Buffalo State University's Anne Frank Project will host its 15th annual Social Justice Festival, AFP 2023: Ideas + Action = Justice, October 4 and 5.

This year's theme is AFP 2023: Ideas + Action = Justice. We are actively seeking proposals from a variety of disciplines to share their expertise, skills, and artistry with university students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community members that will engage diverse communities in teachable ways to respond rather than react. Ideas without action require no courage, no research, and no truth. When ideas are followed up with action, positive impact becomes possible. This is a "response" not a reaction. The Anne Frank Project’s annual festival is the ideal platform for teaching people how to respond versus react to their worlds—this is the only way to make positive personal and social change: justice.

AFP invites presentations, workshops, and performances reflecting on this year's theme. In keeping with the kinesthetic and experiential pillars of the Anne Frank Project, we ask that all session proposals be crafted as one-third theory and two-thirds practice. Proposals are due Wednesday, May 24. Submit your proposal today!

For regular updates on the 15th annual Social Justice Festival, please visit our website and follow us on Instagram @annefrankproject.

Please contact Jonise Hall, AFP assistant director, with questions.

Buffalo State University's Anne Frank Project is thrilled to announce its 15th annual Social Justice Festival on Wednesday, October 4, and Thursday, October 5. This year's theme is AFP 2023: Ideas + Action = Justice. The academic festival has become a signature event on Buffalo State’s calendar each year. As we stubbornly maintain our original commitment to creating a student-centered, student-driven, student-owned social justice platform, we are also cognizant of the festival reflecting one of Buffalo State’s core values: social justice. This year’s theme directly reflects the core of our mission: Ideas + Action = Justice. This simple equation spells out the necessity of following our ideas with action if we desire effective results.

We live in a world where the ‘Twitter-verse’ and ‘TikTok-land’ can falsely reward ideas presented in isolation. Ideas without action require no courage, no research, and no truth, all fitting underneath the umbrella of "reaction." Reactions do not require education, and they have no lasting impact. When ideas are followed up with action, positive impact becomes possible. This is a "response," not a reaction. The Anne Frank Project’s annual festival is the ideal platform for teaching people how to respond versus react to their worlds—this is the only way to make positive personal and social change: justice.

We are also delighted to announce this year's Donn Youngstrom featured speaker, activist and model Autumn Rose Williams. Ms. Williams was crowned Miss Teen Shinnecock at the age of 16 and has been immersed in her culture, finding pride in her Black and Indigenous heritage. She educates and brings awareness to topics such as Afro-Indigenous culture, social justice awareness, and mental health. She will open the festival with a keynote address on Indigenous awareness, self-love, and empowerment on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Tower Auditorium, with an interactive workshop the next morning.

For regular updates on the 15th annual Social Justice Festival,  please visit the AFP website and follow us on Instragram @annefrankproject.

Please contact Jonise Hall, AFP assistant director, with questions.

As a public entity, partially funded by New York State tax dollars, the university provides a designated public forum to campus constituents and unaffiliated parties for the exercise of free speech rights. The views of the individuals speaking on campus are the views of the individuals alone and not of the university.

Buffalo State has resources available about “Freedom of Speech on Campus” (PDF, 181 KB). We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these resources. Additionally, we have a 24-hour Bengal Support line, which offers 24/7 support for students to help them manage their concerns. Call (833) 823-0260 to speak to a counselor for immediate support.

Staff members from the Steel Plant Museum of Western New York, which was established to help preserve and document the memories of the steelmaking industry in Western New York, will be in the Campbell Student Union lobby on Monday, May 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. looking for volunteers and to recruit members. Learn about the many ways you can support the SPM.

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

Please join us for the Interdisciplinary Iron Chef Competition today, April 18, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.) in Caudell Hall 218. This inaugural event involves an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Speech-Language Pathology and the Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics departments and is supported by Chartwells. Working in collaborative groups, students will make clinical recommendations based on their assigned case, design a meal, and cook it live "Iron Chef" style, before being judged by an esteemed panel. 

This event is free for the campus community, so please join us today. Attendees can enjoy light refreshments and will vote for a "Fan Favorite" award based on visual appeal!

The 2023–2024 re-registration process for returning student organizations began April 1 and ends May 31. Buffalo State has established registration procedures for student organizations to ensure the educational integrity of co-curricular activities on campus. Student organizations include clubs, organizations, fraternities, sororities, and honorary societies.? 

Bengal Connect Requirement
All student organizations registered with Buffalo State are required to have an updated and active Bengal Connect page. Bengal Connect is provided by United Students Government (USG) to connect students with affiliated organizations and extracurricular activities that enrich the campus community.  

Re-registration Process for Returning Student Organizations
Student organizations already recognized at Buffalo State must apply for re-registration on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the student organization to complete this process. Failure to comply with the re-registration process may result in a revocation of your student organization’s registration status. 

The re-registration period begins on April 1 and ends on May 31 each academic year.

1. Complete the student organization re-registration process via Bengal Connect. 
2. Provide an updated active membership roster, including the newly elected executive board (president, vice president, treasurer, secretary) for the upcoming academic year. All executive board members must be registered as full-time (12 credits), matriculated Buffalo State students. 
3. Submit the student organization’s most recent constitution and bylaws on Bengal Connect. 
4. Submit an updated Adviser Agreement Form. Student organization advisers must be a full-time Buffalo State faculty or staff member. If you need a new adviser, the Student Leadership and Engagement Office can assist in matching you to a full-time faculty or staff member through the Adviser Interest Form. 

Additional information on student organizations at Buffalo State can be found on the Student Leadership and Engagement website.

Buffalo State recognizes that student clubs and organizations are an important part of the university experience. Student Leadership and Engagement has a team of people available to answer any questions and assist your organization in this process.

It’s here! 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, April 14, 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.

The campus community is invited to join arborist Steven Sypniewski, Buffalo State University’s assistant campus planner and arboretum manager, for a tour of some of the significant trees and landscape plantings in Buffalo State University’s Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum on Tuesday, April 25, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

An arboretum is a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. Buffalo State University’s campus is effectively a beautiful outdoor classroom, boasting over 1,400 trees from over 100 varieties. There will be discussions on how the trees in our urban landscape can be challenged by air quality issues, drought, infestations, and the many construction projects on campus, as well as how the arboretum has improved in recent years with the introduction of more diverse tree and shrub plantings.

Registration for the tour is encouraged. Please email Mr. Sypniewski to register; however, walk-ups are also welcome. Participants, please meet Mr. Sypniewski at 12:15 p.m. at the west entrance of the Campbell Student Union. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear.

These tours are part of a series of April events sponsored by the Buffalo State University Sustainability Committee in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Campus map (PDF, 3.6 MB)

Members of the campus community are invited to enjoy a one-hour early-morning urban bird-watching tour in Buffalo State University’s beautiful Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum on Friday, April 21, or Friday, April 28, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Participants will see some of the common and not-so-common bird species that either reside on or visit our campus.

KimMarie Markel, academic affairs staff associate and birding enthusiast, will lead these walks, showing the diversity of birds in an urban setting and demonstrating that bird-watching can be done throughout the city, including on Buffalo State University’s tree-filled campus.

Please email Steven Sypniewski, arboretum manager, to register, indicating interest in either the April 21 or the April 28 tour. Groups will be limited to 12 people per tour. Registrants, please meet Ms. Markel at 8:00 a.m. on your tour day near the lion statues on the southwest corner of Rockwell Hall; dress for the weather, wear comfortable footwear, and bring binoculars if you have them.

These tours are part of a series of April events sponsored by the Buffalo State University Sustainability Committee in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Please join us for "Workshop 4: Put It All Together," the final workshop of the Certificate of Personal Well-Being and Development, presented by Alex Barilec, a professional certified health and wellness coach, on Thursday, April 27, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 425 or remotely via Teams.

Learning Outcomes
Mange Your Energy, Not Your Time

• Learn foundational tools for managing stress and prioritizing self-care.
• Shift from time management to energy management for sustainable success.
• Focus on creating a life outside of work.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Please note: You did not have to attend the previous three workshops to attend this session; however, if you would like access to the recordings in BizLibrary and reflection questions, please email Rebecca Eggleston, staff assistant in the Professional Development Center.