Dear Fraternity and Sorority Life Members and Supporters,

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being, Buffalo State University is implementing the new Stop Campus Hazing Act, a federal law that enhances transparency, accountability, and prevention efforts related to hazing on college campuses.

What Is Hazing?

Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing is defined as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one or more persons—regardless of a person’s willingness to participate—that occurs as part of initiation, affiliation, or ongoing membership in a student organization, and that creates a risk of or causes physical or psychological harm.

Some examples of hazing include:

• Physical acts such as striking, beating, or applying harmful substances
• Coercing sleep deprivation, extreme physical activity, or exposure to the elements
• Forcing consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Inducing others to engage in sexual acts or criminal behavior
• Threatening words or actions that cause fear of bodily harm

New Federal Requirements (Effective July 1, 2025)

All higher education institutions must:

• Publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report twice a year, listing any student organization found responsible for hazing. This is now available and can be found on the Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE) website, under the Greek Life tab. This will be updated every semester.
• Maintain publicly available reports of hazing incidents for five years. This is located on the SLE website under the Greek Life tab titled "Campus Hazing Transparency Report."
• Maintain and enforce clear hazing policies, including defined reporting and investigation processes.
• Provide prevention and awareness programs for students, staff, and faculty.

Buffalo State’s Commitment & Policies

Buffalo State already has strong policies and prevention measures in place. These include:

• Greek Life Policy Manual – Outlining expectations, reporting, and consequences related to hazing. (Section 5. Allegations of Misconduct)
• Mandatory Greek Interest Meeting - All potential new members of Greek Organizations are required to attend a Greek Interest Meeting. This meeting covers eligibility and information about hazing (laws, how to report, and definitions).
• Recruitment & New Member Education Protocols – Ensuring a safe and positive experience for new members.
• Greek Achievement Program (GAP) – Supporting organizations in fostering leadership and ethical behavior. 

Prevention & Awareness Programs

We remain dedicated to hazing prevention education through:

• National Hazing Prevention Week – Workshops and discussions promoting anti-hazing culture.
• Greek Member Development Day – Mandatory for all students who are a part of a fraternity or a sorority. This training teaches students how to recognize and prevent hazing.
• New Member Training – Mandatory for all students newly initiated into a fraternity or sorority. This training covers what hazing is, bystander intervention, and how to report hazing.

How to Report Hazing

If you witness or experience hazing, please report it immediately:

• Online Report
• University Police Department (UPD): (716) 878-6333 
• Student Leadership and Engagement Office: (716) 878-4631; sle@buffalostate.edu; Campbell Student Union Suite 400

Buffalo State University remains committed to fostering a safe and inclusive campus for all students. We appreciate your support in upholding these policies and ensuring that our campus remains a hazing-free community.

For any questions, please reach out to the Student Leadership & Engagement Office at sle@buffalostate.edu.

Join CSPA-NYS for a Higher Ed Happy Hour in Buffalo, NY at Britesmith Brewing's newest location!

CSPA-NYS is happy to host a Higher Ed Happy Hour in Buffalo, NY. Gather with Higher Ed professionals and graduate students to network and socialize this summer. We look forward to seeing you there.

You do not need to be a member of CSPA-NYS to attend and it is not exclusive to Student Affairs professionals. Colleagues from Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, or other partners in Higher Ed are always welcome! 

Click here to register

If you are interested in serving on one or more of the eight Buffalo State Senate standing committees for the 2025-2026 academic year, please complete and submit the Buffalo Senate Standing Committee Member Interest Form by Friday, August 22. You do not need to be an elected senator to serve on a committee.

Committee functions and charges are available on the College Senate website.

Please note that some committees may not need members. The standing committee chairs for the 2025-2026 Senate year are listed below. Please contact them if you have specific questions regarding the committee's work or membership needs.

• Academic Plan Committee - Naila Catilo
• Budget and Staff Allocations Committee - Frederick Floss
• Bylaws and Elections Committee - Kristen Mruk
• Curriculum Committee - Leasa Rochester-Mills
• Faculty and Staff Welfare Committee - Mary Beth Sullivan
• Instruction and Research Committee - Krista Vince Garland
• Standards for Students Committee - Holly Quicksey
• Student Welfare Committee (Vice Chair) - Shawnte Wilson

The Office of Mental Health offers NYS employees an opportunity to practice various coping skills and strengthen their resilience through OMH Wellness Groups, which align with the vision of supporting a healthy workplace environment. The groups include deep breathing and simulation exercises, allowing employees to practice rather than engage in group discussions. Group sessions provide a warm, inviting space that fosters relaxation and offers examples of calming techniques and basic coping skills. Remember that the mind and body are one, and psychological health is just as important as physical health to your overall well-being.

The group sessions are free, confidential, and anonymous, and virtual employees can call in from any phone. Group sessions include Monday Meditation, Mindful Mondays, Taking Care of Mind & Body, and Tending to Self.  Please see the attached calendar for group session details and how to join.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to omh.wellnessgroups@omh.ny.gov.

On July 23rd, the ProQuest ebooks platform will be upgraded to use the new Ebook Central Reader app. This app will replace the aging Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) digital rights management (DRM) software. This is the software that manages the loan terms for ProQuest ebooks.

After 7/23, users who wish to download ProQuest ebooks will need to install the Ebook Central Reader app on their device. Use of ebooks through a web browser is not impacted. 

Any active loans will seamlessly sync to the new app, so users won’t lose access to current downloads. The app authenticates to your Ebook Central account through a generated code.

The app is available to download through the Windows, Android, and Apple app stores. This brief video will guide you through the process of obtaining and using the app.

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Riggie.

The Buffalo State University community is saddened by the death of Laurence J. Shine, lecturer emeritus of English, who died June 28, 2025. Professor Shine joined the campus in 1981 and retired in 2021. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Shine, on June 23, 2020. He is survived by his three sisters who live in Ireland, Angela O’Keeffe, Dierdre Shine, and Anne Shine, and one sister, Stephanie MacSheain, who lives in Montreal, Canada, as well as four nephews and a niece in Ireland. He is also survived by his wife’s sisters, Debbie (James) Wachowicz and Darcy Flynn, and nieces, Amanda (Peter) Umanski, Jessica Wachowicz (Brendan McLaughlin), Michael (Amber) Wachowicz, and Katie Flynn. A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo on Monday, July 28, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a gathering at The Banshee at 257 Franklin Street in Buffalo. More information is available online.

IT will be performing critical security and stability upgrades on the Visix Digital Signage system, beginning on July 16.

The anticipated downtime is half a day. During this time, users will not be able to access the Visix web portal to upload and/or schedule content. However, individual signage players will continue to play any content previously scheduled.

The signage players themselves will be upgraded as soon as the server is complete. Each player is anticipated to be down for approximately 60 minutes. IT will coordinate with individual areas on the timing of this upgrade.

If you have an issue with the Visix Digital Signage system or any questions regarding this upgrade, access to the system or training, please file a Visix Digital Signage ticket, available here.

The Buffalo State University Care Team is in the process of transitioning to a new referral system. Temporarily, please submit Care Team referrals here.

We appreciate all that Buffalo State employees do to support our students!

The agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions has negotiated salary increases to be effective in 2025. Below is a summary of those increases from the union contract. Full details and eligibility can be found in the 2022-2026 Agreement (PDF, 1.95 MB).

Please review the information below for the dates on which each increase is scheduled to be paid.

Please contact the Payroll Office with questions.

2025 3 Percent Across the Board (ATB)
The basic annual salaries, as of June 30, 2025, of incumbents of positions in the State University in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit shall be increased by three (3) percent commencing the first day of the payroll period closest to (1) July 1, 2024 (pay period July 1, 2025; paycheck date of July 30, 2025), for employees having a calendar-year or college-year professional obligation, or (2) September 1, 2024 (pay period August 28, 2025; paycheck date of September 24, 2025), for employees having an academic-year professional obligation.

Lump Sum Payment
Full-time employees who were on payroll, or on authorized unpaid leave upon ratification, on September 1, 2023, or on the first day of the semester beginning nearest to September 1, 2023 (whichever is later), and who continue on payroll, or on authorized unpaid leave, through April 30, 2024, shall receive a lump sum payment of $3,000, effective April 30, 2024, payable as follows: $1,500, to be paid on the first day of the payroll period following July 1, 2024 (pay period July 1, 2024; paycheck date of July 31, 2024); $1,500, to be paid on the first day of the payroll period following July 1, 2025 (pay period July 1, 2025; paycheck date of July 30, 2025).

Employees on authorized leaves must return to full-time employment status by June 30, 2025, to receive such payment. Such payment shall not be pensionable and shall not be added to basic annual salary. Such payment shall be prorated for less than full-time employees based on a formula mutually agreed to by the parties. Employees who separated from payroll or were placed on a leave without pay during the break between fall semester 2023 and spring semester 2024 but who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements shall remain eligible.

Permanent and Continuing Appointment Increases
Commencing July 1, 2025, full-time employees who have been granted permanent or continuing appointment by the Chancellor, at the campus at which they are currently employed, or a second five-year term appointment, at the campus at which they are currently employed in titles listed in Article XI, Appendix A of the Policies; and who have completed twelve (12) consecutive years of full-time service at the campus at which they are currently employed shall receive a one-time advance to basic annual salary of $800 in paycheck date of July 16, 2025.

Part-time employees who have completed at least eight (8) years of consecutive service at the campus at which they are currently employed shall receive a lump-sum payment in the amount of $500 as soon as practicable. Part-time employees are eligible to receive this payment every eight (8) years thereafter of consecutive service at the campus at which they are currently employed. Individual employees are eligible for only one (1) service award every eight (8) years.

The Fall 2025 Critique and Evaluation Period (CEP) schedule has been posted online on the Registrar's Office Fall 2025 Courses webpage. Please be sure to bookmark the page for reference—and always double-check the posted date to be sure you are viewing the most updated, latest version.