Please join us for “Climate Risk Analysis with Data Science and Analytics Tools,” a presentation by Eric Wischman, climate risk officer and conduct risk director in the Risk Management Division of M&T Bank Corporation, on Monday, December 4, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 214. Please note the change of venue from previous presentations. This talk is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Series.

Eric Wischman has 20 years of diverse experience in audit, compliance, and risk management functions. Throughout his career, he has become accustomed to making sound decisions with limited information and developing creative means to complete projects and meet deadlines. He has a consistent track record of advancement, dedication, and professionalism. 

Mr. Wischman is currently responsible for the development and implementation of M&T Bank's climate risk infrastructure and conduct risk framework. Consistent with prior roles, these areas of focus require interaction with executive management and the board and gaining organizational consensus across numerous disciplines and stakeholders. 

In addition, Mr. Wischman is an active supporter of veterans’ causes. He serves in a leadership capacity within the M&T Bank Veterans Employee Resource Group and serves on the board of directors of the Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight. 

This holiday season, the Buffalo State men's soccer team is partnering with Toys for Tots to collect toy donations for less-fortunate children in the greater Buffalo area. Each year, we try to take on a community initiative as a team. We feel we are extremely fortune to be in the position we are in, and we would like to do our best to give back to the community during the holidays this year.

Donation boxes are set up in Houston Gym 203 and in the Intercollegiate Athletics lobby. Donations can be dropped off anytime. The campaign will run until Friday, December 15. Please email Francesco Cardillo, head men's soccer coach, with questions.

Happy holidays!

The Teacher Education Council (TEC) will meet Friday, December 8, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. Lunch will be served. TEC representatives will receive a meeting invitation and agenda. All TEC representatives and Teacher Education Unit members are encouraged to attend. Non-members who want to attend may contact their TEC representative for more information. If voting members are unable to attend, they should contact Joseph Zawicki and let him know if they have a surrogate for any voting that may occur.

Funtastic Friday is way to say thank you for being good members of the community. To qualify for consideration, students must not have any conduct violations or open sanctions. Stop by for refreshments Friday, December 1, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Please bring your Buffalo State ID.

Sponsored by Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Get ready for finals academically, emotionally, and physically during Bengal Study Breaks! Join us for free food and prizes, stress-relief activities, and games and crafts. Most events will be hosted in Butler Library.

• Tuesday, December 5, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 6, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, December 7, 12:15–2:15 p.m.

Special events:

• Trivia Tuesday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m. in Butler Library 134
• Planetarium Show Wednesday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex (space limited to first 48 people registered)
• Crafts and Raffles with Roar 2 Success December 5–7, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Bengal Hall 118

For more details, please visit the Bengal Study Breaks website.

In addition to collecting CRNs for zero textbook cost (ZTC) courses, E. H. Butler Library is conducting a survey on faculty textbook usage. This six-to-eight-minute survey is designed to collect information on faculty trends using textbooks and open educational resources (OER). The results collected will provide quantitative data to analyze future textbook affordability initiatives. It will also assist Butler Library with OER programming that supports open pedagogy. This survey is a follow-up to the recently completed survey on student textbook trends.

All responses are anonymous and are not connected to any department or school. Please contact electronic and educational resources librarian Chris Hulsman with questions.

Open enrollment for the 2024 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) closes at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 11. The program helps eligible state employees save money on necessary health- or dependent-care expenses because the money they set aside in their accounts is not subject to federal, state, or Social Security taxes.

The Flex Spending Account offers three benefits:

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 to $3,200 for the 2024 plan year to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan; however, only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, or your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA.

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax dollars for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.

The Adoption Advantage Account allows employees to set aside up to $16,810 of pre-tax dollars to pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child. This benefit is available to M/C employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and PBA.

Complete information on the Flex Spending Account can be found on the Governor's Office of Employee Relations website. If you wish to take advantage of this benefit, please submit your application for enrollment online or by phone at (800) 358-7202. You will need your NYS Employee ID number, which is located on your pay stub, to complete your application. Please be sure to enroll by December 11. If you are enrolled for the 2023 plan year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2024.

The deadline for 2024 enrollment is December 11, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and will be strictly enforced.

The enrollment period for the 2024 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is now open and runs through Monday, December 11. PEP allows eligible CSEA, UUP, PEF, and M/C employees to exchange previously accrued vacation or personal leave for a credit toward their biweekly New York State health insurance costs. Sick leave credits cannot be exchanged under this program.

Employees who participated in PEP for 2023 must file a new election form to enroll in the 2024 program. Details and enrollment forms can be found on the Human Resource Management website.

To participate, eligible employees must file an election form with the Human Resource Management Office, Cleveland Hall 403, by close of business (5:00 p.m.) Monday, December 11. 

For program details, please select your bargaining unit:

• CSEA Program Description (PDF, 190 KB) and Enrollment Form (PDF, 545 KB)
• UUP and M/C Program Description (PDF, 130 KB) and Enrollment Form (PDF, 620 KB)

We thank you for your generous support of our SEFA/United Way Campaign. We were able to raise significant funds to support the many agencies and activities who benefit from United Way contributions. This year, as with last, we are extending the deadline for contributions, to December 14, 2023.

We realize that many donors are busy people with other obligations and philanthropic responsibilities. This year, the option to continue last year’s gift is available to donors, but you still must log in and indicate your desire to do that; it will not be done automatically.

We hope you will consider logging in today to help us inch up to our $100,000 goal. As of today, we have raised $65,378.54. While this is certainly a substantial amount, we are hoping to reach our goal for the first time since COVID. In this post-COVID era, the needs of families have grown along with the return to a more mobile, more social world where no one’s need can be hidden from view behind a computer screen.

We hope this is just a friendly reminder to log in to our e-pledge system and click “Forgot user ID or password” to begin the process. We've also prepared an e-pledge instructional video and detailed instructional document to assist you along the way.

For cash or check donations, you can complete the paper 2023 SEFA pledge form (PDF, 4 MB) and deliver it with your donation to the School of Education, Bacon Hall 306, or hand it to your departmental ambassador. The 2023 SEFA agency booklet (PDF, 10 MB) is also available for your reference on designating a charity of your choice.

To our esteemed emeriti and retirees, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your past support. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our community.  Please take a moment to review the letter from Dr. Durand (PDF, 171 KB) and consider completing the paper 2023 SEFA pledge form (PDF, 3.8 MB). You can mail it with your donation to Maria C. Garrity, Buffalo State University, Twin Rise 204H, Buffalo, NY 14222. Please make checks payable to SEFA.

Please contact SEFA/United Way co-chairs Wendy A. Paterson, Ph.D, dean of the School of Education, or Maria C. Garrity, senior systems programmer in Information Technology, with any inquires. 

Together, we can make a significant impact! Thank you all for being an essential part of our community.

A reminder that students will have until midnight Friday, December 1, to submit their pass/fail requests for fall 2023 through Banner. Advisors are encouraged to monitor their Buffalo State email for these last-minute notifications regarding requests.