Portrait, the student literary arts magazine of Buffalo State University, is now accepting submissions for the spring 2024 print edition. Please submit photographs, artwork, prose (1,000 words or less), and poetry electronically to portrait@buffalostate.edu by Friday, March 22. We humbly ask all faculty members to please encourage their students to submit their work for the world to see! Past issues of the magazine can be found on Butler Library's Digital Commons website.

Students are invited to attend Meet the Greeks on Tuesday, February 6, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Meet the Greeks is an event at the start of the spring semester where potential new members get their first chance to meet all the social Greek fraternities and sororities at Buffalo State. This event is an excellent way for students to get to know our organizations as well as a great way for our organizations to advertise their values and accomplishments to the campus community.

Greek Life at Buffalo State is dedicated to enhancing the development of students through membership in our Greek organizations. Each fraternity and sorority offers students an opportunity to be part of a close-knit community that promotes leadership, service, and academic excellence. Our staff supports initiatives dedicated to scholarship, service, community advocacy, philanthropy, safety, and wellness.

Buffalo State recognizes that membership and new member recruitment is an essential component of the fraternity and sorority experience. For chapters to survive, they must continually recruit new members. It is expected that each fraternity and sorority will enhance the experience of each new or prospective member by providing membership education programming that meets university requirements. All recognized fraternities and sororities are required to follow Buffalo State's Greek Life recognition policy, recruitment and new member protocols, and recruitment calendar.

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, 30-minute discussion, and 15 minutes to conclude with topic resources and next steps to further the discussion.

Our second session on Thursday, February 8, will showcase synchronous instruction options and best practices inside a Brightspace course. We will focus on considerations before, during, and after your online sessions using tools in Brightspace and Microsoft Teams meetings. Time will also be provided for participants to share their synchronous learning experiences and ask questions. Bring your own device (optional) if you would like to explore possibilities in your course during the session.

Future Thursday topics will be related to artificial intelligence and academic integrity.

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

Please join us today, February 7, for the Cultural Café, a monthly event that brings together members of the Buffalo State University community over conversation, culture, and coffee and light refreshments. We will begin at noon on the first floor of Butler Library. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and find common ground with other internationally minded members of the community in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. At today's café, learn about Lunar New Year in Vietnam. This event is sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Butler Library, and Global Engagement.

Please join us for the next Cultural Café, a monthly event that brings together members of the Buffalo State University community over conversation, culture, and coffee and light refreshments, on Wednesday, February 7, at noon. We will begin on the first floor of Butler Library. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and find common ground with other internationally minded members of the community in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. This week, learn how Lunar New Year is celebrating the Year of the Dragon in Vietnam. This event is sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Butler Library, and Global Engagement.

The campus community is invited to attend the New York State EAP monthly webinar "Strategies for Maintaining Positive Social Connections" on Wednesday, February 7, from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The WellNYS Daily To-Do for the February WellNYS Everyday Monthly Challenge is to connect and socialize with others. We will share the benefits of social connection and how to have optimal relationships with the people in your life. You will learn how to maintain positive social connections, recognize disharmony, and make the necessary repairs with co-workers, friends, and family relationships. This 30-minute seminar will be presented by David Dobkowski, Ph.D., NYS EAP assistant program manager, and Linda Carignan-Everts, WLS wellness coordinator, NYS Work-Life Services. 

Please register for this free 30-minute webinar through the WebEx meeting registration page. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the session. This webinar will be recorded and uploaded to the WellNYS Everyday website.

All questions about Brightspace functionality, such as copying course content, how to use Brightspace features and tools, or issues encountered while using Brightspace, should be directed to the SUNY Online Help Desk:

Phone
(844) 673-6786 (toll free)
(518) 320-1300 (direct)
Request Brightspace Support

Support Hours
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-midnight
Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

The Buffalo State IT Help Desk can support faculty, staff, and students with Brightspace account and access issues. The following ticket requests should be submitted through the IT portal.

• Requesting course merges
• Adding users to course rosters
• Integrating third-party applications
• Requesting a development shell
• Requesting a community organization

Knowledge Base articles related to frequent Brightspace questions are available on the IT portal. 

If you need on-campus assistance, please make an online appointment through the Instructional Design and Distance Learning Bookings page.

Edmund Haspett from TIAA will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members on Tuesday, February 27, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 416.
Appointments are required.

Space is limited. Visit the TIAA website to schedule an appointment or call (800) 732-8353 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Discuss your financial situation with an experienced TIAA consultant to help you plan for your future and pursue your financial goals. Take this opportunity to review your retirement savings or to increase or start a tax-deferred annuity.

Get answers to these questions and more:

Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Space is limited. Sign up today.

Human Resource Management is pleased to announce a Phased Retirement Program (PDF, 71 KB) for eligible academic and professional employees. The program provides an opportunity for a phased approach to retirement, allowing employees to transition into retirement gradually, with a reduction in workload or obligation and commensurate reduction in pay. The program is voluntary and optional.

Program details, including eligibility requirements, the application, and the intent to resign for retirement template letter, are available on the Human Resource Management website.

Eligible employees should discuss the program with their chair or head of their department. Participation in the program is subject to review and approval of the president.

Please contact Human Resource Management with questions.

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) offers state employees an opportunity to practice various coping skills and strengthen their resilience through OMH Wellness Groups, which align 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 calendar for group session details and how to join (PDF, 500 KB).

Questions? Feel free to email omh.wellnessgroups@omh.ny.gov.