The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) office will present the work of two recent fellows on Thursday, November 21, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 418. Joy Guarino, associate professor of theater, will present “Kinesthetic Learning in the College Classroom,” and Ho Eui Holly Bewlay, assistant professor of music, will present “Assessment Rubric as a Tool to Increase Student Motivation in Applied Voice.” All are welcome.

For more about the SoTL fellowship program, please visit the SoTL website.

We are in the final week of the MAP-Works survey, and remaining first-year students who have not yet participated are encouraged to do so. More than 70 percent of all freshmen have completed the survey so far, and efforts aimed at outreach and interventions are already in place for those indicating high risk for leaving. Outreach based on survey results will continue all year. Please encourage first-year students to participate, either by taking the survey if they have not done so or by accessing their online student report if they have. MAP-Works can be accessed at https://student.map-works.com.

Igor K. Lednev, associate professor of chemistry at the University at Albany, will present his research talk "Raman Microspectroscopy and Advanced Statistics for Forensic Applications" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7, in Science Building 272. An abstract of his talk appears below.

Before his presentation, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m., Lednev will converse with undergraduate and graduate students at Buffalo State regarding the graduate program at the University at Albany. This private conversation will be held in Science and Mathematics Complex 201.

This seminar is sponsored by the Auxiliary Services Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
The identification of biological stains recovered at a crime scene is a key part of forensic investigation. Biochemical presumptive and confirmatory tests are destructive, require hazardous and expensive reagents, and/or suffer from cross-reactivity with other biological fluids. Each of these problems has significant negative impacts on efficiency, cost, lead-time, and quality of the forensic investigation. There is no single test that can be used for several body fluids.

We have demonstrated that Raman microspectroscopy combined with advanced statistics has a great potential as easy-to-use, automatic, on-field method for rapid, nondestructive, confirmatory identification of body fluid traces at a crime scene. We have developed a Raman spectroscopic library for identification of all major body fluids, including blood, semen, saliva, vaginal fluid, and sweat. In addition, the ability of the method to differentiate between animal and human blood traces, as well as between venous and menstrual blood, has been shown. The method has been expanded to body fluid mixtures, contaminated traces, and stains on various substrates. Exciting preliminary results on the genetic profiling based on Raman signature of blood and semen will be also discussed.

Near-infrared (NIR) Raman microspectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with advanced statistics was also utilized for detection, characterization, and identification of gunshot residue (GSR). The firearm discharge process is analogous to a complex chemical reaction. The reagents of this process are represented by the chemical composition of the ammunition, firearm, and cartridge case. The specific firearm parameters determine the conditions of the reaction and thus the subsequent product, GSR. We found that Raman and IR spectra collected from these products are characteristic for different caliber ammunition. This study demonstrates for the first time that vibrational spectroscopy has the potential for the differentiation of GSR based upon forensically relevant parameters, such as caliber size.

A new concept of multidimensional spectroscopic signature and adequate software have been introduced and developed to take into account the intrinsic sample heterogeneity. This concept improves the identification and differentiation power of the method and could be applied for a variety of practical problems involving heterogeneous sample.

Have you ever read a page in your textbook only to wonder if you read it at all, or do you avoid reading your college assignments because it feels painful and ineffective? Then this workshop is for you. Learn quick tips that save you time while increasing your understanding of textbooks and academic articles. Suggestion: Bring a textbook of your choice.

Did I Just Read That? Reading in College
Wednesday, October 30
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Bacon Hall 117
Presenter: Lauren Copeland

Call the Academic Skills Center at ext. 4041 to reserve your seat.

R is a powerful open-source statistical program that requires no license or fee. The use of R in scientific research has undergone exponential growth during the last decade, and in many fields it is the default statistical package. This workshop provides a beginning introduction to R that is focused on getting started with simple statistical analysis. Presented by Robert Warren on Tuesday, November 19, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 318.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3405.

The evaluation of innovative teaching pedagogies often necessitates using additional or different criteria and protocols. Explore several evaluation tools, each designed to help evaluate a specific innovative teaching strategy. Discuss how these tools can be used or modified to best fit teaching at Buffalo State. Presented by Sue McMillen on Thursday, November 14, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. A light lunch will be provided.

Register at http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/registration/classdetails.asp?class=3247.

It’s that time of the year. Clean out your storage spaces, desks, and filing cabinets and bring your unneeded supplies to the annual Office Supply Swap.

The schedule for the swap:

Wednesday, November 6
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Drop-off day. Bring your supplies to Business Services, Moore Hall 124*

Thursday, November 7
9:00 a.m.–noon
Supply shopping for departments that donated

Thursday, November 7
Noon–3:00 p.m.
Supply shopping for the entire campus

This is also a great opportunity to check out the surplus furniture warehouse.

Questions? Contact Lauren Bostaph, ext. 6835.

*Note: The new location of the swap is Moore Hall warehouse, building 28 on the campus map (not Moore Complex).

While most students cope successfully with the stressors of college and life, for some, the pressures can become overwhelming and unmanageable. A trustworthy and caring faculty or staff member may be a potential resource for our students. We offer the guidelines below for dealing with students in distress. Please call the Counseling Center at ext. 4436 for additional information or if you wish to consult about a student of concern. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of Weigel Health Center.

Please visit the Counseling Center's website for information about Buffalo State Cares, our suicide-prevention initiative, and Information for Faculty and Staff.

The Dean of Students Office (ext. 4618) and the Care Team are available for online reporting about students of concern so that a follow-up can be made. If you are interested in learning more, please click here and save this link: Accessing Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty

Any time there is an urgent situation, for example, one involving violence, danger, or suicide, call University Police at (716) 878-6333 immediately. Police officers are available 24 hours a day every day.

At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset. We can identify three general levels of distress that, when present over time, suggest that a person is having trouble successfully managing stress.

Level 1

• Serious grade problems or a change from consistently good grades to poor performance.
• Excessive absences, especially if the student has had previously demonstrated good, consistent class attendance.
• Unusual or markedly changed pattern of interaction, for example, totally avoiding participation, becoming excessively anxious when called upon, dominating discussions, etc.
• Other characteristics, including a depressed, lethargic mood; being excessively active and talkative (very rapid speech); swollen, red eyes; marked change in personal dress or hygiene; sweating (when room is not hot); and falling asleep inappropriately.

Level 2

• Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions, especially if the student appears uncomfortable or highly emotional disclosing the circumstances prompting the request.
• New or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits of decorum and interferes with effective management of the immediate environment.
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional response that is obviously inappropriate to the situation.

Level 3

• Highly disruptive (hostile, aggressive, violent, etc.). Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech; unconnected or disjointed thoughts).
• Loss of contact with reality (seeing/hearing things that "aren't there," exhibiting behavior or expressing beliefs that are greatly at odds with reality or probability).
• Homicidal threats.
• Overtly suicidal thoughts (referring to suicide as a current option).

Behavioral signs of suicide risk include:

• Feelings of hopelessness, intense sadness, apathy. Sudden mood swings, outbursts of anger.
• Self-deprecation, feelings of worthlessness.
• Inappropriate behavior, aggressive acts, disobedience, rebelliousness.
• Expressions of suicidal thoughts, death themes.
• Giving away valued possessions, seeming "in control" of life, making final plans.
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
• Withdrawal from family, friends, activities once enjoyed. Disinterest in appearance or health. Self-destructive behavior.
• Substance abuse, criminal activity. Inability to concentrate.
• Lack of energy, passiveness, allowing others to take advantage of him or her.
• Excessive feelings of guilt.
• Rapid weight gain or loss.

What Can You Do?

Level 1 behaviors, although not disruptive to others, may indicate that something is wrong and that help may be needed. Level 2 behaviors may indicate significant emotional distress, but also a reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for more personal help. Level 3 behaviors usually show a student in obvious crisis who needs emergency care and requires immediate intervention. You must remain calm and know whom to call for help. Telephone numbers for assistance and emergency referrals are listed below:

Counseling Center
219 Weigel Health Center
(716) 878-4436

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Weigel Health Center
(716) 878-6711

• Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Please note these other important 24-hour emergency/crisis phone numbers where counselors are available 24 hours a day every day:

• Crisis Services of Erie County (716) 834-3131
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
• University Police (716) 878-6333

The midterm grading window will close at 9:00 p.m. Friday, October 25. In addition to assigning an estimated midterm grade, faculty members can note how regularly a student has attended a course by entering 0 (never attended), 1 (sporadic, unsatisfactory attendance), or 2 (consistent, satisfactory attendance) in the "Hours Attended" field.

Although all faculty members can provide midterm feedback for any of their students in Banner, the Early Intervention Program (EIP) seeks information on particular student populations. Faculty members with EIP students in their courses will receive a list of students requiring midterm feedback. Your comments concerning attendance and performance are deeply appreciated and quite helpful to us in our academic intervention efforts. Students will be able to view their grades in Banner after 9:00 p.m. on October 25. Academic advisers will be able to view their advisees' reported midterm grades as they are posted through their access to the all-college shared drive.

Please join the Great Lakes Center for an open house on Friday, December 6, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Science Building 250. We will present the Great Lakes Center's annual report, report our progress on the GLC's graduate programs, and discuss current and potential projects and ideas for the future at the center.

Faculty, staff, and students are welcome. Refreshments will be served.