Because of the implementation of the new State Financial System (SFS), the last day that Procurement Services can accept purchase requisitions is Friday, March 9.

The current system will be shut down from approximately March 16 through April 18.

• No purchase orders can be processed during this time.
• No payments to vendors or reimbursements to people can be processed during this time. This does not affect payroll.
• Submit a requisition for all your needs for the March 16 to April 18 period as soon as possible.
• All requisitions received after March 9 will be held until the system is up and running, approximately April 18.

Please see the Daily Bulletin notice "Implementation of the New State Financial System: Shutdown Notice" for more details.

Questions: call Procurement Services at ext. 4113.

More information regarding the shutdown will be forthcoming.

Orientation sign-up for fall 2012 transfer students has begun! Transfer orientation will be held on Friday, August 24. The Orientation Office website is loaded with information on signing up for orientation and summer transfer advisement. The first-year sign-up will be available soon.

The State of New York is implementing a new State Financial System (SFS) that will go live on April 1, 2012. The shutdown period for the transition will be from approximately March 16 to April 18. No purchase orders or payments can be made during this time.

Impact

• No purchase orders can be processed during this time.
• No payments to vendors or reimbursements to people can be processed during this time. This does not affect payroll.
• All purchase orders and contracts must be taken off the current system and reentered on the new system.
• New vendor information must be processed through the state system and will take three to four days, possibly longer if additional information is needed.

Recommendations

• Please submit all receivers immediately upon receipt of materials or goods. Check your work areas for stragglers!
• Submit a requisition for all your needs from March 16 to April 18 as soon as possible. No requisitions can be received in Procurement after March 9.
• All requisitions received after March 9 will be held until the system is up and running, approximately April 18.
• Submit invoices to Accounts Payable and Travel Services immediately upon receipt. No payments will be made after March 16.
• Complete your February procurement card certification by March 15.
• Use the P-Card for all purchases during this period, if possible.
• All airline travel must go through the business travel agent, Albany Travel. The telephone number for Albany Travel is (800) 774-0655.

Questions: Call Procurement Services at ext. 4113.

More information regarding the shutdown will be forthcoming.

Would you like to find others who are interested in interdisciplinary teaching and research? Join us for the opportunity to make interdisciplinary contacts on Wednesday, March 7, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 181B. The format of this event is modeled after speed dating and offers the chance to meet and interact with faculty members who would like to expand their interdisciplinary horizons. Facilitated by Sue McMillen. Refreshments will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2736.

Explore the recent trend in the “gamification” of education at this professional development workshop on Wednesday, March 7, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 181B. Researchers and educators are looking to game design for potential in curriculum design. Educators are integrating game features, such as goal-oriented tasks, role playing, and collaborative problem solving, to enhance learning in schools. This also leads to a new way to analyze and assess learning outcomes and student achievement. We will discuss some recent trends like Mozilla’s Open Badges project and how this can affect the future of learning and education. Facilitated by Ken Fujiuchi. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2760.

This interactive hands-on event provides an opportunity to explore some cutting-edge technology and also to learn about how the technology could be used in teaching and learning. Browse the demonstrations and discussions at your own pace. Try out the devices that interest you. Talk with colleagues about how they are using these devices in their teaching. There will be demonstrations of iPads, clickers, Google Chrome laptops, smart phones, flip cameras, podcasts, e-book readers, and more at the Gadget Gathering on Tuesday, March 6, in E. H. Butler Library 210 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Many faculty find teaching general education courses to be especially challenging. Students may lack the disciplinary knowledge necessary to meaningfully engage in course content and may resist investing too much energy in a course they are hoping to “get out of the way.” While “watering down” course content is unsatisfying for all concerned, it isn’t always clear what a professor is to do. Moreover, students may appear to be uninterested in connecting or applying the course content to other disciplines (which is arguably one of the aims of general education). Join us for breakfast on Monday, March 5, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in E. H. Butler Library 181B to explore how the scholarship of teaching and learning might address some of the complexities in teaching general education courses. Facilitated by John Draeger.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=2752.

Students interested in public relations careers are invited to "An Evening with PRofessionals," featuring a panel discussion and speed networking with local public relations practitioners, on Wednesday, February 29, at 7:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210.

Panelists will include Virginia McAuliffe, marketing coordinator at Complete Senior Care and president of the Buffalo Niagara chapter of the Public Relations Society of America; Scott Berchtold, senior vice president of communications for the Buffalo Bills; Lindsay Truesdell, promotions director for Entercom Radio; and Katie Corbut, account coordinator for Travers Collins.

This free event is hosted by the Buffalo State chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and sponsored by United Students Government. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Deborah Silverman, associate professor of communication and PRSSA faculty adviser, ext. 3606.

An incident of workplace violence could have lifelong consequences for employees and their families. Human Resource Management offers workplace/domestic violence prevention training for all employees. Sessions are conducted by Sam Lunetta, retired University Police lieutenant. Annual participation in this training is mandated for all public employees under New York State Labor Law Section 27-b.

Topics covered include recognizing warning signs for potential violence, assessing risk in various work settings, what to do and not to do if presented with a violent situation, and campus resources available to prevent violence.

One-hour sessions will be held in Cleveland Hall 418 on Thursday, March 8 (10:00 to 11:00 a.m.); Wednesday, March 14 (10:00 to 11:00 a.m.); and Tuesday, March 20 (12:15 to 1:15 p.m.). Visit the Human Resources website or call ext. 4822 to register.

This mandated training is also available online for those unable to attend the group sessions. Employees may access the program on ANGEL. (Go to the "Campus Groups" section and select “Workplace Violence Prevention Group.”)

An online refresher course for employees who completed the workplace violence prevention training last year is also available on ANGEL.

The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) will hold its annual conference in Hamilton, Ontario, from October 24 to 27. Those interested in participating must submit brief proposals by Thursday, March 15. All those actively engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning are strongly encouraged to apply. Anyone interested in learning more about campus activities should contact John Draeger or visit www.buffalostate.edu/orgs/castl.