Project FLIGHT's current donation to the Cecilia Bard Multicultural Library for Peace is 281 books, worth over $4,000. Project FLIGHT founded this program that fosters peace in 2004 as an ongoing special book collection for E. H. Butler Library, which receives yearly donations of books. The special collection, now numbering 6,493 volumes and worth over $112,722, is available to anyone in Western New York.

The collection was named for Geraldine Bard’s mother, who died an untimely death. According to Bard, professor emerita of English, these books "will improve students’ lives and provide a way for them to appreciate the beautiful mosaic that makes up world cultures; these books also offer pathways for students to discover a common ground for unity and peace as well as respect for their differences." The creation of this collection also aids the college, the largest teacher-education institution in the state, in addressing three issues of importance: the New York State standards for education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) programs, and the Middle States accreditation process for the college.

In support of college programs, Project FLIGHT has awarded the Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education (CEURE) a donation of 2,500 books worth $20,142.80. CEURE collaborates with urban and rural school districts and college partners to support the education of children; specifically, it is designed to meet the needs of a community of economically and culturally diverse students in Western New York. The center’s director, John Siskar, in consultation with Project FLIGHT co-director Betty Cappella, has determined that the books will be used in the "I Am College Bound" and the national "Read Aloud 15 Minutes" programs.

Project FLIGHT has just completed this year’s donation of 6,985 books and literacy materials worth $38,674.74 for the Professional Development Schools Consortium (PDS) initiative. The college's PDS provides a venue by which college faculty, school administrators, and practicing teachers cooperatively supervise preservice teachers and provide closer connections to classroom practice. The PDS operationalizes a collaborative community partnership between the college and urban, suburban, and rural schools to improve educational opportunities for both students and practitioners. Project FLIGHT is pleased to partner with this prestigious program.

The campus community is warmly invited to attend the lecture "How to Tell You Are in Canada, Eh!" with Stephen Gareau, associate professor of computer information systems, on Tuesday, November 19, from 12:10 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160.

This lecture is an integral part of a lecture series sponsored by the International Student Advisory Council.

The Fashion and Textile Technology Department will sponsor a talk by Kevin Burke, president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), on Tuesday, November 19, at 12:15 p.m. in Technology Building 358A/B. Come and hear about the AAFA, the economic impact of the textile and apparel industry, the Affordable Footwear Act, and much more. Burke will also give tips on interviewing and how to land a job in the current economy. 

AAFA is the national trade association representing the individual and collective interests of apparel, footwear, and other sewn products companies. Representing more than 75 percent of the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, the association has a primary mission to promote and enhance their members’ competitiveness, productivity, and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, legal, commercial, political, and trade restraints.

For more information about the AAFA, visit www.wewear.org.

Check out the campus surplus warehouse before you order anything new. We are bursting at the seams with desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, and much more. All campus employees can "shop" in the warehouse for campus furniture to be used on campus.

Call Lauren Bostaph at  ext. 6835 today to schedule an appointment to come and take a look.

Buffalo State Dining is excited to announce that Choc-o-late, the new dining venue located in the Technology Building, will open Monday, November 18. Buffalo State Dining will be passing out free samples of Choc-o-late's Mexican hot chocolate on Monday from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. outside, between the Technology Building and the Classroom Building. Stop by on your way into the office.

Choc-o-late features a variety of hot chocolates, gourmet coffee blends, a bagel bar with a selection of flavored cream cheeses, and fresh-made Spanish pastries. Also available is an upscale deli line including homemade paninis, sandwiches, and wraps.

Choc-o-late Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: Closed

For more information on Buffalo State Dining, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

New dates have been added for Blackboard Training Open Labs. The regular Open Lab sessions are for any faculty members who have questions about navigating Blackboard Learn. The Open Lab - Special Edition sessions concentrate on faculty members currently teaching in Blackboard who have specific questions about Blackboard functions as we near the end of the fall 2013 semester. You can register for these sessions on the Workshop Registration System website. See you soon!

By now, many faculty and staff members have heard about Open SUNY, but did you know you can still “raise your hand” and make sure your voice is heard?

As your campus FACT² reps, we want to ensure Buffalo State faculty and staff involvement in the development of Open SUNY. We encourage you to visit the Open SUNY site, read the frequently asked questions, and if you have a question, ask! This is the time to make your voice heard. 

Another way to share your thoughts, ideas, and comments on Open SUNY is through this feedback form. There is also a survey, where you can share your thoughts on what would be helpful and concerns you feel would be important to consider.

As always, you can contact your SUNY Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT²) campus representatives, Carlos Jones or Melaine Kenyon, with questions.

Learn how you can earn awards and become eligible for prizes and the possibility of winning $300 for professional development during this information session on Tuesday, December 3, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Technology Building 242.

Introductory Session Workshop: Tools of Engagement Project (TOEP) – On-Demand Discovery Learning Professional Development
Interested in learning about instructional technologies that can be used to help engage students? Then TOEP is just what you need. This session will introduce faculty and staff members to TOEP, a web-based discovery learning activity designed to help you learn about instructional technologies that are engaging and functional.

TOEP provides hands-on experience with online instructional technologies like audio and video creation and editing, creating engaging presentations, using social media in and outside the classroom, and more that you can explore at your own pace. Complete a series of short discovery exercises designed to help you explore and reflect on innovative and creative uses of online instructional technologies.

TOEP runs through spring 2014 and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes a week. Faculty and staff members selected through peer review will receive funding to be used toward professional development (valued at $300). Other incentives, including iTunes gift cards, will also be awarded.

Visit the TOEP website for more information.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and evaluate a variety of online instructional technologies for the purposes of teaching and learning
• Reflect on your own learning and outline how online instructional technologies might affect your teaching effectiveness