Buffalo State College will host a table in the Campbell Student Union on Thursday, October 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in observance of National Coming Out Day (October 11). Please stop by and pick up a button, ribbon, resources, information, and a treat. More information about National Coming Out Day is available on the Human Rights Campaign website. 

On Wednesday, October 16, we will celebrate International Pronoun Day with a tabling event in the Campbell Student Union from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join us to pick up your pronoun button and learn more about International Pronoun Day.

And Thursday, October 17, is Spirit Day 2019, an international day of support for LGBTQ youth who are disproportionately targeted for bullying and harassment. We wear purple on this day to visibly show support for LGBTQ youth who may be struggling with these issues stemming from their identity. Pledge your support through the GLAAD website, post relevant and supportive information to your social media accounts, and remember to wear purple on that day.

Margaret Shaw-Burnett, associate vice president for continuing and professional studies, has announced her retirement from Buffalo State College after many years of dedicated service. We deeply appreciate Dr. Shaw-Burnett's leadership of this office. Please join me in extending to her our best wishes for a wonderful retirement.

Please join me at the annual Opening Year Address as I deliver my message to the Buffalo State College community on Thursday, October 17, at 12:15 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. During my remarks, I will present highlights from the previous academic year and set the direction for the campus moving forward as we continue to advance excellence, engagement, and social responsibility as SUNY’s urban-engaged campus. All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend and to join in a reception following the presentation to greet our new faculty and staff members.

Please join me for my annual Opening Year Address today, October 17, as I deliver my message to the Buffalo State College community at 12:15 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. During my remarks, I will present highlights from the previous academic year and set the direction for the campus moving forward as we continue to advance excellence, engagement, and social responsibility as SUNY’s urban-engaged campus. All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend and to join in a reception following the presentation to greet our new faculty and staff members.

The Career Development Center will host over 65 graduate schools and programs at its annual Graduate School Fair on Thursday, October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. All students and alumni are encouraged to attend this free event. This is a great way to learn more about a variety of programs and the admission process, as well as make face-to-face connections with recruiters.

Top five reasons why recruiters recommend attending the fair:

1. Schools you talk with at the fair may give out application fee waivers. This can add up to hundreds of dollars in waived fees!
2. In some cases, schools will provide an entrance exam fee waiver or show you how to receive course waivers for prerequisites and entrance exam waivers.
3. You can get insider tips on scholarships and financial assistance.
4. Many of the reps at the fair from specific programs serve on the admissions committee (yes, the people deciding whether you get into the program), so you can learn what they really want to hear in your essay.
5. You can connect with advisers and faculty members for direct follow-up questions.

A complete list of schools attending this year's Graduate School Fair is available on the CDC website. For more information, please contact the Career Development Center, 878-5811.

At its April 12, 2019, meeting, the College Senate voted in favor of a resolution to revise the DOPS Policy on Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit to include the addition of an upper-division option for graduate-level topics courses.

ACTUAL DOPS POLICY LANGUAGE
Topics Courses (587 and 687 – Graduate)
The topics format provides the opportunity for in-depth study and examination of rapidly and significantly changing disciplinary issues, topics, or practices, and may be used to accommodate requests of external agencies or the specialized resources of visiting faculty members. Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program.

Motion to amend DOPS regarding Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit (Topics Courses) at Buffalo State.
Introduced at the March 8, 2019, College Senate meeting and presented for vote at the April 12, 2019, College Senate meeting.

WHEREAS, the current policy in DOPS reflects only topics courses for undergraduate level; and,

WHEREAS, the College Senate updated the current policy in April 2018 that outlined procedures for undergraduate- and graduate-level Course for Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit; and

WHEREAS, the College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review topics courses; and

WHEREAS, the topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal; and

WHEREAS, no topics course may be offered more than twice in a two-year period; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no course number in place for upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no policy in place for upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State adopt changes to DOPS that reflect the addition of upper-division option available for graduate-level topics courses, as detailed below.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number:  I:04:01
SUBJECT: Proposal for Addition of Upper-Division Option for Graduate-Level Topics Courses

In order to facilitate upper-division graduate-level, credit-bearing topics courses, special provision must be made to assure adequate planning and approval.

COURSE DESIGNATION:  (Prefix will indicate department)

Topics (687 – Graduate)

Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program. Application forms are available in the academic department and the Registrar’s Office, and must be filed with that office by the deadline date published in the class schedule each semester.

Title Variable: Yes
Repeatable: Limit 2 times
Credits: Variable 1-3
Course Description: Special Topics Course (Graduate level)
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

1. The College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review special topics courses. 
2. Topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal. See College Senate Curriculum Handbook Course Proposal Submission Policy of 2011.
3. Three copies of topics course proposals are sent to Academic Affairs for approval. Each topics course approved by Academic Affairs may be offered no more than twice in a two-year period. Thereafter, it must be submitted as a new course proposal.
4.  Dean forwards the Topic Course Approval form to Academic Affairs

Policy Number:  (attachment)

Three copies of this form must be submitted to the Dean’s Office at least two weeks in advance of proposed instructional dates.

FORM FOR 189/ 389/ 587/ 687:  TOPIC COURSE APPROVAL ROUTING CHECKLIST

DEPARTMENTAL ACTION

Course Number:

Title: ____________________________________________________________________________

(No more than 70 characters)

Abbreviation to be used in Master Schedule: _________________________________________

(No more than 15 characters)

Course Offering Schedule: This course will be offered: ________________________________

Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.

___________________________________________________________________________

Date            Signature of Department Chairperson Department

Three (3) copies forwarded to Dean on _____________________________.

DEAN’S ACTION

Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.

______________________________________________________________________________

Date                      Signature of Dean Faculty

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ACTION
_______ _________________________________________________________________

Date                      Signature

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding the addition of an upper-division option for graduate-level topics courses at Buffalo State. I charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.

At its April 12, 2019, meeting, the College Senate voted in favor of a resolution to revise the DOPS Policy on Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit to include the addition of a lower-division option for graduate-level topics courses.

ACTUAL DOPS POLICY LANGUAGE
Topics Courses (587 and 687 – Graduate)
The topics format provides the opportunity for in-depth study and examination of rapidly and significantly changing disciplinary issues, topics, or practices, and may be used to accommodate requests of external agencies or the specialized resources of visiting faculty members. Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program.

Motion to amend DOPS regarding Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit (Topics Courses) at Buffalo State.
Introduced at the March 8, 2019, College Senate meeting and presented for vote at the April 12, 2019, College Senate meeting.

WHEREAS, the current policy in DOPS reflects only topics courses for undergraduate level; and

WHEREAS, the College Senate updated the current policy in April 2018 that outlined procedures for undergraduate- and graduate-level Course for Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit; and

WHEREAS, the College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review topics courses; and

WHEREAS, the topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal; and

WHEREAS, no topics course may be offered more than twice in a two-year period; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no course number in place for lower-division option available for graduate-level topics courses; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no policy in place for lower-division option available for graduate-level topics courses,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State adopt changes to DOPS that reflect the addition of a lower-division option available for graduate-level topics courses, as detailed below.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: I:04:01
Subject: Proposal for Addition of Lower-Division Option for Graduate-Level Topics Courses

In order to facilitate lower-division graduate-level, credit-bearing topics courses, special provision must be made to ensure adequate planning and approval.

COURSE DESIGNATION: (Prefix will indicate department)

Topics (587 – Graduate)

Students may accumulate a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate topics courses in a master’s degree program. Application forms are available in the academic department and the Registrar’s Office, and must be filed with that office by the deadline date published in the class schedule each semester.

Title Variable: Yes
Repeatable: Limit 2 times
Credits: Variable 1-3
Course Description: Special Topics Course (Graduate level)
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

1. The College Senate Curriculum Committee does not review special topics courses. 
2. Topics course proposals must include all the information contained in a new course proposal. See College Senate Curriculum Handbook Course Proposal Submission Policy of 2011.
3. Three copies of topics course proposals are sent to Academic Affairs for approval. Each topics course approved by Academic Affairs may be offered no more than twice in a two-year period. Thereafter, it must be submitted as a new course proposal.
4.  Dean forwards the Topic Course Approval form to Academic Affairs

Policy Number: (attachment)

Three copies of this form must be submitted to the Dean’s Office at least two weeks in advance of proposed instructional dates.

FORM FOR 189/ 389/ 587/ 687:  TOPIC COURSE APPROVAL ROUTING CHECKLIST

DEPARTMENTAL ACTION

Course Number:

Title: ____________________________________________________________________________

(No more than 70 characters)

Abbreviation to be used in Master Schedule: _________________________________________

(No more than 15 characters)

Course Offering Schedule: This course will be offered: ________________________________

Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.

___________________________________________________________________________

Date            Signature of Department Chairperson Department

Three (3) copies forwarded to Dean on _____________________________.

DEAN’S ACTION

Approved with confirmation that all necessary laboratories, studios, resources and facilities for support of this course are available.

______________________________________________________________________________

Date                      Signature of Dean Faculty

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ACTION
_______ _________________________________________________________________

Date                      Signature

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding the addition of a lower-division option for graduate-level topics courses at Buffalo State. I charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.

Applications are encouraged for the October round of the President's Professional Development Award. President Conway-Turner has dedicating funding to establish the award and has convened a Professional Development Award Committee of faculty and staff members to support professional development opportunities for Buffalo State employees.

Professional development opportunities enrich the experiences of all employees. These opportunities allow us to build on our expertise as well as identify best practices and network with others. While it is well understood that professional development opportunities are critical to our success, funding is sometimes limited or otherwise unavailable.

Applications for the President's Professional Development Award must be completed and submitted electronically. Please submit applications by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18. The committee will review requests for funding and determine awards monthly. Award recipients will be announced in the Daily Bulletin.

Award Selection Criteria

1. Applicants must have a statement of support from their director, department chair, dean, or vice president.
2. Applicants must have at least one calendar year of employment at Buffalo State.
3. Applicants must complete the award application and include the following:

   a. a summary of how the opportunity affects the campus and ties to the college’s strategic plan (identify which measure), as well as how the opportunity affects their department and division, and how the opportunity provides professional development for the individual;

   b. a summary or itemization of other funds received or requested from the department or other area;

   c. a conference announcement (please provide name, date, and location of conference; include conference website, agenda, and whether you are presenting or attending an organization-affiliated meeting).

Award Recipient Selection Process and Timeline

1. All award nominations must be submitted online by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. on the appropriate dates (November 15 and December 13, 2019). Request for professional development funds received after this date will be reviewed with the following month’s award requests.
    
2. Award recipients will be selected by the President’s Professional Development Award Committee using the following process:

   a. A rubric reflecting the selection criteria will be used to award funding. The selection and award of funding will be based on the thoroughness in addressing the award selection criteria.

   b. The committee will review and award funding.
    

3. Award applicants will be informed if their requests were selected for funding. The maximum allowable award is $500 per applicant, per calendar year. The award recipients for each month will be selected by the President’s Professional Development Award Committee and announced in the Daily Bulletin by President Conway-Turner.

Welcome to the second episode of “Faculty Engaged,” our new multimedia project that highlights the extraordinary work of our brilliant faculty.

In this episode, we visited with professor Sarbani Banerjee of the Computer Information Systems Department to learn more about her career and her department’s work to engage K–12 youth and high school teachers, as well as her outstanding commitment to mentoring Buffalo State students...

Please follow my blog at http://kateconwayturner.tumblr.com.

The 20th annual Faculty and Staff Research and Creativity Fall Forum will be held Thursday, November 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Houston Gym. The call for submissions is now open.  

The purpose of the forum is to encourage faculty and staff research and creativity, support collaborative projects, and develop grant writing skills at Buffalo State. All faculty and staff members are invited to present an exhibit that highlights current research, activities, or scholarship. Individual, departmental, or group exhibits are welcome. The Fall Forum is an excellent networking opportunity to communicate with others having common scholarly and creative interests.

To participate, please complete the online registration form on the Fall Forum webpage under the Call for Submissions tab. Titles and abstracts or descriptions should be submitted electronically by Thursday, October 31. Display space per submission is limited to one 5-foot table or two easels.

Please contact Hongliang "Jimmy" Xu, professor of mathematics, with questions.