The Individual Faculty/Librarian Annual Report link will be sent to full-time and part-time faculty and librarians on Wednesday, May 29. All full-time faculty members are required to submit a report, and each academic department decides whether part-time instructors are required to participate. This year’s report requests the same information as last year’s and will be reviewed by department chairs, deans, and the provost. The due date for completion is Sunday, June 30.

If you have technical questions regarding the survey, please contact Carolynn Krupp, director of institutional planning. Questions relating to the content of the report should be directed to department chairs.

At its May 10, 2024, meeting, the College Senate voted to recommend to the interim president the following revision to DOPS Policy IV:07:04, Online and Hybrid Course Offering:

WHEREAS, Buffalo State University is dedicated to delivering online coursework that consistently meets and/or exceeds federal and New York state-mandated guidelines for ADA and RSSI compliance; and

WHEREAS, online course review is an essential aspect of ensuring that online instruction is meeting such guidelines, while also encouraging best practices within online instruction; and

WHEREAS, the online course review policy outlines a framework and timeline empowering Academic Affairs to move forward with development and scheduling of online courses; and

WHEREAS, the course intent, development, and scheduling approval stages noted within the existing DOPS IV:07:04 policy have at times been interpreted to be one and the same, creating confusion and inconsistent implementation across Buffalo State University; and

WHEREAS, the existing DOPS IV:07:04 policy contains an allusion that some may erroneously interpret as conflating the Senate Curriculum Committee with the assessment of teaching; and

WHEREAS, course design review guidelines are best listed in an easy-to-follow chronological manner,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that DOPS IV:07:04 be revised to clearly differentiate between intent/approval to develop an online course and approval to schedule said course; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the assessment of teaching in DOPS IV:07:04 be clarified to follow standards established by the respective department offering the course; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOPS IV:07:04 incorporate changes in language to improve the means with which it may be understood.

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding DOPS policy IV: 07:04, and I authorize the interim provost to make the changes listed above as soon as possible. I also direct the interim provost to communicate these changes to the campus as appropriate. I thank the Instruction and Research Committee and its chair for their work in developing this recommendation.

The Academic Affairs and Student Affairs offices are delighted to host this year’s annual First-Year Convocation on Friday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Plans are currently underway for this daylong event.

First-Year Convocation is a Buffalo State tradition that gives our newest students an opportunity to be officially introduced and welcomed into the campus academic community. The goal of First-Year Convocation is to serve as an integral part of a comprehensive retention, engagement, and persistence framework.

Faculty, librarians, and staff members are invited to participate in this campuswide event. Marchers are required to wear academic regalia and should place their orders for regalia rentals directly through the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore via email to Marybeth Keller, general merchandise manager, or by phone at (716) 878-5509 by Monday, August 12.

A limited inventory of regalia is available for loan at no charge through the Academic Affairs Office. Please email Ann Delmont, administrative assistant 2, to make your regalia loan request by Monday, August 12.

To register to participate in First-Year Convocation, please use the appropriate link (Faculty Marchers or Staff Volunteers) to complete the registration form by August 12. Please direct questions to Kimberly Jackson, deputy university marshal, Academic Affairs Office.

Thank you for your commitment and service. We look forward to seeing you at First-Year Convocation!

Please visit the First-Year Convocation website for more information. 

Buffalo State University’s Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024 will take place September 23–29. This year’s theme, “Together We Grow,” celebrates our amazing Buffalo State community and reminds us of our strength in unity, growth, and connection to the past while looking toward the future.

Below are a few of the activities that will take place during the full week of Homecoming: 

• Benji’s 153rd Birthday Celebration
• Bengal Banners
• Residence Hall Foyer Decorating Contest
• Office Door Decorating Contest
• Scholarship Golf and Pickleball Classic
• Anne Frank Project Social Justice Festival
• Homecoming Bengal Practice Happy Hour at Coyer Field
• Alumni Concert and Reception
• Athletics and Recreation Midnight Madness
• USG’s Homecoming Benji’s Block Party
• Bengals and Bagels featuring Free Planetarium Shows
• Alumni and Family Homecoming Tailgate
• Buffalo State Football vs. Alfred State
• Women’s Soccer vs. Potsdam
• Buffalo Opera in the Performing Arts Center

Please join us September 23–29 for a week full of events leading up to the Homecoming Tailgate and Football Game on Saturday, September 28, culminating the end of our exciting Homecoming Week.

More information, including event locations and times, will be posted in the coming weeks on the Homecoming and Family Weekend website.

The dean of the School of Education has forwarded a recommendation to change the name of the Higher Education Administration Department to the Higher Education Administration and Adult Education Department to better reflect the mission and focus on the department. This change has been endorsed by the faculty in both departments. This change is recommended to become effective August 5, 2024, and should be reflected in official documents.

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

Correction: July 9, 2024
The original version of this announcement, published July 9, 2024, incorrectly proposed the new department name as Higher Education and Adult Education Administration Department. The correction has been made.

The dean of the School of Education has forwarded a recommendation to move the master of science in adult education program from the Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education Department to the Higher Education Administration Department. This move has been endorsed by the faculty in both departments. The move will provide enhanced support for the pedagogically aligned programs. This change is recommended to become effective August 5, 2024.

I am pleased to announce that the Higher Education Administration Department will change its name to the Higher Education Administration and Adult Education Department to better reflect the mission and focus on the department. This change is recommended to become effective August 5, 2024, and should be reflected in official documents.

I approve the proposal to move the master of science in adult education program from the Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education Department to the Higher Education Administration Department. The move will provide enhanced support for the pedagogically aligned programs. This change, including the move of two faculty members and budget lines, is recommended to become effective August 5, 2024. Associate Dean Raquel Schmidt will serve as interim chair of the Social and Psychological Foundations of Education Department. The School of Education dean’s office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.

The dean of the School of Education has forwarded a recommendation to change the name of the Higher Education Administration Department to the Higher Education Administration and Adult Education Department to better reflect the mission and focus on the department. This change has been endorsed by the faculty in both departments. This change is recommended to become effective August 5, 2024, and should be reflected in official documents.

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

Correction: July 9, 2024
The original version of this announcement, published July 9, 2024, incorrectly proposed the new department name as Higher Education and Adult Education Administration Department. The correction has been made.

The Buffalo State College Foundation is excited to host the 27th annual Golf and Pickleball Scholarship Classic at the Orchard Park Country Club on Tuesday, September 24.

We are offering a discounted rate of $250 to faculty and staff members to join a golf foursome or enter to play in the pickleball social. More information is available online.

This year we will feature our arts and hospitality, applied STEM, and education programs throughout the day, in keeping with the three pillars identified by Interim President Durand in her State of the University message.

Support from this event has provided financial assistance and academic scholarships for hundreds of our students through the years. Your $250 entry fee will go to a great cause! 

Please register directly with Elizabeth Grady, director of development events.