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 students’ 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.

The Buffalo State University community eagerly awaits celebrating the Class of 2024 at our 152nd Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, in the Sports Arena. Your participation in this most auspicious ceremonial event makes it especially meaningful for our graduates and their families.   

Please consider honoring our graduates by marching in the procession or serving as a volunteer to help with the graduate lineup and processional, the Robing Room, program distribution, ticket-taking, or other duties. 

Ceremonies by Academic School

• 9:00 a.m. School of the Professions
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificate Ceremony
• 1:00 p.m. School of Arts and Sciences
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificate Ceremony
• 5:00 p.m. School of Education including Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Graduate Certificate Ceremony

To register, please visit the Commencement website. Marchers registration also includes all platform party members and administrators. Marchers and volunteers may participate in more than one ceremony.

Commencement rehearsals are scheduled to ensure that ceremonies run smoothly and that all participants are knowledgeable in their roles and responsibilities.

Regalia rentals are available to order through the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore until Friday, April 5. Marchers’ regalia rental pricing and loan request information are provided in the Regalia section of the Marchers web page. A limited inventory of doctoral and master’s gowns, caps, and hoods may be available for loan through the Academic Affairs Office until Monday, May 6. Please contact Ann Delmont, administrative assistant 2, for more information or to place your order.

Thank you for your commitment and service.

The Buffalo State Brightspace Stakeholders Committee wants to hear about your experience using Brightspace in your courses and organizations. Please sign in to the Brightspace Faculty Implementation Survey and take the brief (five minutes or less) survey. ​ 

This survey is open from Tuesday, February 20, to Tuesday, March 5.​ 

Thanks for helping us improve Brightspace at Buffalo State!

In light of the continued delays with the simplified FAFSA, we have decided to extend our admissions deposit deadline to June 1, 2024. As a campus that puts affordability and value at the forefront, we recognize the importance of ensuring that students and their families have sufficient time to review financial aid packages and make the best decision for their future. By extending the deposit deadline, we aim to provide students with the necessary flexibility and support during this critical decision-making process.

This extension is intended to alleviate any additional stress or pressure students may be experiencing as they navigate the college admissions process. We want to reassure them that their well-being and success are our top priorities, and we are committed to assisting them every step of the way.

Based on the most recent guidance from the Education Department, we are expecting to begin receiving FAFSA information in March. This means that award letters for 2024–2025 will be delayed. The Financial Aid Office is working diligently to accommodate all the FAFSA changes and targets mid- to late April to begin making financial aid award offers. Students can stay abreast of the office’s progress by monitoring their FAFSA simplification website.

SUNY is hosting virtual FAFSA completion workshops that we encourage students to attend if they need assistance with filing. We are here to support them and provide guidance throughout this process. Questions for Financial Aid can be directed to finaid@buffalostate.edu or by phone at (716) 878-4902. Admissions can be reached at admissions@buffalostate.edu or by phone at (716) 878-4017.

I would like to share some important updates regarding the recent realignment of admissions functions. Graduate admissions has moved within the Admissions Office in Moot Hall under the division of Enrollment Management. The functional responsibilities of this team include recruitment, application management, marketing, event planning, and new student enrollment.

To assist with this transition, the office recently welcomed two new hires to the admissions team. Tyra Henson, associate director of graduate admissions, and Mary Kate Metzger, assistant director of graduate admissions, have joined the Buffalo State community. The graduate admissions team will report to David Loreto, executive director of admissions.

This team will be scheduling meetings with all graduate program coordinators and department chairs to continue to support graduate admissions and recruitment. As we move forward, please send any graduate admissions-related questions to graduateadmissions@buffalostate.edu; phone calls can be directed to the Admissions Office at (716) 878-4017.

A Celebration of Life for our dear colleague Sarah M. Young, former Buffalo State University dean of students, will be held on Sunday, April 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. Sarah’s obituary includes ways you can support and celebrate her memory. Please keep her children and family along with her colleagues and friends in your thoughts as they continue to navigate this loss.

A Celebration of Life for our dear colleague Sarah M. Young, former Buffalo State University dean of students, will be held on Sunday, April 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Tower Auditorium. Sarah’s obituary includes ways you can support and celebrate her memory. Please keep her children and family along with her colleagues and friends in your thoughts as they continue to navigate this loss.

Friends who are unable to attend the celebration in person are invited to participate via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 980 9307 7616
Password: 532038

The Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE) will host the Job and Internship Fair on Thursday, March 7, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. This event is open to students from all majors and class years, as well as alumni.

Students, staff, and faculty members will have the opportunity to meet with local, regional, and national employers recruiting for full-time and paid internship opportunities. More than 65 employers will be in attendance this year, representing a diverse cross-section of industries. Many of the recruiters are alumni, eager to hire Buffalo State students and graduates! Gold sponsors for the Job and Internship fair include Encorus Group, M&T Bank, and West Herr Auto Group.

The Job and Internship Fair is a great opportunity for our students to explore a variety of jobs and paid internships. Please encourage students to dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their résumé.

More information, including a list of participating employers, is available on the CAPE website.

Please join us on Saturday, March 9, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall for a unity-packed event. Enjoy diverse performances from Polish Heritage Dancers, Devi Bollywood Performing Arts, African Warrior and Drum Dance, El Batey Puerto Rican Center, and Hoops of Hope. Engage in a Racial Healing Circle, savor multicultural dance showcases, and treat yourself to refreshments. Admission is free, but secure your spot online today. Let's build bridges, foster understanding, and dance together in harmony at this cultural extravaganza!

Featured Performances

• Polish Heritage Dancers: A mesmerizing showcase of Polish cultural heritage through dance.
• Devi Bollywood Performing Arts: Experience the vibrancy and energy of Bollywood dance.
• African Warrior and Drum Dance: Feel the rhythm and power of African culture through drumming and dance.
• El Batey Puerto Rican Center: A captivating display of Puerto Rican traditions and dance.
• Hoops of Hope: Witness the artistry and skill of hoop dancing.

Event Highlights

• Racial Healing Circle: Engage in meaningful conversations promoting understanding, empathy, and unity.
• Multicultural Dance Performances: An exhilarating lineup of diverse dance forms from around the world.
• Refreshments: Enjoy delicious snacks and beverages throughout the event.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed Executive Order 31 on July 27, 2023, committing New York State to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities. This executive order directs state agencies and authorities to take several steps to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the gap between working people with disabilities and working people without disabilities.

You are being asked to complete this anonymous form to assist the New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer (CDO) in both determining how many people with disabilities are currently working for New York and ensuring that every state agency is improving in the hiring of people with disabilities.

Completing this form is voluntary; however, we sincerely hope that you will choose to do so. All your answers will be anonymous. Your decision to complete this form will never result in any harm, retribution, or retaliation. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The survey will be available until Friday, March 8.

Please direct questions to Human Resource Management.