias, and genocide. For more information and past conferences, visit our website.

Each year, the Buffalo State College Foundation awards roughly 200 scholarships to deserving students in the rigorous All College Honors Program. The primary source of funding for these scholarships is the annual Foundation Scholarship Gala, to be held this year on Saturday, April 30, in the Connecticut Street Armory. More than $1.5 million in scholarship funds has been awarded through this event since it was first established in 1998.

Now in its 14th year, the scholarship gala has become a much-anticipated fundraising event, attracting more than 500 guests for an evening of dining, dancing, and student performances. This year’s co-chairs are alumnus Anthony J. Baynes, ’79, CEO of the A. J. Baynes Group, and Louis P. Ciminelli, chairman and CEO of LPCiminelli Inc. Presenting sponsors are LP Ciminelli, M&T Bank, and Niagara’s Finest Inns.

This year’s gala theme, “Because of Buffalo State,” reflects Buffalo State’s new brand platform. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a wine-paired reception, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:30, a live auction with Eric Monahan of Cash Realty & Auctions, and dancing to Crystal Blue.

Tickets are $200 per person and may be purchased through New York State payroll deduction. Contact Louis Noce, annual fund officer, at (716) 878-3467 for payroll deduction authorization forms.

For more information about the 2011 Foundation Scholarship Gala, please contact Kathryn Neeson, special events and protocol, (716) 878-4895.

Rebecca Taylor, researcher from the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, will discuss recent research in human decomposition at the "Body Farm." Light refreshments will be served.

Hosted by the Anthropology Society, Forensic Chemistry Club, and Biology Club.

http://web.utk.edu/~fac/