Please join us for a lunch talk with special guest Michael Zweig, professor emeritus of economics and founding director of the Center for Study of Working Class Life at SUNY Stony Brook, who will discuss his new book, Class, Race, and Gender: Challenging the Injuries and Divisions of Capitalism, on Tuesday, March 19, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Newman Lecture Hall, Bulger Communication Center 215.

Refreshments provided. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking available in Lot I-37 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Buffalo State Economics and Finance Department, the Dead Economists Society, and the School of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office. Co-sponsored by UB's Humanities Institute and Research in Political Economy.

The Buffalo State University student chapter of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society (IEOM) will offer a tour of Integer Holdings, 11900 Walden Avenue, Alden, NY, on Thursday, March 21, at 4:30 p.m. We will be touring the facility and learning about applying ergonomics and CAD/CAM applications in manufacturing, so please consider joining us. This tour is limited, so sign up now. Students may drive themselves or carpool with fellow students from Buffalo State. Elizabeth O'Neill, assistant professor of engineering technology, will offer transportation to those who contact her. Please email Professor O'Neill to sign up or for more information.

As midterm stress hits both students and faculty and staff members, please remember that the Buffalo State Counseling Center provides free, confidential services to all students. We are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., on the second floor of the Weigel Wellness Center and have extended-hours support, too:

• Students can call (716) 878-4436 or come in to make an appointment. First appointments are a simple 15- to 20-minute conversation about the student's needs and recommendations on where to start.
• Students in crisis can come in for an urgent care appointment. Time slots are first come, first served. The last urgent care time slot of the day is 3:45 p.m.
• Weekly skills include teaching workshops and support groups about mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, BIPOC support, LGBTQIA+ support, and other topics. See all our open groups on Bengal Connect.
• Extended hours (including nights and weekends) teletherapy available through BetterMynd; free when students register with their Buffalo State email address.
• 24/7 counselors available at the Bengal Support Line: (833) 823-0260 for crisis intervention or just support for loneliness, advice, feeling overwhelmed, etc.
• Faculty and staff members can call to consult about a student, (716) 878-4436, and/or submit a CARE Report through the Dean of Students website.

More information can be found on our award-winning website.

The student application deadline for Buffalo State's 26th annual Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCC) is 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, with faculty mentor approval of student abstracts required by Friday, March 22. SRCC is open to the campus community and will be held Friday, May 3, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Science and Mathematics Complex. Presentations of 2023-2024 research, creativity, and applied learning projects are welcome. Poster (with free printing subsidy), oral presentation, or performance/video/artwork formats are cordially welcomed from undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines. Please visit the Undergraduate Research Office SRCC website for more details and the online application portal.

Some areas of Butler Library's third-floor SW Quad including the restrooms and Butler Library 310 offices will be unavailable from Monday, March 18, to Friday, April 5, because of the ongoing construction project. In addition, the walkway that connects the third-floor SW Quad and the third-floor SE Quad will be closed; therefore, patrons needing elevator access to rooms 314, 316, or 318 will require an escort through a small construction area by one of the contractors.

Notices will be posted on the elevator, and the Ask Us Desk will assist patrons with finding an escort. We apologize for any inconvenience during this time.

Please contact Joe Riggie, head of information management, with questions.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "The Null Matters: Using Realistic Models of Dispersal Resolves the Janzen-Connell Paradox," presented by Jeffrey Lake, associate professor of environmental science at Siena Heights University, today, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Proposed mechanisms of species coexistence in spatially structured plant communities are many; evidence supporting or effectively eliminating competing hypotheses has been less than convincing. One of these key hypotheses is that of conspecific negativity density dependence (CNDD), often known as the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. In spite of convincing theoretical evidence and logical consistency of this argument, studies of spatial distribution of trees in forests quite consistently have found spatial clumping of species, not the overdispersion one would expect if CNDD were driving forest structure and coexistence. Dr. Lake's research team analyzed the spatial distribution of trees in the tropical forest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI), relative to expected distribution under various null dispersal models. Once they moved from assuming a fully random uniform model of seed dispersal to realistic models parameterized from observed seed dispersal, they found overdispersal/repulsion of conspecifics in most species. This work demonstrates a key role for CNDD in structuring a tropical forests, and reminds us of the critical importance of selecting our null model correctly.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "The Null Matters: Using Realistic Models of Dispersal Resolves the Janzen-Connell Paradox," presented by Jeffrey Lake, associate professor of environmental science at Siena Heights University, on Monday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Proposed mechanisms of species coexistence in spatially structured plant communities are many; evidence supporting or effectively eliminating competing hypotheses has been less than convincing. One of these key hypotheses is that of conspecific negativity density dependence (CNDD), often known as the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. In spite of convincing theoretical evidence and logical consistency of this argument, studies of spatial distribution of trees in forests quite consistently have found spatial clumping of species, not the overdispersion one would expect if CNDD were driving forest structure and coexistence. Dr. Lake's research team analyzed the spatial distribution of trees in the tropical forest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI), relative to expected distribution under various null dispersal models. Once they moved from assuming a fully random uniform model of seed dispersal to realistic models parameterized from observed seed dispersal, they found overdispersal/repulsion of conspecifics in most species. This work demonstrates a key role for CNDD in structuring a tropical forests, and reminds us of the critical importance of selecting our null model correctly.

"Cool Down for Spring" with our $3 blended-drink special at the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. This special is running for the first week of spring: Monday, March 18, through Friday March 22.

Includes 16-ounce smoothies and frozen hot chocolate. Smoothie flavors are mango, blueberry, or pomegranate. Regular frozen hot chocolate and frozen white hot chocolate included as well!

Please note: Frappuccinos are not included in this promotion.

Buffalo State University's United Students Government will hold its annual student elections today, March 18, through Thursday, March 21, in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Students must show their Buffalo State student ID or driver's license to vote. Polls are open March 18-20 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and March 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The School of Education and the Christmann Family Educational Leadership Program invite you to participate in a rare opportunity to spend a morning or afternoon thinking about and engaging in conversation with peers from across the regional universities regarding the importance of trust in our enactment of leadership and the impact of trust on the empowerment of students. The workshops will be held today, March 13, in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center.

The Franklin Covey group providing the workshops for faculty and leaders in higher education has made a positive difference in so many highly successful business ventures, yet the program is not for businesses. It was developed entirely for education, including P-12 education and higher education. We incorporate their frameworks in all of our educational leadership courses because it is the only time the future principals and district leaders will have a chance to truly learn about themselves as leaders.

The registration links below include a description of the content, but you can also register at the event today. You owe it to yourself to attend.

Morning Session for Faculty and P-12 Leaders
9:00 a.m.-noon (8:30 a.m. check-in; optional lunch and panel discussion at noon)

Afternoon Session for Administrative Leaders
1:00-4:00 p.m. (optional lunch and panel discussion at noon)