Universal Design for Learning at SUNY is offering an online, self-paced workshop that provides an in-depth introduction to the universal design for learning (UDL) framework. Registration for the self-paced online course is now open; the course begins September 1.

Participants will learn why the UDL framework is important, how to apply its principles and guidelines to their own courses, and best practices for interacting with students with disabilities. Participants of this workshop will leave with the skills and resources to apply what they learn about universal design for learning to design a new lesson or student experience, or to revise an existing lesson or experience. Participants who successfully complete the requirements of the course will earn a digital badge.

Please visit the Universal Design for Learning at SUNY home page to learn more.

The Maurene Callahan Bouras Center for Global Engagement would like to better understand Buffalo State’s personnel experience and interest in creating a diverse, inclusive, and internationalized campus. We believe that immersive cultural experiences, both locally and globally, influence students’ ability to respectfully engage with and learn from difference, meet the challenges of a globally connected society, and be good citizens and stewards of the world. 

This survey is meant to gauge personnel interest toward contributing to the Global Engagement Center's mission. An individual focused on furthering our goal will work collaboratively with our center as a campus ambassador. A campus ambassador can put forth meaningful effort toward assisting with on-campus international events, international recruitment opportunities, international student support, educational program development, or study-away opportunities. A campus ambassador is not limited to just one option, nor obligated to participate in all the efforts outlined above.

Please take a moment to complete the Campus Ambassador Survey.

Wegmans pharmacists will be on campus to provide flu shots for faculty, staff, and students on Thursday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 19, in the Weigel Health Center. Schedule your appointment online today. Walk-in appointments as available.

Free enrollment verification for students is available through Student Self-Service. Student Self-Service enrollment verification saves students a trip to the Registrar’s Office by providing them with the ability to perform the following services securely via the web 24/7:

• Print enrollment verification certificates to send to health insurers, housing providers, insurance companies, banks, consumer product companies, or other organizations  requiring proof of enrollment.
• Check the deferment forms and electronic notifications sent to lenders.
• Obtain a list of student loan lenders and link to real-time loan information.
• View enrollment history.
• View enrollment verifications provided to student service providers.

Student Self-Service is free, easy to use, and secure. Students can try it by logging on to Banner using their student IDs and PINs. Click path: Main Menu > Student > Online Enrollment Verification.

Note: If students want an enrollment verification for the fall 2023 semester, through drop/add, students must select the “advanced registration” option once they reach the enrollment verification page.

Student Self-Service is provided through the National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit organization serving the higher education community.

From the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
I am pleased to announce that Atta A. Ceesay, chair and associate professor in the Political Science, Public Administration, and Planning Department, has accepted the position of associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Ceesay replaces Carlos Jones, who has accepted a position at SUNY Brockport.

Professor Ceesay holds a Ph.D. in public administration from Rutgers University, School of Public Affairs and Administration. She also holds an M.B.A. from Governors State University, in Illinois, and a master of science in human resources from Widener University, in Pennsylvania, and has taught a wide range of graduate M.P.A. courses. She currently serves on several boards and is the current national treasurer for the American Society for Public Administration’s Section on International and Comparative Administration, and a founding member of the Section on African Public Administration within the same organization. 

Her interest in service includes public and nonprofit capacity building, program development, strategic planning, human resources management, and performance management and evaluation. Dr. Ceesay has extensive experience working and consulting with and in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. 

Please join me in welcoming Atta Ceesay to the School of Arts and Sciences dean’s office.

FeedMore WNY will be on campus Thursday, September 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Meals on Wheels for Western New York and the Food Bank of Western New York combined in 2019 to become FeedMore WNY. FeedMore is looking for volunteers for meal delivery, warehouse work, companion calls, its adopt-a-route program, and its angel card program.

Please contact the Civic and Community Engagement Office, (716) 878-3919, with questions.

Do you want to be a part of social justice? The Civic and Community Engagement Office will host Voice Buffalo on Tuesday, September 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Voice Buffalo was founded in 1996 by a diverse group of faith, labor, business, and community leaders who saw injustices happening in their community. They saw that public officials and unofficial power brokers who make key decisions weren't prioritizing regular folks. Voice Buffalo asked, Who stands up for the common citizen? When government and private sector decisions ignore the needs of the people, who will speak up for them? The answer: regular folks, acting collectively and using their voice. So they organized, and Voice Buffalo was born.

Please email the Civic and Community Engagement Office or call (716) 878-3919 with questions or comments.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will be on campus Tuesday, September 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for people like you to become a volunteer mentor, a Big. As a Big, you will be matched one-to-one with a child in your community. It takes only a few hours a month to make a BIG difference and help a child reach his or her full potential!

Please contact the Civic and Community Engagement Office, (716) 878-3919, with questions.

ConnectLife will host a blood drive on Tuesday, September 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. All donors will receive a voucher for a free all-you can-eat buffet meal and be entered into a Best of Buffalo raffle. Sign up online or visit us in the Campbell Student Union lobby on Wednesday, September 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and we can help you sign up.

Please email the Civic and Community Engagement Office or call (716) 878-3919 with questions or comments.

Welcome back to campus! Interested in learning new ways to engage your students, create positive class cultures, and weave socioemotional learning into your pedagogy? Then perhaps this is the semester you’ll add story-based learning to your professional toolbox. Please join Buffalo State’s Anne Frank Project for its fall 2023 faculty-staff SBL trainings on Tuesday, August 22, and Wednesday, August 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.

Previously trained faculty and staff members report strong improvement in student success and attendance when using SBL strategies. Using stories as the curricular platform, instructors are taught kinesthetic sequences and methods that help meet the learning needs of current university students; community building, conflict management, and identity exploration are taught alongside every academic discipline on campus.

This professional development opportunity is free to Buffalo State faculty and staff members (AFP charges off-campus schools and businesses). In addition to the two full days of training, AFP offers consulting and classroom application support throughout the fall semester.

Spaces are limited; please register online.

Please contact AFP director and SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Drew Kahn with questions or for more information.