I am pleased to announce that Dr. Nigel Marriner will once again serve as Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Success and Retention. In this expanded role, he will oversee Academic Advising, ACE, the Registrar’s Office, Roar 2 Success, and Transfer Advising, ensuring a seamless experience for our students as they navigate their academic journeys. He will continue the campus adoption of Navigate 360, the university’s student success platform.

Additionally, Dr. Dean Reinhart has been named Interim Director of Admissions and Graduate Admissions. Dr. Reinhart brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served in leadership positions at both public and private institutions. His deep understanding of enrollment strategy and student engagement will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our admissions efforts.

These changes reflect our commitment to student success and institutional growth. I appreciate your support during this transition and look forward to working together as we advance our mission.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Marriner and Dr. Reinhart on their new roles!

The Emergency Response Planning Group and University Police are planning to conduct a test of our emergency alert system, including the university’s outdoor emergency alert horn and Buff State Alert, within the next week.

During the test of the emergency alert horn, people who are outdoors during the test will hear a series of three loud 60-second horn blasts emanating from the central heating plant. Please note: The horn is primarily intended to be audible at outdoor locations on campus—not inside buildings.

In a real emergency, the horn would sound for a minimum of five full minutes. If a real emergency alert is signaled, immediately seek shelter and await further instructions communicated via Buff State Alert, e-mail, suny.buffalostate.edu/emergency, or direct instructions from University Police.

Approximately 30 minutes before the test horn sounds, the university will issue a campuswide test of the Buff State Alert emergency communication system. At this time, all students, faculty, and staff members who have registered with the service will be sent a test message.

Students, faculty, and staff members are strongly encouraged to enroll in Buff State Alert, or modify their preferences, by visiting the Buff State Alert website and logging in with their Buffalo State username and password. Those who do not have a Buffalo State username or password but want to receive text messages from Buff State Alert can sign up by texting the phrase “buffalostate” to 79516.

More information about the university’s comprehensive emergency response plan is available online. Faculty, staff, and students are also encouraged to bookmark suny.buffalostate.edu/emergency. This page will serve as a destination that chronicles (organized by date/time, newest at the top) all messages during an ongoing situation or emergency.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the test of the emergency alert system, please contact Buffalo State’s Emergency Manager, Tom Galluch.

Today’s the day! Buffalo State Gives, our largest online fundraiser of the year, begins today at noon. It’s one of the most important days for our campus, a single 24-hour period when our entire Buffalo State community comes together in force to support our hardworking students and outstanding programs.

I urge you to visit the Buffalo State Gives website to see how easy it is to make your gift. More than 40 areas are participating this year to raise funds for a trove of campus treasures. Choose from an array of departments and programs—from Art and design to the night sky’s Zenith—that directly benefit our students and cement Buffalo State’s place as a cornerstone of this community. Find the fund that’s closest to your heart, or donate to Buffalo State’s greatest needs. Either way (or both!), your generosity will have an immediate and lasting impact on the people and things that make our Buffalo State community so extraordinary.

Let’s show Buffalo State’s strength in numbers. Now’s our chance to stand together, stand strong, and make a difference. Please make your gift today.

Thank you for everything you do.

Please contact Kate Lockhart, director of alumni giving and stewardship, (716) 878-3077, with questions. And please help spread the word about Buffalo State Gives through email, social media, and word of mouth. Let’s get the entire Buffalo State community giving together!

As a reminder, the Emergency Response Planning Group and University Police are planning to conduct a test of our emergency alert system that includes the university’s outdoor emergency alert horn and Buff State Alert.

People who are outdoors during the test will hear a series of three loud 60-second horn blasts emanating from the central heating plant. Please note: the horn is primarily intended to be audible at outdoor locations on campus—not inside buildings.

In a real emergency, the horn would sound for a minimum of five full minutes. If a real emergency alert is signaled, immediately seek shelter and await further instructions communicated via Buff State Alert, e-mail, suny.buffalostate.edu/emergency, or direct instructions from University Police.

Approximately 30 minutes before the test horn sounds, the university will issue a campuswide test of the Buff State Alert emergency communication system. At this time, all students, faculty, and staff members who have registered with the service will be sent a test message.

Students, faculty, and staff members are strongly encouraged to enroll in Buff State Alert, or modify their preferences, by visiting the Buff State Alert website and logging in with their Buffalo State username and password. Those who do not have a Buffalo State username or password but want to receive text messages from Buff State Alert can sign up by texting the phrase “buffalostate” to 79516.

More information about the university’s comprehensive emergency response plan is available online. Faculty, staff, and students are also encouraged to bookmark https://suny.buffalostate.edu/emergency. This page will serve as a destination that chronicles (organized by date/time, newest at the top) all messages during an ongoing situation or emergency.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the test of the emergency alert system, please contact Buffalo State’s emergency manager, Tom Galluch.

As the campus embarks on phase two of a three-phased reconstruction of parking lots R-12 and R-13, the center north and south sections of Lot  R-12 and part of Lot R-13 will be closed beginning March 17. The western part of R-13 will remain open.

This project will reconfigure the lots for pedestrian safety, including full depth reconstruction of parking lot, removal and/or repair sidewalks and curbing, removal and replacement of lighting systems, provide rain garden for storm water run-off, landscaping improvements, and add electric car charging stations.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in partnership with the Office of Executive Recruitment and Leadership Development, is proud to host a special Zoom event: "Trailblazing Women: Shaping the Future of SUNY."

This event will showcase an inspiring group of women from across SUNY, including Buffalo State Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., as they share their professional journeys in higher education.

Date: Monday, March 24
Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Registration Link: https://suny-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9UR9vT7aQWmBhYDrQIJyqA

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 17, 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 $35 per person. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, April 10.

Employees crossing the 25-year mark this year:

Gregg A. Biglieri, Lecturer, English Department

Christopher L. Bordeleau, LMS Team Lead, Information Technology Exchange Center

Shannon M. Casterline, Instructional Support Specialist, Biology Department

Patrice A. Cathey, Director, Director/PL of Liberty Partnership Program

Anna Chirico, Office Assistant 2, Accounts Payable and Procurement Services

Bonita R. Durand, Interim President

Wynnie L. Fisher, Field Experience/ Student Teacher Coordinator, History and Social Studies Education

Darren Floyd, Janitor, Custodial Services

Lamar Floyd, President’s Residence Manager, Custodial Services

Kelly M. Frothingham, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

Maria C. Garrity, Senior Systems Programmer, Information Technology Services

Chaitali Ghosh, Associate Professor, Mathematics Department

Kenneth C. Giangreco, Manager Video Production, Marketing and Communications

Dawn M. Greil, Administrative Assistant 2, Student Affairs

Dwight A. Hennessy, Chair and Professor, Psychology Department

Kenneth A. Herberger Jr, University Police Officer 1, University Police

Susan M. Jaworski, Library Assistant 2, Butler Library

Mark J. Kent, Manager, Client Systems Engineering, Information Technology Services

Carolynn J. Krupp, Director of Academic Planning and Technology, Academic Affairs

Jodelle SW Magner, Associate Professor, Mathematics Department

Susan E. McMillen, Professor, Mathematics Department

Nigel R. Marriner, Registrar, Registrar’s Office

Carolyn M. Murphy, Assistant Director, Admissions

Mary F. Perrelli, GIS Lab Supervisor, Geosciences

Michael J. Radomski, Assistant Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Exchange Center

Todd W. Randall, DBA Team Lead, Information Technology Exchange Center

Gary S. Solar, Chair and Professor, Geosciences

Michael J. Vasi, Trades Generalist, Facilities Office

Pamela M. Voyer, Alumni Center Coordinator, Alumni Center

Amitra A. Wall, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark K. Warford, Associate Professor, Modern and Classical Languages

Brian D. Wittmer, Design and Construction Manager, Facilities Design and Construction

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, senior executive assistant to the president, in the President’s Office.

The Grant Allocation Committee (GAC) requests proposals from individuals, departments, and student clubs and organizations for funding of programs, speakers, and events to take place during the 2025–2026 academic year. 

The deadlines for submitting applications under this funding cycle are Friday, April 25, for fall 2025 program proposals; Friday September 19, for fall 2025 and spring 2026 program proposals; and Monday December 8, for spring 2026 program proposals. Applications for funding and complete details of requirements may be found on the Student Affairs website. All proposals must be submitted electronically to erokwusc@buffalostate.edu.  

Questions about the GAC may be addressed to Stacy Erokwu, assistant to the vice president for student affairs.
 

I am pleased to announce Wayne Spary has been named interim assistant vice president for facilities and maintenance, effective today.

Wayne has valuable experience in comprehensive facilities assessments at both public and private institutions, including most recently at Houston Christian University and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Wayne will oversee campus planning; design and construction; environmental health and safety; grounds and garage; the power plant; maintenance, including Residence Life maintenance; custodial, including Residence Life custodial; stores and mailroom; and property control and sustainable programs. He will report to Interim Vice President for Financial Operations and Comptroller Jim Thor.

Please join us in welcoming and supporting Wayne in this role.

Lisa Krieger, interim vice president for management and operations, will continue to oversee the University Police Department and emergency management; contracts, internal controls, policy, compliance and risk management; and the administrative operations area, which includes events management; parking; design and print, and the copy center.

I would like to sincerely thank both Lisa Krieger and Mike Lewis, who had stepped in as interim assistant vice president of facilities and operations, as they were instrumental in assisting the campus in this area during a critical period of need. Mike is returning to his previous role of senior director of administrative operations.

At the February 18, 2025, meeting of the Buffalo State Senate, the Chair for the Standards for Students Committee, Holly Quicksey, presented a new DOPS Policy resolution for adoption. 

Whereas, the establishment of the Jumpstart continuing education credits aligns with the State University of New York (SUNY) system’s commitment to raising academic standards and easing the transition from high school to college; and 

Whereas, Buffalo State University is committed to expanding access to higher education by providing high school students with a consistent and equitable opportunities to engage in college-level coursework through dual enrollment and dual credit programs; and 

Whereas, the policy defines key elements such as Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and teacher qualifications to maintain academic integrity and instructional quality in partnership with Buffalo State University; and 

Whereas, all courses offered through the dual enrollment/dual credit program will be recorded on students’ university transcripts in the same manner as other college courses, ensuring their applicability toward future degree completion; and 

Whereas, students enrolled in dual enrollment and dual credit courses will follow the universities established academic policies, including course grading, and assessment of student learning outcomes; and 

Whereas, the policy aligns with SUNY service area agreements and state regulations (8 NYCRR § 601.5) to ensure compliance with geographic and service area considerations;

Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Buffalo State Senate recommends the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Policy as outlined, effective immediately upon approval, to enhance academic pathways for high school students while upholding the university’s academic integrity and compliance with SUNY regulations. 

I accept the recommendation from the Buffalo State Senate to adopt the DOPS for dual enrollment/dual credit for high school students. I charge the Provost to oversee the implementation of this amendment and to communicate it widely to the appropriate offices and individuals. I thank the Standards for Students Committee and Chair for their diligence in bringing forth this recommendation.