I encourage the Buffalo State College community to nominate deserving colleagues for Buffalo State President’s Awards, SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, and Distinguished Professorships. Guidelines can be found on the Academic Affairs website. Please visit the Nomination Resources – Celebrations of Excellence section for helpful resources and tips for assembling nomination dossiers.

President’s Awards for Excellence
President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advisement; Advancement of Equity and Campus Diversity; Career Achievement for Faculty; Career Achievement for Professional Staff; Faculty and Staff Mentoring; Graduate Research Mentor; Librarianship; Research, Scholarship, and Creativity; Service to the College; Teaching; or as an Undergraduate Research Mentor nominations

Due Date: Monday, March 7

Please submit nominations with supporting materials electronically to the provost’s office.

Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence
1. Adjunct Teaching nominations

Due Date: Thursday, September 15

2. Distinguished Professor, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Distinguished Service Professor, Distinguished Librarian; Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professional Service, Librarianship, Scholarship and Creative Activities, or Faculty Service nominations

Due Date: Monday, October 17

Please submit nominations with supporting materials electronically to the provost’s office.

Please note: For SUNY Chancellor’s Awards, nominators should prepare their nomination letters in the format of a Summary Presentation as specified in the SUNY Award guidelines. A Buffalo State Nomination Checklist Cover Sheet  (PDF, 272 KB) should be the first page of all nominations.

Questions may be directed to Carolyn Martino, executive assistant to the provost.

Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and pursuant to New York State Chapter Law 417, Part E, signed by Governor Hochul on September 2, 2021, the Buffalo State College Council meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, will be held in person for members of the College Council only and electronically via webinar for all others. Members of the public may view the board meeting via Zoom videoconference online or join by phone at (646) 558-8656 (New York).

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

Meeting ID: 861 5490 5551
Passcode: 311585
Find your local number.

Agenda

1. Call to Order - Linda Dobmeier, Council Chair
2. Action Items - Linda Dobmeier
   Approval of the Minutes: November 30, 2021
3. Chair’s Report - Linda Dobmeier
4. President’s Report - Kate Conway-Turner
5. Committee Reports
6. Announcements - Kate Conway-Turner
7. Executive Session (If Needed)
8. Adjournment - Linda Dobmeier

On behalf of the Buffalo State College community, I am delighted to welcome Trini E. Ross, U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, as the 2022 MLK speaker on Wednesday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. I encourage all members of the campus community to attend.

The first African American woman to hold this position in Western New York, Ms. Ross was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 30, 2021. In this role, she oversees the prosecution of any federal criminal case brought within the 17 counties of Western New York. She also represents the United States in all civil matters brought within this territory.

A Buffalo native, she received her juris doctor, cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1992. She also earned a master’s degree from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia.

Ms. Ross’s visit is a terrific beginning to our celebration of Black History Month, a time when we reflect on the many contributions of African Americans, including individuals such as Ms. Ross, who continue to become “firsts” in their field.

Her talk, sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, is also part of the college’s 150th anniversary celebration and is free and open to the public. Please register online before the event. A virtual option for viewing will also be available.

For more information, please visit the Buffalo State College News website, call (716) 878-6210, or email the Equity and Campus Diversity Office.

On behalf of the Buffalo State College community, I am delighted to welcome Trini E. Ross, U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, as the 2022 MLK speaker this evening, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. I encourage all members of the campus community to attend.

The first African American woman to hold this position in Western New York, Ms. Ross was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 30, 2021. In this role, she oversees the prosecution of any federal criminal case brought within the 17 counties of Western New York. She also represents the United States in all civil matters brought within this territory.

A Buffalo native, she received her juris doctor, cum laude, from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1992. She also earned a master’s degree from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia.

Ms. Ross’s visit is a terrific beginning to our celebration of Black History Month, a time when we reflect on the many contributions of African Americans, including individuals such as Ms. Ross, who continue to become “firsts” in their field.

Her talk, sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, is also part of the college’s 150th anniversary celebration and is free and open to the public. Please register online before the event. A virtual option for viewing will also be available.

For more information, please visit the Buffalo State College News website, call (716) 878-6210, or email the Equity and Campus Diversity Office.

Buffalo State College is committed to maintaining the health and safety of our campus community amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All students with an on-campus presence for the spring semester have been notified they are required to complete mandatory COVID-19 arrival testing, complete their COVID-19 booster vaccine by their eligibility date, and adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols on campus.

Student COVID-19 Arrival Testing and Safety Requirements
Before the start of the spring semester, students were instructed to complete mandatory COVID-19 arrival testing during the first week of classes and to follow safety protocols on campus. Students were notified via email and via the campus updates on the Coronavirus Information website: 

• Spring 2022 COVID-19 Safety and Arrival Testing Requirements for Residential Students
• Spring 2022 COVID-19 Safety and Arrival Testing Requirements for Commuter Students

Student COVID-19 Booster Requirement
Before the start of the spring semester, students were instructed and reminded to complete their COVID-19 booster requirement within seven days of becoming eligible. Students were notified via email and via the campus updates on the Coronavirus Information website:

• COVID-19 Booster Requirement for Spring Semester 
• Reminder to Complete Your COVID-19 Booster Requirement for Spring 2022 

The Weigel Health Center will host an on-campus COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic on Tuesday, February 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall (second floor). Students are asked to schedule an appointment online in advance. Students may also visit suny.edu/knowyourvax to identify additional clinics offering the COVID-19 booster vaccine in the Western New York area.

Face Masks Required Indoors
As a reminder, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face masks while indoors on campus unless actively eating or drinking. At the start of the spring semester, students were provided with a new Buffalo State face mask and mask lanyard. If students need an additional face mask, please advise them to go to the Welcome Center in the Campbell Student Union.

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

Buffalo State College has initiated multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect its strategic campus data assets. An industry best practice, MFA adds a layer of computer security by requiring users to provide information in addition to a username and password. This will make sharing information within the Office 365 (O365) environment more secure from outside threats.

Consistent with SUNY’s mandate that all campuses implement MFA, Buffalo State IT has initiated a soft rollout during which faculty and staff members can voluntarily enroll and have the service activated for their O365 accounts. Your account includes all applications and shared documents in the O365 environment (e.g., email, Microsoft Office files, calendar).

Please follow the instructions to set up multi-factor authentication for your account today. Full participation is required from every Buffalo State account holder—including administrators, faculty, staff, and students—by Thursday, May 19.

The IT Knowledge Base contains a helpful FAQ about multi-factor authentication that elaborates on these fundamentals of MFA:

• Authentication: The process of proving that you are who you say you are
• Credentials: Your Buffalo State username and password, and any other unique identifiers 
• Multi-factor authentication: Providing two or more credentials to gain access to an account in a system (e.g., using credentials to access your account in the campus learning management system)

If you have questions about or encounter issues with multi-factor authentication, please contact the Help Desk by opening a Technology Help Ticket or by emailing ithelpdesk@buffalostate.edu. Please include a detailed question or description of your concern along with relevant screenshots.

We will continue to share information about MFA in the Daily Bulletin. Thank you for enrolling in this important service.

Buffalo State College has once again shown its Bengal spirit of caring and community support by contributing over 4,000 items for the campus collection of household items for Afghan evacuees in December. Two truckloads of items were delivered, including bedding, towels, dishes, cooking supplies, toiletries, and much more. I am proud to be a member of such an incredible community that is so readily willing to support our newest neighbors. The items donated will help provide safe and comfortable homes for the 500-plus Afghan evacuees who are relocating to Buffalo following the U.S. withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan. At least 250 people donated to the collection, and many offices and groups came together to facilitate efforts in their areas. Thank you for demonstrating Buffalo State’s mission as an urban-engaged anchor institution!

Many thanks also to the two Academic Affairs offices that co-led the event, the Civic and Community Engagement Office and the Global Engagement Office, and to Facilities Management, which delivered the items to Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees.

Throughout the spring semester, amid evolving guidance related to the pandemic, we will provide you with current guidelines related to health and safety campus protocols. 

This weekly guidance will continue to be posted in the Daily Bulletin until February 8, after which time we will refer you to the college’s Coronavirus Information website for current information.

COVID Booster Clinic February 8
The Weigel Health Center, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, will host a COVID-19 booster clinic for Buffalo State College faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday, February 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.

Appointments are recommended. Please reserve your appointment time online.

Please bring your insurance card to the clinic. The COVID-19 vaccine is covered by insurance with no copay and is available at no cost to the uninsured.

Wegmans will bring the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines on site for this clinic. If you are receiving a second vaccination dose or a booster shot, you must bring your vaccination card with you.

Face Mask Distribution
All members of our campus community are reminded that, regardless of vaccination status, close-fitting face masks are required to be worn in all indoor spaces on campus. The only exceptions to the indoor mask mandate are when faculty or staff members are alone in their personal offices, when students are inside their private residence hall rooms, or when someone is actively eating or drinking in a campus dining area. High-quality face masks remain one of the best protections we have against the spread of illness, and it is critically important that we adhere to these protocols for everyone’s safety.

How will I receive my mask?
Environmental Health and Safety has begun distribution of a surgical face mask and two KN95 masks for each staff member on campus.

We are expecting more masks to be delivered in the coming weeks, allowing us to offer additional masks for those who may want them.

How should I store my mask?
Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask, and do not touch the mask when wearing it. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after removing it.

The CDC recommends that users store used KN95 masks in a breathable container during their shift if worn for extended use. The container must be well marked (to prevent accidental use) and stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for temperature and moisture.

COVID-19 Events and Visitor Information
All events taking place at Buffalo State operate under the current guidelines and restrictions in place for the college, SUNY, Erie County, and New York State as recommended by the CDC and must be registered through the Events Management Office.

Consistent with current guidance, face masks are required at all indoor events regardless of vaccination status.

Spring Surveillance Testing Requirements for Employees
Employees who do not wish to disclose their vaccination status or who are not fully vaccinated must continue to participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance pool testing.

Vaccinated employees with a physical presence on campus who have not yet reported or received their booster shot must test once per month for the duration of the spring 2022 semester, or until they receive their booster and provide proof to Human Resource Management. Additional information about monthly testing protocol for these employees will be forthcoming.

Self-testing kits are available for pickup at the University Police “Safe Trade Zone,” Chase Hall 126. You may also pick up test kits at the COVID-19 Testing Center in Buckham Hall's D Wing gym during normal testing hours. Employees who are required to test weekly or monthly may choose to test via a self-testing kit or during normal testing hours in Buckham Hall.

Employees who have completed a full vaccination series, received their booster shot, and provided proof of their vaccination and booster to Human Resource Management are exempt from surveillance testing this semester.

Vaccines and Boosters
We strongly encourage employees to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination and boosters 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 call Human Resources at (716) 878-3042 to schedule an appointment to provide your documentation in person.

COVID-19 vaccine and booster appointments are available through New York State’s vaccine website.

Wellness Resources
Buffalo State’s EAP website is a link to many useful resources pertaining to COVID-19 concerns and general wellness.

Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we continue to be agile and flexible in following all appropriate protocols set forth by the state, SUNY, and CDC. 

While there is still much to learn about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, we will continue to evolve from where we were in spring 2020. Vaccines and boosters as well as the wearing of masks have helped in our efforts by providing us with tools that were not available two years ago. We have done a remarkable job of adhering to the guidelines, and we should be proud of our commitment and efforts.

At the start of the pandemic, all employees were asked to complete a Daily Health Screening of their personal health status. This tool has helped individuals understand the symptoms related to COVID-19 as well as the importance of monitoring their own health daily. Faculty and staff members are no longer required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire; instead, faculty and staff members are reminded via email to continue to monitor their personal health status and to report any symptomatic or positive case to their supervisors and Human Resource Management. The health and safety of our campus community remains our number one priority. 

Reporting Positive Cases and Monitoring Health
Any employee who receives a positive COVID-19 test result should report it to his or her supervisor and to Human Resource Management at hrcovidresponse@buffalostate.edu. 

Erie County is currently following updated guidance (January 4, 2022) from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) for isolation and quarantine. Read the new guidance online (PDF, 146 KB).

Looking Ahead
All members of our campus community are reminded that we must continue our commitment to work together in protecting the campus community while protecting ourselves and maintaining a safe in-person semester.

Please continue to monitor the college's Coronavirus Information website for up-to-date information. Please email hrcovidresponse@buffalostate.edu with COVID-related questions.

SUNY’s current systemwide contract with Blackboard expires December 21, 2022. Desire2Learn’s (D2L) Brightspace learning management system has been selected to serve as the new hub of SUNY’s digital learning environment. Buffalo State College has been slotted into Cohort 2 of the SUNY migrations. Cohort 2 will run from May 2022 to April 2023 with three phases: Planning (May–August 2022), Piloting (September–December 2022), and Go Live (January–April 2023).

A Digital Learning Environment Project Team has been formed to assist with campus decision-making about this project. The SUNY Digital Learning Environment website provides information on the progress, contract, and timeline in addition to a list of FAQs and information on events and training. 

Instructional Design and Distance Learning will host Brightspace playground workshops, where faculty members can explore the new system until official training sessions have been scheduled for our campus.

As more campus-specific information becomes available, we will post it on the IT self-service portal and communicate it through the project team representatives and the Daily Bulletin.  

If you have questions or feedback about this project, please contact your representative or complete the online D2L - Brightspace Feedback Form for Buffalo State College.

The Bengal Success Portal Student Progress Survey will be distributed directly to instructors of record twice during the spring 2022 semester. The survey will be deployed

• Wednesday, February 9–Friday, February 18
• Monday, March 14–Thursday, March 24

Responding to the Student Progress Survey is the first step in making all academic support staff aware of the status of students, enabling professional staff members to follow up with students and close the loop of communication with faculty. This survey is an essential step in increasing students’ academic achievement, persistence, retention, and graduation rates.

A two-minute video on how to complete the Student Progress Survey is available online.

Please email Gabriel Marshall, senior adviser for student success and retention, with questions about completing the survey.