In accordance with a September 3 directive from SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, Buffalo State College has implemented regular surveillance testing of its on-campus population to detect COVID-19 cases and identify pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals who may still transmit the virus. This effort will help our leadership and local public health officials identify, trace, and contain the virus quickly. 

This testing is required for Buffalo State to remain open and serve its students. To make the process a success, the college is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help facilitate the mandatory COVID-19 pool testing of students, faculty, and staff. No medical knowledge or experience is required.

Volunteer roles (PDF, 104 KB) will primarily consist of checking in students and employees, and of organizing and distributing testing kits. About 80 volunteer shifts a week must be filled in order to ensure a successful process, so please pitch in if you are able.

All volunteers will be provided personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Training will be provided to ensure a consistent and safe process. 

Shifts will be two hours long and will take place in the Campbell Student Union. Employees should discuss their plans with their supervisors to ensure that volunteering does not disrupt their work duties.

Those interested in volunteering to support on-campus testing should register in advance.

Thank you for your assistance as we work to keep the Buffalo State community healthy and safe.

Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency and state and federal bans on large meetings or gatherings, and pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 220.1 issued on March 12, 2020, suspending the Open Meetings Law, the Buffalo State College Council meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2020, will be held electronically via webinar. Members of the public may view the board meeting via Zoom videoconference online or join by phone at (646) 558-8656 (New York).

Meeting ID: 884 7201 8074
Passcode: 620673

Minutes of the board meeting will be transcribed and posted on the College Council website.

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Action Items
   Approval of the Minutes: September 8, 2020
3. Chair’s Report
4. President’s Report
5. Committee Reports
6. Announcements
7. Executive Session (If Necessary)
8. Adjournment

In accordance with a September 3 directive from SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, Buffalo State College has implemented regular surveillance testing of its on-campus population to detect COVID-19 cases and identify pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals who may still transmit the virus. This effort will help our leadership and local public health officials identify, trace, and contain the virus quickly. 

This testing is required for Buffalo State to remain open and serve its students. To make the process a success, the college is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help facilitate the mandatory COVID-19 pool testing of students, faculty, and staff. No medical knowledge or experience is required.

Volunteer roles (PDF, 104 KB) will primarily consist of checking in students and employees, and of organizing and distributing testing kits. About 80 volunteer shifts a week must be filled in order to ensure a successful process, so please pitch in if you are able.

All volunteers will be provided personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Training will be provided to ensure a consistent and safe process. 

Shifts will be two hours long and will take place in the Campbell Student Union. Employees should discuss their plans with their supervisors to ensure that volunteering does not disrupt their work duties.

Those interested in volunteering to support on-campus testing should register in advance.

Thank you for your assistance as we work to keep the Buffalo State community healthy and safe.

I want to remind faculty, staff, and students of the following important pieces of information related to the academic calendar, academic policy, and modes of instruction for fall 2020, J-Term 2021, spring 2021, and summer 2021. This information has been shared previously in various spaces and is critical to advisement, instruction, student support, and other campus planning.

• In fall 2020, the college returned to its standard undergraduate pass/fail policy and all-college registration deadlines for the semester. Should students need an exception to college policy, please advise them that the online academic appeal petition process is available to those who have strong evidence to warrant a modification of college policy. Mandatory advisement PINs for J-Term and spring 2021 registration were placed on the accounts of first-year, undeclared, and probationary students. Please be aware that the college’s standard academic standing policies and procedures, including academic dismissal, will be followed this semester, and notifications will be sent in late December.
  • Fall 2020 deadlines:
    • October 30, 2020 - Midterm grades close at 9:00 p.m.
    • November 4, 2020 – Registration begins for J-Term and spring 2021
    • November 6, 2020 – Course Withdrawal, Pass/Fail Application, and Removal of Incomplete Deadline
    • November 25–28, 2020 – Thanksgiving Recess (no classes)
    • November 30, 2020 – Remote Instruction Begins for All Courses for Remainder of Fall 2020
    • December 11, 2020 – Final Day of Regular Instruction (remote)
    • December 11, 2020 – Withdrawal from College Deadline
    • December 14–17, 2020 – Critique and Evaluation Period
    • December 17, 2020 – Final Day of Fall Semester
    • December 14–23, 2020 - Final Grading Window (closes at 9:00 p.m.)
• All J-Term 2021 instruction will be offered remotely. Standard college policies and academic calendar will apply. Please remember, effective fall 2020, the Leave of Absence (LOA) policy was revised. The LOA deadline is now the last day of drop/add, and retroactive LOA academic appeal petitions will not be approved.
• As noted in my September 18, 2020, communication to the campus, the spring 2021 academic calendar has been adjusted to a later start on February 1, Spring Break has been canceled, and the semester will end on May 13 as previously planned. Standard college policies will be in effect, and pass/fail and course withdrawal deadlines will also remain as previously planned for spring 2021. Most spring 2021 courses will once again be offered in the remote mode through consultation with department chairs and associate deans to identify appropriate modality.
• All summer 2021 instruction will be offered remotely. Standard college policies and academic calendar will apply.

Faculty members and advisers are encouraged to share this information with their students to assist them in making decisions that support their continued academic success at Buffalo State College. Please consider using multiple methods—such as syllabi statements with links to the academic calendar, appointments that discuss this information, and e-mails that link to college policy and important dates—to help ensure that students receive this information.

Thank you, once again, for your resilience during these challenging times and dedication to our students in support of our college’s mission.

I am pleased to announce that Theresa Cinotti, clinical supervisor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department, has received the President's Caring Bengal Award.

Ms. Cinotti was nominated for the award by Susan Felsenfeld, chair and associate professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department; Christopher Heximer, clinic director in the Speech-Language Pathology Department; Sara Mann Kahris and Christina Mule, clinical supervisors in the Speech-Language Pathology Department; and Wendy Paterson, dean of the School of Education. I am so pleased to recognize Ms. Cinotti, and I encourage the entire campus community to join me in thanking her for her exceptional effort to make Buffalo State a great place to live, learn, and work. Her award profile can be viewed on the Professional Development website.

I announced the creation and implementation of the President's Caring Bengal Award in December 2017 to recognize supportive colleagues in our Buffalo State community who not only transform the lives of our students but also help create a caring and collegial environment for our faculty, staff, and administrators.

Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for the President's Caring Bengal Award by 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 13. For more information about the award criteria and recipient selection process, or to submit a nomination, please visit the Professional Development website.

This message provides context for Information Technology’s software assessment process that supports campus efforts to improve efficiency and identify potential cost saving opportunities.

As part of this effort, each campus-supported software title or platform will undergo a periodic software assessment to ensure feasibility, effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Please note, it is not the intent of Information Technology to decide where resources should be allocated but rather to engage stakeholders, vendors, and product owners in information gathering and data collection to better inform final decision makers. 

The software assessment process is an information-based exercise to determine feasibility and effectiveness, including opportunities for improvement and potential cost savings.

As software approaches its renewal date, an assessment will be conducted to review usability, security, integration, and additional end-user requirements. In many instances, the assessment process will include product demos and reviews to evaluate feature sets and usability.

Details of the IT software assessment process can be found in the IT Knowledge Base.

If you have questions or would like to discuss this matter in greater detail, please e-mail Khaleel Gathers, deputy CIO.

Because of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, Undergraduate Admissions has been unable to hold in-person events, but with your assistance, the office has hosted more than 1,400 virtual events, has made over 11,500 phone calls, and has sent 87,000 text messages. This includes information sessions, one-on-one appointments, student chats, virtual walk-ins, accepted and prospective student phone campaigns, spring and fall Open House department presentations, and on-demand interactive virtual tours of campus, athletics, and residence halls. All virtual visit opportunities can be found on our Visit page.

We invite you to propose any other outreach efforts you think we should consider. We intend to continue with department presentations and hope to create a virtual class visit program with faculty assistance for the spring as well. Please provide your feedback.

These are unprecedented times, and our recruitment efforts are only made that much more valuable to our prospective students and their families with the involvement of our campus partners.

Your feedback can also be directed to David Loreto, director of undergraduate admissions.

Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for the following student awards:

President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Student
One undergraduate student and one graduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal. The President’s Medal is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State College. This award is given to a student who, through use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipients will deliver the student address at Commencement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for consideration for this award. Only students graduating in August 2020, December 2020, January 2021, May 2021, or August 2021 will be considered.*

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor bestowed by SUNY upon a student. This award recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, entrepreneurship, leadership, and career achievement. Although there is no prescribed grade point average for this award, it is assumed that recipients will have high academic achievement. Award recipients will be recognized at a spring ceremony in Albany and at Commencement. Only students graduating between June 2020 and May 2021 will be considered.*

Nomination Procedure
Nominations are being sought for both awards. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at Buffalo State College. Candidates must have demonstrated the qualities recognized by each award. Selection criteria are similar for each award; however, to be considered for the President’s Medal, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required. A student may be nominated for either or both awards.

Selection Criteria for Both Awards
Academic Performance: Documented via grade point average, honors received, rank in class, research, and other scholarly projects.

Citizenship: As measured by university and community service, the quality of extracurricular activities, and/or involvement in professional organizations.

Leadership and Creativity: Documented local, state, national, or international recognition for excellence (e.g., recipient of major national scholarships or athletic awards, or recognition by national and international associations and honor societies).

For graduate students: documented by activities related to the discipline of graduate degree program or other university service leadership in a professional organization, or community outreach activities related to the field of study.

More information and nomination materials are available on the Student Affairs website.

Deadline
Nominations and supporting documentation must be delivered to the Student Affairs Office, Cleveland Hall 513, by 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2020. Please contact Amanda Marzolf, administrative assistant 2, to set up a drop-off time.

Those with questions or concerns regarding the application process are encouraged to contact Ms. Marzolf, 878-4704.

*Information will be verified with the Registrar's Office.

As part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration, the planning and events committee is pleased to announce a competition to develop new lyrics for the Buffalo State College Alma Mater. The committee seeks new poetry to be set to the existing melody of the Buffalo State Alma Mater. Lyrics should fit with the musical melody, represent the mission and values of Buffalo State, and address the strengths found in our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff members. The winner of the competition will receive $2,500 and recognition at the opening ceremonies of the 150th Anniversary Celebration in September 2021. The updated song will become a part of the ceremonial life at Buffalo State for years to come.

Contest rules, submission guidelines, committee members, and deadlines are available online.

As part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration, the planning and events committee is pleased to announce a competition to develop new lyrics for the Buffalo State College Alma Mater. The committee seeks new poetry to be set to the existing melody of the Buffalo State Alma Mater. Lyrics should fit with the musical melody, represent the mission and values of Buffalo State, and address the strengths found in our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff members. The winner of the competition will receive $2,500 and recognition at the opening ceremonies of the 150th Anniversary Celebration in September 2021. The updated song will become a part of the ceremonial life at Buffalo State for years to come.

Contest rules, submission guidelines, committee members, and deadlines are available online.