One of the brightest stars at Buffalo State is our internationally known Art Conservation Department. This highly competitive three-year graduate program educates and trains conservators of fine art and material cultural heritage...

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This summer is a very busy time for our SUNY family. Today I was reminded that the activity seen on our Buffalo State campus is mirrored throughout all State University of New York campuses...

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I often ponder the importance of preparing our students to be global citizens and tomorrow’s global leaders...

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I had a chance to pop in and see Associate Professor Ricky Fleming directing his third annual camp for budding jazz performers, held July 13–17...

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Last year, I discussed with the campus community the evolution of the SUNY Excels plan and how campuses would receive further direction this summer. Earlier this month, we received greater detail regarding the SUNY Excels performance plan requirements and a deadline for submission of individual campus plans. Our plan is due to SUNY by September 30, 2015.

Preparing our plan will require that the campus identify or develop measurable goals in the areas of access, completion, success, inquiry, and engagement. Plans must be approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees in order for campuses to be eligible to apply for the additional investment funds approved during the last budget cycle, as well as other centrally held funds.

Currently, the campus administration is reviewing specifics related to the required plans and seeking clarity on several aspects from SUNY. In early August, the cabinet will participate in a retreat to begin to flesh out goals that respond to elements of SUNY Excels. These goals will correspond to the existing campus priorities and plans we have in place. In mid-August, I will meet with the College Senate leadership to gather their input and insights.

When we are fully in session in September, I will convene a college meeting with the Senate leadership and other campus leaders to receive further input before a final plan is drafted and submitted.

We will make the best use of our short period of time to gain input from the college community. The plan, once completed and approved, will be revised yearly as our campus continues to grow, develop, and adapt to new directions and developments.

I appreciate your support during this process and your assistance as we continue to work together.

I am pleased to announce the following staff liaisons and presidential appointees to the College Senate for the 2015–2016 academic year:

Academic Plan: Melanie Perreault, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Budget and Staff Allocations: James Thor, Associate Vice President for Finance and Management; Comptroller
Bylaws and Elections: William Benfanti, Associate Vice President for Government Relations
Curriculum: Rosalyn Lindner, Associate Vice President for Assessment and Curriculum
Faculty and Staff Welfare: Susan Earshen, Associate Vice President for Human Resource Management
Instruction and Research: Mark Severson, Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences
Standards for Students: Charles Kenyon, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Student Welfare: Sarah Vélez, Director of the Campbell Student Union
Presidential Appointee: James Mayrose, Dean of the School of the Professions
Presidential Appointee: Daniel Veléz, Associate Vice President for Student Success

The Buffalo office of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York held a naturalization ceremony at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on Tuesday, July 21...

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In fall 2015, Buffalo State College will begin a yearlong strategic planning process. This process will culminate in a five-year strategic plan covering the years 2016–2021. To complete this extremely important work, I will appoint a College Planning Council (CPC).

The charge of the CPC is to serve as an advisory committee to the president. It exists to review current and previous Buffalo State strategic plans; to examine key directives that are currently in place from SUNY; and to gather the perspectives of all constituents of the campus community in order to recommend a set of strategic directions for the campus with well-defined objectives for the 2016–2021 period.

To fulfill the charge, the CPC will

1. develop a process and create a timeline for the process resulting in a completed draft of the strategic plan by June 2016;
2. create an inclusive information-gathering process that provides opportunities for all sectors of the campus community to share perspectives;
3. establish a mechanism for ongoing communication of the work of the council to the campus community;
4. recommend specific and assessable campus goals;
5. utilize the expertise and support (as needed) of any office or member of the campus community.

After completion and adoption of the strategic plan by the College Council, the CPC will review campus progress toward goals annually and provide feedback to the president on movement toward or completion of strategic goals.

This council will be chaired by Provost Melanie Perreault and will represent all members of our campus community (faculty, staff, students, and alumni). I will be contacting vice presidents, deans, and the chair of the College Senate in the next few weeks to obtain nominations for this council. If you are interested in serving on the CPC (or would like to nominate others), please contact the dean of your school, the provost or vice president of your division, or the chair of the College Senate by Monday, August 17. The committee membership will include two faculty representatives from each school, two representatives from each division of the college (Academic Affairs, Finance and Management, Information Services and Systems, Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs), and two representatives from the College Senate. Additionally, I will contact appropriate parties to obtain representatives from other sectors of the college community to ensure full representation from all constituents.

I appreciate your support during our strategic planning process and thank you in advance for the many ways each member of the Buffalo State College family will contribute to our mission in the year ahead and beyond.

-------------------------------

Correction: July 30, 2015
An earlier version of this announcement omitted the Student Affairs division from the list of committee representation. We apologize for the error.

The following is a corrected version of Wednesday's announcement, which inadvertently omitted the Student Affairs division from the list of committee representation. We apologize for the error.

In fall 2015, Buffalo State College will begin a yearlong strategic planning process. This process will culminate in a five-year strategic plan covering the years 2016–2021. To complete this extremely important work, I will appoint a College Planning Council (CPC).

The charge of the CPC is to serve as an advisory committee to the president. It exists to review current and previous Buffalo State strategic plans; to examine key directives that are currently in place from SUNY; and to gather the perspectives of all constituents of the campus community in order to recommend a set of strategic directions for the campus with well-defined objectives for the 2016–2021 period.

To fulfill the charge, the CPC will

1. develop a process and create a timeline for the process resulting in a completed draft of the strategic plan by June 2016;
2. create an inclusive information-gathering process that provides opportunities for all sectors of the campus community to share perspectives;
3. establish a mechanism for ongoing communication of the work of the council to the campus community;
4. recommend specific and assessable campus goals;
5. utilize the expertise and support (as needed) of any office or member of the campus community.

After completion and adoption of the strategic plan by the College Council, the CPC will review campus progress toward goals annually and provide feedback to the president on movement toward or completion of strategic goals.

This council will be chaired by Provost Melanie Perreault and will represent all members of our campus community (faculty, staff, students, and alumni). I will be contacting vice presidents, deans, and the chair of the College Senate in the next few weeks to obtain nominations for this council. If you are interested in serving on the CPC (or would like to nominate others), please contact the dean of your school, the provost or vice president of your division, or the chair of the College Senate by Monday, August 17. The committee membership will include two faculty representatives from each school, two representatives from each division of the college (Academic Affairs, Finance and Management, Information Services and Systems, Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs), and two representatives from the College Senate. Additionally, I will contact appropriate parties to obtain representatives from other sectors of the college community to ensure full representation from all constituents.

I appreciate your support during our strategic planning process and thank you in advance for the many ways each member of the Buffalo State College family will contribute to our mission in the year ahead and beyond.

This month I joined colleagues and individuals throughout the country as we paused to reflect on the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990...

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