The Weigel Health Center, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy, will hold a flu vaccination clinic for interested faculty, staff, and students on Monday, October 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Weigel Health Center. If you are interested in receiving a flu vaccine, please schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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.

A New Hire Benefits Orientation will be held Friday, October 13, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Grande Conference Room, Cleveland Hall 418.

This orientation is for new hires who have yet to complete their health insurance and retirement paperwork and may have questions after reviewing the materials that were sent to them previously.

Registration is required. RSVP by email with your name; please use the word Orientation in the subject line. 

Consultants from TIAA will be on campus for individual consultations with Buffalo State faculty and staff members between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 416 on the following dates:

• Tuesday, October 3 (Turkessa Amoah)
• Tuesday, October 17 (Edmund Haspett)

Appointments are required.

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?

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

Buffalo State will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center. Donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and a free sickle cell T-shirt (while supplies last). Please register online.

The State of New York and 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 time frame.

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.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "A Movement Unseen: Bird Migration in Action," presented by Kyle Horton, assistant professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University, on Monday, September 25, at 3:00 p.m. in Science and Mathematics Complex 151. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar.

Abstract
As billions of nocturnal avian migrants traverse North America, twice a year they must contend with ever-changing landscapes driven by natural and anthropogenic forces, including the rapid growth of artificial glow of the night sky. While airspaces facilitate migrant passage, terrestrial landscapes serve as essential areas to restore energy reserves and often act as refugia—making it critical to holistically identify stopover locations and understand drivers of use. Dr. Horton will demonstrate how radar remote sensing data can be used to document critical migration hotspots, forecast avian migration, and raise conservation awareness for migratory birds across the U.S.

A New York State Pension and Retirement Education Program (PREP) seminar will be held Wednesday, December 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Airport Hotel, 4600 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga, NY 14225. There is no fee to attend, and your spouse or companion is welcome to attend, but you must make a reservation in advance.

Many retirees wish they began focusing on financial and retirement planning much earlier in their lives. Don’t let that happen to you! No matter how far along you are in your career, careful financial and retirement planning is critical. That’s why the Pension & Retirement Education Program (PREP) seminar is so valuable. This seminar will help you understand your New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) benefits while also providing essential retirement-planning tips, which will help you develop a plan to achieve your retirement goals.

Make your reservation via your online MyNYSTRS account at NYSTRS.org or by calling (800) 348-7298, extension 6180 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Seminars fill quickly, so book early! When calling to make a reservation, have the following information at hand: your Empoyee ID or Social Security number, email address, and phone number (and the same information for your spouse or companion if they are a NYSTRS member and will attend with you).

Topics covered during this half-day seminar include the following:

•  NYSTRS Benefits: Your pension, disability coverage, loans, vesting, and death benefits

•  Financial Planning: Saving early, catching up, withdrawals, and financial advisors

• Social Security: Benefits, eligibility rules, when to collect, and earning limits

• Estate Planning: Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills

• The Retirement Process: Retirement options, "resigning" vs. "retiring," choosing a retirement date, retirement checklist, monthly payments, taxes, and earnings limitations on NYS public employment

Helpful tips:

• Bring your latest annual Benefit Profile with you to the seminar. (You may print it from MyNYSTRS.)

• If you make a reservation but cannot attend, please call the number above to cancel (or cancel via MyNYSTRS) so we can offer your spot to another member.

• PREP seminars do not include individual retirement counseling. Visit the Retirement Planning/Benefits Consultations page at NYSTRS.org to learn how to schedule an individual consultation.

As part of the ongoing Elms Hall (Classroom Building) renovation, electrical work will briefly interrupt service to Weigel Health Center and Counseling Center next week.

At 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26, and again on Thursday, September 28, electrical power to Elms Hall and Weigel Health Center and Counseling Center will be disconnected to accommodate substation gear maintenance work. All building systems are planned to be restored by approximately 8:00 a.m. on both days.

Employees in Weigel are asked to power down computers and peripherals before leaving on the previous days.

Questions should be directed to Finance and Management, Vice President's Office.

Internal applications are being accepted for the following position on campus. This is an internal job posting open to employees of Buffalo State University who are currently paid from any state-appropriated-funds payroll.

Title: Staff Assistant / Pre-Award Associate
Department: Financial Operations
Rank: SL-2
Negotiating Unit: UUP

Brief Job Description
The Research Foundation (RF) for SUNY at Buffalo State University is seeking a dynamic individual in the Pre-Award and Contract Services division. Under the leadership of the Director, Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), and in a team oriented environment, the Pre-Award Associate acts as the primary point of contact working collaboratively with faculty and staff by providing information regarding policies and procedures, ensuring the proper review, process and approval of proposals.

The Research Foundation for SUNY (RF) is SUNY’s authorized representative for externally funded grants, contracts and other agreements. We provide leadership in grants and contracts administration from proposal development to closeout. We work closely with faculty to oversee the submission of grant proposals and ensure the responsible stewardship of research funding according to University, State, Federal and sponsor specific guidelines.

Provide direct support to the University community by identifying & disseminating funding sources and coordinating and facilitating the preparation and submission of grant proposals, ensuring appropriate University approvals and conformance with all regulations, policies and guidelines; serve as principal liaison between and among faculty, funding agencies and campus administrative offices.

Guide faculty in preparation of proposal budgets, ensuring that all requested items meet the criteria established by the sponsor, as well as conform to RF/SUNY Buffalo State policies. Prepare and review proposal budgets for grant submissions, assure conformance with sponsor guidelines and governmental regulations.

Serve as institutional administrator for GrantForward database system; includes control of campus access to the system for all modules, establishment of authorized users, and interaction with IT Department on troubleshooting problems. Communicate with faculty regarding funding interests and establishment of faculty profile within GrantForward.

Initiate preparation of New Award Input Form (NAIF) and cooperatively interact with Grants Management and Accounts Receivable on establishment of award, including any special conditions related to award set-up and administration. Attend Grants Management meetings on a monthly basis.

Assist PIs with completing the At Risk / Advance Account Request form.

Update the Agreements module in business tracking system.

Request Certificates of Insurance from RF Central Office Insurance.

Participate in various campus and RF meetings as needed.

Prepare quarterly and annual reports requested by Buffalo State administration and RF Central Office regarding proposals submitted and awarded to RF/SUNY Buffalo State.

Deliver presentations on a variety of grant and research administration topics to: graduate student classes, groups of faculty, and community groups. May involve public speaking to large, diversified groups, as well as presentations of mini-courses.

Maintain up-to-date working knowledge of Federal, State, Research Foundation, SUNY, and local policies and procedures pertinent to the job and title to ensure compliance in all work-related practices and transactions. Review relevant audit reports and responses in a confidential manner, ensuring that personal and office work practices adhere to agreed management actions.

To view the required qualifications and to apply, please view the posting on the Buffalo State Job Opportunities website.

This internal priority review date closes Wednesday, October 4, 2023.