The Buffalo State Writing Center invites students to attend our upcoming program "Spring Clean Your Writing: A Workshop on Academic Integrity" on Thursday, March 7, during Bengal Pause (12:15-1:30 p.m.) in the Writing Center (Butler Library 143). During this interactive session, students will learn about strategies for avoiding plagiarism and using sources effectively. Interested students can register online. Documentation of attendance will be provided if needed.

Students may now log in to Banner and complete their FERPA consent designees (Bursar and Educational Records only). Once that is completed by the student, faculty and staff members will be able to view this information in SSB Banner. Please visit the Registrar's website for more detailed information and step-by-step guides.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Functioning in a Stressed World: Understanding the Interaction between Anthropogenic Stressors and Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning," presented by Marc Cadotte, professor and director of the Centre for Environmental Research in the Anthropocene at the University of Toronto Scarborough, today, March 4, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Human-caused change is altering biodiversity and ecosystem processes across spatial scales. Biodiversity is the foundation for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for providing economic and other benefits to human well-being. Twenty years of experiments confirm such biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) relationships, but putting this research into real-world environmental change and management scenarios has been surprisingly limited. Environmental change drivers (hereafter referred to as stressors) can affect species differently, with positive, neutral, and negative impacts on their fitness, carrying capacity, interactions, and access to resources; therefore, predicting the impacts of multiple stressors on changes to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning can be complex. In this talk, Dr. Cadotte examines how biodiversity influences ecosystem functioning and then focuses on how stressors alter species contributions to function and the nature of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. He uses theoretical models to examine how multiple stressors could influence BEF relationships and then tests this with experiments. He will then scale up these predictions to BEF patterns in different scenarios under anthropogenic stressors. He wraps up with how this research can provide insights and guidance to studying and managing biodiversity in cities.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Functioning in a Stressed World: Understanding the Interaction between Anthropogenic Stressors and Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning," presented by Marc Cadotte, professor and director of the Centre for Environmental Research in the Anthropocene at the University of Toronto Scarborough, on Monday, March 4, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to enjoy coffee and cookies during the seminar.

Abstract
Human-caused change is altering biodiversity and ecosystem processes across spatial scales. Biodiversity is the foundation for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for providing economic and other benefits to human well-being. Twenty years of experiments confirm such biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) relationships, but putting this research into real-world environmental change and management scenarios has been surprisingly limited. Environmental change drivers (hereafter referred to as stressors) can affect species differently, with positive, neutral, and negative impacts on their fitness, carrying capacity, interactions, and access to resources; therefore, predicting the impacts of multiple stressors on changes to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning can be complex. In this talk, Dr. Cadotte examines how biodiversity influences ecosystem functioning and then focuses on how stressors alter species contributions to function and the nature of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. He uses theoretical models to examine how multiple stressors could influence BEF relationships and then tests this with experiments. He will then scale up these predictions to BEF patterns in different scenarios under anthropogenic stressors. He wraps up with how this research can provide insights and guidance to studying and managing biodiversity in cities.

Please remind students to pick up their textbook orders from the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore. We have over 200 orders that are ready for pickup; some have been sitting in the pickup area since the first week of classes. 

Orders are generally filled within 24 to 48 hours, unless there is a specific issue with a book, in which case, students would have been notified. 

If students have put the wrong email address in their bookstore profile, they may have missed the confirmation email stating their order is ready. 

To ensure that students have all the materials they need to succeed, please remind them to come in and pick up their textbook orders. Thank you.

Nietzsche's Celtic SeisiĂşns is celebrating its 20th anniversary. SeisiĂşn regulars will discuss and model traditional Irish instrumentation at this special event on Friday, March 8, at 4:00 p.m. in Buckham Hall B145. Bring your instrument! (All levels welcome.) Hosted by Mark Warford, associate professor of modern and classical languages.

Please join us for "Magic Making: Unleashing AI Adventures for All," a presentation by Katrina Herrington, on Tuesday, March 5, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. This talk is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Spring 2024 Series.

• Gain awareness of everyday AI possibilities.
• Find motivation to explore technology.
• Discover links and AI prompt ideas.
• Explore ways to enhance the AI experience in the future.

Join 6-year-old speaker Katrina Herrington on a brief, enchanting journey into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). In this presentation designed for all ages, Katrina, a creator, student, and friend, shares her story of bringing her imaginary friend Ukulele to life with AI. Now, Katrina enjoys helping her friends visualize and share their own imaginary worlds. Learn about the roles, goals, and values guiding Katrina's AI adventure, and be inspired to believe in the magic and opportunities AI presents. Discover how to embrace creativity and contribute to the #AI4Everyone movement.

Katrina is a kindergarten student who has two cats. She lives just outside of Buffalo, New York. She enjoys doing arts and crafts, making up stories, and watching DannyGo! She aspires to be a teacher-mom. While she is still learning to read and write, she has been a very assertive creative director when it comes to working with AI tools since pre-K. Katrina aims to inspire others to "Ask your parents to play with AI with you...so you can make your own AI worlds, too!"

Download the flyer (PDF, 183 KB).

Are you thirsty for some inspiration, new knowledge, and making connections with colleagues? Networking is the best thing you can do for your professional development! 

Mary Beth Sullivan from the Writing Program will showcase her Brightspace course and how she uses Brightspace functionality to create an intuitive, well-designed experience for students during this final Coffee Talk session today, February 29, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Butler Library 318. Instructional Design and Distance Learning will showcase the campus course template that all faculty members can import into their courses. Attendees will also be given the opportunity to share their courses.

The format includes a brief 15-minute showcase, a 30-minute discussion, and 15 minutes to conclude with topic resources and next steps to further the discussion.

Please join us! Register through the Workshop Registration System. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Interested in government employment? Erie County Commissioner of Personnel Brian Bray, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Management and Program Analyst Michael Hughes, and Buffalo and Erie County Public Library CFO Kenneth Stone (retired) will teach you how to navigate civil service systems during this session on Thursday, March 7, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 214. There will be time for Q&A.

Cosponsored by the Buffalo-Niagara Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration; the Political Science, Public Administration, and Planning Department; and the Buffalo State Model UN/Model EU Club.

This year's Bring Your Child to Work Day, an annual national event that is held on the fourth Thursday in April, is April 25. The national theme is "Inspire 2 Aspire," instilling a mindset that children can choose their own future. Children will experience many of the majors and programs that Buffalo State University's campus has to offer by engaging in hands-on, interactive activities hosted by our faculty and staff members.

In addition to many volunteers across campus, this event is made possible by generous funding from UUP and the Professional Staff Caucus. We are grateful to all who have contributed for their support, including Admissions, Student Success and Retention, and Exceptional Education. We welcome additional donations, so please reach out!

We will provide activities for three groups: kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2; grades 3, 4, and 5; and grades 6, 7, and 8. Parents of children in the kindergarten through fifth-grade groups will be required to remain with their child for the day, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Parents of children in grades 6, 7, and 8 are welcome to stay (we appreciate the extra help) or may leave their children but must pick them up by 1:30 p.m. Parents are welcome to join us for lunch, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The finalized schedule of campus activities will be forthcoming. We are planning to offer interactive and engaging hands-on STEM and other activities. Our day will begin and end in the Moore Complex lounge.

Space will be limited; once we reach capacity, further registrations will be placed on a waiting list and provided priority registration for next year's event. Registration will close Friday, March 29, or when we have reached capacity. Please let us know if you need to cancel, so that we may add children from our waiting list to the event.

Please register online.

Please email Kathy Doody, professor of exceptional education, with questions.