The 27th annual Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCC) will take place today from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in SAMC. One of Buffalo State’s great traditions, the SRCC allows students in all academic disciplines to present their preliminary and completed research and creative activities in a student-friendly, supportive environment.

This year’s conference includes 250 presentations from more than 350 Buffalo State students working with 87 different mentors. The schedule and abstracts can be viewed online. Oral presentations are scheduled in SAMC 151 and 170. Four, one-hour poster sessions will take place in the SAMC atrium.

View the complete schedule.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. SRCC is free and open to the public.

In response to ongoing budget considerations, E. H. Butler Library is taking thoughtful steps to adjust its OTPS budget while continuing to support core services and priorities.

Electronic resources are licensed on a yearly basis. Purchasing and renewal decisions are based on usage data. Cancellation decisions are usually made looking back over three years of data.  Roughly $70,000 will be saved by discontinuing theses resources. The following list outlines cost savings resources that have been identified for discontinuation.

Print books: book expenditures will be reduced by $10,000 for FY 25/26.

Databases/tools:

• BX recommender
• Ulrichsweb
• American Energy Society
• ProQuest History vault
• Westlaw Precision
• Credo reference
• Digital Theater Plus
• Wall Street Journal
• Cabell's Directories

Journals with a cost per use over $50:

• New York Review of Books
• Human Resource Development Review
• International Social Work
• Physics Education
• Urban Studies

Journal subscriptions:

• Addiction
• Journal of Research in Science Teaching

Where possible, the library will utilize interlibrary loan and resource sharing to offset loss of access to content. In some cases, lower-cost print resources will replace the electronic interfaces.

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Riggie (riggiejw@buffalostate.edu) or Charles Lyons (lyonscf@buffalostate.edu).

The Conflict Analysis and Resolution M.S. program will move to the Criminal Justice Department, and the Conflict Analysis and Resolution interdisciplinary unit will be dissolved.

This move will allow the program to be run within a typical department administrative structure while still allowing interested faculty members an opportunity to contribute to the interdisciplinary master’s program. This change is recommended to be effective July 1, 2025. The School of the Professions Dean’s Office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.

The Individual Faculty/Librarian Annual Report link

was sent to full-time and part-time faculty and librarians on Wednesday, May 21

. 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 report and will be reviewed by department chairs, deans, and the provost. The due date for completion is Monday, June 30.

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

At the April 11, 2025, meeting, the Buffalo State Senate voted to recommend to the interim president the adoption of the following resolution:  

Whereas, the rights and freedoms of citizens are the cornerstone of our democracy and must be preserved at all costs;  

Whereas, the anticipated actions and policies of the existing federal administration have raised serious concerns regarding the potential erosion of social equity, and democratic principles; 

Whereas, Buffalo State University is an incredibly diverse campus, with individuals of populations that are expected to be negatively affected by dehumanizing policies; 

Whereas, communication from Buffalo State to the extent feasible is paramount to ensuring individuals vulnerable under possible federal changes are provided with insight into when, how, and if information can be shared; 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, Buffalo State University is urged to create a plan to communicate any changes in federal policies affecting higher education to the campus community. 

Further Resolved, Buffalo State should identify an individual or office for campus community members to direct related questions or concerns to. 

Further Resolved, Buffalo State is strongly encouraged to present information, when changes arise, to the Senate and campus community, discussing implications of decisions and executive orders at the federal level affecting higher education. 

I thank the senate for this resolution and accept the recommendation. The administration remains in regular communication with legal and law enforcement agencies at the local and SUNY level on these issues. As Interim President, I will report through our normal campus communication structure, which includes regularly scheduled and ad hoc meetings with governance leaders and their constituents and statements to the campus as changes arise. I also designate the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to assume this responsibility if necessary.

At the April 11, 2025, meeting, the Buffalo State Senate voted to recommend to the interim president the adoption of the following resolution:  

Whereas, per the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act, HR1412, Section 487b of the U.S. Higher Education Act, and applicable SUNY policies, institutions of higher education are required to provide reasonable accommodations and protections for students who are called to active military service; and 

Whereas, the Student Military Deployment Policy establishes clear guidelines and procedures for students to notify the institution of military-related absences while also outlining the responsibilities of faculty and staff in supporting these students during and after their deployment; and 

Whereas, the policy promotes equitable access to course completion through flexible academic accommodations, including remote instruction options, incomplete grades, independent study arrangements, and withdrawal or drop options without academic or financial penalties and 

Whereas, the policy ensures that students returning from military service are granted priority re-enrollment, reentry without reapplication, and protection from adverse impacts on federal and state student aid eligibility and 

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the University Senate of Buffalo State University endorses and formally adopts the Student Military Deployment Policy as outlined in Policy Number XXX, effective March 2025, to ensure that students serving in the United States Armed Forces are provided with equitable, timely, and supportive academic accommodations during periods of military activation, deployment, or training; and 

Be It Further Resolved that the University Senate urges all academic departments, administrative offices, and faculty to uphold the provisions of this policy and collaborate with the Office of Veteran and Military Services, the Dean of Students Office, Academic Standards, and other relevant campus units to facilitate its consistent and compassionate implementation. 

I accept the recommendation from the College Senate regarding the adoption of the DOPS Student Military Deployment Policy. I charge the Provost and all other relevant campus unit heads with the responsibility to communicate this policy and oversee its implementation.  I thank our military students for their service to our country, the Senate and the Senate Chair for their diligence in bringing forth this recommendation.

Save the Date: Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025
Monday, September 29–Sunday, October 5, 2025

The President’s Advisory Committee on Homecoming and Family Weekend invites the campus community to mark their calendars for Buffalo State’s marquee week of celebration and connection!

Homecoming and Family Weekend is a tradition that brings together students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners to celebrate our shared Bengal Pride. From campus-wide events and signature programs to gatherings and academic showcases, this week is designed to reflect the vibrancy, resilience, and unity of Buffalo State.

More information to come.

Let’s come together to ignite tradition, celebrate community, and roar with Bengal pride!

In this time in our world where cultural, political, and social differences appear to be dividing us more than ever, we must continue to honor the legacy and sacrifice of those who were lost and or injured in any way on May 14.

Let this egregious act of violence serve as our clarion call to heal, sustain our belief in human kind, and to seek equity, opportunity, safety, and justice for all.

Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D.

Interim President

These awards recognize members of our campus community who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, excellence, and impact across the core areas of our university mission—teaching, research, service, and student support.

Service to the University

Atta Ceesay
Natalie Szymanski
Maria Garrity
Brooke Winckelmann

Teaching

Lorna Perez
Amy Wilson

Academic Advisement

Jikai Du

Career Achievement for Faculty

Stephen Saracino

Research, Scholarship, and Creativity

Gang (Gary) Hu
Kristen Pastore-Capuana

SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence Recipients 2025-2026

Scholarship and Creative Activities

Tao Tang

Professional Service

Brandon Kawa

Tristin Salter

Faculty Service

Lisa Anselmi

Teaching

Ann Liao

Classified Service

Ann Delmont

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding colleagues for their remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to our university community.

I also invite you to celebrate their accomplishments in person at the Academic Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, September 9, at 12:15 p.m. Your presence will help us honor and thank these exceptional individuals for all they do.

Task Force Recommendations

The Academic Affairs website has been updated to include the recently submitted recommendations from each of the Academic Affairs task forces. These recommendations represent the thoughtful work of our colleagues across campus and reflect the collaborative efforts underway as part of the Academic Unit Restructuring process.

As we move into summer, I will be working with the task force co-chairs to determine next steps and establish implementation priorities. These plans will be shared during the Academic Affairs Welcome Back Meeting this fall and via the Daily Bulletin.

Comment Box

I also invite you to engage with Academic Affairs by using the Comment Box on the Academic Affairs website. If you have a question, concern, or idea related to any aspect of Academic Affairs, please take a moment to share it. All submissions are anonymous, and your feedback helps inform our decisions and strengthen the academic experience for everyone.

Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to the success of our shared academic mission.