From the Chair of the College Senate
The next meeting of the 2024-2025 College Senate will be held Friday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m. in Newman Lecture Hall, Bulger Communication Center 215. Ken Fujiuchi, head of information commons in Butler Library, serves as chair of the Senate for the 2024-2025 academic year.

We encourage everyone to visit the Senate website to catch up on Senate news, find podcasts and minutes of past meetings, review reports and resolutions, and more. Documents for the upcoming meeting can be found on the SharePoint site.

Social Studies Education teacher candidates enrolled in SSE 407 present their findings and recommendations to dissecting social studies at a public display Tuesday, December 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Butler Library (foyer front lobby). The Teaching of History course focuses on research studies and practitioner projects to inform teacher candidates professional knowledge. Please participate in this public gallery walk which displays research efforts and potential solutions to transform the teaching of social studies by SSE teacher candidates.

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) offers New York State employees an opportunity to practice various coping skills and strengthen their resilience through OMH Wellness Groups, which aligns with the vision of supporting a healthy workplace environment. The groups include deep breathing and simulation exercises to allow employees to practice rather than have group discussions. Group sessions offer a warm, inviting space that fosters relaxation virtually and provides examples of calming techniques and basic coping skills. Remember that the mind and body are one, and psychological health is 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 and Body, and Tending to Self.  Please see the OMH calendar for group session details and how to join (PDF, 450 KB).

Please contact OMH with questions.

As the holidays approach, keep in mind that as a state employee, you must comply with the gift rules enforced by the Public Officers Law (POL). Please review the Holiday Gift Exchange Rules on our Ethics website.

In a nutshell, when state employees exchange gifts, the key factor in determining if a gift is allowed is whether it could appear as an attempt to influence the recipient of the gift in the performance of their state job or is intended as a reward for the employee's official action. Gift giving among employees during the holidays is generally permissible as long as participation is optional (with that option communicated clearly) and there is no intent to influence decision-making. Supervisors should be especially careful not to create an expectation that gifts are expected or required. When in doubt, please contact your agency Ethics Officer, Jamie Warnes or Erika Grande at Human Resource Management or a COELIG Attorney of the Day for guidance.

"The charity I choose to support during the SEFA campaign, is the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club. It helps me stay connected to my dad. He dedicated his life to giving back to the community through his work at the Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club. He lived by example and was loved by so many for his generosity. Supporting the organization he cared so deeply about keeps me close to him and helps keep his memory alive. The agency code for Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club is 57-00241."  - Valerie Celenza, Information Technology Exchange Center (ITEC)

We warmly invite you to share your very personal reasons for giving, and we'll feature them in the Daily. Please send your thoughts to campaign co-chairs Wendy Paterson, dean of the School of Education, or Maria C. Garrity, senior systems programmer in Information Technology. We are nearing the end of the campaign on Thursday, December 12. To donate, please go to the e-pledge system and click "Forgot user ID or password" to begin the process, increase your pledge or change your designated agency or simply roll over your pledge from last year. Cash and checks are gratefully accepted as well. Thank you.

"Before teaching at Buffalo State, I spent many years in corporate America as an IT executive. During that time, I ran many large, successful campaigns for the United Way at my company. One of those years, I had the pleasure of working with Buffalo State's former beloved president, Muriel Howard, who was running the campaign for all of Buffalo and Erie County. During campaigns, we always stressed this fact with our employees, 'you never know when you might need United Way services.'

On 9/11/2001, I was on a business trip in California. While there, I received a call from the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. Somehow, they heard that my company had over 10 people visiting customers in the twin towers on 9/11. The United Way wanted to know how they could help us. Miraculously, all of our employees escaped that day, and we were able to get them home quickly. However, I will never cease to be amazed at the way the United Way was able to proactively reach out without being called. It's like they have radar when it's time to help. I remain a leadership giver until this day."

Diane Dillon, Lecturer, Computer Information Systems

We warmly invite you to share your very personal reasons for giving, and we'll feature them in the Daily. Please send your thoughts to campaign co-chairs Wendy Paterson, dean of the School of Education, or Maria C. Garrity, senior systems programmer in information technology. We are nearing the end of the campaign on Thursday, December 12. To donate, please go to the e-pledge system and click "Forgot user ID or password" to begin the process, increase your pledge or change your designated agency, or simply roll over your pledge from last year. Cash and checks are gratefully accepted as well. Thank you.

Join us on December 10 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the Planetarium to relax and alleviate stress at the end of the semester. As you sit comfortably immersed in views of stars, constellations, nebulae, galaxies, and planets, you will experience deep relaxation through yoga nidra (sleep yoga), a guided meditation. The session is free and open to all Buffalo State students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Registration is required as space is limited. Participants must arrive on time and embrace a quiet atmosphere without cell phone use. This collaboration is a partnership between the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium and the Social Work Department. RSVP.

The campus community is invited to attend the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan (457b) webinar "Women and Retirement" on Monday, December 16, from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

This presentation will focus on a holistic approach to financial planning. It is important to consider women's unique challenges as they grow older. On average, women live longer, meaning they spend more time in retirement. They will look at some of the key factors that could impact their retirement savings. This one-hour seminar will be presented by Roberta S. Eckert, Director, Retirement Institute Insights and Solutions, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

Please register for this free one-hour online event. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the session.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee:

Following the resignation of Senator Gliset Morales, the College Senate will hold a special election December 4-10 to fill one at-large College Senate seat (academic only) for the term ending May 2027. 

Eligible members of the full-time faculty can log in to the voting portal using their Buffalo State credentials to access the ballot. The election will run from 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 10. 

Please contact Kristen Mruk, special assistant to the provost and senate, (716) 878-5139, with general questions.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee:

Following the resignation of Senator Gliset Morales, the College Senate will hold a special election December 4-10 to fill one at-large College Senate seat (academic only) for the term ending May 2027. 

Eligible members of the full-time faculty can log in to the voting portal using their Buffalo State credentials to access the ballot. The election will run from 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 10. 

Please contact Kristen Mruk, special assistant to the provost and senate, (716) 878-5139, with general questions.