From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
The College Senate has concluded the election for the support staff Senate seat. We would like to congratulate the following individual who has successfully been elected to the role:

Support Staff Senator
Edward A. Helling, University Police Officer 2, University Police Department

UFS Resignation and Replacement
Bruce Fisher has resigned from the University Faculty Senate seat. As the second-place finisher in the UFS race, Leah Panek-Shirley, associate professor of health, nutrition, and dietetics, will finish his term, which ends in 2026.

Alternate University Faculty Senator
We would also like to congratulate Lisa Marie Anselmi, chair and associate professor of anthropology, as the successful write-in candidate for the role of alternate university faculty senator serving for the 2024-2027 term.

National Stuttering Awareness Week, recognized and celebrated annually during the second week of May, was initiated in 1988 when then-President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation with congressional support. This weeklong event aims to promote open communication about stuttering, reduce its impact, foster acceptance and self-advocacy, and offer support to the 70 million individuals worldwide who stutter. Services for children and adults who stutter, targeting communicative and emotional well-being in addition to speaking and stuttering with greater ease, are offered at the Buffalo State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. For more information, please call the clinic at (716) 878-3530.

Do you love to argue? Do you think you would make a good lawyer? Do you care about individual rights? Please attend the introductory session of Buffalo State's fall 2024 Intercollegiate Moot Court team on Thursday, May 9, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union lobby.

Moot Court simulates appellate argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. This year's case concerns First Amendment speech rights and the Fifth Amendment right to be free from self-incrimination.

Co-coaches William Altreuter, local attorney and partner at Altreuter Berlin, and Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science, will be present to answer questions and outline what it takes to be a successful appellate advocate.

Participation in Moot Court competitions is a wonderful introduction to legal thinking and a legal career. If you have an interest in joining the team or just have a curious mind, please stop by!

If you have questions or are unable to attend, please email Dr. Yacobucci.

Did you know that the Buffalo State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic offers voice screenings, evaluations, and treatment free of charge to our Buffalo State community? Voice disorders among educators are more common than you might think. The demands of constantly speaking in a classroom environment, often over background noise, can take a toll on the vocal cords. Research indicates that up to 30 percent of educators experience voice disorders at some point in their careers because of overuse of the voice caused by sustained lecturing. Signs of a voice disorder can include vocal fatigue, where the voice tires easily after prolonged use, hoarseness or raspiness, breathiness, strain or discomfort while speaking, pain in the throat or neck, and reduced breath support, leading to difficulty projecting the voice. Maintaining good vocal hygiene is crucial for preventing and managing voice disorders. This includes staying hydrated, avoiding irritants like smoking and excessive caffeine, using amplification when necessary to reduce strain, practicing proper breathing techniques, and seeking regular vocal rest breaks. Educators experiencing persistent voice issues should consider seeing a licensed speech-language pathologist for a voice evaluation and appropriate recommendations. By prioritizing vocal health, educators can sustain their ability to communicate effectively in the classroom while minimizing the risk of voice-related issues.  

Stop by the Buffalo State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and see what else we can do! We are located in Caudell Hall 316.

The Buffalo State Center for Applied Imagination, with the support of a grant through the Faculty-Student Association, will celebrate the late SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emerita Ruth Noller with a video premiere on Friday, May 24, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 417.

Dr. Noller is a seminal historical scholar in the field of creativity studies. As a co-founder of the Center for Applied Imagination, she and Sidney Parnes initiated the first academic program in creativity at the university level in the world. She was also the second female computer programmer in the United States, stationed at Harvard a week after Grace Hopper arrived to work on the Mark I automatic sequence controlled calculator during WWII.

RSVP is required.

Please contact Susan Keller-Mathers, associate professor of creativity and change leadership, with questions.

United Students Government (USG) is excited to announce that Waka Flocka Flame is the 2024 USG Spring Fest Concert artist. The concert is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall (PAC). The event is open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

• Student Tickets: $12.00
• General Admission: $22.50

Tickets can be purchased through the PAC website.

We look forward to seeing you at Spring Fest this year!
 

Another Bring Your Child to Work Day is in the books, and it was a resounding success! Parents brought 55 future Buffalo State Bengals to campus for hours of fun activities and learning on April 25. Many thanks to UUP and the Professional Staff Caucus for sponsoring our breakfast and lunch, as we worked up an appetite. Additionally, we would like to pay special thanks to the following individuals.

The instructors who facilitated our learning activities:

Alexandra R. Allen, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, and her Art Ed Students
Lisa Marie Anselmi, Chair and Associate Professor of Anthropology; UUP Vice President for Academics
Jennifer L. Connelly, Associate Director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
Justin A. Crossfox, Senior Assistant Librarian, Butler Library
Susan E. Daniel, Research Scientist, Great Lakes Center
Anthony N. Lleras, Lecturer of Career, Technical, and Science Education, and the BOCES New Vision Students
Susan E. Maguire, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Candace P. Masters, Chair and Associate Professor of Art and Design
Earl W. Morris, Supervisor of Grounds, Grounds and Garage
David A. Pawlak, Fire Safety Coordinator, Environmental Health and Safety
Amy M. Pedlow, Chief of Police, University Police
Alice C. Pennisi, Associate Professor of Art and Design
Barry J. Skoney, Maintenance Manager, Facilities
Robert J. Warren II, Professor of Biology
Julie A. Wieczkowski, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Tina M. Wynne, Instructional Support Technician, Chemistry Department

The people behind the scenes for their efforts and collaboration: 

Alex J. Dunn, Library Clerk 2, and E. H. Butler Library
Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Educational Opportunity Program; Chair of the Professional Staff Caucus
Andrea L. Hoehman, Administrative Assistant, and the Exceptional Education Department
Jude M. A. Jayatilleke, ACE Program Director, Enrollment Management; UUP Vice President for Professionals
Shannon M. Miller, Admissions Advisor, and the Admissions Office
Lauren A. Morse, Director of Property Control and Sustainable Programs
Leasa N. Rochester-Mills, Director of Academic Standards
Shawnte A. Wilson, Director of Enrollment Management, and the Enrollment Management Office
Benji the Bengal

Many thanks to all!

Buffalo State University's Anne Frank Project is thrilled to announce its 16th annual social justice festival AFP 2024: Home: Building Our Collective Story September 25 and 26. We are currently seeking proposals from a variety of disciplines, cultures, perspectives, and communities to share and teach ways to build our collective homes. 

Here at Buffalo State, we welcome students from all over the world to immerse themselves in education, diversity, and social justice. This is our community. What if we took this one step further and created an environment not only considered a community but also a home?  

This year, we challenge our university students, faculty, staff, alumni, and off-campus audiences to define "home." How can we collectively bring our different stories together to build our collective story, our home? A home where our stories are protected, honored, and shared without fear.

Using our annual festival as a platform, we have the opportunity to achieve Anne Frank's wish to "repair the world" by deconstructing and rebuilding what we call home.  

We invite artists, activists, educators, and students to submit proposals to AFP 2024: Home: Building Our Collective Story. All proposals must reflect directly on this year's theme and follow AFP's kinesthetic and experiential pillars: one-third theory, two-thirds practice. Our annual festival, an academic ritual at Buffalo State, is a unique way to emphasize the importance of doing for a more meaningful and effective educational experience. This reflects Buffalo State University's commitment to applied research and experiential education.  

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

Submit your proposal today!

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

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 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 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.

Registration is closing soon for the 2024 J. P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, which will be held Thursday, June 13, in Delaware Park. The 3.5-mile race starts at 6:25 p.m. The registration fee is $43 per person. Registration is open until Sunday, May 12. Please register online for the Buffalo State University team.

We hope you invite and encourage your colleagues to register. The Corporate Challenge is a great time to connect with colleagues and community partners. The registration fee includes the hospitality tent, a team T-shirt, Corporate Challenge T-shirt, and much more. A special thank-you to Interim President Bonita Durand for her support and assistance. We also thank United University Professions for its support and assistance annually.

You may create a new account and register directly on the J. P. Morgan website. Please be sure to find Buffalo State University under the company listing.

More information is available on the J. P. Morgan Corporate Challenge website.

J. P. Morgan donates to a local not-for-profit organization in each of our 16 locations across eight countries on six continents. Our beneficiary for the 2024 J. P. Corporate Challenge Buffalo will be announced soon. For more information, please contact Jude Jayatilleke, ACE program director, (716) 878-6028.