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 use of their 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 recipients 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 use of their 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 recipients 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, or 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 16.

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.

*Information will be verified with the Registrar's Office.

Every Buffalo State University employee plays a valuable and critical role in helping us fulfill our mission to serve our students, faculty, and staff in addition to our surrounding community to the best of our ability. Our supervisors have the added responsibility of providing honest, constructive, and specific feedback to their staff members to affirm successful goal accomplishment and to address any performance issues that require attention. I also expect supervisors to provide positive, collegial, and respectful commentary where appropriate to motivate and encourage excellence in performance. 

Performance evaluations, goal setting, and accountability are a primary responsibility of every supervisor, and it is my expectation that they be completed each year for all employees. Supervisors and employees should be aware that fulfilling this important responsibility will be considered in decisions to award discretionary increases when available, promotions, and other personnel actions.

If you are a supervisor of UUP professional employees and/or classified employees, all your professional and classified direct reports must have a current performance program and an up-to-date job description in place. If you do not have these documents in place for your direct reports, you have until October 11, 2024, to prepare and send these documents through the approval process. Vice presidents’ offices house official personnel files and can provide supervisor with copies of performance documents on file upon request.

In addition, employees who are supervisors must have the following individual goal listed in their own performance programs: “Evaluate the performance of direct report(s) at regular intervals (at minimum annually). Prepare timely personnel paperwork.”

Our campus has performance evaluation systems in place that are intended to clarify job expectations, encourage, and support professional development, provide quality feedback, and foster continuous constructive and communication between the supervisor and the employee on performance throughout the year. 

I am asking all supervisors to use the process and forms available on the Human Resource Management website and to consult with our Human Resource Management staff members if you have any questions on the process or need advice on addressing performance issues.

Buffalo State employees are invited to participate in a free, two-hour virtual introductory training hosted by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Domestic Terrorism Prevention Unit (DTPU), on Monday, September 30, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This training targets community members, such as you, who play a role in identifying threats or observable behaviors that may concern others. University Police relies on members of the campus community to assist them with identifying potential acts of violence while respecting civil rights and civil liberties.

This course focuses on a behavioral approach to violence prevention, with a discussion on risk factors, triggers and stressors, and warning behaviors that could influence a person’s decision to commit an act of targeted violence.

Please register online. Advance registration is required to receive the virtual meeting details, a participant guide, and a course completion certificate.

Please contact PreventDT@dhses.ny.gov with questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Buffalo State University’s Anne Frank Project will host its 16th annual social justice festival, AFP 2024: Home: Building Our Collective Story, on campus Wednesday and Thursday, September 25 and 26.

Using our annual festival as a platform, we have the opportunity to achieve Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world” by deconstructing and rebuilding what we call Home.

About the Festival
AFP’s annual festival is an experiential exchange of ideas with a focus on processing theory into practice. We share diverse performances, workshops, and exhibits that actively engage participants in kinesthetic learning opportunities that connect to the festival's theme, AFP’s mission, and the story of Anne Frank.

Anne Frank Project’s 16th Annual Social Justice Festival Theme
Buffalo State welcomes students from all over the world to immerse themselves in education, diversity, and social justice—this is our community. What if we took the welcome one step further and created an environment not only considered a community, but also, a Home? Using our annual festival as a platform, we have the opportunity to achieve Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world” by deconstructing and rebuilding what we call Home. We challenge our university students, faculty, staff, alumni, and off-campus audiences to define “Home.” How can we bring our different stories together to build our collective story, our Home? A home where our stories are protected, honored, and shared without fear.

Featured presenters include Mark Tally, Addison Henderson, and Kaycee Colburn. Creativity and Change Leadership and Social Work are this year’s featured departments.

Remember, it was Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world.” Participating in this year’s festival is a way to actively respond to this challenge.

Donn Youngstrom Featured Speaker Series
Two-time chopped champion, psychotherapist, and social worker Lazarus Lynch, ’16, is the third Donn Youngstrom Featured Speaker for the festival. His community keynote is at 7:00 p.m. on September 24 in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center’s Costello Hall.

Access all festival information online.

To learn more about the Anne Frank Project, please visit the AFP website.

If you have questions about AFP 2024, please contact Jonise Hall, festival coordinator.

Buffalo State University’s Anne Frank Project will host its 16th annual social justice festival, AFP 2024: Home: Building Our Collective Story, on campus Wednesday and Thursday, September 25 and 26.

Using our annual festival as a platform, we have the opportunity to achieve Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world” by deconstructing and rebuilding what we call Home.

About the Festival
AFP’s annual festival is an experiential exchange of ideas with a focus on processing theory into practice. We share diverse performances, workshops, and exhibits that actively engage participants in kinesthetic learning opportunities that connect to the festival's theme, AFP’s mission, and the story of Anne Frank.

Anne Frank Project’s 16th Annual Social Justice Festival Theme
Buffalo State welcomes students from all over the world to immerse themselves in education, diversity, and social justice—this is our community. What if we took the welcome one step further and created an environment not only considered a community, but also, a Home? Using our annual festival as a platform, we have the opportunity to achieve Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world” by deconstructing and rebuilding what we call Home. We challenge our university students, faculty, staff, alumni, and off-campus audiences to define “Home.” How can we bring our different stories together to build our collective story, our Home? A home where our stories are protected, honored, and shared without fear.

Featured presenters include Mark Tally, Addison Henderson, and Kaycee Colburn. Creativity and Change Leadership and Social Work are this year’s featured departments.

Remember, it was Anne Frank’s wish to “repair the world,” participating in this year’s festival is a way to actively respond to this challenge.

Donn Youngstrom Featured Speaker Series
Two-time chopped champion, psychotherapist, and social worker Lazarus Lynch, ’16, is the third Donn Youngstrom Featured Speaker for the festival. His community keynote is at 7:00 p.m. on September 24 in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center’s Costello Hall.

Access all festival information online.

To learn more about the Anne Frank Project, please visit the AFP website.

If you have questions about AFP 2024, please contact Jonise Hall, festival coordinator.

I recommend merging the Economics and Finance Department with the Business Department. This move is the second of two realignments designed to increase Buffalo State’s competitive advantage for attracting students and increasing opportunities for community partnerships and philanthropy. This merger allows the alignment of program offerings, faculty, and incentives with the goal of creating a distinct academic area. This change is recommended to be effective August 1, 2025. 

I recommend moving the Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management M.P.A., the Disaster and Emergency Management Graduate Certificate, the Public Management Graduate Certificate, and Public Administration Minor programs to the Economics and Finance Department. Drs. Laurie Buonanno, Suparna Soni, and Ikhee Cho who teach in these programs would also move to the Economics and Finance Department. This move is the first of two realignments that are designed to increase Buffalo State’s competitive advantage for attracting students and increasing opportunities for community partnerships and philanthropy. This change is recommended to be effective January 1, 2025.

The Economics and Finance Department will be merged with the Business Department. This move is the second of two realignments that are designed to increase Buffalo State’s competitive advantage for attracting students and increasing opportunities for community partnerships and philanthropy. This merger allows the alignment of program offerings, faculty, and incentives with the goal of creating a distinct academic area. This change will be effective August 1, 2025, and will be reflected in official documents. The School of the Professions Dean’s Office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.

The Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management M.P.A., Disaster and Emergency Management Graduate Certificate, Public Management Graduate Certificate, and Public Administration Minor programs and Drs. Laurie Buonanno, Suparna Soni, and Ikhee Cho will be moved to the Economics and Finance Department. This move is the first of two realignments that are designed to increase Buffalo State’s competitive advantage for attracting students and increasing opportunities for community partnerships and philanthropy. This change will be effective January 1, 2025, and will be reflected in official documents. The School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.

I am pleased to announce that Facilities Operations will launch an updated work order request form on September 30.

Currently, members of the campus community submit maintenance work orders by calling (716) 878-6111 (ext. 6111 on campus) or submitting the request online. Starting September 30, all routine or non-emergency requests are to be submitted via a new online form. Urgent requests can continue to be phoned in.

The update, which is part of a SUNY Capital Facilities initiative, promises to bring more efficient operations by integrating with maintenance staff and records on the back end.

The new web form will be shared via the Daily Bulletin on September 30.