Please join the Indigenous Initiatives Caucus and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office for a Welcome Back Social on Friday, September 22, from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center.

All are welcome for an evening of Haudenosaunee social dancing, food, friendship, and fun. This event is co-sponsored by Native American Community Services, the Buffalo State Anthropology Department and Indigenous studies minor, and the Native American SUNY: Western Consortium. We look forward to seeing you there and please spread the word to students!

The Peterson Society at Buffalo State honors members of our community who have remembered the university in their estate plans. The society proudly welcomes new members at an annual induction luncheon and this year’s theme is “A Lifetime of Influence: Celebrating Buffalo State’s Esteemed Faculty and Staff” in recognition of the immeasurable impact retired and current faculty and staff have had on this institution. The luncheon will be held Thursday, October 5, at noon in the Richardson Hotel. All are welcome. 

I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the Peterson Society this year, and I encourage anyone who has questions about the Peterson Society or the luncheon to contact Scott Burns, associate vice president for development.

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

President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student
One undergraduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, which is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State University. This award is given to a student who, through the use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipient will deliver the student address at Commencement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for consideration for this award. 

President's Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student
One graduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, which is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State University. This award is given to a student who, through the use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipient will deliver the student address at Commencement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for consideration for this award. 

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor bestowed by SUNY upon a student with special achievement in at least three of the following areas: academic excellence, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts. Examples of achievements and accomplishments to consider may include but are not limited to athletics, advocacy, military service, student government, teaching and service positions, involvement in clubs and organizations, volunteer work, and research experience. These students may have already received recognition from campus, local, state, national, or international organizations, and we would like you to include that information in the nomination process. 

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

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

Arts: Accomplishments and contributions in a particular discipline, if the student is a performer, artist, craftsperson, or similar.

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

Campus involvement: As measured by significant accomplishments, contributions, or experiences in campus involvement while a student at Buffalo State.

Athletics: As measured by significant accomplishments in a particular sport(s) as an athlete, coach, etc.

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

Career achievement (including career preparation): Significant accomplishments or experiences as a pre-professional, as a professional, or in career achievement while a student at Buffalo State. This can include internships, co-ops, accomplishments in student chapters of professional organizations, etc.

Military service: Awards, decorations, or special recognitions.

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

Deadline
Nominations and supporting documentation can be submitted electronically by email to Stacy Erokwu, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, or dropped off in Cleveland Hall 513 by 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 18.

Students should submit their portfolio in a single PDF or hard copy in a binder and be sure to also email the three required Word documents alongside the portfolio (information form, personal statement, and résumé or curriculum vitae).

Questions or concerns regarding the application process may be directed to Student Affairs at (716) 878-4704 or by email to Stacy Erokwu, assistant to the vice president for student affairs.

Information will be verified with the Registrar's Office.

Please join the Indigenous Initiatives Caucus and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office for a Welcome Back Social today, September 22, from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center.

All are welcome for an evening of Haudenosaunee social dancing, food, friendship, and fun. This event is co-sponsored by Native American Community Services, the Buffalo State Anthropology Department and Indigenous studies minor, and the Native American SUNY: Western Consortium. We look forward to seeing you there and please spread the word to students!

The division of Student Affairs is conducting a survey in collaboration with several units across campus, including Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs, to continue to gather specific data about the impact of textbook costs and student purchasing patterns.

This is a campus survey and is not being administered by the campus bookstore. Students who complete this survey will be eligible for a gift card. This survey will give us insight into how textbook costs affect students' education. The data collected from this survey will assist us in making informed decisions about how textbook costs affect students and their success. I ask that you encourage students to complete the survey; they can review instructions on how to complete the survey through the message sent to their campus email, by scanning barcodes on signage around campus, or by stopping by the survey table at Bengal Pause on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Campbell Student Union. 

This survey will open Monday, September 25, and close Friday, October 6. The survey can be completed online or during Bengal Pause in the Student Union. Please contact Student Affairs, (716) 878-4704, with questions.

As we begin the new semester, it is important to remember the Buffalo State policy on religious observances, which states: "It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school because of his or her religious beliefs an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study, or work requirements that he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days.... No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity." 

As a reminder, the Buffalo State community is composed of individuals from a wide array of faith-based communities and practices. We honor and respect everyone’s right to practice their faith. For the full Policy on Discrimination Based on Religion, please visit the Equity and Campus Diversity website. 

Additionally, here are a few 2023–2024 religious observance dates to keep in mind: 

Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 15 (sundown)–Sunday, September 17 (sundown), 2023 

Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 24 (sundown)–Monday, September 25 (sundown), 2023 

Diwali
Sunday, November 12, 2023 

Ramadan
Sunday, March 10, 2024 (30 days and dates dependent on the sighting of the new moon crescent) 

Good Friday
Friday, March 29, 2024 

Passover
Monday, April 22–Tuesday, April 30, 2024 

The Grant Allocation Committee (GAC) requests proposals from individuals, departments, and student clubs and organizations for funding of programs, speakers, and events to take place during the 2023–2024 academic year. 

The deadline for submitting applications under this funding cycle has been extended to Friday, October 13, for fall 2023 and spring 2024 program proposals; the deadline for spring 2024 program proposals is Friday, February 2. Applications for funding and complete details of requirements may be found on the Student Affairs website. All proposals must be submitted electronically to Stacy Erokwu, assistant to the vice president for student affairs.

Questions about the GAC may be addressed to Stacy Erokwu.

The next meeting of the Buffalo State Council will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, in Cleveland Hall 518.

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Action Items
   Approval of the Minutes: April 11, 2023
3. Chair’s Report
4. President’s Report
5. Committee Reports
6. Announcements
7. Executive Session (If Necessary)
8. Adjournment

Please join us for the Walk in Her Shoes Fashion Show on Monday, October 9 (Indigenous Peoples Day), at 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. The event is aimed at raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and reclaiming Indigenous visibility through fashion. The event will also feature informational tables, and select vendors will display and sell native items.

For decades, crime and violence against Indigenous people has been a major crisis within the Indigenous community. According to the National Crime Information Center, there were 5,295 reports of missing Indigenous women and girls in 2020—all of them Native American and Alaska Natives. 

The host of this event, Aiyana Jacy Martin, is an Afro-Indigenous woman who is a part of the community of individuals using their voices to bring awareness to the cause. She has found her voice as an advocate for the Indigenous community through speaking on multiple podcasts and radio platforms that are bringing awareness to this underpublicized issue. Ms. Martin, a member of Open Buffalo's Emerging Leaders Class of 2023, will be attending Buffalo State University in the spring semester.

Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite until noon on Monday, October 2. This event is brought to you by Erie County Legislator April Baskin, and Buffalo State’s Equity and Campus Diversity Office and Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program.

We're thrilled to invite you to the 15th annual Social Justice Festival, AFP 2023: Ideas + Action = Justice, on campus Wednesday and Thursday, October 4 and 5. AFP 2023 is more than an event; it's an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to engage in enlightening discussions about justice across various fields.

Our festival encourages direct interaction with leaders, activists, educators, authors, and artists, broadening perspectives on justice. The AFP team will support your classes before and after the festival, previewing and debriefing the experiences.

Celebrating our 15th year, we're focusing on our Indigenous populations and communities. AFP 2023 is a unique platform to delve into pressing global issues and integrate social justice into your work.

We're proud to host this pivotal academic tradition, which has had a profound impact since its inception in 2011. Your participation in AFP's social justice festivals is appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you at AFP 2023.

More information on the schedule, registration, volunteer opportunities, and featured presentations is available online:

• AFP 2023:  Ideas + Action = Justice (registration, volunteering)
• AFP 2023:  Featured presentations

To have AFP staff visit your classes, please contact Jonise Hall, AFP assistant director.

Let's embody Anne Frank's words: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world.” Let's make a difference at AFP 2023!