Buffalo State University’s Anne Frank Project is thrilled to announce its 17th annual social justice festival—AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here—October 7-9. This year, we are seeking proposals that share ways in shaping a more just, welcoming, and connected community; Belonging.

About Our Theme:

As we face evolving social issues, our power lies in partnership—sharing our ideas and knowledge and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. A sense of belonging is crucial to one’s wellbeing, fostering positive relationships, increasing motivation and resilience, and a precursor to academic success. It isn’t passive. It doesn’t happen in silence. It isn’t some forgettable byproduct of ‘woke’ propaganda. It begins when we recognize that diverse voices are not only welcomed but essential. Where justice is not only discussed, but embodied. Where community means more than proximity—it means connection, care, and collaboration; all important 21st century skills.

Belonging is not just a value—it’s a foundation. It’s rooted in Buffalo State’s mission and commitment to access, identity, and social justice through education, and community engagement both locally and internationally. Reflecting this commitment, we invite our university students, educators, advocators, and artists to be part of that beginning by proposing to AFP 2025: Belonging Begins Here.

AFP staff members are available to assist proposers in crafting the kinesthetic element of their sessions.

Submit your proposal by Friday, June 6.

Questions about the festival? Please contact AFP’s assistant director, Jonise Hall.

Please join the Great Lakes Center today for a seminar titled "Genetic Tools to Inform Conservation of Freshwater Mussels," presented by Dr. Manuel Lopes-Lima, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in SAMC 175. Dr. Lopes-Lima is Group Leader of the Freshwater Conservation, Diversity and Evolution Group at CIBIO/InBIO - Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at the University of Porto, Portugal.  Students, staff, faculty, and community members are welcome.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Lopes-Lima’s research interests are in global conservation of freshwater spe-cies, including evolution, phylogeny, phylogeography, genetic diversity and ecophysiology. More recently, he has been involved in developing novel molecular tools for assessing freshwater biodiversity. Dr. Lopes-Lima is the current IUCN/SSC Coordinator of the Freshwater Bivalve Red List Authority within the Molluscs Specialist Group.

Free and confidential mental health counseling for students is available all summer at Weigel Counseling Center. Walk-in brief consultations are offered Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call (716) 878-4436. Students who need support but are away from Buffalo for the summer can request telehealth audio or video appointments. 

Registered students may also register for free telehealth sessions with their Buffalo State email address at www.bettermynd.com.

For 24-hour mental health support, students can call the Bengal Support Line at (833) 823-0260.

Students, faculty, or staff in need of support can call or text the National Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Please reach out to Dr. Charlene Vetter with any questions at vettercj@buffalostate.edu. 

The spring 2025 grading window will close on Wednesday, May 21, at 9:00 p.m. 

Detailed documentation for entering grades is available here.  Additional assistance is available by calling the IT Help Desk at ext. 4357 (M-F 8:30am-4:00pm).

To assist you in successful grading, we have provided a Grading Tip Sheet and other resources at https://registrar.buffalostate.edu/faculty-grading-and-resources.

 If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at regofc@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-4811.

Want to lead with greater confidence and impact? There’s still time to join Coaching for the Modern Manager, the next step in Continuing Professional Studies’ Supervisor Training Academy.

This four-session workshop helps supervisors and emerging leaders build coaching skills, navigate conflict, and foster stronger, more collaborative teams. With in-person sessions and virtual coaching check-ins, you’ll walk away with practical tools and ongoing support to lead more effectively.

Workshop dates (Fridays, bi-weekly):
May 30 | 9 AM – 4 PM
June 13 | 9 AM – 4 PM
June 27 | 9 AM – 4 PM
July 11 | 9 AM – 1 PM

Buffalo State faculty and staff receive an exclusive 50% discount! Registration closes Tuesday, May 27.

Don’t miss your chance; secure your spot today!

Learn More & Register: Visit the Continuing Professional Studies website or email our office today!

The Academic Center for Excellence is pleased to offer virtual writing support to our students during the summer sessions by one of our graduate students from May 27 through August 8. Students should make appointments with the tutor using Navigate360:

• Log into Navigate360
• Select "Schedule an Appointment," then select "Writing Support Services"
• Indicate on the form what you would like help with, then choose your preferred day and time
• Under "Location,” choose to meet online.

Hours of operation:

Mondays and Wednesdays: 3:00 to 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Additional hours may become available based on use and demand. Please share this information with your students and contact Abdi Hajikandi, director of academic services, EOP, if you have any questions. Thank you!

Internal applications are being accepted for the following position on campus. This is an internal job posting open to employees of Buffalo State University who are currently paid from any state-appropriated-funds payroll.

Title: Staff Assistant/Policy Administration Specialist
Department: Registrar’s Office
Salary: Competitive
Negotiating Unit: UUP

Brief Job Description:
This individual will properly maintain the records for our students going to other institutions and using processes such as Cross Registration, Off Campus Study, National Student Exchange Special Programs, and International Exchange. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for some local processes as well as interpreting new or reworked policies to create efficient and effective processes which will play a role in accurate data collection and impact our collective retention efforts. This individual will also play a crucial role in providing timely and accurate communication to students, faculty, and staff by providing courteous, professional service through in person, telephone, and electronic communication.

To view the required qualifications and to apply, please view the posting on the Buffalo State Job Opportunities website at https://jobs.buffalostate.edu/postings/7851.

The posting is open for consideration of internal candidates through Friday, May 30, 2025.

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is proud to announce its new executive board for the upcoming academic year. As Dominique Parke concludes her term as president, the organization reflects on a year of meaningful change—marked by increased transparency in funding, intentional campus programming, and renewed focus on graduate student advocacy and support.

Incoming President Sierra Mills will take the lead for the 2025–2026 year, joined by a dedicated team of officers:

• Latisha Butler, Vice President
• Evelynn Bird, Treasurer
• Danae Hardy, Director for Programming

Under this new leadership, GSA will continue its mission of uplifting graduate student voices, fostering community, and creating initiatives that center on wellness, inclusion, and academic success.

Stay connected with GSA for updates, events, and ways to get involved.

The following are official state holidays and classes will not be in session. Buffalo State University will be closed with the exception of those employees required to maintain essential services. All eligible classified and unclassified employees may observe this holiday without charge to accruals. Please check with your supervisor if you are unsure if you need to report to work on this day.

Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Independence Day: Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025

For employees who are required to work on any of these holidays, the following state attendance rules will apply:

Classified employees who work on these holidays will be compensated according to their holiday waiver status. Those who have not elected to waive additional money for holiday work will receive holiday pay per their bargaining unit agreements. Employees who waived additional money for holiday work will receive compensatory time off instead of additional holiday pay. Classified employees who wish to inquire about their current holiday waiver status may contact the Payroll Office at (716) 878-4124.

Please post notices in advance in your offices and on your website, use the out-of-office automatic e-mail replies, and change voice mail recordings so that students and other employees are aware that the office is not available. These messages should provide information on whom to contact in case an issue requires immediate attention.

For more information on holidays, please visit the Human Resource Management website.

The Dictionary Society of North America is meeting at Buffalo State on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30. Thanks to a grant from Cambridge Dictionaries, free day passes are available for Western New York college students and educators. Please encourage your students to attend, and come yourself!

Presentations include talks on: 

• Documenting and Revitalizing Indigenous Languages: Dictionaries, Technology, and Community
• “You curry the chicken, you don’t chicken the curry:” Folk Linguistics, Dictionaries, and a Caribbean Dish
• Louisiana at a Lexical Crossroads: A Window on the French Americas
• Gender and Credibility in Modern Usage Guides
• From “Ah” to “Zzz:” Interjections in Modern Lexicography and Written Communication
• Dictionaries, Context, and Legal Interpretation
• How Definite are Definitions? Style and Presupposition in English Noun Definitions
• Bridging Languages: EFL and Bilingual Dictionaries
• Using Dictionary Research to Teach Language Concepts

To request a day pass, visit the registration desk in Bacon Hall 220, and bring your faculty or student ID. Day passes include breakfast and coffee.

For more information and a schedule of presentations, visit https://dictionarysociety.com/dsna-25-in-buffalo-new-york/ or contact Lisa Berglund, professor of English, at berglul@buffalostate.edu.