In the February 2022 meeting of the College Senate, the Standards for Students Committee brought forth for a vote a removal of DOPS Policy VIII:02:01 Code of Student Rights. The College Senate voted in favor of the resolution, presented by the Standards for Students Committee on February 11, 2022.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: VIII:02:01                          
Date:  Removal
Subject: Code of Student Rights

• To remove duplication of Student Code of Conduct from DOPS.
• Reduce confusion over multiple copies of policies that reference the Student Code of Conduct on the Buffalo State site-wide web search.

Original DOPS: http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/dops/policysect8/080201.pdf

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate and charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.

In the February 2022 meeting of the College Senate, the Standards for Students Committee brought forth for a vote a revision to DOPS Policy VIII:03:00 Student Conduct and the Civil Process. The College Senate voted in favor of the resolution, presented by the Standards for Students Committee on February 11, 2022.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: VIII:03:00                          
Date:  Revision
Subject: Student Conduct and the Civil Process

• To bring the DOPS policy in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct so that the policy language is reflective of the authoritative document it references.
• Reduce confusion over multiple copies of policies that reference the Student Code of Conduct on the Buffalo State site-wide web search.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: VIII:03:00                                            
Date:  November 1970

SUBJECT: Student Conduct and the Civil Process

Original:
The following was endorsed and recommended for adoption as a statement of College policy by the Faculty Council, November 2, 1970.

The State University College at Buffalo recognizes the supremacy of the Civil law in all cases of duplication or conflict with the regulations of the College.  Where individuals, thought members of the college community, suffer loss or injury from the perpetration of misdeed, the College recognizes their rights of access to the civil process if they so choose.

This is not to be construed as precluding the invoking of college discipline procedures as described in the document, “Students’ Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities,” whether or not civil remedies have been sought.

As the American Bar Association Commission on Campus Government and Student Dissent stated:

“The fact that a student has been subject to university disciplinary proceedings does not in any way preclude a subsequent trial of the student for the same conduct by public authorities if his/her conduct violated the laws of the jurisdiction. Likewise, the fact that a student has been tried in the criminal courts does not preclude the assertion of an appropriate disciplinary sanction against him/her by the university. There is no legal basis for the claim of ‘double jeopardy’ in either case.”

“The institution should recognize the possibility, however, of injustice resulting from the imposition of multiple sanctions for the same conduct. In cases where the university proceeds after state action has taken place, consideration should be given by the university to any prior state punishment in determining the appropriateness of a university sanction. A criminal court should properly consider the sanction already imposed by a university tribunal in determining what penalty it should impose. Prosecutors or university officials as the case may be, should carefully consider whether it is desirable to proceed where a defendant has been acquitted in prior proceedings in court or before a university tribunal. There matters are, however, addressed to the discretion of responsible officials and do not give rise to any right of immunity from a different or additional finding or sanction made by the body that has initially delayed its exercise of jurisdiction.”

In no instance is a member of the faculty, staff or administration of this college, acting in his official capacity to render advice in a manner in conflict with this policy.

Source of Information:  College Bulletin, November 4, 1970.

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http://police.buffalostate.edu/emergency-response-plan   

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate and charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.

In the February 2022 meeting of the College Senate, the Standards for Students Committee brought forth for a vote a revision to DOPS Policy VIII:06:00 Disruptive Students. The College Senate voted in favor of the resolution, presented by the Standards for Students Committee on February 11, 2022.

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: VIII:06:00                          
Date:  Revision
Subject: Disruptive Students

• To bring the DOPS policy in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct so that the policy language is reflective of the authoritative document it references.
• Reduce confusion over multiple copies of policies that reference the Student Code of Conduct on the Buffalo State site-wide web search.

Original DOPS: http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/dops/policysect8/080300.pdf

BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Policy Number: VIII:06:00                                                                              
Date: April 1998

Subject: Disruptive Students

Faculty and staff are expected to conduct classes or other activities and perform their assigned responsibilities without disruption. Accordingly, faculty and staff members have the right to ask disruptive or menacing individuals to leave the classroom or vacate the area where they are misbehaving.

The college maintains a Student Code of Conduct that governs the conduct of students on this campus. The Student Code of Conduct, Section 3: Conduct Policies, in concert with New York State Education Law, strictly prohibits students from physically harming, verbally abusing, or intimidating anyone, or intentionally interrupting a class for purposes of stopping a speaker. All individuals, students or non-students, also are subject to legal recourse under the New York State Penal Code Articles concerning criminal trespass or disorderly conduct and harassment.

Since due process considerations and an assumption of innocence govern the student conduct process, faculty and staff should be aware of the precautions and procedures necessary to minimize the risk of personal or college liability for violation of an individual's rights. Formal proceedings are required for students to be prohibited from attending or returning to class or other college functions. An adjudication of misconduct through the college student conduct process or the conviction of a criminal charge under the Penal Code may result in temporarily or permanently barring individuals from campus activity.

When a student or other individual is deemed to be acting in a disruptive or threatening manner, the following information provided by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for Academic Affairs will guide faculty and staff who are faced with asking that person to leave and/or barring a return to a class or other campus area:

1. In situations where a person is perceived to be a clear danger to themselves or to others, the University Police Department should be called immediately. The University Police Department should always be contacted if one believes that the person displaying the disruptive behavior is not a student. The responding officer will determine the next steps and, in the case of a student, whether medical assistance is needed and/or whether to file a formal complaint with the Student Conduct and Community Standards office.
2. Any student, faculty, or staff member may file a charge and refer a student to the college conduct system with or without intervention by the University Police department.
3. Faculty, staff, or students alleging misconduct should be prepared to document what actions they took to stop any inappropriate behavior. When Buffalo State community members file charges of alleged misconduct through the Student Conduct and Community Standards office, they must submit documentation such as a description of the behavior, attempts made, if any, to stop the behavior, and any other relevant corroborating evidence.
4. In some cases, an appropriate course of action, short of referral to the college conduct system, is a voluntary referral to the Buffalo State Care Team. The Care Team will review the case, offer resources to the student, and consult as necessary with the faculty/staff who reported the incident. Please remember that some information may remain confidential unless the student is deemed a danger to themself or others.

Additional guidance for members of the college community regarding the procedural and due process considerations outlined above, including advice on documentation, is available from the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office or the Dean of Students Office. Additionally, the University Police Department can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 716-878-6333.

Reference:
State University of New York College at Buffalo, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Code of Conduct (2018), https://studentconduct.buffalostate.edu/student-code-conduct

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate and charge the provost with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy change and for communicating the change to the campus community.

The Career Development Center (CDC) is sponsoring the annual JCPenney Suit-Up Event on Sunday, March 6, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Walden Galleria. There will also be an online event that will run from midnight March 5 through midnight March 7.

During both the in-person and online events, JCPenney will offer up to 60 percent off men’s and women’s career dress apparel, shoes, and accessories to Buffalo State students and alumni. This event is designed primarily to help students prepare for their job and internship interviews and also teach them about professional workplace attire.

Advance student registration is required for the in-person and online shopping experiences. Faculty and staff interested in attending should complete the faculty and staff registration form by Friday, March 4.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by the CDC, Professional Development Schools Consortium, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Student Leadership and Engagement, and the Higher Education Administration Department. Please contact Kayla James, CDC career counselor, with any questions.

The Self-Study Steering Committee for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and I wish to thank Marnie Letzelter for her service to Buffalo State College as executive assistant to the dean of the Graduate School and co-chair of the steering committee. Ms. Letzelter’s work was instrumental in the initial design and successful operation of the self-study process. Please join me in wishing her well as she leaves Buffalo State for a new position.

I’m pleased to announce that Kelly Frothingham, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, will serve as the new co-chair of the steering committee. Dr. Frothingham joined Buffalo State in 2000 as an assistant professor in the Geography and Planning Department. She received tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2006 and was promoted to full professor in 2015. For nine years, Dr. Frothingham served as department chair, leading efforts in using assessment data to engage in continuous improvement of academic programs.

In her current position, Dr. Frothingham plays a key role in oversight and support of curriculum and assessment, including a five-year academic program review, non-accredited and accredited program assessment, and general education assessment. Within the School of Arts and Sciences, she also oversees curriculum development for current programs and new curriculum initiatives, in addition to serving on collegewide committees, including the Assessment Advisory Board.

Along with Kimberly Kline, professor of higher education administration, and Kim Barron, assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness and planning, Dr. Frothingham will lead the self-study working groups. The groups continue to make progress on the development of Buffalo State’s self-study document to be submitted to our institutional accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. After the working groups have completed their individual drafts of the Standards for Accreditation, the full draft document will be available for the campus community to review. Please watch the Daily Bulletin for continued updates and the Institutional Effectiveness and Planning website for details.

Buffalo State Gives, the college’s annual Day of Giving, is taking place Wednesday, March 16, beginning at noon, and running through Thursday, March 17, at noon.

Institutional Advancement launched the college’s first giving day in 2019 to bring together our campus community, alumni, and donors to raise funds for the needs of our students and critical campus initiatives. 

There are several ways to support Buffalo State Gives. First, visit Buffalo State Gives to learn more about our 24-hour giving day and the causes you can support. Find an area of impact that is meaningful to you and consider making a gift. Also, spread the word by sharing social media posts from Buffalo State and the Alumni Association on March 16 and 17.

Gifts of all sizes matter during this participatory 24 hours of giving. Recipients include Civic and Community Engagement, Equity and Campus Diversity, the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program, and Milligan’s Food Pantry. The 24-hour event aims to create a sense of urgency for giving to the college. Ultimately, funds raised during Buffalo State Gives will benefit our students through academic scholarships, experiential learning, hands-on research, professional internships, food security, and emergency assistance.  

Thank you for everything you do for Buffalo State. We hope you’ll join us in supporting students on this year’s Day of Giving!

If you have questions about Buffalo State Gives, please email Kate Lockhart, assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement, or call (716) 878-3077.

The Grant Allocation Committee (GAC) requests proposals from individuals, departments, and student clubs and organizations for funding of programs, speakers, and events that will take place during the 2022–2023 academic year.

The deadlines for submitting applications under this funding cycle are Friday, April 29, for fall 2022 program proposals; Friday, September 23, for fall 2022 and spring 2023 program proposals; and Friday, November 11, for spring 2023 program proposals. Applications for funding and complete details of requirements may be found on the Student Affairs website.

All proposals must be submitted electronically to Amanda Marzolf, administrative assistant for student affairs. Questions may also be directed to Ms. Marzolf through email or by calling (716) 878-4704.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, we want to stand in support of Ukraine and the students, faculty, and staff members who are affected by the ongoing crisis. There are several resources available for help.

Campus Support Resources
The Counseling Center provides free and confidential services for registered Buffalo State College students. Services include individual and group counseling, workshops, and urgent-care consultations. To schedule an initial phone screening, please call the Counseling Center at (716) 878-4436. 

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free and confidential support services for employees and their family members to help them manage issues affecting their work and personal lives. For assistance, please call EAP at (716) 878-6699. 

NAFSA: Association of International Educators Resources
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest and most diverse nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. Review the following resources for ways to support international students threatened by crisis in their home country: 

• Immigration Resources: Ukraine 
• Immigration Assistance for Students from Countries in Crisis 
• Responding to a Crisis in a Student's/Scholar's Home Country 
• Crisis Management in a Cross-Cultural Setting: International Student and Scholar Services Checklists 

Institute of International Education Launches Emergency Student Fund for Ukraine
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a global not-for-profit organization that works with donors to assist international college students in the U.S. whose education is threatened by crisis in their home country.  

The IIE has launched an Emergency Student Fund to support Ukrainian international college students in the U.S. The fund is now accepting nominations from IIE Network Member Institutions in the U.S. for up to five international students who are affected by the crisis in Ukraine. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, March 21. Learn more about the IIE current funding efforts and international student nomination process.  

Contribute to the IIE Emergency Student Fund
The IIE welcomes additional contributions to the Emergency Student Fund so it can quickly respond and support international students when a crisis in their home country threatens their education. Please consider donating to the IIE Emergency Student Fund to help support international students in times of crisis. Thank you for your consideration and contributions.

Our centralized resource used to score paper tests has gone off warranty, and the human resources needed to maintain this system are no longer available; therefore, we seized this opportunity to review our options to replace this system. 

Amitra Wall, associate provost, and Khaleel Gathers, deputy chief information officer, sponsored a project review in December 2021 with faculty stakeholders designing an evaluation. They proposed three systems to review: Scantron, Gradescope, and Inspiron. Findings and recommendations were submitted this January.

Please review the Scantron Test Scoring Replacement Findings and Recommendation provided by the Project Management Office. Following the review and evaluation, the faculty stakeholders selected Gradescope as the recommended platform. 

Our office worked closely with Meghan Pereira, director of instructional design and distance learning, and faculty members who use the current Scantron system to determine which solution will move our campus forward.  

After you review the Scantron Replacement Findings and Recommendation, we ask that you please take this one-question survey. 

Thank you.

Please join Buffalo State College President Katherine Conway-Turner, the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, and the Association of Faculty and Staff of African Descent (AFSAD) for a general interest reception on Thursday, April 21, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center’s Costello Hall. AFSAD has a long history on the Buffalo State College campus. After being dormant for several years, the association is being reignited. 

AFSAD is an employee resource group (ERG). An ERG fosters inclusivity and diversity and provides a forum for those who share a common identity to support one another and build community. As part of the mission of the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, AFSAD aims to continue its partnership with faculty and staff members who are interested in cultivating this ERG to foster inclusivity, diversity, and community and to support students from diverse backgrounds.