Are you interested in taking students abroad? Are you considering a course that culminates in an in-country experience for you and your students? If so, then please join Buffalo State University's International Education Office for a brown-bag information session on Thursday, March 9, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. in Butler Library 316. 

Faculty members will learn how to navigate the study-abroad proposal process, the study-abroad website, and other resources available to assist them with the proposal process. Join us to gain a better understanding of SUNY and the university's travel policies and procedures. Come to be connected with like-minded colleagues. The world has reopened, and our students are interested in getting out there and making their mark.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Please contact Melissa Holland, director of international education, with questions.

The Collaborative Online International Learning connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions as part of their coursework. Would you like to explore the possibilities when you bring COIL into your teaching and research? If so, please join Buffalo State University's International Education Office for a brown-bag information session on Tuesday, March 7, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. in Butler Library 318. 

COIL collaborations between students and professors provide meaningful, significant opportunities for global experiences built into programs of study. COIL enhances intercultural student interaction through meaningful online engagement, while providing universities a cost-effective way to ensure that their students are globally engaged. Buffalo State is a member of the SUNY COIL center. As a member, we can offer you a multitude of professional development opportunities and a network of potential partners.

Please register for the information session through the Workshop Registration System. 

Please contact Melissa Holland with questions.

Buffalo State will celebrate 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness February 17–March 18. Join the movement! Prompts will be posted on the Civic and Community Engagement’s social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Download your Buffalo State 30 Days RAK Calendar (PDF, 164 KB). Then share with us your act of kindness with #RAKBUFFSTATE.

Help spread love at Buffalo State University by knowing that a small gesture can create a big change one act at a time. Join us in celebrating 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.

For more fun ideas, check out 80 more kindness ideas.

“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” – Max De Pree

Please stop by the lobby of Butler Library for a cup of hot chocolate to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on Friday, February 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (entrance by the quad). We will also have an adult coloring station to de-stress and a thank-you note station where you can write a note to a colleague, family member, or friend. 

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

The Continuing Professional Studies office proudly presents Crafts and Corks: A six-week ultimate tasting session for lovers of beer and wine.

The Ultimate Beer Lovers Experience meets Mondays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. February 20–March 27 and covers glassware, history, and food pairings. Taught by alumnus and self-described beer geek Tim Herzog, '80, founder of Flying Bison Brewery; and Craig Altobello, certified Cicerone and owner of Magic Bear Beer Cellar.

Registration closes tomorrow, February 15. Sign up today! All faculty and staff members receive a discount with code BENGAL.

The Bengal Stripes Leadership Program will host two workshops, "DiSC Profile Assessment: Deepen Your Understanding of Self and Others," on Tuesday, February 28, at 12:30 and 6:00 p.m. in Campbell Student Union 414. DiSC assessments are used in thousands of organizations around the world, from sprawling government agencies and Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits and small businesses. The reason is simple: DiSC profiles help build stronger, more effective working relationships. DiSC will teach participants how to raise self-awareness, improve teamwork, and make conflict more productive.

Registration is required; participants will be able to take the DiSC inventory for free and receive their own unique self-assessment report. This program is open to all Buffalo State students.

Please visit the Bengal Stripes Leadership Program website for more information on upcoming programs and workshops.

The Bengal Stripes Leadership program will host two Gallup CliftonStrengths Workshops on Tuesday, February 21, at 12:30 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. in Campbell Student Union 414. The Gallup Clifton Strengthsfinder is an assessment that measures the intensity of your talents in each of the 34 CliftonStrengths themes. These 34 themes represent what people do best and categorize ways to sharpen your skills, improve problem-solving, and aim your strengths at success.

Registration is required; all students who attend will receive a free CliftonStrengths assessment code and book. This program is open to all Buffalo State students. Please visit the Bengal Stripes Leadership Program website for more information on upcoming programs and workshops.

The Bengal Stripes Leadership program will host a campuswide restorative justice community circle on Thursday, February 16, at 12:30 p.m. in Campbell Student Union 400. The program will be facilitated by the Anne Frank Project and allow students to share their own stories related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This program is free and open to all Buffalo State students.

Please visit the Bengal Stripes Leadership Program website for more information on upcoming programs and workshops.

The CSEA Local 640 Veterans Committee is sponsoring a food drive to benefit local veterans. Collections of canned goods, toiletries, and nonperishables can be dropped off at one of the following locations:

Bacon Hall 302: Julie Wholf

Weigel Welllness Center: Rose Hyman

Cleveland Hall 414: David Lysiak

Clinton Center Main Office: Joe Abston

The drive will run March 1–31. Please direct questions to Julie Wholf, administrative assistant 1 in the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department. Thank you for your support of this worthy cause.

All faculty members are encouraged to attend training for Brightspace, the new SUNY-wide learning management system.

Online synchronous workshops will be provided by the SUNY Center for Professional Development. Registration is open.

Online asynchronous modules are available within the Buffalo State Brightspace environment on your dashboard.

Have other questions or need assistance?

• The Buffalo State IT Knowledge Base has many articles to assist with Brightspace. Use the search bar at the top to find information on other topics.
• Please direct any questions about Brightspace functionality to SUNY Online.
• If you need on-campus assistance from Instructional Design and Distance Learning, please submit a ticket through the IT portal.
• Check for upcoming Brightspace workshops on campus in the Workshop Registration System.