Winter session was a very busy time for the campus community. The number of students enrolled in J-Term (winter session) was the largest ever seen on campus...

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Some updates have been made to the membership of the Buffalo State College Planning Council (CPC) for the 2016–2021 cycle. You will find the current membership roster and the charge for the CPC below.

Membership
Chair: Melanie Perreault, Provost
Co-chair: Howard Reid, Chair, College Senate; Professor, Psychology

William Benfanti, Associate Vice President for Government Relations, Institutional Advancement
Emily Boyce, Chair and Associate Professor, Music
Janelle Brooks, Assistant Dean of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Dean of Students Office
Jerod Dahlgren, Public Relations Director, College Relations
Bonita Durand, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Bradley Fuster, Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Academic Affairs
Jason Grinnell, Chair and Associate Professor, Philosophy
Kimberly Kline, Chair and Professor, Higher Education Administration
Eric “Luke” Krieg, Chair and Professor, Sociology
Lisa Krieger, Assistant Vice President, Finance and Management
Maureen Lindstrom, Librarian, Butler Library
Seth Oyer, Assistant Professor, Communication
Jason Parker, Diversity Program Coordinator, Equity and Campus Diversity
Sarah Reid, Facilities Planner, Facilities Planning
Amy Rosen-Brand, Associate Director, Student Accessibility Services
Christopher Shively, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education and Reading
Vida Vanchan, Associate Professor, Geography and Planning
Rita Zientek, Interim Dean, School of the Professions

Monique Maxwell, President of United Students Government
Stephen Murphy, Graduate Student Association

Charge
The charge of the CPC is to monitor and assess the progress and completion of all goals associated with the Buffalo State urban-engaged campus strategic plan (2016–2021).

1. The CPC will review progress on all elements of the goals assigned to members of the cabinet.
2. The CPC will set up a timeline for all cabinet members to report the status of goals under their direction.
3. The details of the report that will be submitted to the CPC will be defined by the CPC but will include a written report; documentation of progress toward completion of goals; when appropriate, efficacy of the project being described; how the goal is meeting the specific goal or element within the strategic plan; and any budgetary issues related to the goals.
4. The CPC will provide a written summary report on or before June 15 of each year to the president indicating the progress toward goals; any recommendations related to specific goals; and any changes related to the goals based on the CPC’s review of information provided by the supervising unit. The president will meet with the chair and/or members of the CPC to receive and discuss this summary report.

The College Planning Council will meet on Tuesday, February 27, at 12:15 in Butler Library 210.

This winter session, Bengals and their faculty advisers took passports in hand and traveled to far corners of the world to study, engage in cross-cultural experiences, and delve into the work of understanding our magnificent and complex global world...

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Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for the President’s Caring Bengal Award by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 1. Please visit the award website for more information about the award criteria and recipient selection process, and to submit a nomination.

Award Description
Each of us knows a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who transforms the work and personal lives of their colleagues by supporting them with compassion, care, respect, and collegiality. These caring colleagues in our community can be found at every level of our institution and although they create positive work experiences for each person they encounter, their contribution to our community sometimes goes unnoticed. To recognize these supportive colleagues in our community, each month faculty, staff, and administrators across all ranks, unions, and titles can be nominated by a colleague or student to receive the Caring Bengal Award.

The Faculty and Staff Recognition Committee, which includes faculty and staff representation from UUP, CSEA, the College Senate, and the Professional Staff Caucus, will review award nominations and select the award recipient each month. Each month, award recipients will be announced by me in the Daily Bulletin, will receive a gift, and will be invited along with their supervisor to a lunch with me at the end of the semester.

Please contact Jonathan Hulbert, director of leadership and organizational development, with questions about the President’s Caring Bengal Award.

The Career Development Center (CDC) will sponsor a JCPenney Suit-Up Event on Sunday, February 25, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Walden Galleria mall. JCPenney will open its doors to host Buffalo State students and alumni for a private shopping event, offering a 40 percent discount on men’s and women’s career dress apparel. This event will help students prepare for their job and internship interviews, as well as teach them about professional workplace attire.

We are encouraging advance registration to ensure that enough support is available for participants. Transportation will be provided, courtesy of the Alumni Affairs Office. The bus will depart campus at 6:15 p.m. from the front of the Towers (Tower Road), making stops at the Student Apartment Complex and Neuman Hall. Students and alumni may also travel directly to the store but are still encouraged to register in advance.

If you would like a CDC staff member to briefly speak to your students about professional dress or specifically about this event, please call the Career Development Center at 878-5811.

The Buffalo State community is invited to attend one of the upcoming forums to learn more about the budget rebalancing process. All forums will be held in Bulger Communication Center South.

Tuesday, February 13
12:15–1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 14
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 22
12:15–1:30 p.m.

For more information about the budget rebalancing process, please visit the Budget Rebalancing website.

The president’s approval of DOPS Dual Baccalaureate Degrees Policy (I:01:03) was announced on June 9, 2017. Please note that Degree Works has been updated to reflect the 150 credits required for a dual degree. This change has been in effect for students graduating fall 2017 and later.

The New York State ACE Women’s Network annual conference, “Building an Authentic Bridge to Community,” featuring keynote speaker Maren Showkeir, will be held April 5 and 6 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York.

ACE’s board of directors and presidential sponsor Margaret Drugovich, president of Hartwick College, have designed this year’s conference, which speaks to all women in higher education. The conference will address how to honor the diversity of conversations to create the most purposeful, meaningful, and effective difference for our future.

Ms. Showkeir has 25 years of experience in writing, managing, and teaching and has worked with many organizations to increase business results by establishing authentic conversations and creating cultures of accountability.

This year, the New York State ACE Women’s Network Board invites all institutional representatives to attend a pre-conference workshop on Thursday, April 5, at 1:30 p.m., for the opportunity to sign up for 15-minute sessions throughout the afternoon with a president for advice, feedback, and networking.

Please register by Sunday, March 25, to get the early bird rate.

I wanted to share an update about ongoing impacts from the water main break in the Campbell Student Union earlier this week. The building reopened Tuesday, February 13, but we are still assessing the damage. Thus far, we know that the water damage has limited some functions and affected the building in the following ways:

Elevator. The elevator is out of service for the time being. Anyone who has mobility issues or needs that would require use of the elevator should work with the staff at the Student Union Information Desk for assistance.

Third Floor. The third floor is currently not accessible for programming or non-staff members as some health and safety systems were damaged.

Basement, Game Room, and Student Organization Offices on Basement Level. The basement and sub-basement were flooded and will need repairs, including removal of carpet and drywall. The Student Union staff is working to find alternative offices for student organizations and assisting with removing items for staging. The Game Room was moderately affected but is currently inaccessible, as it is needed for staging items.

Prayer and Meditation Space. This space in the basement of the Student Union was also affected by the flood. Students may use Buckham Hall B-145 for meditation and prayer services in the interim.

I  am pleased to announce the members of the search committee for the vice president for finance and management at Buffalo State College:

Chair: Michael LeVine, Vice President for Finance and Management
William Benfanti, Associate Vice President for Government Relations, Institutional Advancement
Maryruth Glogowski, Interim Office in Charge, RITE
Jill Norvilitis, Chair and Professor, Psychology
Amy Pedlow, Assistant Chief of Police, University Police
Sarah Reid, Facilities Planner, Facilities Construction and Maintenance
Ted Schmidt, Associate Professor, Economics and Finance
Donna Scuto, Associate Vice President and Deputy Operations Manager, Sponsored Programs
Sarah Vélez, Director, Campbell Student Union
Jeffrey Ventura, Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Information and NCAA Compliance, Intercollegiate Athletics
Amitra Wall, Interim Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
Amy Wilson, Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration

This committee is charged with soliciting and evaluating nominations and applications for the position of vice president for finance and management. The committee will begin its work immediately with the goal of having the next vice president for finance and management in place by August 2018. Please join me in thanking Vice President LeVine and all the members of the committee for their willingness to take on this important task for Buffalo State.