On behalf of your RITE colleagues, I am pleased to announce the availability of the 2015-2016 RITE Annual Report. This report chronicles the events, accomplishments, and achievements of the division over the past year, including our transformation from Information Services and Systems (ISAS) to the current Resources for Information, Technology, and Education (RITE). You may download a PDF (7.4 MB) of the report or view the interactive flipbook on our website.

Registration is now open for the Human Trafficking: Strategies for a Solution conference, to be held on campus Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15.

The conference will feature international scholars in human trafficking who will discuss such topics as cultural tolerance of trafficking, the use of social media, vulnerable populations, and life experiences of survivors. Federal, state, and local governmental and nongovernmental practitioners working on the front lines will inform the discussion. To learn more about modern-day slavery locally, nationally, and abroad or for registration details, please visit the conference website.

This event is sponsored by the SUNY Conversations in the Disciplines program. Additional support has been provided by the Buffalo State President's Office, Provost’s Office, School of Arts and Humanities, School of Natural and Social Sciences, School of the Professions, University College, Graduate School, Criminal Justice Department, and Institute for Community Health Promotion/Collaborative Research Initiative.

Resources for Information, Technology, and Education (RITE) is pleased to announce the completion of our 2016–2019 Strategic Plan, which is now available for review on our website. This plan represents a collective effort of the RITE staff to define strategic opportunities to support the new Buffalo State College Strategic Plan through our information services and technology teams. We hope you will take the opportunity to review the plan and provide your feedback.

Please join me in attending this year’s Anne Frank Project social justice festival on Wednesday and Thursday, September 28 and 29. This event includes sessions of interest for faculty, staff, and students from multiple disciplines, and is free and open to the public. The schedule of events can be found on the AFP website.

Buffalo State submitted its 2015–2016 Internal Control Summary and Certification to SUNY on April 8, 2016. This is a critical submission for the campus as it summarizes a year’s worth of internal control program activities, reviews, and audits.

At this time, staff members in SUNY System Administration have completed review of all campus submissions and submitted SUNY’s agency-wide response to New York State. Buffalo State’s submission and responses were found to adequately address the six requirements set forth in Budget Policy and Reporting Manual B-350, and full compliance has been recorded for the campus for the year ending March 31, 2016.

Acceptance of Buffalo State’s certification by SUNY recognizes our comprehensive efforts to promote organizational efficiency and economy and encourage adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and managerial policies and practices. As a member of the Buffalo State community, you should be aware that internal controls are everyone’s responsibility. A copy of the campus submission is available on the Buffalo State Internal Control Program website. I encourage your review of Buffalo State’s certification submission (PDF) and welcome any questions you may have. 

We look forward to your continuing support for internal controls and value your efforts toward this end.

I am pleased to announce the members of the General Education Task Force:

Marc Bayer, Interim Director, Butler Library
Ann Emo, Chair and Associate Professor, Theater
Scott Goodman, Chair and Professor, Chemistry
Jason Grinnell, Chair and Associate Professor, Philosophy and Humanities
Jennifer Hunt, Associate Professor, Psychology
Kimberly Kline, Chair and Professor, Higher Education Administration
Jason Knight, Assistant Professor, Geography and Planning Department
Marguerite Knowles, Associate Professor, Communication
Michele Ninacs, Director, College Writing Program
Alice Pennisi, Chair and Associate Professor, Art Education
Gerard Puccio, Chair and Professor, Center for Studies in Creativity
Mark Severson, Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences
Aimable Twagilimana, Professor, English
Julie Wieczkowski, Associate Professor, Anthropology
Kevin Williams, Associate Professor, Earth Sciences and Science Education
Kathy Wood, Associate Dean, School of Education

The task force will be charged with assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the current IF program, researching best practices in general education, and making recommendations for the campus community to consider as we look to fulfill the goals of the new strategic plan. Any recommended changes will be presented in a transparent and open collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.

The campus community is invited to attend the 2016 Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, October 6, at 12:15 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Please join us as we recognize this year's recipients of the President's and Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, welcome new staff members, and celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues on campus. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the lobby of Rockwell Hall.

I encourage the Buffalo State community to nominate deserving colleagues for SUNY Chancellor’s Awards and Buffalo State President’s Awards for Excellence. Guidelines can be found on the Academic Affairs website. Please visit the Nomination Resources section for helpful resources and tips on assembling nomination dossiers. 

Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence
Distinguished Teaching Professor; Distinguished Service Professor; and Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professional Service, Librarianship, Scholarship and Creative Activities, and Faculty Service nominations

Due Date: October 17, 2016

Please submit nominations electronically to the provost’s office by e-mail at facultystaffawards@buffalostate.edu or on a USB flash drive to Carolyn Martino, assistant to the provost, in Cleveland Hall 519.

Please note: Nominators should prepare their nomination letters in the format of a Summary Presentation, as specified in the SUNY Award guidelines. A Buffalo State Nomination Checklist Cover Sheet (PDF, 1 KB) should be the first page of all nomination packets.

President’s Awards for Excellence (first Monday of March each year)

Due Date: March 6, 2017

Please submit nominations with supporting materials electronically to the provost’s office at facultystaffawards@buffalostate.edu.

Questions may be directed to Carolyn Martino.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the 2016–2017 Strategic Enrollment Steering Committee (SESC):

Chair: Erin Alonzo, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management
Vice Chair: Karen O’Quin, Associate Dean, School of Natural and Social Sciences

David Cox, Director, New Student and Family Programs
Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director for Academic Services, EOP
David Henry, Associate Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Kimberly Jackson, Assistant Dean for Strategic Enrollment Management, Graduate School (Primary Graduate School Representative)
Mary-Jo Jagord, Director, Alumni Affairs
Marguerite Knowles, Associate Professor, Communication
Eric Krieg, Chair and Professor, Sociology
Kevin Miller, Interim Dean, Graduate School (Alternate Graduate School Representative)
Margaret Shaw-Burnett, Associate Vice President, Continuing Professional Studies
Carmela Thompson, Director, Undergraduate Admissions
James Thor, Associate Vice President and Comptroller
Amitra Wall, Assistant Dean, University College; Chair, Political Science
Timothy Walsh, Associate Vice President, College Relations
Rita Zientek, Associate Dean, School of the Professions

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

The SESC serves in an advisory role to the president and will address the following strategic enrollment issues:

1. Recommend strategies that meet long-term and short-term enrollment goals
2. Provide advice on enrollment targets that provide an advantageous mix of undergraduate, graduate, and special populations that maintain the overall enrollment goal set by the President’s Cabinet
3. Develop innovative and effective strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of students
4. Plan strategic enrollment growth to meet regional and statewide needs
5. Develop and propagate plans that are consistent with the mission and values of the college
6. Review the results of new programs and policies that enhance recruitment and enrollment efforts
7. Report regularly to the president and the cabinet and submit an annual report of the work of the committee

The next meeting of the Buffalo State College Council will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, in Cleveland Hall 518.

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Action Items
   — Approval of Minutes: April 5, 2016
   — Approval of 2015–2016 Annual Report
3. Chair’s Report
4. President’s Report
5. Committee Reports
   — Facilities
   — Student Affairs
6. Announcements
7. Executive Session (If Necessary)
8. Adjournment