Individual links to 2019–2020 annual reports have been e-mailed to all faculty, librarians, and professional staff members. If you did not receive a link, please contact Tiffany Fuzak, research analyst, 878-4132.

All professional staff members, faculty members, and librarians will submit their individual annual reports online for the 2019–2020 reporting year. The links will remain open through the deadline for submission (June 30, 2020). Faculty, librarians, and professional staff members can save and return to this form any time, from any device. Our hope is that early access to this form will allow individuals to collect and record accomplishments throughout the year. 

Once the form is submitted, respondents will see a summary of the submitted information and a link to download as a PDF. Respondents will also receive an e-mail confirmation that includes a response summary in the body of the e-mail. Though annual reports must be submitted online, a template of each form is available on the Institutional Effectiveness Assessment Resources and Reporting Guides web page.

If you have questions about the content of the annual report, please contact Luke Krieg, interim associate vice president for institutional effectiveness, 878-5550. If you have technical questions or problems with the annual report, please contact Tiffany Fuzak.

Please join us to congratulate Melaine Kenyon in her new role as vice president for information technology at Daemen College. Her last day at Buffalo State will be Tuesday, December 17. A farewell reception will be held Friday, December 6, noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. Light refreshments will be served.

Full-time and part-time faculty and staff members in the Academic Affairs division are invited to join me for the Academic Affairs Spring Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Student Union Social Hall. If you will attend, RSVP by Friday, January 10.

On behalf of the division of Finance and Management, I extend my warmest wishes and gratitude to Susan Earshen, who will retire from her position as associate vice president for human resource management on January 10, 2020, after 47 years as an exemplary member of the Buffalo State College community.

Ms. Earshen began her career at Buffalo State in 1973 as a stenographer in the President’s Office. She worked in the Vice President for Finance and Management's Office and then in the Human Resource Management Office as a personnel associate. She became manager of benefits and staff development and was then promoted to director of human resources. Ms. Earshen was named associate vice president in 2008. In her time at the college, she has worked to create a campus culture that values all employees.

As associate vice president, she has dedicated her efforts to providing supportive and innovative services and relevant and timely advice to Buffalo State leaders, faculty, and staff. She has managed all areas of human resources with excellence and served as the president's designee for UUP employee relations, working closely with her SUNY counterparts and legal counsel. She has made recommendations to senior level management regarding college personnel matters and provided invaluable guidance to campus managers on human resources policy, procedures, and management issues.  

Ms. Earshen has truly served with dedication and distinction. Buffalo State has been fortunate to benefit from her expertise, exemplary understanding of the campus community, and wonderful collegiality.

Please join us for cake at an open house on Wednesday, January 8, between noon and 2:00 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418, as we celebrate Ms. Earshen’s service and many contributions to Buffalo State. Remarks will begin at 12:30 p.m.

A search to identify the college’s next associate vice president for human resource management will begin shortly and will be completed by May 2020. Details about the search will be shared later.

Effective immediately, Jamie Warnes, manager of classified employment and employee relations, will serve as officer in charge for human resource management. She will temporarily assume UUP employee relations duties in addition to her regular responsibilities. Lydia Kawaler, manager of personnel operations, will serve as assistant officer in charge for human resource management. In addition to her regular duties, Ms. Kawaler will manage classification of professional positions and will serve as campus ethics officer. Carey Seneca, assistant manager of personnel operations, will oversee matters pertaining to the Graduate Student Employee Union during the interim. I thank them for their willingness to temporarily assume these responsibilities to maintain seamless operation of the department.

Please join me in sharing best wishes and gratitude to Benjamin Christy, who will retire from his position as dean of the School of Arts and Humanities on January 3, 2020, after 12 years with the Buffalo State community. I thank Dr. Christy for his long and outstanding leadership and service to Buffalo State.

Carlos Jones, associate dean, will assume the role of interim dean, effective January 3, 2020. Please join me in supporting Mr. Jones in his new role. We look forward to the leadership he will bring to the School of Arts and Humanities.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), the editors of the organization’s online journal, Metropolitan Universities, invited past and present chancellors and presidents from across the country to share their visions for the future of higher education. In the December 2019 issue, I submitted an article titled “Higher Education’s Role in the Support of Diverse and Ever‐Changing New American Cities: Exploring Buffalo.” I invite you to read about some of the many ways Buffalo State College—through our mission as an anchor institution—supports our diverse and ever-changing new American city: Buffalo, New York...

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

Susan Earshen will retire from her position as associate vice president for human resource management on January 10, 2020, after 47 years as an exemplary member of the Buffalo State College community.

Please join us for cake at an open house on Wednesday, January 8, between noon and 2:00 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418, as we celebrate Ms. Earshen’s service and many contributions to Buffalo State. Remarks will begin at 12:30 p.m.

The New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal Control Act, Chapter 510 of the Laws of 1999, requires that all state agencies institute a formal internal control program. As a primary component of the program, SUNY has identified a number of high-risk areas for periodic review, and the General Control Environment is included in this group. The General Control Environment is the foundation by which organizational structure, reporting lines, authority, and responsibilities are established in meeting an institution’s overall strategic and internal control objectives.  

Campus-engaged auditors have randomly selected a small number of employees from the college’s organizational chart, and these individuals have been contacted this week for an interview. The interviews will begin Monday, January 13. All correspondence related to the selection and interviewing process will be initiated by the senior staff assistant in Finance and Management, Brenda Durfee. 

The individuals selected will be asked questions concerning policies, procedures, and business practices for their areas. There are no right or wrong answers. Participants should simply respond honestly and to the best of their knowledge, as the results of this process are aimed to assist us in identifying any institutional gaps where internal controls can be strengthened.

I encourage your review of Buffalo State’s Internal Control Program website for additional information. If you have any questions concerning this audit, please contact Lisa Krieger, associate vice president for administrative services, or Brenda Durfee, 878-4311.

Thank you for your assistance in this process.

Please join us for a lecture and performance by Galen Abdur-Razzaq of Flute Juice Productions to commemorate the civil rights movement on Wednesday, February 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Tower Auditorium. Mr. Abdur-Razzaq is an extraordinary flutist with an extensive performance career who has performed at colleges and universities for over 30 years.

We are excited to welcome all new faculty and staff members to the Buffalo State College community. New Faculty and Staff Orientation will begin with a breakfast on Wednesday, January 22, at 8:30 a.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. All new faculty and staff members have been invited and are welcome to attend.

Orientation will focus on informing new employees of the college’s history, our core values, our mission, teaching and scholarship, community involvement opportunities, and campus policies. New faculty and staff members will also have an opportunity to meet campus constituents from different departments and divisions. It is strongly encouraged that all new employees attend orientation and that supervisors provide employees with the opportunity to participate.

Please contact Rebecca Eggleston, professional development assistant, if you plan to attend orientation.