The Research and Creativity Council Incentive Program is accepting applications until Friday, January 17, 2014, for funds to promote faculty creativity and research. Please submit applications to the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office in Bishop Hall 24. Three council members will be appointed to review all applications received by the above deadline.

Incentive funds administered by the Research and Creativity Council are intended to promote faculty creativity and research. Their ultimate goal is to generate additional funded programs. One year after receiving an incentive award, recipients will be required to submit a full report documenting the use of these funds and to submit a grant proposal to an outside sponsoring agency through the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award and Contract Services Office. Submitting a proposal through the College Foundation does not meet this requirement. Recipients are also obligated to participate in the Faculty and Staff Fall Forum, which takes place in October.

Expenditures considered for support under this program include travel to consult with a funding source, secretarial assistance, student assistance, consultation with grant specialists, preparation of specialized support materials for proposal (e.g., graphs, drawings, resource books), release time, and any other expense that can be justified. Funds cannot be requested for the purchase of computers. Also, it is not the council’s intention to directly pay an individual for writing a proposal.

The application is located on the Sponsored Programs website.

Students from all over the world enroll at Buffalo State, and an important part of their orientation is the opportunity to learn firsthand about our cultural patterns, economic and political outlooks, and everyday language skills. These experiences can assist them in class discussions and in their social relations with other students. It also gives them a better understanding of the American culture they will take back with them to their home countries.

The American Host Family Program is designed to give an international student a family with whom he or she can visit, enjoy an occasional meal, celebrate holidays, participate in community sporting and cultural events, and gain insight about our country and culture. The program also gives host families the opportunity to learn about another country’s culture, holidays, and language. (It is important to note that it will be up to the host family and the student to discuss when and how often they will meet.)

International students are often far from home and do not see their families for months or even years. Some students may find the transition from their home country to our country very difficult. Being without their families and friends and adapting to a new culture and a new school can be difficult in many ways. The warm support of an American family can help alleviate their fears and frustrations.

We hope that your family will be interested in participating in this program.

Please contact Pat Schindler, graduate intern in the International Student Affairs Office, ext. 5331, to join the Buffalo State American Host Family Program.

The International Student Affairs Office has officially established an International Student Orientation Fund that can receive donations at any time. The purpose of the initiative is to have funding that can cover the cost of taxi rides from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Buffalo State for international students when they arrive to move into their rooms. (International students will obtain a receipt for reimbursement.)

This program will apply only to those international students who have made prior reservations to live on campus.

The campus community is warmly invited to make donations to this special fund by calling the International Student Affairs Office at ext. 5331 or sending e-mail to Jean Gounard, director of international student affairs.

On behalf of the Buffalo State Campus Intercultural Communications Committee, the International Student Affairs Office is delighted to invite all internationally minded faculty, staff, and students to attend our well-known weekly International Student Social Hour, which allows all international students, scholars, and their friends to meet informally.

This special get-together takes place every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Assembly Hall 1 of the Campbell Student Union.

Coffee, tea, and other light refreshments are graciously shared.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, November 6.

Buffalo State will begin the second phase of its rehabilitation of the Science Building on Monday, November 4. As part of this work, the westernmost row of parking (closest to the Science Building) in Lot S-1 will be closed temporarily in order to construct a new sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot. These spaces are expected to be closed and barricaded Monday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 5, and reopened for use on Wednesday, November 6.

Please refer to www.buffalostate.edu/construction for further information about current and upcoming construction projects. Questions about these improvements can be directed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

We thank you for your patience as the project progresses.

Buffalo State will begin the second phase of its rehabilitation of the Science Building today. As part of this work, the westernmost row of parking (closest to the Science Building) in Lot S-1 will be closed and barricaded through Tuesday, November 5, in order to construct a new sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot.

Please refer to www.buffalostate.edu/construction for further information about current and upcoming construction projects. Questions about these improvements can be directed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

We thank you for your patience as the project progresses.

Do you remember taking high school math but feel you need a refresher? You are not alone! Come and check out this workshop:

Math Fear? Quick Refresher for Non-Science Classes
It won’t take long for you to remember decimals, fractions, percentages, and standard-to-metric conversions.

Thursday, November 7
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Bacon Hall 117
Presenter: Monica Heavey

Please call the Academic Skills Center at ext. 4041 if you'd like to reserve a seat.

Have you ever wondered what to write in your notes? Then this workshop is for you!

What Should I Write in My Notes? Note Taking in College
Learn to jot down the important stuff by applying these quick and easy tips.

Tuesday, November 5
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Bacon Hall 202

In order to make the purchase of computer hardware more efficient, Computing and Technology Services (CTS) has implemented an online process. Effective immediately, all requests for computer hardware purchases, price quotes, or consultations should be made through the Help Desk Hardware Request form. A link to this form is also available on the CTS website. Requests made through this form will receive the highest priority. We will no longer use the CTSPURCHASING e-mail account for hardware purchase requests, so please be aware that requests sent to that account may not be addressed immediately.

Please contact the Computing Help Desk, ext. 4357, with questions.

Please encourage promising freshmen through juniors to attend the McNair Scholars Program information and recruitment reception on Tuesday, November 5, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science Building 250. This event will give students the opportunity to meet with program staff, Advisory Board members, and current McNair scholars to discuss the benefits of participating in the program as well as the application process. For more information, please call the McNair Office at ext. 3411 or e-mail Jennifer Johnson.