We are pleased to announce the NYS and CSEA Partnership's 2013–2014 Tuition Benefits Program for eligible CSEA-represented New York State executive branch employees. 

Copies of the catalog and application form are available for download at www.nyscseapartnership.org.

Program highlights include the following:

• Eligible CSEA-represented New York State executive branch employees may apply for two tuition vouchers or tuition reimbursements. All applications must be received by March 31, 2014.
• Any course taken must be in session sometime between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.
• Applications will be accepted by mail (NYS and CSEA Partnership for Education and Training, Corporate Plaza East - Suite 502, 240 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203) or by fax at (518) 486-1989 or (518) 473-0056.
• Educational Advisement Services are available to CSEA-represented New York State employees by phone at (518) 486-7814 or (800) 253-4332.

For further information, please contact the partnership at (800) 253-4332 or e-mail learning@nyscseapartnership.org.

Students are invited to weekly “fireside chats” with Dean of Students Charles Kenyon and featured guests on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Fireside Lounge (third floor). The Dean's Fireside Chat is an opportunity to discuss or consider any issues, concerns, or topics students wish to address.

Join us on April 4 for a conversation on "Career Development Tips and Tricks" with Stephanie Zuckerman-Aviles, director of the Career Development Center (CDC), and Jessie Lombardo, assistant director of the CDC. Refreshments will be provided.

How do you make the financial shift from working to retirement? ING Financial Partners will conduct the workshop "Creating Your Retirement Income Stream," led by Gary Witten, on Wednesday, April 10, in E. H. Butler Library 210 from noon to 1:30 p.m., to help you prepare for this important transition.

Registration is required. R.S.V.P. to molly@teamifs.com or (716) 626-3928. Lunch will be provided.

Buffalo State Dining is now serving Hershey's ice cream. Try a free sample today in the Campbell Student Union lobby from noon to 2:00 p.m.

Hershey's ice cream is available daily at Café Oh-Lé in the Science Building and Rockwell Hall or at Outtakes in the Student Union Food Court. Stop in and pick up a pint of ice cream, an incredible cone, a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich, a chocolate eclair bar, a strawberry shortcake bar, or an ice cream cake.

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

This workshop focuses on normalizing and managing feelings associated with the loss of a loved one. Topics include types of grief, myths, triggers, and expectations as well as coping and self-care. Please encourage your students dealing with a loss to attend.

Wednesday, April 3, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. Please be punctual. For more information, call the Counseling Center at ext. 4436.

Buffalo State welcomes Mick Cochrane, professor of English and the Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College, for a reading and discussion of his latest book, Fitz, on Tuesday, April 9, from 1:40 to 2:55 p.m. in Caudell Hall 212.

Cochrane’s first novel for young adults, Fitz tells the story of a 15-year-old boy who coerces the father he’s never met to spend a day with him—at gunpoint. Knopf executive editor Erin Clarke called the book “a taut, heartwarming novel…full of characters you will quickly come to love.”

Cochrane teaches courses in writing and literature, directs the creative writing program, and coordinates the Contemporary Writers Series at Canisius. His talk is free and open to the public.

Please tell students to vote in the Buffalo State student elections April 1–4 in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Undergraduate and graduate students must show Buffalo State ID or a valid driver’s license to vote. Polls are open today, April 1 through Wednesday, April 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Election results will be posted online on Thursday, April 4, by 9:00 p.m.

The Research and Creativity Council Spring Forum is an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff who have received grants or worked with various funding agencies and organizations. The goal of the program is to enrich participants’ research interests and expand networks. The Spring Forum will take place on Friday, April 19, in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. To register or for more information about the event, please visit the Research Foundation website.

E. H. Butler Library has acquired three new online databases this semester. Click on the titles to give them a try:

New York Review of Books
A searchable database of full-text articles from this intellectual magazine and book review source (coverage: 1963–present).

World Geography and Culture Online
Covers a wide range of information on all countries and U.S. states.

Art Source
A comprehensive index to periodical articles about art, art history, architecture, design, fashion design, fine arts, and more. Includes links to the full text of articles from more than 600 journals (coverage: 1929–present).

Links to these databases are available in many places on the library’s web page, including the Library Databases list and in selected library Subject Guides.

Feel free to share this information with Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff. If you have any questions, please contact Al Riess, database librarian, ext. 6320.

The Grant Allocation Committee (GAC) requests proposals from individuals, departments, and student clubs and organizations for funding of programs, speakers, and events to take place during the 2013–2014 academic year.

The deadlines to submit applications under this funding cycle are Friday, April 19, for summer and fall 2013 program proposals; Monday, September 16, for fall 2013 and spring 2014 program proposals; and Monday, November 18, for spring 2014 program proposals.

Please note that the application and guidelines have been updated. Old applications will not be accepted by the committee. The application for funding and complete details of requirements may be found online. In an effort to cut costs and in keeping with our institutional efforts to go green, all proposals must be submitted electronically to marzolkl@buffalostate.edu with one hard copy delivered to Cleveland Hall 519.

Questions about the GAC may be addressed to Daniel Vélez, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, Cleveland Hall 519, ext. 4704.