This is an update on a technical issue experienced Wednesday that impeded delivery of a notification sent by College Relations on behalf of the University Police Department. As you are aware, Buffalo State is currently in the process of migrating faculty and staff e-mail accounts to the cloud-based Office 365 environment to enhance access and reliability of e-mail service for the campus. To facilitate this process while minimizing impact to end users, it is necessary to run the "legacy" (Exchange 2007) e-mail system in parallel with the "new" (Office 365) environment throughout the active account migration phase. This parallel environment resulted in an unanticipated delay in processing of a large number of e-mails that were sent to the community Wednesday night. If you have not yet reviewed the advisory from University Police, it can be viewed online at http://police.buffalostate.edu/alert.  

When the Suspicious Person Advisory message from College Relations was sent to the Faculty and Staff distribution list, it was processed, as intended; however, the quota for the number of individual recipients for a single message was quickly reached, resulting in an unintended "hold" being placed on those remaining e-mails. By all accounts, this should not have occurred, and we are actively investigating the underlying cause.

We apologize for the inconvenience or angst this may have caused as news of the advisory may have reached some of you before delivery of the e-mail notification. Please know that we take our role in supporting timely notification of the community seriously, and we are doing everything possible to resolve the underlying issue.

For updates on this issue, please refer to the News/Alerts section of our website, where we will post information as we continue our investigation.

This memo serves as an annual notice to the Buffalo State community to provide information about Title IX.

Title IX protects students, faculty, and staff from gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, bullying (based on gender), cyberbullying (based on gender), and retaliation (from participation in a Title IX investigation).

The Title IX investigator for Buffalo State is William R. Sabio. He can be reached at 878-3051, sabiowr@buffalostate.edu, or Campbell Student Union 311.

The Title IX coordinator for Buffalo State is Karen A. Clinton Jones, chief diversity officer. She can be reached at 878-6210, joneska@buffalostate.edu, or Cleveland Hall 415.

Reporting Guidance

• If a student wishes to file a report against another student, contact Mr. Sabio, Title IX investigator, sabiowr@buffalostate.edu, 878-3051.
• If a student wishes to file a report against an employee, contact Dr. Clinton Jones, chief diversity officer, joneska@buffalostate.edu, 878-6210.
• If an employee wishes to file a report against another employee or a student, contact Dr. Clinton Jones, chief diversity officer, joneska@buffalostate.edu, 878-6210.
• When the concern involves a college employee, a victim may report the incident to Human Resource Management, where disciplinary proceedings will be conducted in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• If a student wishes to discuss his or her situation confidentially with a counselor, contact the Counseling Center, Weigel Health Center 219 or 878-4436.
• If a student or employee wishes to file criminal charges, contact University Police at 878-6333 (6333 from a campus landline phone).

 Additional Guidance

• For medical attention, go to the Weigel Health Center or call University Police at 878-6333 (6333 from a campus landline phone).
• For immediate concerns for your physical safety, contact University Police at 878-6333 (6333 from a campus landline phone).

The following off-campus services are also available:

• Crisis Services, Erie County 24-hour hotline, (716) 834‐3131, The Advocate Program
• NYS Office of Victim Services, Victim Advocacy, Buffalo, (716) 847-7996

The Student Bill of Rights identifies the responsibilities of Buffalo State with regard to Title IX and the rights of students involved in a Title IX incident or investigation.

If you have reported an alleged sexual misconduct or otherwise believe you have been subjected to sexual misconduct on campus, you are invited to provide to the Title IX coordinator any recommendations about how to improve the effectiveness of the campus’s implementation of its policies and procedures.

Information regarding Title IX, the Sexual Violence Response Policy, Student Bill of Rights, and Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence Policy can be found on the Equity and Campus Diversity website and through links on the Dean of Students and University Police websites.

Download the Title IX campus flier (PDF, 265 KB).

Updated 8/30/2016

At the center of Buffalo State is our teaching mission. It is always interesting to hear faculty members discuss the courses they are teaching and how these courses are preparing students for their future as both professionals and leaders...

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I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the 2016–2017 President’s Marketing and Communication Committee:

Committee Membership
Chair: Timothy Walsh, Associate Vice President, College Relations

Erin Alonzo, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management Office
David Cox, Director, New Student and Family Programs
Jerod Dahlgren, Director, Public Relations, College Relations
Bonita Durand, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Ken Fujiuchi, Head of Information Commons, Butler Library
Dwight Hennessy, Professor, Psychology (sabbatical fall 2016; serving spring 2017)
Kathleen Heyworth, Director, Marketing and Public Relations, Burchfield Penney Art Center
Jeffrey Hirschberg, Director, Television and Film Arts Program, Communication
Tamara Horstman-Riphahn, Executive Assistant to the Dean, School of Education
Kimberly Jackson, Assistant Dean, Graduate School
Marguerite Knowles, Associate Professor, Communication
Thomas Koller, Senior Associate Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
Kevin Miller, Interim Dean, Graduate School
Seth Oyer, Assistant Professor, Communication
Carmela Thompson, Director, Admissions
Kevin Williams, Associate Professor, Earth Sciences and Science Education
Robert Wood, Professor, Design
Sarah Young, Director, Student Life

Ex Officio: Susanne Bair, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

The President’s Marketing and Communication Committee will:

• develop recommendations to enhance or facilitate Buffalo State College’s communication and marketing messages;
• suggest ways to broaden the range and type of messages targeted toward prospective and current students and others who influence these students’ college choices.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the 2016–2017 Commencement Operations Group:

Chair: Patricia Alessandra, Senior Staff Associate, Academic Affairs*

Cheryl Byer, Coordinator, Business Systems, Campus Services
Peter Carey, Chief of Police, University Police
Bonita Durand, Chief of Staff, President’s Office*
Brent Ford, Athletics Facilities Manager, Sports Arena
Bernadette Gilliam, Assistant Director, Events Management
Mary-Jo Jagord, Director, Alumni Relations
Brian Kantz, Director of Publications, College Relations
Melaine Kenyon, Director, Technology Support Services, Instructional Resources (RITE)
Lisa Krieger, Assistant Vice President, Finance and Management
Marnie Letzelter, Assistant to the Dean, Graduate School
Nigel Marriner, Registrar, Registrar’s Office
Lynn Puma, Manager, Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore
Sarah Vélez, Director, Campbell Student Union
Rita Zientek, Associate Dean, School of the Professions*

The Commencement Operations Group serves as the support and implementation arm to the Commencement Committee. This group consists of nonvoting members who by virtue of their position on campus have responsibilities for implementation of commencement activities and events. A representative from Academic Affairs shall chair and convene this group.

*Also serves on Commencement Committee

I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the 2016–2017 Commencement Committee:

Chair: Ramona Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems
Immediate Past Chair: Lisa Rafferty, Chair and Associate Professor, Exceptional Education
Secretary: Cathy Cook, Secretary 2, Academic Affairs

Patricia Alessandra, Senior Staff Associate, Academic Affairs
Lisa Anselmi, Chair and Associate Professor, Anthropology
Elisa Bergslien, Chair and Associate Professor, Earth Sciences and Science Education
Bonita Durand, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Andrea Guiati, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Modern and Classical Languages
Kimberly Jackson, Assistant Dean, Graduate School
Michael Lewis, Director, Events Management
Camilo Maldonado, Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology
Ron Stewart, Professor, Sociology
Sherri Weber, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Sarah Young, Director, Student Life
Rita Zientek, Associate Dean, School of the Professions
Renaé Glasgow, Undergraduate Student Representative
Jazmene Mosley, Undergraduate Student Representative
Kassidy Sandy-Bourne, Undergraduate Student Representative
Graduate Student Representative: TBA

The Commencement Committee is a collegewide committee appointed by the president. The committee is responsible for advising the president, the provost, and other appropriate college administrators on matters pertaining to commencement; planning and implementing commencement ceremonies and related events; submitting proposed actions and substantive changes to the president for consideration; disseminating information about commencement throughout the institution to appropriate departments and other interested constituents; and making recommendations to the president for commencement speakers, if necessary. Committee members serve as institutional advocates and champions for commencement activities.

Please see an update to the membership of the 2016–2017 Civic Action Plan Work Group listed below:

Co-chair: Alex Means, Assistant Professor, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education
Co-chair: Laura Hill Rao, Coordinator, Volunteer and Service-Learning Center, Career Development Center

Darryl Carter, Director, STEP Program, Precollegiate Programs
Patrice Cathey, Director, Liberty Partnerships Program, Precollegiate Programs
Lisa Fronckowiak, Director, Disability Services
Joy Guarino, Associate Professor, Theater
Jevon Hunter, Wood-Beals Endowed Chair, School of Education
Charles Kenyon, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Paula Madrigal, Assistant Director of Prevention and Health Promotions, Weigel Health Center
Catherine Mazzotta, Assistant Professor, Social Work
Kathleen McNerney, Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology
Andrea Nikischer, Assistant Profession, Adult Education
Don Patterson, Director, Upward Bound, Precollegiate Programs
Jeffrey Scharoun, Alumnus, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
Melissa Slisz, Staff Assistant, President’s Office
Gary Welborn, Associate Professor, Sociology

This group is tasked with developing the Civic Action Plan for Buffalo State College. The plan will serve as the college’s guide for the upcoming year and will also provide a template for further planning.

Please note the following update to the Committee on Undergraduate Retention’s charge:

Co-Chair: Mark Severson, Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences
Co-Chair: Daniel Vélez, Associate Vice President for Student Success

Lynn Boorady, Chair and Associate Professor, Fashion and Textile Technology
Jerry Boyes, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics; Head Football Coach
Maria Brickhouse, Coordinator, Academic Center for Excellence, Educational Opportunity Program
Connie Cooke, Director, Financial Aid
Brian Dubenion, Student Retention Specialist, Student Success
Stanley Friesen, Associate Professor, Design
Yves Gachette, Director, Institutional Research
Dwight Hennessy, Professor, Psychology (sabbatical fall 2016; serving spring 2017)
Jevon Hunter, Woods-Beals Endowed Chair, School of Education
Kimberly Kline, Chair and Professor, Higher Education Administration
Lisa Rafferty, Associate Professor, Exceptional Education
Jennifer Toohey, Assistant Professor, Theater
Gregory Wadsworth, Associate Professor, Biology
Susan Wright, Director, Student Accounts

Ex Officio: Hal Payne, Vice President for Student Affairs
Ex Officio: Melanie Perreault, Provost

The Committee on Undergraduate Retention provides recommendations that will increase the persistence, retention, and graduation rates of undergraduate students.

The committee’s charge is as follows:

1. Review, gather, and interpret information from other institutions or external programs that can illuminate these concerns.
2. Investigate and review best practices that currently exist on the Buffalo State campus.
3. Review Buffalo State current information and quantitative data available related to this issue.
4. Gather new information or survey portions of the campus community to provide insight into this issue.
5. Develop recommendations that are relevant to all or selected portions of the campus student community.
6. Make recommendations on short-term and long-term goals related to higher persistence, retention, and graduation rates.
7. Submit proposals that address retention needs to the President’s Cabinet.
8. Report at the end of each semester (orally and in writing) on the state of undergraduate persistence, retention, and graduate rates and the impact of current or new programs to address these issues.
9. Advise the cabinet on the continuation, development, or elimination of programs that affect persistence, retention, and graduation rates.
10. Serve as the oversight body that assists and evaluates existing and new programs particularly as they relate to retention and completion.

Please see updates to the membership of the 2016–2017 Community Policing Advisory Committee listed below:

Chair: James Sobol, Chair and Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
Co-chair: Michael Heflin, Director, Residence Life

Maria Brickhouse, Coordinator, Academic Center for Excellence, Educational Opportunity Program
Peter Carey, Chief of Police, University Police
Jerod Dahlgren, Director, Public Relations, College Relations
Patrick Freeman, University Police Officer 1, University Police
Karen Clinton Jones, Chief Diversity Officer, Equity and Campus Diversity
Charles Kenyon, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Joan McCool, Director, Counseling Center
Amy McMillan, Associate Professor, Biology
Richard Myers, University Police Officer 2, University Police
Amy Pedlow, Assistant Chief of Police, University Police
Amy Rosen-Brand, Associate Director, Disability Services
Ron Smith, Professor, Communication
Daniel Vélez, Associate Vice President, Student Success
Keanna Morrison, United Students Government Representative
Jeremiah Perez Torres, Undergraduate Student Representative
Pilar Nelson, Graduate Student Representative
 
The Community Policing Advisory Committee is a standing committee that serves in an advisory role to the president and the vice president for finance and management on the community-oriented policing philosophy and problem-solving initiatives of the Buffalo State campus community in partnership with the University Police Department.

The committee represents the Buffalo State community in creating, evaluating, and implementing a community-oriented policing philosophy designed to create an environment that focuses on crime prevention, problem solving, and education through partnerships among University Police, students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. The committee is charged with the following:

• Review the issues involved in community policing, campus safety, and crime on campus.
• Develop ways to increase student, faculty, and staff input in University Police functions and initiatives.
• Identify ways to enhance positive interactions between the University Police and its constituents.
• Review complaints, trends, and statistics over regular intervals to determine the effectiveness of community policing programs and highlight any issues that need addressing.
• Act as an advocate for University Police to the campus community and administration to support community policing initiatives.
• Coordinate activities and share information with the Campus Safety Forum.
• Provide advice on other police-related issues brought to it by the president or the vice president for finance and management.
• Provide recommendations to the president and the vice president for finance and management on ways to enhance community policing on campus. Recommendations should include performance indicators or assessment strategies to help evaluate the outcomes of the recommendations, as well as an estimate of the financial and human resources needed to implement the recommendations.

Last Saturday, hundreds of Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff joined me to participate in our Bengals Dare to Care Day...

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