The Daily Bulletin will take a holiday break from December 24, 2013, to January 1, 2014. During this time, users may submit items for Thursday, January 2, and beyond. Happy holidays from College Relations.

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 10, 2014, for the 2013–2014 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes superior performance and extraordinary achievement by classified-service employees. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online.

Thank you.

When issuing a student a non-passing grade (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's attending, do not enter a date. Instead, use the grade of 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.

Our Blackboard Learn environment underwent emergency maintenance on December 10 that resulted in server downtime. Blackboard users may have experienced intermittent performance issues.

These performance issues may continue as our hosting provider continues to work with their vendors to investigate this issue while taking immediate measures to improve system performance.

Because of these performance issues, it is recommended that additional time be provided for students to complete their course assignments where Blackboard is required.

Directions on how to provide additional attempts for online exams can be located on the Blackboard Learn website. Faculty members can also call the SUNY Learning Network at (800) 875-6269.

Monday, March 3, is the deadline for departments and programs to submit listings of students who have received awards and scholarships during their studies at Buffalo State. These students will be recognized in the Commencement booklet distributed at all three ceremonies on Saturday, May 17. Department chairs and program coordinators should have received e-mail notification of the submission process in late November. Any faculty or staff member who did not receive an e-mail notification and does have student names and awards to submit, please e-mail Patricia Alessandra in the Academic Affairs Office. Awards submission guidelines are posted on the Commencement website. Thank you.

The Buffalo State Alumni Association has teamed up with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to offer a defensive driving class to Buffalo State faculty, staff, alumni, and students on Saturday, February 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 320.  

Save money on your auto insurance by taking this class offered through Liberty Mutual. Friends and relatives are also welcome if accompanied by a faculty or staff member, alumnus, or student. The cost of the class is $22 per person.

To enroll, call Mike DiCioccio, Buffalo State’s local representative, at (716) 677-2734, ext. 53695.

Mark Petrie, associate vice president for enrollment management, is leaving Buffalo State after seven years of service to take a vice president of enrollment management position at Keuka College. To thank him for his service, a farewell reception is planned for Monday, December 16, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Admissions Office conference room, Moot Hall 110. Please stop by and wish him well.

Local author Budd Bailey will sign copies of his book, Today in Buffalo Sports History: 366 Days of Milestones, on Thursday, December 12, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. Makes a great holiday gift!

A big thank-you goes out to everyone who so kindly and generously supported the 17th annual Student Sale. Sales bounced back to a level enjoyed in pre-recession times, proving that this college community supports its students. Through this event, students participated in a "real world" experience, tested their works in the marketplace, and earned some money at the same time.

Thanks again and happy holidays to all!

Buffalo State Dining is now offering $5 Value Meals at each dining unit in the Campbell Student Union Food Court. Value Meals are available all day every day during normal hours of operation. Value Meals are served on a rotating menu cycle to offer a variety of menu items at a discounted price. Stop in the Food Court and take advantage of these great deals.

$5 Value Meal Deals

Bluw
Asian trio – three pot stickers, three dumplings, an egg roll, and a fountain beverage 
Sushi craze – any $5 sushi and a fountain beverage

2.mato
Italian combo – slice of cheese pizza, one pizza log, one mozzarella stick, and a fountain beverage
Mozzilla calzone – cheese calzone and a fountain beverage

Train Grill
Popcorn chicken – popcorn chicken, fresh-cut fries, and a fountain beverage
The Kick Start (available only during breakfast) – cheese or veggie omelet and a fountain beverage

Chop'd
Garden salad – romaine lettuce topped with tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots, and cheese and a fountain beverage
Garden salad and breadstick – romaine lettuce topped with tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots, and cheese and a breadstick

Salsarita's
Soft taco – one soft-shell taco, side of chips and salsa, and a fountain beverage
Hard taco – one hard-shell taco, side of chips and salsa, and a fountain beverage

Roots
Tenders and fries – three chicken tenders, fresh-cut fries, and a fountain beverage
Tenders and mac and cheese – three chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and a fountain beverage

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