Nominations for President's Awards for Excellence in Academic Advisement; in the Advancement of Equity and Campus Diversity; in Faculty and Staff Mentoring; in Librarianship; in Research, Scholarship, and Creativity; in Service to the College; in Teaching; as an Undergraduate Research Mentor; for Career Achievement for Faculty; or for Career Achievement for Professional Staff are due in the Provost's Office, Cleveland Hall 519, by Monday, March 4. Guidelines and forms are available on the Academic Affairs website. Questions may be directed to Carolyn Martino, ext. 5903.

Want to run in the 2013 Buffalo State student elections? Fill out an application. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, February 25.

The following positions are available:

USG President (one position, one-year term)
USG Executive Vice President (one position, one-year term)
USG Treasurer (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Academic Affairs (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Campus Affairs and Government Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Public Relations (one position, one-year term)
USG Vice President for Student Life (one position, one-year term)
USG Senator (40 positions, one-year term)
Faculty Student Association Board Member (two positions, two-year term)
College Senator (12 positions, one-year term)
College Council (one position, one-year term)
Student Assembly Delegate (two positions, one-year term)
Intercollegiate Athletics Board (noncompetitor and at-large position available, one-year term)
Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee (one position, one-year term)
Grant Allocation Committee (three undergraduate positions, one graduate position, two-year term)

Descriptions and requirements of the positions are available online. Students will vote in the student elections between Monday, April 1, and Thursday, April 4, in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Want a meal for only $5? Then stop into the Campbell Student Union Food Court for a WOW Deal! WOW Deals are offered every day from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and are available at every platform.

February WOW Deals
Bluw: Stir fry tossed with fresh veggies and a fountain beverage
Roots: Curried chicken served over a bed of rice and a fountain beverage
Chop'd: Crisp garden salad and a fountain beverage
Salsarita's: Two tacos and a fountain beverage
2.mato: One slice of cheese pizza, one pizza log, and a fountain beverage

WOW Deals change every month, so check our website often to view them. WOW Deals can be found at www.dineoncampus.com/bsc under the coupons tab.

Jaquan Williams, a master's degree candidate in the forensic science program, will present his master's thesis, "Comparative Metabolism of Phenanthro[3,4-b]thiophen and Its Carbon Analog Benzo[c]phenanthrene," at 12:30 p.m. today, February 21, in Science Building 272. This seminar series is sponsored by the Auxiliary Service Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association. The abstract is as follows:

Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their sulfur-heterocyclic PAHs (thia-PAHs) formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter are commonly occurring persistent environmental contaminants (1). A number of thia-PAHs have shown significant mutagenic and carcinogenic activities. As noted with PAHs, these chemical contaminants also require metabolic activation in order to exhibit their mutagenic and carcinogenic effects (2). In the present study, the metabolism of phenanthro[3,4-b]thiophene (P[3,4-b]T), a thiaster of weakly mutagenic benzo[c]phenanthrene (B[c]P), was investigated by liver microsomes from induced and un-induced rats as well as lung microsomes from smokers and nonsmokers. All the microsomes metabolized P[3,4-b]T to produce both ring oxidation products (predominantly P[3,4-b]T 8,9-diol) and S-oxidation products (predominantly P[3,4-b]T sulfone).

P[3,4-b]T is a more potent mutagen than its homocyclic analog B[c]P. Previous studies have shown that, like many carcinogenic PAHs, B[c]P is also metabolically activated to B[c]P 3,4-diol to produce mutagenic and carcinogenic effects (3). However, our recent studies with P[3,4-b]T, a sulfur analog of B[c]P, have shown that, in contrast to P[3,4-b]T 8,9-diol, a corresponding sulfur analog of  B[c]P 3,4-diol, P[3,4-b]]T sulfone exhibit significantly higher mutagenic activity compared to P[3,4-b]T. This earlier finding, together with our present study that demonstrates the formation of P[3,4-b]T sufone as a metabolite of P[3,4-b]T, supports our hypothesis that, unlike B[c]P,  P[3,4-b]T exhibits its mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic activity predominantly via sulfoxidation pathway.

The Admissions Office is proud to announce that the annual Class Visit Program will be hosted during Presidents Week, February 20–22, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the newly renovated Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.

This initiative is an invitation-only event for high school seniors who have been accepted to Buffalo State. Visiting students get to observe classes alongside current Buffalo State students. Survey results show that participating students and their parents appreciate the experience that the Class Visit Program offers.

While students attend class, parents participate in a Q&A panel discussion, where they pose questions to representatives from Financial Aid, University College, Residence Life, University Police, and the Career Development Center. 

Following the sessions, student ambassadors lead guests on a campus tour.

A special thanks is due to the college's teaching faculty for allowing these accepted students to visit their classes. In addition, we appreciate the contributions of the Alumni Association Office, the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore, the College Relations Office, and Chartwells Campus Dining Services.

For more information about this event, contact Ken Robinson, admissions adviser, ext. 5024.

A workshop for students on decreasing presentation anxiety in order to improve academic success will be held today, February 20, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. Practical tips and strategies for improving presentation skills will be reviewed. Please be punctual. For more information, call the Counseling Center at ext. 4436.

The campus community is cordially invited to attend the next meeting of the International Student Advisory Council on Tuesday, February 26, at 12:30 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 205.

Kimberly Jackson, assistant dean for strategic and enrollment planning in the Graduate School, will present "Applying to Graduate Schools," followed by PowerPoint presentations on Gambia and Senegal.

Everyone is welcome.

The interactive installation Let There Be Light! by Shasti O’Leary-Soudant, will be on view in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Useum from March 8 to September 29. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 8, at 5:30 p.m.

From the very first spark, this life-giving form of energy has pervaded our existence and allows us to perceive the beauty and elegance of the universe in its infinite glory. But light can be tricky, and our eyes are easily fooled.

In this installation, light is wielded, explored, manipulated, and played with using different means, including remote controls and the sound of your voice. A photo booth, a set of colored mirrors, and a gigantic “Lite-Brite” board are among the chromatic amusements that will ensure a delightfully playful engagement with your own eyes.

More information is available on the Burchfield Penney website.

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 the theme of the day or to consider any issues, concerns, or topics students wish to address.

Join us on February 21 for a conversation on the "Whats, Whys, and Hows of Student Health Insurance," featuring Kim Jablonski, assistant director for mandated programs at Weigel Health Center. Refreshments will be provided.

The Recreation and Intramurals unit is offering the following fitness classes to Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff:

Yoga on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 11.30 a.m., and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.

Zumba on Mondays at 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m., and Fridays at 4:00 p.m. 

Body sculpting on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. 

All classes are held in Buckham Hall A209 and are free of charge. No registration is required.

For more information, e-mail Rudy Pompert.