I am writing to share some important news regarding the organizational changes taking place within the Academic Affairs Office. As your newly appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, I am thrilled to lead this interim period to support the faculty and academic staff, and work collectively toward providing the best possible education and services to our students.

Effective immediately, we will be implementing the following changes:

1. Julian Cole, our interim associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, will take on the responsibility of leading local, SUNY, and NYSED actions, as well as overseeing the catalog. Dr. Cole's expertise and dedication will ensure a smooth continuation of these crucial tasks.
2. Joining our team as a special advisor is Scott Goodman, professor and chair of the Chemistry Department. Dr. Goodman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and his focus will be on addressing emerging needs, ensuring financial sustainability, and fostering workforce development. His presence will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of our academic community.

As we move forward, it is important to note that this is just the beginning of our efforts to enhance the Academic Affairs division. In the coming weeks, we will be conducting a thorough review to identify potential additional changes that will further strengthen our institution.

I want to reassure all our faculty, staff, and students that throughout this transition, our commitment to providing quality service remains unwavering. We understand the importance of maintaining a seamless academic experience, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that your needs are met.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Buffalo State University. Together, we will create an even brighter future for our students.

Cheryl Byer will retire from her position as director of facilities business operations and services after 35 years of service to the Buffalo State University community. Her last day on campus will be Friday, March 15.

Ms. Byer, who began her career at Buffalo State in 1989 as a keyboard specialist, holds an associate of applied science in business administration from SUNY Erie and a bachelor of science in business studies from Buffalo State. She progressed through various titles within the campus services and facilities area, including coordinator of business systems, maintenance management coordinator, campus maintenance business systems, and facilities business operations and services. She was named to her current position in 2022.

Ms. Byer has served the campus with commitment and dedication and has managed many broad initiatives that have served Buffalo State well. For example, she converted the campus work request process from manual to online in 1998, developed complete keying schematics for the nine most recently constructed or renovated buildings, and led the complete re-keying of the residence halls and athletics facilities. Under her leadership, Facilities Business Operations was the first campus department to fully implement Bengal Buy. Additionally, Ms. Byer created the original emergency response planning template used by SUNY, was instrumental in bringing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to campus, and was a key member of the Incident Management Team (IMT) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Byer’s commitment is further demonstrated in her service on the Leadership and Disability Access Task Force, the Commencement Operations Group, and numerous search committees. She has also participated in several leadership and communication training courses.

In retirement, Ms. Byer plans to travel and enjoy leisure time with family and friends. Please join me in extending to her our gratitude and best wishes, and join us for a celebration of Ms. Byer’s many accomplishments at an open house on Thursday, February 29, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. RSVP by email by Thursday, February 22.

Staffing Update
As we acknowledge Ms. Byer's impending retirement and consider the recent retirements of Steve Shaffer (former director of facilities) and Kris Kaufman (former officer in charge of facilities), we recognize the need for continued leadership and expertise in our facilities area. After an unsuccessful national search for an assistant vice president for facilities in fall 2023, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Lewis as interim assistant vice president for facilities.

Mr. Lewis’s previous position as senior director of administrative operations provided him with invaluable ongoing experience, including oversight of the Design and Print Center, Events Management, Moving Operations, the Campus Mail Room, Parking Services, and Sustainability Programs. This breadth of proficiency, coupled with his proven leadership capabilities and comprehensive understanding of campus infrastructure and operations, makes Mr. Lewis exceptionally qualified to ensure the smooth continuation of operations for our Facilities unit. In this interim role, Mr. Lewis has taken on responsibility for Maintenance Operations, the Campus Stockroom, Central Receiving, Custodial Services, Grounds, Garage, and Power Plant.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Lewis to this important role. His office is in Clinton Center 203, and he can be reached at (716) 878-5538.

Please join the Buffalo State community in celebrating and honoring the achievements, contributions, and history of Black Americans. Equity and Campus Diversity, in conjunction with the Africana studies program, is thrilled to offer two great events:

Film Screening and Panel Discussion: 848: The Criminalization of America
Thursday, February 15
5:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall
A special screening of the documentary 848: The Criminalization of America, featuring a panel with director Thomas Freeman. 848: The Criminalization of America looks at drug laws like the “King Pin” statute, inequities, and how Black and Brown communities have been affected. This event is co-sponsored by the Erie County Bar Association and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York.

‘Shout Outs & Storytelling’: DJ Rhetoric and the Inspiration for ‘K for the Way’
Friday, February 16
4:30–6:00 p.m.
LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center
As we celebrate over 50 years of hip-hop, come and hear writer and educator Todd Craig as he explores DJ culture, rhetoric, and its impact on contemporary writing.

Refreshments will be provided for both events!

The Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs Office is excited to announce the summer 2024 New Student Orientation schedule. These sessions will take place in person on campus.

Transfer Students
Session 1 - Tuesday, June 25
Session 2 - Tuesday, July 9
Session 3 - Tuesday, July 16
Session 4 - Thursday, August 22  (Last Chance Orientation) 

First-Year Students
Session 1 - Thursday, June 27, and Friday June 28
Session 2 - Thursday, July 11, and Friday July 12
Session 3 - Thursday, July 18, and Friday July 19
Session 4 - Thursday, July 25, and Friday July 26
Session 5 - Friday, August 16 (Fall Athletes)
Session 6 - Thursday, August 22 (Last Chance Orientation)

Student Registration
Students can register for New Student Orientation via their student applicant portal when the registration goes live in the coming weeks. Once students pay their deposit, they will receive notifications to register for their session. If students are having trouble registering for orientation, please have them email the Orientation Office for assistance.

How You Can Help

• Volunteer to assist with summer orientation.

Please email Thomas Trzepkowski, assistant director of orientation, transition, and family programs, with questions or visit the the Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs website. We look forward to welcoming our new students, parents, and families to Buffalo State University this summer! 

I am pleased to invite the campus community to the annual luncheon honoring our colleagues who are in their 25th year of service to SUNY on Thursday, April 4, at noon in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. The luncheon will be complimentary for the honoree and one guest. Additional guests may attend at a cost of $32 per person. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, March 21.

Employees crossing the 25-year mark this year:

Rosemary Arioli, Lecturer, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department
Phillip Auman, Senior Career Counselor, Career and Professional Education Center
Jessica Berg, Director of Sponsored Programs, Research Foundation
Leon Collins, Senior Programmer/Analyst, Information Technology Exchange Center
Pixita del Prado Hill, Chair and Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department
Jean Dipirro, Associate Professor, Psychology Department
Brent Ford, Athletics Facilities Manager, Intercollegiate Athletics Department
Shashi Gayadeen, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice Department
David Henry, Associate Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department
Tricia Herritt, Director, International Student and Scholar Services Office
Yanick H. Jenkins, Director, Educational Opportunity Program
Stephanie Kindzia, Senior Financial Aid Advisor, Financial Aid Office
Margaret Loops, Associate Director, Financial Aid Office
James Mayrose, Professor, Engineering Technology Department
Melissa Meehan, Director of Web Services, Marketing and Communications Office
Marianne Muha, Associate Librarian, Butler Library
Wendy Neilson, Senior Training and Development Specialist, Research Foundation
John Newman, Senior IT Help Desk Associate, Information Technology Services
Constance Nowak, Lecturer, Art and Design Department
Robert Palmer, Maintenance Assistant, Facilities Office
Ronald Rachinger, Director of Technology Support, Information Technology Services
Ramona Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems Department
Elizabeth Stevens, Senior Academic Advisor, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
Theresa Tobin, Janitor, Custodial Services

We are also pleased to honor one employee who is crossing the 50-year mark this year:

Richard A. Stempniak, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology

Please complete and return the guest reservation form (PDF, 5 KB) or call Laurie Graziano, administrative assistant 2, at (716) 878-4101, to attend.

If your name is not listed above and you have achieved 25 years of service in SUNY this year, please contact Laurie Graziano or Melissa Slisz, interim executive assistant to the president, in the President’s Office.

I am thrilled to announce that Buffalo State University will hold its 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18. As we come together to honor our graduates, their families, and guests, we also celebrate the faculty and staff members who have been integral to the journey of our graduates.

This year, we continue to champion the virtues of individual ceremonies by academic school, a format that allows us to truly highlight the unique achievements and specialisms of each academic discipline. Bachelor’s and master's degrees and advanced graduate certificates will be celebrated within their respective academic schools, shining a spotlight on the breadth and depth of academic offerings within our university community.

The 2024 ceremonies will be held as follows on Saturday, May 18:

• School of the Professions - 9:00 a.m.
• School of Arts and Sciences - 1:00 p.m.
• School of Education, including Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies - 5:00 p.m.

As Buffalo State has evolved from a comprehensive college to a comprehensive university, our approach to Commencement mirrors this transformation. By celebrating each academic school individually, we recognize the unique contributions of the faculty, staff, and students within them, while embodying collective pride and accomplishment. This shift, aligning with traditional university commencements, not only signifies our growth but also lays the groundwork for our ambition—to be the leading comprehensive university in the SUNY system. Our reimagined Commencement ceremonies reflect this vision, marking the first steps toward a future where we unequivocally stand as a beacon of academic excellence in the region, united and proud under the Buffalo State University banner.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Commencement Advisory Committee chair and vice chair, Gliset Morales and Molly Holinger; Deputy Director of Commencement Operations Kimberly Jackson; and the Commencement Advisory Committee members for their diligent work in orchestrating these important celebrations. I eagerly anticipate a fabulous day of ceremonies on May 18, where we will come together as one community to celebrate our students' achievements; reinforce the bonds between faculty, staff, and graduates; and let the Bengal Pride shine brightly!

Thank you for your continued commitment to Buffalo State University. Here's to another successful academic year, and a warm and engaging Commencement ahead.

The Admissions Office will host its 2024 Spring Open House on Saturday, April 20, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This program is intended for new students, to highlight Buffalo State’s academic departments, student services, and campus life. This event is a key opportunity to showcase our programs and campus for our new students. 

Visitors will gather in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall for a welcome address at 9:15 a.m. Event programming will take place from 9:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students and families can choose from a wide range of programs at Open House. Academic departments will present individually to those students who are interested in their major programs. Guests can tour the campus as well as individual spaces such as athletic facilities, residence halls, and the library.

Financial Aid and Admissions representatives will be available to meet with students one-on-one. There will also be a “Your Best Choice” presentation for students who are still deciding what they would like to study. Student services offices and student organizations will meet with visitors in the Campbell Student Union.

If you know anyone who is interested in attending Buffalo State, feel free to extend an invitation to Open House. Interested students can register online on the Spring Open House event registration page.

Faculty and Staff Participation at Open House
Email invitations for academic department and student services participation were sent from Shannon Miller, open house coordinator and admissions advisor, the week of February 5. Please contact Ms. Miller with any Open House questions.

A compact is a set of principles shared by people engaged in a common purpose. At Buffalo State, the Compact for a Civil and Caring Academic Community describes how those who live, study, and work together as members of our campus community should treat each other: with civility and respect, with care and concern, and with a commitment to the academic purpose for which Buffalo State exists.

Buffalo State’s compact is not a fixed document or a policy, rule, or regulation. Rather, it is an understanding about what is right in our community—what behaviors contribute to achieving our mission, vision, and core values:

• our commitment to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of students, faculty, and staff;
• our desire to be known as a caring academic environment where lives are transformed and each individual is valued; and
• our commitment to supportive and collegial relationships, respect for diversity and individual differences, and opportunities for individuals to realize their full potential.

The compact is meant to foster conversation, interaction, and reflection on behavior as a way to promote understanding of self and others in the context of a shared community. It should be used by anyone who wants to help promote the standards and expectations arising from its premise that Buffalo State is and should be a civil and caring academic community.

The compact is based on the work of Ernest Boyer, former chancellor of the State University of New York, who proposed six principles for creating strong campus communities.

A purposeful community

• is committed to the educational mission;
• shares academic goals;
• aims to strengthen teaching and learning across all units, both in and outside the classroom.

In a disciplined community

• individuals accept their obligations to the group;
• student conduct standards define acceptable behavior and are widely known;
• academic conduct standards are clear and enforced.

In a civil community

• freedom of expression is protected;
• high standards for civility are upheld, with appropriate responses to violations;
• students speak and listen carefully to each other;
• individuals have awareness of how actions affect others;
• individuals have respect for the rights and dignity of others.

In a caring community

• individuals support the well-being of others;
• service to others is encouraged;
• individuals are respected and social bonds are affirmed;
• academic and personal support is provided;
• students connect what they learn with how they live.

A just community

• celebrates diversity;
• builds racial and cultural understanding;
• is fair and equitable in practice;
• encourages access and offers support.

A celebrative community

• values heritage and tradition;
• celebrates success and rewards accomplishment;
• observes rituals that connect to the community;
• displays a sense of belonging to something worthwhile and enduring.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CAMPUS COMPACT WEEK EVENTS
February 12–16

Monday
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Inclusion and Equity - CIVIL: Historical and Iconic African American Figures in American History
Campbell Student Union 404

Tuesday
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Dean of Students Office - CARE: I Will Care for You!
Campbell Student Union lobby

Wednesday
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Residence Life Office - JUST: Black Love and Healthy Relationships
Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall

Thursday
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Student Leadership and Engagement - PURPOSEFUL: Say Cheese: Purposefulness
Campbell Student Union lobby

Friday
Noon–2:00 p.m.
Student Conduct and Community Standards - DISCIPLINED: Funtastic Friday
Campbell Student Union lobby

We are excited to extend a special invitation to all Buffalo State University faculty and staff members to join us at Bengala 2024, the 27th annual Buffalo State University Foundation Scholarship Gala, at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in E. H. Butler Library. We are delighted to offer you discounted tickets to this unforgettable celebration supporting student scholarships and financial aid.

Single tickets are available for $150 each, providing access to an evening filled with entertainment, connection, and inspiration. Additionally, we are offering department sponsorships for $1,500, which includes six tickets. With this sponsorship, you’ll have the opportunity to allocate two tickets to students or alumni who will take part in our Stand for a Student moment representing your specific department, broadcast live on YouTube to our out-of-state alumni.

Purchase discounted tickets on the Buffalo State Bengala website.

To secure a sponsorship, please email Elizabeth Grady, staff assistant in Institutional Advancement. We encourage you to take advantage of this offer by Wednesday, March 6, to ensure your participation in Bengala 2024.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of the event that celebrates Buffalo State University. We look forward to welcoming you to Bengala 2024 on Saturday, April 13, and creating unforgettable memories together.

I am pleased to announce the members of the 2024 Presidential Advisory Commencement Committee. This committee represents Buffalo State’s dedication to advising, planning, and executing the spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies for the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and School of the Professions.

Commencement Advisory Committee Leadership

• Chair: Gliset Morales, Associate Professor, Exceptional Education Department
• Vice Chair: Molly Holinger, Assistant Professor, Creativity and Change Leadership Department
• Immediate Past Chair: Marcus Watson, Associate Professor, Individualized Studies
• University Marshal: Howard Reid, Professor, Psychology Department
• President’s Representative: LeVar Burke, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
• Provost’s Representative: Kimberly Jackson, Deputy University Marshal, Academic Affairs Office
• Operations Subcommittee Chair: Bernadette Matre, Director, Events Management Office
• Communications Subcommittee Chair: Brian Kantz, Director of Creative Services, Marketing and Communications Office
• Honorary Doctorate Subcommittee Chair: Jennifer Toohey, Associate Professor, Theater Department
• Secretary: Ann Delmont, Administrative Assistant 2, Academic Affairs Office

Committee Members

• Katelyn Brickhouse, Director, Alumni Engagement Office
• Julian Cole, Interim Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
• Carol DeNysschen, Dean, School of the Professions
• Kathy Doody, Professor, Exceptional Education Department
• Ricky Fleming, Professor, Music Department
• Clemon George, Assistant Professor, Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics Department
• Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Educational Opportunity Program
• Luke Haumesser, Director, Student Leadership and Engagement Office
• Amy McMillian, Director, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
• Lisa Morrison-Fronckowiak, Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Equity and Diversity Office
• Shantell Reid, Assistant Professor, Fashion and Textile Technology Department
• Raquel Schmidt, Associate Dean, School of Education
• Gehan Senthinathan, Assistant Professor, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education Department
• Amy Wilson, Chair and Associate Professor, Higher Education Administration Department
• Shawnte Wilson, Director of Roar2Success, Enrollment Management
• Gabriella diSpirito, Graduate Student
• Lisa Michael, Undergraduate Student
• Tahynnis Newsome, Undergraduate Student

I want to take this opportunity to stress that the committee’s mission is to reaffirm our university’s reputation as an emblem of academic excellence and to create an environment that radiates pride and accomplishment among our graduates.

Our goal is to ensure that every attendee—faculty, staff, alumni, guests, and graduates alike—has a warm and engaging experience. We want our graduates to leave with a sense of pride and a clear understanding of their new status as Buffalo State alumni. We also aim to strengthen the ties between our graduates and their faculty and staff members through increased interaction during the week leading up to Commencement and at the ceremonies. This will serve to reaffirm that our faculty and professional staff are not only integral to the academic journey of our students but are also pivotal to the celebration of their accomplishments.

The committee’s work is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and unity that characterizes our campus. Their efforts will ensure that our Commencement ceremonies are a celebration of academic excellence and a unifying force among all members of the Buffalo State community.

I would like to express my profound gratitude to the committee for its dedication to this Herculean task, with special thanks to Kimberly Jackson, deputy director of commencement operations; Gliset Morales, committee chair; and Molly Holinger, committee vice chair. I trust that they will meet and exceed our expectations, and I look forward to their recommendations.