From the President's Council on Equity and Campus Diversity
Nominations are encouraged for the Dr. Muriel A. Howard Presidential Award for the Promotion of Equity and Campus Diversity and the Special Programs Award. These awards recognize in different ways faculty and staff members who promote respect for diversity and individual differences through classroom discussions, curricular experiences, out-of-classroom activities, projects, conversations, or special mentorships and programs that go beyond what is usually expected as a part of their regular job expectations or teaching assignments.

We welcome nominations from students, faculty, and staff members so that we might acknowledge members of our community who live the values of respect for diversity and advocacy for social justice at an awards reception on Tuesday, April 23.

Award criteria and nomination forms for both awards can be found on the Equity and Campus Diversity Awards web page. The application deadline for each award is Sunday, March 24.

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! Share, learn, and grow from other professionals. Instructional Design and Distance Learning and the Teaching and Learning Center will host events during February with themed discussions led by topic experts. All are welcome.

Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Butler Library 318. The format will include a brief 15-minute presentation, a 30-minute discussion, and 15 minutes to conclude with topic resources and the next steps to further the discussion.

Our third session on Thursday, February 15, will explore how we might adjust to learning in a world with AI. We will introduce some of the big questions related to AI, such as academic integrity and authentic student learning. Participants will also receive a curated list of resources designed to help instructors navigate and adjust to an AI reality. Bring your own device (optional) if you would like to explore possibilities during the session.

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

The Coffee Talk session on February 22 will cover academic integrity, and February 29 will be faculty members showcasing how they use features in Brightspace.

Last week's Totality Tuesday discussed the shadow of the Moon and noted that the Moon's shadow travels along what is called the path of totality. During the April 8 total solar eclipse, the path starts in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico, passes up through Mexico, enters the U.S. in Texas, continues to the northeast, and passes over parts of Canada and the northern parts of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before heading out into the Atlantic Ocean.

You must be in the path of totality to see a total solar eclipse, and Buffalo and the Western New York region will be within the path on April 8. If you are outside the path of totality, you can see a partial solar eclipse. That's what we experienced here in Buffalo in 2017, when a total solar eclipse passed across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. From our view, we saw a maximum of about 75 percent of the Sun covered by the Moon. On April 8, Buffalo is one of the few major cities along the center of the path of totality. Places like Buffalo that are along or close to the center of the path of totality, or the center line, will experience a longer and darker totality.

The width of the path of totality depends on the geometry of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and it varies as the Moon's shadow passes across Earth's surface. In our region, the path will be about 110 miles wide. You might have heard that we could see up to a million visitors coming to Western New York for the eclipse. In this area, much of the path of totality is taken up by Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. As a colleague from the Buffalo Astronomical Association recently noted, that means visitors to the region will be packed into a smaller area compared to other areas along the path!

This will be an exciting event for Buffalo, Western New York, and many parts of North America. What do we expect to experience during the eclipse? That's next week's topic.

Question of the Week: When was the last time Buffalo was in the path of totality?

Answer: Buffalo last experienced a total solar eclipse almost 100 years ago in 1925. After April 8, the next time the path of totality crosses our region will be more than 100 years in the future: 2144!

For information about Buffalo State's eclipse events, visit the Buffalo State Eclipse website. Questions? Email eclipse@buffalostate.edu.

The Banner Document Manager (BDM) Production platform will be upgraded from version 16.6 to version 20.4 starting Friday morning, February 16, through Monday, February 19. During this time, there will be no access to BDM to perform the following tasks: Scanning via Image/Capture/Batching/Indexing/Lookups as well as usage of Report Manager (PDF dropbox processing).

Please note: Banner 9 Production Admin Pages will not be down, and Self-Service Banner (SSB) will not be affected; both will be up and available for use.

The expected date for BDM Production to return online is Tuesday, February 20. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated via Outlook.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.

The online late add process for the spring 2024 semester began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, February 15. Students can add a course directly in Banner after obtaining instructor permission and any other required override(s). All late adds are assessed a $20 late add fee. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the late add process as soon as possible. More information is available on the Registrar's Online Late Add Process in Banner SSB web page.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
The voting window closes at 11:59 p.m. today, February 16, for the special election to fill one at-large College Senate seat (academic only) for the term ending May 2024, resulting from the resignation of Senator Scott Goodman.

Eligible members of the full-time faculty can log in to the voting portal using their Buffalo State credentials to access the ballot.

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 Scott Goodman, the College Senate will hold a special election February 12-16 to fill one at-large College Senate seat (academic only) for the term ending May 2024.

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 12:01 a.m. Monday, February 12, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, February 16.

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 Scott Goodman, the College Senate will hold a special election February 12-16 to fill one at-large College Senate seat (academic only) for the term ending May 2024.

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 12:01 a.m. Monday, February 12, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, February 16.

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

In honor and recognition of Black History Month, the SUNY retirement plan investment providers are offering a series of virtual seminars, "Empower Your Financial Future."

This Black History Month, we're excited to invite you to a unique celebration one that honors our rich history and empowers our financial future. Join us in exploring the intersection of financial wellness and Black history, where learning transcends tradition.

Unlock the Power of Your Finances
We believe financial literacy is a vital part of life's journey, and this month, we're here to show you how it connects with the legacy and achievements of Black history. Whether you're a student, staff member, or faculty member, there's something for everyone in our specially curated events.

Learn, Grow, and Save with Experts
In collaboration with our retirement plan providers Corebridge, Fidelity, TIAA, and Voya we've lined up an array of webinars and resources tailored for every life stage. These sessions are more than just talks; they're pathways to a brighter financial future.

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Fidelity: How to Shift Your Money Mindset
Thursday, February 15
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Register for this webinar.

Corebridge: Achieving Financial Wellness
Tuesday, February 20
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Register for this webinar.

TIAA: Knowledge Is Power: Turning Challenges into Solutions
Tuesday, February 27
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Register for this webinar.

Voya: Unique Savings Strategies
Watch the video recording.

Let's Celebrate and Grow Together!
This is more than a monthlong event; it's a step toward a financially empowered community. Join us in celebrating Black History Month in a unique and enriching way. Let's honor the past, treasure the present, and secure our future. We can't wait to see you there!

Join the movement! Join us in celebrating 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness February 11 through March 11. Prompts will be posted on the Civic and Community Engagement social media platforms (Bengal Connect, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).

Download your Buffalo State 30 Days RAK Calendar (PDF, 171 KB). Then, please share with us your act of kindness on #RAKBUFFSTATE.

Help spread love at Buffalo State University by knowing that a small gesture can create a big change one act at a time. Join us in celebrating 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.

Fun ideas to check out:

• 80 more kindness ideas