One auction item remains from the 15th annual Foundation Scholarship Gala on April 28, the Orlando Resort package. We are making this package available for $1,000. Specific details are listed below. You or someone you know could be spending a luxurious week in a premier resort. The item will go to the first individual who expresses interest, so please do so as soon as possible by contacting Pam Voyer, ext. 3725. 

Orlando Resort
Marriott’s Grande Vista is located in the magical heart of Orlando. Enjoy a week in a spacious one-bedroom 900-square-foot villa. Room accommodates four with a sofa bed and features a full kitchen, dining area, and washer and dryer. Resort offers an array of on-site activities including four swimming pools, three restaurants, a children’s zone, bike and boat rentals, and three championship golf courses. Just minutes from Orlando’s most famous attractions, including Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld. May 26–June 2, 2012. Date is firm.

When issuing a student a non-passing grade, i.e., an E, F, U, I, or N, you must also report the student's last date of attendance when entering the grade online. This assists the Financial Aid Office in determining whether a student unofficially withdrew and whether the student is able to retain the aid he or she received.

The last date of attendance is the last date the student sat in class, took a test, or handed in homework. If assigning an I or N grade, the last date of attendance is the last date you met with the student to discuss progress in the course. If you have no record of the student attending, do not enter a date. Instead use the grade EV, which indicates that the student never attended the course.

Questions regarding this policy or procedure should be referred to the Financial Aid Office, ext. 4902.

If you have no record of a student on your grade roster attending your class, you must assign the student a grade of EV. This new grade distinction replaces the old policy of assigning an E grade and then e-mailing the Financial Aid Office that the student never attended. You no longer need to e-mail the Financial Aid Office of students who did not attend your course so long as you have assigned the EV grade.

Questions regarding this procedure should be referred to the Financial Aid Office, ext. 4902.

The SUNY Office of the Provost has announced a new Innovative Instruction Technology Grants (IITG) program. IITG is a competitive grants program open to SUNY faculty and support staff across all disciplines. IITG encourages development of innovations that meet the transformative vision of the Power of SUNY. Grant recipients will openly share project outcomes in the SUNY Learning Commons, enabling SUNY colleagues to replicate and build upon an innovation.

This webinar will provide a brief overview of the IITG RFP and describe how to create an account in the new online grants management website. It will be held on Thursday, May 10, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and repeated on Tuesday, June 5, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 181B.

To attend on May 10, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2854.

To attend on June 5, register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2855.

Continue to develop your skills with the SMART Board and Notebook software. Use your own electronic documents and files as you learn how to incorporate and manipulate documents with the SMART Board. This interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to explore, practice, and create lessons for their courses using SMART Board resources. You will also have the opportunity to use a SMART Board. Presented by Molly Talty, director of technology for the Grand Island Central School District, on Wednesday, May 23, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 300.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2844.

Profiles of the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program's top five spring 2012 graduating seniors are available on the program's website. In their own words, the students tell what obstacles they have overcome, who at Buffalo State encouraged and supported them, and what their plans are for the future. The top five students are

1. Martha Chery, Fashion Merchandising
2. Yunimar Alfonzo, Psychology
3. Jani Cash, History and French
4. Kimani George, Criminal Justice
5. (Tie) Thaddeus Hagood, Media Production, and Orlando McEwan, Biology and Chemistry

Congratulations to the top five students and to all our graduating seniors. Although the odds may have been against them coming in to Buffalo State, they made it work and have made us proud!

The campus community is invited to come and celebrate Dan Kushel's 34 years of teaching in the Art Conservation Department at his retirement party on Thursday, May 17, at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. If you would like to attend, please e-mail Meredeth Lavelle, program manager in the Art Conservation Department. The cost to attend the dinner is $35 per person; checks can be made payable to the Buffalo State College Foundation. R.S.V.P. no later than Tuesday, May 8.

The Anne Frank Project will hold a general information meeting for its 2013 trip to Rwanda on Tuesday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m. in Savage Communication and Theater Building 209.

Students who traveled to Rwanda in January 2012 will join Drew Kahn, professor of theater and director of the Anne Frank Project, to answer questions and to provide an overview of their African journey and their experiences. Please encourage interested students to attend and bring their questions.

Wine Club: Uncorking the Possibilities returns to Buffalo State in May with an event at Campus House on Thursday, May 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Campus House originally served as home to three Buffalo State presidents. Renovated in 2002, Campus House now serves as a teaching laboratory for Buffalo State hospitality and tourism students, as well as a social club for the Buffalo State community.

Josh Blumberg, general manager at Campus House, has created an "Old Europa" inspired menu for this event.

First Course (Italy):
White truffle risotto with wild mushrooms
Wine: Colle Manora "Mimosa" Sauvignon Blanc; Piedmont, Italy

Second Course (France):
Pistachio-crusted lamb chops
Wine: Walden Cotes du Roussillon; Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Third Course (Spain):
Wine-poached pears with ice cream
Wine: TBD

Guests will enjoy a mix-and-mingle reception before the formal seated dinner. Guests will be seated at tables of six to 14 people.

Cost: $35 per person. Make your reservation today for this unique on-campus experience! Limited seating available. Register today!

Buffalo State Dining is celebrating Cinco de Mayo two days in a row! On Friday, May 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., stop in for lunch in the Resident Dining Hall, located in the Campbell Student Union, and enjoy authentic Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, quesadillas, seared steak salad, watermelon aqua fresca, and much more! Also, stop by Salsarita's, located in the Campbell Student Union Food Court, and get your photo taken with Lime Boy, the Salsarita's mascot, on Friday, May 4, from noon to 2:00 p.m.

For more information on Buffalo State Dining, visit our website.