Buffalo State University as a part of SUNY Alliance received funding from the National Science Foundation to provide student enrichment programs to underrepresented students through undergraduate research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This program, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), aims to increase the numbers of students matriculating into and successfully completing degree programs so that the STEM workforce can be diversified. Emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences.

An orientation meeting will take place Friday, October 25, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Technology Building 160 for students who are underrepresented in STEM. Criteria and opportunities will be shared. Qualified students will be eligible for funding to support their research. Please encourage students to visit the LSAMP website and register for the meeting. Thank you!

Please join us for a short workshop on open educational resources (OER) on Thursday, October 24, at 12:15 p.m. in the Teaching and Learning Center, Butler Library 318. Learn about the potential of open educational resources. Butler Library's Alternative Learning Materials Initiative (ALMI) can assist you with OER and how to discover, create, and implement OER and public domain resources. Learn about possible grant opportunities for individual stipends and other professional development offered by SUNY and hear about past recipients. We will also discuss the future of ALMI and collect your feedback on what OER and SUNY can do for you. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Please register for this workshop to attend.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Do You Know What the Biggest Threats Are to the NYS Cannabis Industry?" presented by William "Bill" Nichols, technical director at Biotrax Testing Laboratory, today, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Bill Nichols from Biotrax Testing Laboratory will look at the threats that New York sees to its legal and safe cannabis industry. He will highlight concerns with testing regulations, pathogenic Aspergillus molds, heavy metals testing, results manipulation, and more. This information is sourced from multiple legal NYS labs, which includes Biotrax. It shows the need for the state to make regulatory decisions that will affect the entire industry.

Mr. Williams holds a bachelor of science in chemistry and biology from SUNY Oswego and a master of science in biology from Northern Illinois University. He is a former instructor of biology at SUNY Erie, where he taught and supported educators training benchtop scientists to work in cannabis, food, and pharma.

He has worked with many in the cannabis community to help solve problems in their businesses. He believes that certificates of analysis are not just for compliance but can be a learning point to better a business operation. The NYS cannabis community faces many struggles and adventures to come. Mr. Williams enjoys collaborating with the cannabis community to help solve some of the struggles.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Do You Know What the Biggest Threats Are to the NYS Cannabis Industry?" presented by William "Bill" Nichols, technical director at Biotrax Testing Laboratory, on Monday, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Bill Nichols from Biotrax Testing Laboratory will look at the threats that New York sees to its legal and safe cannabis industry. He will highlight concerns with testing regulations, pathogenic Aspergillus molds, heavy metals testing, results manipulation, and more. This information is sourced from multiple legal NYS labs, which includes Biotrax. It shows the need for the state to make regulatory decisions that will affect the entire industry.

Mr. Williams holds a bachelor of science in chemistry and biology from SUNY Oswego and a master of science in biology from Northern Illinois University. He is a former instructor of biology at SUNY Erie, where he taught and supported educators training benchtop scientists to work in cannabis, food, and pharma.

He has worked with many in the cannabis community to help solve problems in their businesses. He believes that certificates of analysis are not just for compliance but can be a learning point to better a business operation. The NYS cannabis community faces many struggles and adventures to come. Mr. Williams enjoys collaborating with the cannabis community to help solve some of the struggles.

Please join us at our Alumni and Student Mentorship Mixer to learn more about Buffalo State's Alumni Mentorship Program on Thursday, October 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Bengal Success Center, Bengal Hall 118. This event is designed to bring together students and alumni who are interested in becoming mentees and mentors.

This event is free for students and alumni, faculty, and staff. Please register online if you plan to attend.

Please join us for a "Career and Professional Education Overview," presented by Denise Harris, director of Buffalo State University's Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE), on Monday, October 21, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Bacon Hall 115. This talk is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Fall 2024 Series.

• Meet the staff in CAPE.
• Identify ways CAPE can support your career development.
• Learn about career-related resources.

Denise Harris has over 21 years of higher education experience and oversees the comprehensive career development program for both the undergraduate and graduate student population at Buffalo State University. Ms. Harris is a certified career coach, qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; a certified etiquette expert; and an ATIXA-trained Title IX investigator. She earned her bachelor of science in communication from SUNY Fredonia and her master of arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University. Ms. Harris is a member of the Western New York Association of College Career Centers, the National Career Development Association, and the American Association for Employment in Education. 

Please join us for "Personal Finance Basics," presented by Voya Financial, on Tuesday, October 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Day-to-day financial decisions make a great deal of difference in the kind of life you want to lead, so it's important to learn how to manage your money in a commonsense way. This introductory seminar discusses the basics of personal finance, including how to set up a budget to see where your money goes, where to keep your money, how to handle what you owe, when investing makes sense, and what tools and resources can help you.

To register, please visit the Workshop Registration System.

Pursuant to the Ethics Commission Reform Act of 2022, all New York State employees are required to complete ethics training every year. SUNY System Administration recently informed campuses that graduate and student assistants are also required to complete this training. For those who have not completed the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course (CETC) in 2024, the deadline to complete this mandatory training is Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

New hires are required to complete this training within 90 days of their date of hire. Employees who have not yet taken the CETC in 2024 have two options for completing this requirement:

Complete one of the live training sessions offered in a hybrid format (in person and through Microsoft Teams) on campus. Please register using the links below:

• Thursday, October 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Teams ONLY
• Monday, November 4, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. via Teams or in Cleveland Hall 418
• Thursday, November 14, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. via Teams or in Cleveland Hall 418
• Wednesday, December 4, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Teams or in Cleveland Hall 418

Or complete the live virtual training session through the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Type "SUNY College at Buffalo" under Agency and the option will automatically populate underneath. Be sure to click SUNY College at Buffalo to receive the green check mark next to the name. You also must type in your NYS Employee ID (beginning with N), which can be found in the top left corner of your paycheck in SUNY Self-Service/View Paycheck (see user guide). Then type in your full first and last name and email address and select "Find a Training" to register. Human Resource Management will be notified of all course completions by employees.

Supervisors are asked to ensure that all their employees are allotted time to complete this mandatory training.

Please note: If you are employed at a state agency other than Buffalo State University and have already completed the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course through the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government or through your state agency in 2024, please send a copy of your certificate of completion to Human Resource Management so that we can document that you have fulfilled this mandatory training requirement at a different state agency.

Chartwells Buffalo State Dining is hosting a monthlong survey to receive feedback from the campus community about the different dining locations on campus (Bengal Kitchen Dining Hall, Starbucks in Butler Library, Retail Food Court, Tech Cafe, and PlanetariYUM). The survey takes eight to 10 minutes to complete, and all the answers are anonymous. We would really appreciate the feedback!

The Social Work Department and the Title IX Office are encouraging students, faculty, and staff members to participate in NYS Purple Thursday on October 17. Purple is the color of the domestic violence awareness movement, symbolizing peace, courage, survival, and dedication to ending abuse. Share a selfie wearing your purple on social media using the hashtags #PurpleThursday, #DVAM, and #Every1KnowsSome1. Let's create a sea of purple to show support!

Traditional college-age students are at the highest risk of any age group to experience intimate partner violence. Please join us in raising awareness this month.