Dear Buffalo State University Community: 

It is not a secret that higher education has undergone a transformation; our students have changed how they seek information, how they learn in the classroom, and how they interact with the world once they leave Buffalo State. Recognizing the importance of holistic student support, Buffalo State sought an innovative solution that addresses not only academic success but also overall student well-being. It is our belief that Navigate360, higher education’s leading student success customer relationship manager (CRM), will improve recruitment, student success, and more importantly, the student experience here at Buffalo State University.

By utilizing Navigate360's data-driven insights and collaborative approach, we will gain a deeper understanding of our students' academic and personal needs. We can identify areas where additional support is required and connect students with the appropriate resources to address their diverse needs. This platform will help us ensure that our students receive the guidance and assistance they need to thrive academically and personally. By embracing this student success CRM, we not only have the opportunity to grow enrollment but also increase our retention and graduation rates.
 
As we navigate these challenges together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our students' overall well-being and academic achievements. Navigate360 Student, a mobile app designed specifically for our institution, will be a powerful tool to support the whole student. Through this app, students gain access to essential information while also receiving guidance and resources to address their personal and emotional needs.

For our staff, advisers, and faculty, Navigate360 will transform how we interact with students and interact with each other to help them achieve success. It provides a comprehensive view of each student's academic progress, personal challenges, campus involvement, and more. If we truly believe that communication is the key for helping our students, this tool will allow advisers and faculty to provide personalized guidance and refer students to appropriate support services. Staff members can better understand the demands and challenges faced by our students. With Navigate360, we will continue to grow our inclusive and nurturing environment that fosters the well-rounded growth of our students.  
 
Over the coming weeks, you will be invited to attend platform demonstrations and training opportunities. I encourage the entire Bengal community to embrace this new technology, to allow it to make our jobs more efficient and effective. It is the personalized touch that draws students to the remarkable place that is Buffalo State, and I have no doubt that this technology, will only deepen the bonds between our staff, faculty, and students. Thank you for your continued unwavering dedication to supporting the whole student. Together, we can enhance the student experience and empower our students to thrive academically, personally, and holistically. 

I will continue to share updated progress with the campus community throughout the implementation process to allow for a seamless transition from Starfish to Navigate 360.

Many thanks to all our generous donors to Buffalo State’s 2024 SEFA/United Way Campaign. As we are already enjoying a high rate of pledges and roll-overs, we would like to continue the impetus by extending the deadline to Thursday, December 12. We are so inspired by the stories of giving that have been offered by our many faculty and staff that we would like time to give each and every one a spot in the Daily Bulletin.

As we approach the December 12 deadline, we remind donors and potential donors that we will award the following prizes on the final day of giving:

• First prize: Sunday brunch for 10 people, donated by Interim President Durand
• Second prize: Reserved parking space, donated by Interim Vice President Krieger
• Third prize: Office pizza party for up to 12 people, donated by Provost Wall
• Fourth prize: Bengal deck party with seasonal refreshments for 10 people at a fall 2025 football game, donated by Interim Vice President Brumfield
• Fifth prize: Two tickets to the annual Bengala Scholarship Gala, donated by Vice President Finnerty
• Sixth prize: Taco Tuesday lunch for up to 10 people, featuring a taco/nacho bar catered by Chartwells, donated by Vice President Bowen
• Seventh prize: $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble Bookstore, donated by bookstore manager Lynn Puma
• Eighth prize: Lunch for four at Campus House, donated by SEFA Campaign co-chairs Wendy Paterson and Maria Garrity

Kindly reach out to our co-chairs, Wendy Paterson, dean of the School of Education, and Maria Garrity, senior systems programmer in Information Technology, or your department SEFA ambassador with any questions or thoughts. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a great prize. Please submit your pledges by Thursday, December 12. Contributions can be made electronically through the epledge system by clicking 'Forgot User ID or Password' to get started.

All contributions pledged for 2024 will be automatically entered into the prize drawing, including those rolling over their 26-payroll deduction pledge from 2023. Cash and checks are also gratefully accepted.

Thank you for your unwavering support.

Joy Guarino, M.F.A., will retire from Buffalo State as of December 31, 2024, after 20 years of service to our academic community. As director of the Maurene Callahan Bouras Center for Global Engagement, Joy committed to expanding internationalization of Buffalo State's campus and coordinated experiences that brought creative curricula and engaging opportunities to benefit faculty, staff, students, and local, national, and international community organizations with the goal of forming meaningful collaborations. Prior to taking on this role, Professor Guarino served as the coordinator of the dance program in the Theater Department and faculty coordinator of service-learning in the Civic and Community Engagement Office. She impressed upon her students that a culture’s values are embodied in its dance forms and guided them to embrace dance as a conduit to cultural humility and an empathetic global perspective. Joy continues to lead international experiences as a pathway to global awareness, civic engagement, and mutual respect. She presents and publishes on kinesthetic learning, global learning for all, service-learning, civic engagement, and developing students as active citizens nationally and internationally. Please join me in thanking Joy for all her outstanding work at Buffalo State and in wishing her well in retirement.

Staffing Update
Following Professor Guarino’s retirement, Brandon Kawa, M.S., will serve as interim director of global engagement until a new director can be identified. In that office, Brandon will build on his nearly two decades of experience in international education. Brandon earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Buffalo State, as well as a certificate of specialization in leadership and management from Harvard Business School Online. Brandon’s expertise has been featured at domestic and international conferences, and he also has published work on the transformative nature of study-abroad for pre- and in-service teachers. Brandon has been actively involved in the IPDS trips to Germany, Colombia, and Chile, and he has recently helped to establish a new IPDS Kenya trip. Brandon has served as the director of the International Graduate Programs in Education (IGPE) since 2021, a role he will continue while serving as interim director of global engagement. Brandon’s extensive experience, collaborative approach, and dedication to advancing international education will ensure continuity and growth during this transitional period.

Career and Professional Education (CAPE) is happy to announce the next round of training sessions to become a Bengal Career Champion. 

We know that faculty and staff members across campus are having career conversations with students every day. We want to assist you with those conversations when guiding students. As a Bengal Career Champion, you’ll become more familiar with career resources to help keep your students on track and focused on their careers, as well as learn tips to have more productive career conversations.  

Current Bengal Career Champions tell us that as a result of the training program, they feel more prepared and more confident guiding students to future career success, as well as referring students to CAPE. They also recommend this training to colleagues.

There are two sets of training sessions scheduled for January 2025: 

Virtual Training will take place on Tuesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 16, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (attendance both days is required).

In-Person Training will take place on Tuesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 23, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (attendance both days is required).

To reserve your spot for either training, please click on the appropriate link above to RSVP no later than Friday, January 10. Please contact Maureen Huber, associate director of CAPE, with any questions. We look forward to your participation!

I am seeking members outside of Academic Affairs from across campus to join one of three new task forces. The work of these groups will be crucial in shaping the future academic environment at Buffalo State. Diverse insights, perspectives, and expertise outside of Academic Affairs are appreciated. The task forces are as follows:
 

Academic Affairs Department Merger and Curriculum Synergies Task Force

Charge is to recommend deliverables by May 2025:

• Inventory of existing courses across all programs to determine opportunities for combining similar courses into single offerings.
• Identify opportunities for course sharing, faculty collaboration, and resource optimization.
• Facilitate discussions with faculty, staff, students, and administration to gather input and feedback on proposed department mergers, curriculum adjustments, and potential impact on accreditation and compliance.
• Identify potential challenges and concerns from affected stakeholders and develop strategies to mitigate negative impact.
   

Student Success Task Force

Charge is to recommend deliverables by May 2025:

• Identify student success goals for reorganization and venues for divisions to encourage open discussion about student progress.
• Communicate reorganization to students, working with institution-wide communication offices.
• Seek feedback from Academic Affairs Department Merger and Curriculum Synergies ad-hoc committee on reorganization from student government and student groups.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify resources and support structures for student involvement in opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for students to engage with the two-unit structure through undergraduate research, entrepreneurship programs, community projects, experiential programs and projects.
   

Process Improvement Task Force

Charge is to recommend deliverables by May 2025:

• Inventory processes, systems, and functions to determine if adaptation, streamlining, or elimination is required in the two-school structure.
• Collect feedback from faculty and staff on process improvement and identify best practices for process and system streamlining.
• Update language in unit-level academic and administrative policies to reflect the two-unit organization and leadership and determine any policies that need to be rewritten entirely.
• Review faculty handbook and bylaws to identify any language referring to departments or chairs and update to reflect the two-unit model.
   

How to Get Involved

I invite you to apply to serve on one of the above task forces. This is an excellent opportunity to be engaged in collaborative efforts with faculty, staff, and students and to contribute to shaping the future of Academic Affairs.

If you are interested in participating, please apply by completing this form by January 15. I look forward to collaborating with you to create a more efficient, innovative, and student-focused future. Thank you for your commitment to Buffalo State’s continued success.

The Buffalo State University Police Department (UPD) is pleased to announce that—in an effort to improve sustainability and workplace efficiency—a new platform has been established to collect feedback from the community on UPD response to calls for service.

This system replaces a manual process and will facilitate automated distribution of text messages to all community members who call for assistance on a preselected list of call types.

Individuals who call UPD at (716) 878-6333 from a cellular phone may receive an automated text message from UPD with an opportunity to participate in a three-question survey. The first two questions rate both the call taker and the responding officer on a scale of 1 to 5. The last question is a freeform field for any additional information our community members wish to provide.

As always, individuals who would like to provide feedback on any call type are welcome to call (716) 878-6333 or visit the University Police station at any time.

Join us for an engaging and interactive one-hour workshop designed to foster cultural awareness, understanding, and meaningful dialogue at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in Caudell Hall 123.

Through thought-provoking discussions and activities, participants will explore strategies to create inclusive and welcoming environments. This Winterim session is ideal for faculty and staff committed to personal growth, professional development, and building stronger connections within our diverse campus community. Together, let’s bridge gaps, celebrate differences, and cultivate belonging.

Register for the workshop here.

The GRIT Scholarship recognizes Buffalo State students who demonstrate GRIT (Guts, Resilience, Impact, and Tenacity). Remember, students may be awarded at any point during their Buffalo State careers, and faculty and staff members may nominate deserving students at any time. Meaningful mentor/student relationships are key to helping students navigate challenges; the GRIT Scholarship is meant to leverage and encourage these relationships.

To learn more about how the GRIT Scholarship makes a difference in the lives of our students, read firsthand accounts from faculty members who have made recent nominations.

To nominate a student, email BSCFoundation@buffalostate.edu and include the student's name, Banner ID, and a short summary that tells how the student has demonstrated GRIT in pursuit of their education. If you have questions or would like guidance through the nomination process, Lori Till, associate professor of hospitality and tourism, is available as a resource.

At the December 13, 2024, meeting of the College Senate, Senate Chair Ken Fujiuchi presented changes to the DOPS Policy number I:04:01, Alternative Methods of Earning College Credit.

WHEREAS, on February 7, 2023, a memo outlining significant changes to the Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation Policy was distributed to SUNY campuses;

WHEREAS the DOPS I: 04:01 Alternative Methods of Earning College Credit was last updated in October 2019;

WHEREAS, a Campus Implementation Action Plan for the Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation was requested by December 31, 2024;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate Committees of Standards for Students, Instruction and Research, and Curriculum, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, have reviewed the DOPS 1:04:01 and made necessary revisions to the policy.

I accept the recommendation from the College Senate regarding the adoption the DOPS Policy number I: 04:01 Alternate Methods of Earning College Credit resolution. I charge the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to oversee the implementation of this resolution and to communicate it widely to the appropriate offices and individuals. I thank the Senate and the Senate Chair, Ken Fujiuchi, for their diligence in bringing forth this
recommendation.

I am delighted to announce that Buffalo State University will hold its 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17. 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 2025 ceremonies will be held as follows on Saturday, May 17:

• 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 sincere gratitude to the Commencement Advisory Committee chair and vice chair, Molly Holinger and Marko Miletich; Deputy Director of Commencement Operations and Ceremonial Events 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 17, 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.