Upon the recommendation of the College Senate, President Conway-Turner approved a revised Academic Misconduct Policy (PDF, 128 KB) on June 14, 2021. The approach to academic misconduct embedded in the revised policy is different from that in the previous policy in that it encourages faculty to see instances of academic misconduct as opportunities to educate our students rather than punish them. To this end, according to the new policy, instructors are only permitted to impose a sanction on a student if the student’s act of academic misconduct is found to be intentional. Otherwise, instructors should educate students on how to avoid similar types of misconduct in the future.

The revised academic misconduct policy also embeds a new consultative process for resolving alleged instances of academic misconduct. The campus community is encouraged to consult the Academic Standards website for an overview of this process. As part of this new process, instructors are obliged to report all findings of intentional or unintentional academic misconduct, as well as any recommended sanctions for intentional acts of academic misconduct, to their respective department chair, dean’s office, and the Academic Standards Office. Recommended instructor sanctions are considered pending, and should not be imposed, until the instructor hears from the Academic Standards Office that (i) the pending sanction(s) will not be replaced by a stronger sanction and (ii) the student is not appealing the instructor’s finding of academic misconduct and/or the pending sanction(s). Instructors should not submit a final grade for a student who is alleged to have engaged in academic misconduct until the process for resolving that allegation is complete.

Questions about how to resolve alleged instances of academic misconduct may be addressed to Julian Cole, interim director of academic standards.

I am pleased to announce the membership of the 2021–2023 President’s Council on Equity and Campus Diversity:

Chair: Carlos Jones, Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

Tiffany Bromfield, Associate Director of Residence Life and Inclusion, Residence Life Office
Mary Codick, Administrative Assistant I, Teacher Certification Office
Mohan Devgun, Chair and Professor, Engineering Technology Department
Karen Edmond, Coordinator of Field Education, Social Work Department
Ruth Goldman, Associate Professor, Communication Department
Luke Haumesser, Associate Director, Student Leadership and Engagement
Michael Heflin, Assistant Dean of Inclusion and Equity, Dean of Students Office
Douglas Hoston, Visiting Scholar, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education Department
Jonathan Hulbert, Director, Leadership and Organizational Development, Professional Development Center
Yanick Jenkins, Director, Educational Opportunity Program
Solomon Joseph, Graduate Assistant, Equity and Campus Diversity Office
Charles Lyons, Director, E. H. Butler Library
Gabriel Marshall, Senior Adviser for Student Success and Retention, Academic Affairs
Amy Pedlow, Interim Chief of Police, University Police
Laura Hill Rao, Director, Civic and Community Engagement
Jennifer Ryan-Bryant, Professor, English Department
Jonathan Seinen, Assistant Professor, Theater Department
Celestine Simmons, Administration Assistant 1, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
Bruce Swan, Associate Professor, Mathematics Department
John Torrey, Assistant Professor, Philosophy Department
Ariana Veltri-Clark, Academic Advising, Academic Success
Marcus Watson, Assistant Professor, Individualized Studies

Administrative Liaison: Lisa Morrison-Fronckowiak, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer; Director, Student Accessibility Services

The President’s Council on Equity and Campus Diversity was established at Buffalo State College in 1996 to address discrimination, harassment, and campus climate issues as they relate to recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff; curriculum development; and student life on campus. The president receives and reviews recommendations from the council. The chief diversity officer provides administrative support for the council.

Amid evolving guidance related to the pandemic, I am writing to inform you of the current status of Buffalo State College’s protocols related to COVID-19. This update provides guidelines related to health, safety, and administrative services as we resume in-person operations.

This weekly guidance will be discontinued after today. We refer you to the college’s Coronavirus Information website for current information. Questions may be addressed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLNESS

Testing
Weekly surveillance testing is required for any employee who has not yet voluntarily provided proof of vaccination to opt out of weekly testing and any student who is partially vaccinated or has received a limited medical or religious exemption.

Testing is being conducted in Buckham Hall’s D Wing main gym, which is located on the lower level (enter from Lot R-12, closest to the Technology Building), during the following days and times:

• Mondays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays 6:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–6:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
• Thursdays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–6:00 p.m.
• Fridays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

This weekly requirement must be met by the close of testing each Friday. Employees may choose a convenient time within the available windows to present to Buckham Hall. To expedite the process, please complete the registration process through the online portal before arriving in Buckham Hall. A user guide to the registration process (PDF, 2.4 MB) is available online. Individual test results will be securely posted to the online portal, and test participants will be notified via email when their test results are available. An informative video about the test registration and sample collection process is also available online.

Vaccinations
We strongly encourage employees to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination to the Human Resource Management Office. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, having employees’ voluntary vaccination information is key to our efforts. You can upload your information or contact the Human Resource Management Office at 878-3042 to schedule an appointment to provide your documentation in person.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation on March 12, 2021, granting public and private employees time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Under this new law, employees are granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection. This time will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued.

Use of the vaccination leave should be requested in advance and approved by your supervisor. While up to four hours of leave with pay is available for COVID-19 vaccination leave, not every employee’s situation will require the full four hours’ allotted time.

The SUNY Time and Attendance System has been updated to provide a COVID-19 vaccine drop-down option in the non-chargeable category. If you have questions about recording the non-chargeable leave, please contact Al Galone, manager of payroll, 878-4124 (for CSEA); or Carey Seneca, interim manager of recruitment and classification, 878-3042 (for UUP).

As of August 23, the SUNY mandate that all students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is in effect. Buffalo State College strongly supports and will enforce this student mandate. 

Air Quality
Buffalo State follows guidelines from the New York State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding mechanical ventilation and air filtration. The campus has installed and will maintain high-performance MERV-13 filters within all facilities with air handling unit ventilation systems. Ventilation systems will continue to operate for longer hours, with increased outdoor air being supplied to indoor spaces where possible. Ventilation systems in all student housing facilities and all restrooms will be operated continuously. General purpose classrooms, which are not supported by air handling unit systems and scheduled for use during fall 2021, will be equipped with air purification units. 

There may be areas of the campus that are warmer or cooler than usual as a result of these changes. Individuals are asked to please accommodate these minor inconveniences and dress appropriately, so that the whole community can benefit from these ventilation changes.

Capacity
Workplace capacity is limited only by the space available for individuals to maintain physical distancing, based on vaccination status. For fully vaccinated individuals, no physical distancing is required.

At this time, proof of vaccination status is not required from employees; however, employees are encouraged to upload their vaccination information to Human Resource Management to be exempted from weekly surveillance testing. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting
Buildings have been prepared for a 100 percent return to in-person operations in compliance with CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfection. The custodial emergency response team is trained and equipped with specialized disinfecting equipment and is available to address any area of concern, at any time of day, quickly and thoroughly.

Custodial services has resumed normal cleaning operations and is augmenting these with disinfection of high-touch surfaces in public areas. Faculty, staff, and students should make use of hand sanitizer stations and are encouraged to use disinfectant wipes in classrooms and teaching spaces and the Virex spray provided by the campus to disinfect high-touch surfaces in work areas.

Health Screening
State agencies and authorities may continue to screen individuals for COVID-19 symptoms, recent close contacts, and recent positive COVID-19 test results prior to or immediately upon arrival to the workplace, regardless of individual vaccination status. Screening may be performed via signage, by email and website, by telephone, or by electronic survey before individuals arrive to work. Temperature checks are no longer required as a part of health screening.

Buffalo State will continue to use the daily health screening process for all employees who present to campus for work each day. The screening must be completed by all employees reporting to campus, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks
As announced by President Conway-Turner on August 4 and in accordance with updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Erie County Department of Health, Buffalo State College again requires all campus community members and visitors—regardless of vaccination status—to wear face masks while indoors on campus.

Face masks are not required when faculty or staff members are alone in their personal offices or when students are inside their private residence hall rooms, or for individuals who are actively eating or drinking in a campus dining area.

Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear face masks in all outdoor settings. Face masks are also required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all large outdoor group settings of 200 or more people.

Resources for Employee Wellness
During challenging times, it is especially important that we be attend to our mental health and well-being. Several resources are available to support employees:

• The Employee Assistance Program offers support to employees to promote well-being in and out of the workplace.
• Headspace offers science-backed meditation exercises and mindfulness resources. 
• Health.gov provides evidence-based guidance for maintaining or improving health through physical activity
• The Professional Development Center at Buffalo State provides resources for employees to reconnect to campus and supports employee wellness
• WellNYS Everyday helps New Yorkers make better choices to be well and stay well

Social Distancing
Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to be socially distanced, but unvaccinated individuals and those whose vaccination status is unknown need to maintain 6 feet of social distance in accordance with CDC guidelines. In instructional spaces, in lieu of maintaining 6 feet of social distance, appropriate physical barriers may be used as long as they do not present a health or safety hazard. A mask is considered a physical barrier.

ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS

Attestation
Every campus employee reporting to work in person must affirm that he or she has read and understands the Guidance for State Agencies and Authorities during the COVID-19 Public Health Public Emergency. Please follow the link to read the guidance and attest that you understand its provisions and will adhere to its requirements.

Building Access
Buffalo State has returned to the schedule for building opening and closing used prior to COVID-19. Under the normal schedule, all doors on academic and administrative buildings are  opened by 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. Academic buildings are closed at 10:00 p.m. and administrative buildings are closed at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any facility that requires opening on Saturday or Sunday will be opened upon authorized request from the Events Management Office.

Events
All events must follow the Buffalo State COVID-19 guidance that is in place at the time of the event, and must be registered through the Events Management Office.

Consistent with current guidance, face masks are required at all indoor events for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Masks are also required in all large outdoor group settings of 200 or more people.

There are no capacity limits specific to COVID-19, but CDC physical distancing requirements for unvaccinated individuals are applicable when space allows.

Hosts should use event-related communications to remind all attendees of current campus COVID-19 guidance: Guests should monitor themselves for symptoms the day of the event and should not attend if they are experiencing symptoms or are otherwise concerned that they might be infected with the coronavirus or any illness.

Information Technology
Some on-campus computer equipment may require a little “TLC” after sitting unused during the public health emergency. When you return to in-person operations, please inspect all your computers and peripherals at your earlier opportunity to ensure they are in good working order. Please check to ensure that

• your computers and monitors power on,
• your mice and keyboards are connected and functional,
• batteries in wireless mice and keyboards are live,
• your computers can connect to the Internet,
• your mobile devices are enrolled on the secure wireless network,
• the software you need is installed and functional,
• your files are synced to OneDrive,
• your computers can print to an available network printer (if applicable).

Please note that, consistent with the new policy implemented by SUNY System Administration, the campus no longer supports local desktop printers (e.g., HP Deskjet, HP OfficeJet).

Many hardware- and software-related problems can be resolved by simply restarting your computer. We recommend trying this first before opening a ticket for service. On a PC, press the Windows key > Power button > Restart; on a Mac, click the Apple menu > Restart. If your computer isn’t responding, you may need to perform a cold boot by pressing and holding the power button on the computer. The computer will turn off after 10 seconds. Once the computer is off, wait a few seconds before turning it back on.

If you encounter hardware-related problems that can’t be resolved by restarting (e.g., the monitor won’t turn on, the mouse or keyboard don’t work, you can’t print), please open a hardware issue ticket to report the problem to Information Technology (IT). Include any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken to help IT find a solution more quickly.

If you encounter software-related problems that can’t be resolved by restarting (e.g., an application won’t launch, an application is giving a ‘license expired’ message), please open a software issue ticket to report the problem to IT. Include troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried in the ticket description. 

The deadline for academic software requests for academic year 2021–2022 was May 14, 2021. New software requests, depending on title, may require license review and installation preparation. You may experience delays if your request was not submitted by the deadline.

You may request IT assistance via the online portal, at ithelpdesk@buffalostate.edu, or at 878-4357; or by visiting the new Help Desk location in Butler Library 103, at the Ask Us Desk. Appointments are recommended for all in-person visits. Please visit the booking page to schedule.

Mail and Parcel Delivery 
Mail delivery has returned to normal schedules used prior to COVID-19. Special requests regarding mail and parcel delivery may be emailed to adminops@buffalostate.edu.

Parking
All faculty, staff, student, and visitor vehicles parked on campus are required to display current parking permits appropriate to the lot designation, and according to permit instructions. Parking meters provide short-term parking for visitors, and are available in lots R-3, R-4, G-25, and I-30. Vehicles in metered spaces must display a valid meter receipt.

To ensure proper use of campus lots with the return to in-person operations, full parking enforcement has resumed. Questions about parking at Buffalo State may be directed to parkingservices@buffalostate.edu.

Return to in-Person Operations
The Pilot Statewide Telecommuting Program (alternative work locations) has ended. Requests for exceptions involving extenuating circumstances limited to child care, elder care, or specific COVID-19-related medical accommodations should be addressed to the Human Resource Management Office.

Spending Controls
In accordance with SUNY guidance and until further notice, all Buffalo State departments should continue to curtail Other than Personal Service (OTPS) spending. The restrictions described in the Procedures for Spending Controls: COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 have been updated to reflect recently publicized changes to travel and personnel procedures  and apply to all state, Buffalo State College Foundation, and Research Foundation administrative funds.

Purchases must be limited to those items and services that are urgent, essential, and relevant to Buffalo State’s strategic priorities. Spending down of departmental accounts is prohibited. These procedures aim to provide methods for prioritizing, seeking approval for, and enacting essential OTPS spending at Buffalo State College during and after the COVID-19 impact.

Travel
This guidance pertains to all state, Research Foundation, and Buffalo State College Foundation funds:

International travel continues to be prohibited. Limited domestic travel may be permitted if it is consistent with local health guidance, supports essential business of the college, and relates to

• health and safety,
• instruction and research,
• student-facing experiences (e.g., Athletics),
• revenue generation (e.g., Admissions).

All travel requests must be accompanied by a COVID-19 Travel Attestation Form and require approval from the traveler’s supervisor. With the exception of Research Foundation–sponsored travel, all requests require review and approval at spending thresholds consistent with ongoing spending constraints reviews. Proposed travel valued above $10,000 would be subject to approval of the College Budget Committee. Research Foundation sponsor-funded travel is allowable consistent with New York State and local health guidance.

Travel Cards (T-Cards) will be available for use on approved travel. To reactivate T-Cards, please secure supervisor and respective cabinet member approval and submit to Bonnie Heim, director of non-contract procurement.

As announced on August 23 by SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, students who did not complete their COVID-19 vaccination regimen by September 27—or have not received an approved medical, religious, or remote-learning exemption—will be dropped from all in-person classes for the remainder of the semester. The process to review the cases of non-compliant students and unenroll those individuals from in-person classes is underway.  

Unvaccinated students have been notified of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement deadline through the following outreach: emails about the vaccine requirement deadline, including a video message email; a text message asking them to indicate that they understand the vaccine requirement deadline; and phone calls reminding them about the vaccine requirement deadline. The Weigel Wellness Center also hosted three COVID-19 vaccine clinics on campus, two of which offered the Pfizer vaccine, and one that offered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Regular COVID-19 information updates have been posted on the Coronavirus Information website in the Updates and For Students sections as well.

Students have been informed that if they do not complete their COVID-19 vaccination regimen or have an approved exemption by September 27, they will be dropped from all fall 2021 in-person classes by the Registrar’s Office and may be held 100 percent financially liable for the courses. If an unvaccinated and nonexempt student has a mix of in-person and remote courses, they will be dropped from their in-person courses only. These students will still have a record in the Bengal Success Portal (BSP), and the adviser will still appear in Banner and Degree Works. If an unvaccinated and nonexempt student has all in-person courses, they will be dropped from all their courses. These students will not have a record of courses in the BSP, but the adviser will still appear in Banner and Degree Works.

If you are contacted by a student who is being dropped from their in-person courses, you can offer support in the following ways: 

• Direct them to contact their adviser to discuss course planning for future semesters at Buffalo State College.
• Refer them to campus support systems (i.e., Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Dining Services) to address financial questions.

You can add advising notes and documentation about course planning and referrals in the BSP and Degree Works. Please note that current COVID-19 vaccination policies will remain in effect for future semesters.

As a reminder, Buffalo State College continues to require all campus community members and visitors—regardless of vaccination status—to wear face masks while indoors on campus. The Weigel Wellness Center is leading educational programming on the importance of COVID-19 safety and is planning to host a “mask-out” in the Campbell Student Union with educational tabling and prizes to promote face mask compliance. The Weigel Wellness Center is also starting a new initiative to recognize and reward face mask compliance on campus and will be handing out raffle tickets to students wearing their face masks properly so they can enter a giveaway to win the top prize of a SONY PlayStation!

For more information and updates on COVID-19, please visit the Coronavirus Information website.

The new Student Code of Conduct (approved by the College Council on September 21, 2021) went into effect on September 22, 2021. The approved changes affect language and additions to code sections 4E - Disruptive Behavior, 4J - Failure to Comply, 4K - Failure to Report, 4L - Failure to Notify, 8C - Drug Violation, and Interim Suspension. Wording was adjusted to make the policies clearer to students and to provide more specific information regarding the reporting of felony convictions and policy violations on campus. The changes for 8C - Drug Violation was adjusted given the changes to NYS law regarding the recreational use of marijuana throughout the state, excluding college campuses. Changes to the interim suspension section were made to ensure that the wording was gender neutral.

Over the next few weeks, students will have the opportunity to review the changes in person during sessions held by staff members from the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office. Students also have the ability to view the changes on the website and complete the form affirming that they’ve viewed the changes to the code. Information about upcoming sessions can be found on the Student Conduct and Community Standards website. Please use the website for access to the new Code of Conduct, forms, documents, and important information about the student conduct process. Please refer all requests for conduct records and information directly to the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office, Bengal Hall 14 (lower level), 878-3051.

We have extended the deadline for employees and student employees to complete the mandatory sexual harassment prevention training to Tuesday, October 19, to provide more time as we adapt to the new compliance training system. This deadline also takes into account that completion of this training is required for UUP employees to be considered for discretionary awards. New York State enacted legislation in 2018 requiring all employers, including Buffalo State College, to ensure that their employees complete sexual harassment prevention training annually. The Equity and Campus Diversity Office has developed a 20-minute online program that meets all New York State requirements for sexual harassment prevention training. The training must be completed online using BizLibrary no later than Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

We are excited to announce that we will be using BizLibrary, an online employee training system, for the training this year. Employees can log in to BizLibrary to complete the training by following these steps:

1. Visit BizLibrary (http://buffalostate.bizlibrary.com), which will bring you to a Microsoft page. Enter your Buffalo State College email address.
2. The Buffalo State College log-in page will appear. Enter your campus username and password.
3. Complete the “2021 Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training” under “My Assignments,” which includes a 12-minute video and associated quiz and a five-minute video and associated quiz.

Student Employee Completion of Sexual Harassment Training
As we continue to confirm department assignments for student employees, they will be added to the BizLibrary system to complete the training. Student employees and department managers or chairs will be contacted when students are added to the system and are able to complete the training. Student employees should log in to the system following these instructions:

1. Visit BizLibrary (http://buffalostate.bizlibrary.com), which will bring you to a Microsoft page. Enter your student username with @buffalostate.edu after your username (your username is the first part of your email address before “@”). DO NOT enter your student Gmail address.
2. The Buffalo State College log-in page will appear. Enter your student username and password.

If you experience log-in issues, please contact the IT Help Desk. Please visit the Equity and Campus Diversity Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, 878-6210, with questions about the training.

I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the 2021–2022 Commencement Operations Group:

Chair: Bernadette Gilliam,* Assistant Director, Events Management

Patricia Alessandra,* Commencement Director for Academics, Academic Affairs
Katelyn Brickhouse,* Alumni Events Coordinator, Alumni Engagement Office
Cheryl Byer, Director, Facilities Business Operations Services
David Cox, Assistant Dean, Student Leadership and Engagement
Brent Ford, Athletics Facilities Manager, Intercollegiate Athletics
Kenneth Giangreco, Manager of Video Production, Marketing and Communications
Luke Haumesser, Associate Director, Student Leadership and Engagement
Brian Kantz, Creative Services Director, Marketing and Communications
Margaret Letzelter,* Executive Assistant to the Dean, Graduate School
Nigel Marriner, Registrar, Registrar’s Office
Kristen Mruk, Associate Director, Student Leadership and Engagement
Amy Pedlow, Interim Chief of Police, University Police
Lynn Puma, Manager, Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore
Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney,* Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer, President’s Office
Justin Sledz, Assistant Director of Classroom Technology, Information Technology Services
Mary Beth Wojtaszek, Associate Events Manager, Events Management Office
Rita Zientek,* Interim Dean, School of the Professions

The Commencement Operations Group serves as the support and implementation arm to the Commencement Committee. This group consists of nonvoting members who by virtue of their position on campus have responsibilities for implementation of Commencement activities and events.

*Also serves on the Commencement Committee

I am pleased to announce the membership of the 2021–2022 Buffalo State College Commencement Committee:

Chair: Kathleen O’Brien, Chair and Lecturer, Hospitality and Tourism Department
Vice Chair: Marcus Watson, Assistant Professor, Individualized Studies
Immediate Past Chair: Jane Cushman, Chair and Associate Professor, Mathematics Department
Secretary: Catherine Cook, Administrative Assistant 2, Academic Affairs

Patricia Alessandra, Commencement Director for Academics, Academic Affairs
Katelyn Brickhouse, Alumni Events Coordinator, Alumni Engagement Office
Pixita del Prado Hill, Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership
Bernadette Gilliam, Assistant Director, Events Management Office
Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Educational Opportunity Program
Douglas Hoston, Visiting Scholar, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education
Margaret Letzelter, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Graduate School
Michael Lewis, Senior Director of Administrative Operations, Events Management Office
Amy McMillan, Director, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
Maria Roberts, Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer, President’s Office
Ramona Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems
Jocelyn Tejeda, Senior EOP Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program
Xiang-Dong Zhang, Assistant Professor, Biology
Rita Zientek, Interim Dean, School of the Professions

The Commencement Committee is responsible for advising the president, the provost, and other appropriate college administrators on matters pertaining to Commencement; planning and implementing Commencement ceremonies and related events; submitting  proposed actions and changes of a substantive nature to the president for his or her consideration; disseminating information about Commencement throughout the institution to appropriate departments and other interested constituents; and making recommendations to the president for Commencement speakers, if necessary. Members of the committee serve as institutional advocates and champions for Commencement activities.

It is my pleasure to invite the campus community to our Anne Frank Project’s 13th annual social justice festival, AFP2021: Believe. Inspire. Achieve. This signature event for the college has become an academic ritual in which faculty, staff, and students immerse themselves in a variety of socially pertinent sessions where theories and ideas are translated into action. This experiential approach reflects Buffalo State College’s commitment to applied research and learning, experiential education, and social justice. Through a variety of disciplines delivered by experts from around the globe, this year’s festival (October 13–15) promises to engage you, your students, and your courses in the issues that affect us most today: From unpacking the realities of current refugee struggles, to creating alternative voices to respond to our nation’s battles with racism, to innovative education methods for reaching our special needs communities, AFP2021 truly offers a tangible, innovative educational experience for everyone. AFP2021 is free and on the campus of Buffalo State.

It is my hope that you will continue the tradition of bringing your students and classes to this year’s AFP social justice festival to

• immediately respond to President Conway-Turner’s call for a campuswide commitment to social justice (JEDI);
• provide a meaningful common educational experience for your students;
• utilize the festival offerings as a prompt for future instruction, projects, and assignments in your courses;
• collaborate with the campus community members outside your discipline; and
• come together as an academic community to celebrate our return to campus life.

Please join me as we highlight the work of our "featured program" this year, Exceptional Education, and as we welcome presenters from all over the world to our campus, including Samantha Turner—a senior adviser in the U.S. Agency of International Development with the Biden-Harris administration—and other internationally recognized educators, artists, activists, and leaders. It promises to be an inspiring, meaningful, and educational three days.

Please use these links for more information about AFP2021, registering your classes (seats will be limited in many sessions), and registering to volunteer. To invite AFP staff to your classes before or after the festival, please contact Eve Everette, assistant director of AFP.

Looking forward to activating Believe. Inspire. Achieve. with you at AFP 2021!

Please encourage students and alumni to attend the Virtual Graduate and Professional School Fair 2021, hosted by the Career Development Center, on Tuesday October 19, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. More than 60 graduate schools with a variety of programs including law, medicine, business, education, and government are participating at the event. A list of participating programs and student registration information are available on the CDC website. Students can learn more about a variety of programs and the admission process, as well as make connections with recruiters from across New York State, the Northeast, and beyond!

Some benefits of participating in the Virtual Graduate and Professional School Fair include meeting the reps who may be on graduate admissions committees, getting tips on graduate essays, and potentially getting waivers for application or entrance exam fees.

For more information, please contact the Career Development Center.