Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Nocturnal Primates and Our Views on Human Evolution,” presented by Stephanie Poindexter, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo, on Monday, October 30, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Math Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar.

Abstract
This talk centers on the diverse world of nocturnal primates and their importance in understanding human evolution. Studies on primate evolution regularly focus on the pivotal times and traits that prompted the emergence of all the diverse humans we see today. We can look to living non-human primates to reconstruct ancestral states and estimate evolutionary pathways. Still, we often attempt to create a comprehensive picture with a limited dataset, biased by a historical emphasis on diurnal primates. Dr. Poindexter will present new data on nocturnal primates that may disrupt how we see non-human primates and ourselves.

Please join us for "Environmental Enforcement in Western New York," a presentation by Lourdes Vera 
assistant professor in the departments of Sociology and Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo, on Monday, October 30, from 4:50 to 6:10 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. The presentation is part of the Data Science and Analytics Seminar Series.

Presentation highlights:

• Open source, accessible data tools for communities and researchers to analyze EPA enforcement and compliance history data
• Examining the importance of government information and participatory democracy  
• Exploring issues in accessibility versus availability, equity, and justice with federal environmental data
• Investigating how environmental data exists at the government’s discretion and how it can be used both for the public good or in harmful ways 

Dr. Vera holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Northeastern University and a B.A. in urban studies from Barnard College at Columbia University, and is a former high school science teacher. As an environmental sociologist and civic scientist, she works with communities near industrial activity such as fracking to monitor their air for contaminants. She also serves on the Coordinating Committee of the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, envisioning and building digital tools and research infrastructures for environmental data justice. Her interdisciplinary work spans environmental health, social science, and critical theory.

The Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department extends its warmest congratulations to lecturer David Lanz on his retirement. Mr. Lanz is a longtime (18-year) adjunct faculty member for the department. He began teaching for Buffalo State in 2006 following his career as a teacher, director of instructional computing, and chief school planning officer for the Buffalo Public Schools. His résumé speaks of deep and broad experiences in teaching, planning, and integrating technology in instruction, skills he brought to our teacher candidates through his teaching of our required foundational courses in educational technology. His presence at faculty meetings was always appreciated, and his dedication to the students of Buffalo State has been unfailing. Faculty and students alike will miss his enthusiastic sharing of his experience and expertise as he moves into full retirement.

We invite the campus community to visit the Garman Art Conservation Department's annual Open House tomorrow, October 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the second floor of Rockwell Hall. The Open House gives visitors a peek into the world of art and cultural heritage conservation. Come and see what our graduate students and faculty members have been conserving this past year and take a tour of our state-of-the-art studios and labs. Even if you have visited in the past, we have new projects on view and demonstrations to see. The event is free and open to the public. Please email the Art Conservation Department with questions about this event.

The Teacher Education Council (TEC) will meet Friday, November 10, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418. 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 TEC representatives cannot attend this meeting, a proxy should be sent in their absence for voting purposes.

Future 2023–2024 meetings: December 8 (noon start time), February 9, March 8, April 12, and May 10 (noon start time).

The State of New York/United University Professions Joint Labor-Management Committees have announced that $28,319 has been allocated to SUNY Buffalo State for Individual Development Awards for the retroactive period of April 1, 2023, through July 1, 2023. Please note: all activities funded by this retroactive program must have been completed during the above timeframe.

This program is intended to assist employees in the UUP bargaining unit in developing their full professional potential and preparing for advancement by funding professional development activities. Information on eligibility requirements, types of projects or activities funded, funding priorities, expenditure limitations, and the application and instructions are available on the Human Resource Management website.

The maximum amount that can be awarded for each employee under this program is $2,000. Employees may be funded for up to two projects or activities, not to exceed a total of $2,000 for the period of April 1, 2023, to July 1, 2023. 

Applications for this award period must be received at uupida@buffalostate.edu no later than November 17, 2023.

Individual Development Awards committee members are Lisa Marie Anselmi and Jude Jayatilleke representing UUP, and Erika Grande and Charles Lyons representing management. If you have questions regarding the awards, please contact Erika Grande, manager of personnel operations in Human Resource Management.

Actor and comedian Pete Davidson will be returning to the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall tonight, October 25, at 7:00 p.m. for another sold-out performance. Anyone on campus between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. tonight should expect large crowds. A few limited seats may open up for those still interested in purchasing a ticket. Check buffalostatepac.org to see if any tickets become available.

Actor and comedian Pete Davidson will be performing sold-out shows in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall at 7:00 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, October 24 and 25. Anyone on campus between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. tonight and tomorrow should expect large crowds. A few limited seats may open for those still interested in purchasing a ticket. Check buffalostatepac.org to see if any tickets become available.

The Future Forward Committee and Future Forward Advisory Committee, which were established last spring to develop suggestions and opportunities for moving the university forward, are continuing their work this year through a think-tank forum. One of the themes that became evident through analysis of multiple forums with faculty, staff, and students was a need to focus on engagement as a factor in student retention. The committee presented its findings to Interim President Durand, received feedback and support, and worked together to determine next steps. The result was a desire to create more opportunities to positively and constructively involve faculty and staff members in problem solving. Therefore, the first Future Forward Think Tank will examine this question: How might we ensure that every Buffalo State student is connected to an affinity group?

Affinity groups, simply defined, are groups of individuals who share a common purpose or interest. Within a university setting, affinity groups may be intentionally created to develop a sense of identity, be it around academic programs, Greek life, research teams, intramural sports or athletics, learning communities, clubs and organizations, and much more. Research continues to demonstrate that students who engage in affinity groups achieve greater academic success and sense of belonging (Alicea & Johnson, 2023; Peltier et al., 1999). Student persistence is linked to successful social integration in the campus community, and affinity groups provide pathways for students to become engaged based on their diverse identities (Museus & Quaye, 2009). 

This first Future Forward Think Tank will explore the affinity groups that already exist on Buffalo State’s campus, as well as what opportunities exist to develop new affinity groups based on the diverse identities of our students. Opportunities and insights will be shared with the interim president for further consideration. 

If you would like to be a part of this conversation, please join us for coffee and a conversation on Friday, October 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. RSVP online.

Buffalo State Dining is running a survey to gain important feedback that will be used to help us reinvent the dining experience on campus. This survey is confidential and entirely anonymous. If you have any questions regarding the survey process, please email Emily Scarsella, field marketing and student engagement manager.

On behalf of Buffalo State Dining, thank you for taking the time to participate!