During negotiations for the 2016–2022 Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions (UUP), the parties agreed to develop guidelines and a methodology for a salary equity study to be conducted at each campus. The purpose of the study is to identify compression and inversion for UUP-represented employees. Salary inversion may exist when new employees are hired at salaries higher than experienced employees; compression may exist when salaries of experienced employees fail to maintain distance above salaries of new employees.

An executive-level committee made up of representatives from New York State, SUNY, and UUP has developed guidelines and a methodology to analyze and identify the extent of salary compression and inversion, and the adopted guidelines and methodology have been used at Buffalo State College. 

In addition to the 0.5 percent that was established to provide for discretionary merit-based salary increases (awardees were notified January 25, 2021, and appeals were due February 18, 2021), the agreement between New York State and UUP also includes using 0.5 percent of the DSI to address identified compression and inversion. I have reviewed the results of the analysis and considered them in making decisions regarding distributing discretionary salary increases. In following the negotiated guidelines, and in an effort to be transparent, a summary of specific considerations made in the distribution of the 0.5 percent dedicated to addressing identified compression and inversion (PDF, 111 KB) is provided.

Employees who will receive salary increases based on the salary compression and inversion analysis will be notified via their campus e-mail addresses today, February 19. Increases for both the 0.5 percent discretionary merit-based awards and the 0.5 percent based on the compression analysis will appear in paychecks dated March 17. The increases will be retroactive to July 1, 2020, for professional employees and employees with 12-month obligations, and September 1, 2020, for employees with academic-year obligations.

In accordance with SUNY guidelines, employees who receive salary compression or inversion adjustments are not disqualified from consideration for increases from the 0.5 percent discretionary merit-based pool. Conversely, receipt of a discretionary increase does not disqualify employees from eligibility for compression adjustments.

Please direct specific questions or concerns regarding the analysis completed at Buffalo State to Lydia Kawaler, manager of personnel operations in Human Resource Management.

The Career Development Center (CDC) will sponsor the annual JCPenney Suit-Up Event on Sunday, March 7, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walden Galleria. All shoppers must wear face masks and practice appropriate social distancing. Additionally, a virtual event will run from Friday, March 5, through Sunday, March 7, from midnight to midnight. Students must register in advance for the virtual event to get the online coupon code.

Both in person and online, JCPenney will offer up to 60 percent off men’s and women’s career dress apparel, shoes, and accessories, with a 30 percent Suit-Up coupon. This event will help students prepare for their job and internship interviews and the Virtual Job and Internship Fair, as well as teach them about professional workplace attire (even in our current virtual world).

We are encouraging advance registration to ensure that enough support is available for participants.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by the CDC, the Fashion and Textile Technology Department, the Professional Development Schools Consortium (PDS), the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and Student Leadership and Engagement

If you would like a CDC staff member to briefly speak to your students about professional dress or specifically about this event, please e-mail the CDC  or complete our workshop request form.

The Professional Development Center, along with Buffalo State College's United University Professions (UUP) Chapter and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Office, is offering many virtual workshops on the topic of health and wellness for faculty, staff, and administrators throughout the spring 2021 semester. Workshop details and registration links are listed below. A comprehensive list of all the workshops can be found in the Workshop Registration System. A tremendous thank-you to all those who have agreed to deliver these workshops as well as to the many people who had a hand in organizing the events.

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Express Yourself: The Benefits of Expressive Writing
Tuesday, March 2, Noon–1:30 p.m.

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Be Embodied: A Guided Meditation to Calm Your Mind with Jenna Fadale

• Wednesday, March 3, 9:00–9:45 a.m.
• Monday, March 29, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
• Friday, April 16, 9:00–9:45 a.m.

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Managing Your Budget during a Crisis/Pandemic
(Sponsored by Buffalo State’s UUP Chapter)
Wednesday, March 3, 3:00–4:30 p.m.

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Be. Here. Now: Mindfulness, Breathwork, and Meditation Series
(Sponsored by Buffalo State’s UUP Chapter and EOP Office)

Session 1: Mindfulness and Breath Work with Gizelle Stokes
Tuesday, March 9, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Session 2: Breath Work and Meditation with Gizelle Stokes
Tuesday, March 16, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

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Work from Home and Be Home without Work during Times of Uncertainty

• Course Introduction
  Tuesday, March 9, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Part 1: Setting Goals and Boundaries to Create a Purposeful Work-Life Balance in Times of Uncertainty
  Tuesday, March 23, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Part 2: Minimize Distractions and Stay Present in Professional and Personal Engagements Discussion
  Tuesday, April 6, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Part 3: Align Your Time with Your Goals and Boundaries
  Tuesday, April 20, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Part 4: Create Balance between the Tensions/Paradoxes You Feel during Times of Uncertainty That Supports Your Well-Being Using Polarity Management
  Tuesday, May 4, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

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Restoration and Resolve: Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation with Melissa Meehan

• Wednesday, March 10, 9:00–9:45 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 14, Noon–12:45 p.m.

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Eating during a Pandemic
Thursday, March 11, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

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Healthy, Tasty, and Wise
(Sponsored by Buffalo State’s UUP Chapter)
Thursday, March 25, 12:15–1:30 p.m.

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Mindfulness Meditation with Leigh Duffy
Thursday, March 25, 12:30–1:00 p.m.

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Loving-Kindness Meditation with Berg Miller
Friday, April 23, Noon–12:30 p.m.

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Mindfulness and Breathwork with Gizelle Stokes

• Thursday, April 29, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 5, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

If you missed the inaugural event in the Buffalo State College Diversity Speaker Series, "Confronting Racism in America: A Conversation with Ibram X. Kendi," on February 22 or would like to see it again, a link to the recorded event is available on the Equity and Campus Diversity website.

Please note that access to this recording will be available for only 14 days following the event; the event link will expire on March 8. Please watch the recording before March 8, as we will no longer be able to offer public access beyond this date.

Thank you to all those who attended the event. Professor Kendi offered many thought-provoking suggestions and ideas, and hopefully you were able to take something away. For future events hosted by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, please visit our website or follow our social media channels.

I am excited to announce that Katherine "Katie" La Vecchio, complex director in the Residence Life Office, will present “Shoot for the Moon and Reach for the Stars: Encouraging Students to Strive for More” as the next speaker in our Elevating Student Success in Our Current Environment Conversation Series on Tuesday, March 9, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. This series is co-sponsored by the Title III Task Force and the Professional Development Center. Please register online.

What does student success mean at Buffalo State College? What are the individual ways that we cultivate student success at the college, and how can we as individuals apply these practices to our own work to support the students we serve? Join us as we learn from our colleagues their definition of student success and the specific practices we as staff or faculty members can apply to better support the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of our students. Each conversation will involve a 10-to-15-minute presentation from a staff or faculty member focused on his or her definition of student success and effective practices that others can apply to their work with students. These conversations will then be followed by a 45-to-50-minute facilitated conversation by a member of the Title III Task Force about how we can apply these practices to our individual work with students. We will also discuss similar practices colleagues found to be effective and build off of the ideas presented to elevate these practices across campus.

About Katie La Vecchio
Katie La Vecchio, complex director in Residence Life at Buffalo State College, was previously the assistant director of alumni relations at Adelphi University. She is dual alumna of Buffalo State, obtaining a B.S. in childhood education and reading in 2012 and an M.S. in higher education and student affairs administration in 2014. Since returning to student affairs in 2018, Ms. La Vecchio has been involved with CSPA-NYS (College Student Personnel Association of New York State) in various roles, currently serving as vice president of membership-elect. Her personal interests include bargain shopping (she loves a good deal!); watching sports, including soccer, rugby, and football; and visiting various beverage trails around New York with her husband, Mike.

I am pleased to invite the campus community to the annual celebration honoring our colleagues who are in their 25th year of service to SUNY. The event will take place virtually on Thursday, April 29, at noon.

Employees crossing the 25-year mark this year:

Laura J. Barnum, Finance and Management
Stephen C. Burgeson, Hospitality and Tourism
Theresa M. Cinotti, Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
James C. Fowler, Intercollegiate Athletics
M. Scott Goodman, School of Natural and Social Sciences
Daniel R. Harris, University Police
Timothy G. Hoyle, Copy Center
Sara H. Mann Kahris, Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
Thomas J. Kostusiak, Performing Arts Center
Peter W. Loehr, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership
Joseph M. Lofft, Information Technology Exchange Center
Andrew D. Nicholls, History and Social Studies Education
Nancy B. Paschke, Marketing and Communications
Romeyn Prescott, Information Technology Exchange Center
Brendan F. Rooney, Information Technology Services
Raquel J. Schmidt, Exceptional Education
Pamela Schuetze-Pizarro, Psychology
Matthew T. Taylor, University Police
Nanette Tramont, Communication
Carol A. Wannemacher, Psychology
Rita M. Zientek, School of the Professions

In 2017, we began celebrating those members of our Buffalo State community who have achieved 25 years of service in SUNY, not just at Buffalo State. If your name is not listed above and you have achieved 25 years of service in SUNY this year, please contact Melissa Slisz, staff assistant in the President’s Office.

I am excited to announce that Ann Emo, professor and chair of the Theater Department; Naila Ansari, assistant professor of theater; and Jonathan Seinen, assistant professor of theater, will present “Defining Student Success: A Department’s Process” as the next speakers in our Elevating Student Success in Our Current Environment Series on Tuesday, March 23, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. This series is co-sponsored by the Title III Task Force and the Professional Development Center. Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

What does student success mean at Buffalo State College? What are the individual ways that we cultivate student success at the college, and how can we as individuals apply these practices to our own work to support the students we serve? Join us as we learn from our colleagues their definition of student success and the specific practices we as staff or faculty members can apply to better support the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of our students. Each conversation will involve a 10-to-15-minute presentation from a staff or faculty member focused on his or her definition of student success and effective practices that others can apply to their work with students. These conversations will then be followed by a 45-to-50-minute facilitated conversation by a member of the Title III Task Force about how we can apply these practices to our individual work with students. We will also discuss similar practices colleagues found to be effective and build off of the ideas presented to elevate these practices across campus.

In response to the rapidly changing needs of our students, faculty, and staff, as well as a campuswide interest in identifying our unique strengths and opportunities to best support our community, Buffalo State College will phase out the College Planning Council and begin the process of developing an Institutional Planning Advisory Committee (IPAC) in its place.

The IPAC will expand on the exceptional work that has been completed by members of the College Planning Council. The campus community appreciates the time and expertise that members have invested in our campus. As we transition to the new IPAC structure, I invite interested faculty and staff members from across campus to consider IPAC membership.

The role of IPAC will be to serve as a conduit between multiple areas of the college, serve as the coordinating body of strategic planning initiatives, and provide leadership in the following areas:

• Oversee the iterative strategic planning process and its implementation.
• Monitor and adjust the ongoing strategic planning process to meet the college’s needs.  
• Strengthen and focus the analytics required for planning, assessment, and student success.  
• Communicate assessment and planning progress to faculty, staff, and students on a regular basis.  
• Share information and assessment results with the Institutional Effectiveness Committee for possible inclusion in the Middle States Self-Study materials.  
• Develop recommendations for actions and goals within the broad parameters of the strategic plan and the college’s mission for submission to the president and cabinet.  

Those with experience or interest in topics that will be addressed by IPAC should contact Carolyn Martino, executive assistant to the provost, by Wednesday, March 24. If committee membership is not an option for you this semester, you will be informed of additional subcommittees that will be created as we move forward with IPAC initiatives. It is a high priority that IPAC membership adopt inclusive practices that reflect and appreciate the diversity that exists among our students, faculty, and staff at Buffalo State.

I encourage you to look for updates in the Daily Bulletin on our progress as we complete committee membership and begin working on our campuswide initiatives.

I encourage all Buffalo State College faculty and staff members to attend the virtual SUNY Student Success Summit 2021 on Thursday and Friday, April 22 and 23. Free for all SUNY participants, this summit will bring together three SUNY communities of practice: Student Success, Applied Learning, and Advising. As SUNY is building capacity and best practices for supporting all students during these challenging times with evidence- and results-based campus and student leadership models and methods, our communities of practice have again joined together to facilitate collaboration, networking, and sharing of ideas to improve offerings for all students across the state.

Featured Keynotes

• Andrew McPeak, Vice President of Content, Growing Leaders
  (Sponsored by Genteels Excellence in Teaching through the University at Buffalo Center for Educational Innovation)
• Tia McNair, Vice President and Executive Director, Association of American Colleges and Universities
  (Sponsored by SUNY Strong Start to Finish)

Please visit the event website for the registration link and program details. Registration is open until April 20 or until the program reaches capacity. The Registration tab is on the blue bar at the top of the page.

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 spring 2021, summer 2021, and fall 2021.

• For spring 2021, the college is following standard academic policies and all-college registration deadlines for the semester, with the exception of the continued modification of the policy for mandatory advisement PINs. Mandatory advisement PINs for summer and fall 2021 registration are now on the accounts of first-year, undeclared, and probationary undergraduate students.
• Spring 2021 deadlines:

       ⇒ March 15 - Midterm Grades Open

       ⇒ March 22–27 - Spring Recess Canceled

       ⇒ March 26 - Midterm Grading Window (closes at 9:00 p.m.)

       ⇒ April 7 - Registration Begins for Summer and Fall 2021

       ⇒ April 9 – Course Withdrawal and Pass/Fail Application Deadline (closes at 11:59 p.m.)

       ⇒ April 9 - Removal of Incomplete Deadline

       ⇒ May 7 - Withdrawal from College Deadline (closes at 11:59 p.m.)

       ⇒ May 7 - Final Day of Regular Instruction

       ⇒ May 10–13 - Critique and Evaluation Period

       ⇒ May 13 - Final Day of Spring Semester

       ⇒ May 10–19 - Final Grading Window (closes at 9:00 p.m.)

• All summer 2021 instruction will be offered remotely. Standard college policies and academic calendar will apply.
• The fall 2021 semester is being planned for traditional face-to-face instruction barring any new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health, or SUNY Central. 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.