The fall 2012 master schedule will be available online starting Wednesday, March 21, on the Registrar's Office website. It will update each weekday evening (Monday–Friday). You can also search for courses directly in Banner using the Search for Classes link.

Campus Services will perform electrical shutdowns from Saturday, March 17, through Sunday, March 25, to implement critical upgrades. Faculty and staff should shut down all networked computers and other electronic equipment before any scheduled interruptions. University Police will keep buildings locked until power has been restored.

The following is a list of dates, times, and buildings that will be affected by these shutdowns:

Saturday, March 17, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.: Rockwell Hall and Campus House. Please note: Campus House will be shut down for one hour sometime within the stated hours.

Monday, March 19, between 4:30 and 7:30 a.m.: Rockwell Hall, Campus House, Ketchum Hall, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

Saturday, March 24, between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Rockwell Hall

Sunday, March 25, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.: Rockwell Hall and Campus House. Please note: Campus House will be shut down for about 30 minutes sometime within the stated hours.

During the shutdowns, devices and appliances other than networked computers can remain in their normal operating state. It is possible that after each interruption, some networked computers, especially those that were not powered down, may experience network connectivity issues when powered back up. Such issues should be reported to the Computing Help Desk at ext. 4357.

Questions or concerns regarding these scheduled outages may be referred to Campus Services at ext. 6111.  Thank you for your cooperation.

An open forum to discuss the proposed 2012–2013 Intercollegiate Athletics budget will be held on Thursday, March 29, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center North. Members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Board will be present to answer questions.

The Buffalo State College Foundation Scholarship Gala is Buffalo State’s biggest party of the year—and you’re invited! Join us on Saturday, April 28, in the newly renovated Statler on Delaware Avenue for an evening of dining, dancing, and performances.

Faculty and staff participants agree—the gala is a memorable night out.

“I like going to the gala to see colleagues and friends and meet new friends from the campus and the community in a formal setting, with beautiful decor and a nice meal, and see some of our honors students’ accomplishments,” said Andrea Guiati, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of modern and classical languages and director of the All College Honors Program.“Co-workers should take advantage of the opportunity to dress up, meet a sample of our honors students who will greet them as they enter the event. They are delightful to talk to. A few years ago, I had the opportunity and pleasure to dance with former Buffalo State President Muriel Howard. I would have never had that experience if I didn’t go to the gala.”

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and food pairings, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:00 p.m., dancing, and a live auction. Auction items include unique jewelry, a trip to the Toronto International Film Festival, and a week’s stay in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Tickets are $200 per person, and all proceeds support the All College Honors Program. For more information, please contact Kathryn Neeson, ext. 4895.

Celebrate Buffalo State, and make this the year you get to the gala!

The Buffalo State College Foundation Scholarship Gala is Buffalo State’s biggest party of the year—and you’re invited! Join us on Saturday, April 28, in the newly renovated Statler on Delaware Avenue for an evening of dining, dancing, and performances.

Faculty and staff participants agree—the gala is a memorable night out.

“I love any event that includes dancing!” said Lee Ann Grace, assistant dean of international and exchange programs. “Meeting the honors students whom we are supporting is always very special as well. People should attend to support these bright young people who will go out into the world to be some of the best representations of what Buffalo State can offer.”

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and food pairings, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:00 p.m., dancing, and a live auction. Auction items include unique jewelry, a trip to the Toronto International Film Festival, and a week’s stay in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Tickets are $200 per person, and all proceeds support the All College Honors Program. For more information, please contact Kathryn Neeson, ext. 4895.

Celebrate Buffalo State, and make this the year you get to the gala!

Effective April 1, 2012, NYSHIP will offer the Opt-Out Program to PBANYS employees. This program will allow eligible employees who have other employer-sponsored group health insurance to opt out of their NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. The other coverage cannot be NYSHIP coverage provided through employment with the State of New York. The annual incentive payment is $1,000 for waiving individual coverage or $3,000 for waiving family coverage.

To be eligible for the program, you must have been enrolled in NYSHIP by April 1, 2011, and remain enrolled through March 31, 2012, unless you became newly eligible for NYSHIP benefits after April 1, 2011.

If you are currently enrolled in NYSHIP and wish to participate in the Opt-Out Program, you must elect to opt out during the Special Option Transfer Period, which ends March 30, 2012, and attest to having other employer-sponsored group health insurance.

The complete Opt-Out Program description, including eligibility requirements and enrollment forms, is available in Cleveland Hall 410 or on the Human Resource Management website.

Please call Human Resources at ext. 4821 with questions or for additional information.

The Buffalo State College Foundation Scholarship Gala is Buffalo State’s biggest party of the year—and you’re invited! Join us on Saturday, April 28, in the newly renovated Statler on Delaware Avenue for an evening of dining, dancing, and performances.

Faculty and staff participants agree—the gala is a memorable night out.

“I love the glamour of the event,” said Tom Koller, senior associate director of intercollegiate athletics. “I go to the gala for two simple reasons: in support of the campus and, more specifically, our customers—the students! And it’s great to get dressed up and head on out for a terrific evening, all in support of a wonderful institution.”

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and food pairings, followed by a multicourse gourmet dinner at 7:00 p.m., dancing, and a live auction. Auction items include unique jewelry, a trip to the Toronto International Film Festival, and a week’s stay in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Tickets are $200 per person, and all proceeds support the All College Honors Program. For more information, please contact Kathryn Neeson, ext. 4895.

Celebrate Buffalo State, and make this the year you get to the gala!

The Residence Hall Judicial Board is currently seeking new justices for the 2012–2013 academic year. Applications are available in the Residence Life Office and on the Residence Life website through Friday, March 30. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and be a current resident student.

Will the current economic recovery continue, and what are the prospects locally, nationally, and internationally? What are the prospects for continued rising stock prices for the remainder of 2012?

The Buffalo State Economics and Finance Forum presents “The Economics and Finance Forecast for 2012–2013” on Tuesday, March 27, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center North. Speakers will discuss current and future economic conditions from local, national, and international perspectives. In addition, the current and future condition of financial markets will be discussed. This year, Matthew E. Ryan, senior investment adviser and vice president at Merrill Lynch, will be our quest speaker. Other speakers are Economics and Finance Department faculty members Curtis Haynes, associate professor, Victor Kasper, associate professor, and Ted Schmidt, associate professor and editor of the Heterodox Economics Newsletter. Ted Byrley, CFA, associate professor and department chair, will moderate the discussion.

This event is supported by the Economics and Finance Department and other donations.

In compliance with the PBANYS collective bargaining agreement ratified on January 31, 2012, there will be a NYSHIP rate change effective April 1, 2012. As a result of the rate change, there is a Special Option Transfer Period March 1 through March 30, 2012.

The new health insurance rates and complete details can be viewed on the Human Resource Management website. PBANYS employees who wish to change their health insurance plans must do so by Friday, March 30. If you wish to make a change during this Special Option Transfer Period, you must complete and return the option transfer form to Cleveland Hall 410. No action is required if you wish to keep your current health insurance option.

You may want to review "Choices," a summary of health insurance plans, before you decide to change insurance carriers or to remain with your current carrier for your health insurance coverage.

Please note: the regular annual Option Transfer Period held at the end of the calendar year will be available, and you will have the opportunity to review health insurance plan options and rates for 2012 as you normally do.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resource Management at ext. 4821.