Please join the Geography and Planning Department, the Political Science and Public Administration Department, and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office for the virtual presentation “Peace Zones in the Philippines and the Spatialities of Peace” on Wednesday, March 23, from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.

The speaker is Nerve V. Macaspac, assistant professor of geography in the Department of Political Science and Global Affairs at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York (CUNY). The presentation focuses on the phenomenon of community-led peace zones as spaces of civilian protection during violent conflict. Through a case study in the Philippines, it examines the kinds of spatial practices required from civilian communities in maintaining the peace zone as an alternative geopolitical space and what these tell us about the spatial features of peace and peace more broadly.

His talk is part of a celebration of the 11th annual Southeast Asia Week March 21–24. Participants must register online by 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, to receive the Microsoft Teams link.

Please join the Geography and Planning Department, the Political Science and Public Administration Department, and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office in celebrating the 11th annual Southeast Asia Week with a panel discussion on governance, politics of COVID-19, and race on Tuesday, March 22, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 425 and virtually. Registration is required by 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 21.

Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science and public law, who also serves as the coordinator of the American Democracy Project and Conflict Analysis and Resolution Program; Patrick McGovern, associate professor and pre-law coordinator; and Vida Vanchan, professor of geography and planning and political science and public administration, make up the panel. They will discuss how authoritarian leaders, aggressively undermining democratic ideals and institutions, have weaponized their response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a consolidation of power and enhancing their ability to control their constituents.

They will also discuss the manipulation of language as it relates to threats and COVID-19, the hyper-individuality that comes with Western-style democracy, and how Southeast Asian cultures are wary of the forces that postmodern society may release. And finally, they will explore the impact the pandemic has had on race.

Please join the Geography and Planning Department, the Political Science and Public Administration Department, and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office in celebrating the 11th annual Southeast Asia with a presentation by students in the Geography of Asia course on the country, history, wars, politics and pandemic management of Thailand and Myanmar on Wednesday, March 23, from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. in Technology Building 358. 

In celebration of the 11th Annual Southeast Asia Week, please join the Geography and Planning Department, the Political Science and Public Administration Department, and the Equity and Campus Diversity Office to discover the country, history, wars, politics and pandemic management of Brunei on Monday, March 21, from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. in Technology Building 358.

Students in the Geography of Asia course will give presentation, following an introduction by Vida Vanchan, professor of geography and planning and political science and public administration.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
Two at-large College Senate positions will become vacant on August 29, 2022. At-large senators represent the entirety of the college. All full-time faculty and professional staff members are eligible to run for these seats provided they meet other eligibility requirements (see below).

A call for nominations and information about candidates’ statements can be found on the College Senate website. The call for nominations begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 18, and continues through 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 22. Elections for these positions will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 25, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 29.

Senate elections conducted by the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of the Professions, and the Professional Staff Caucus should be concluded before April 29.

Eligibility: Current College Senate members who are completing two consecutive terms in their respective positions are not eligible for reelection. For additional information on eligibility requirements, please consult the Bylaws of the College Faculty on the College Senate website.

Campaigning: The College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee strongly discourages using college email services for campaigning. Please limit campaigning to the candidate statement posted on the College Senate website, available to the college community on Monday, April 25.

Please note: Individuals running for a senator position in another election may not also run for an at-large senator position while the other election is being conducted. If the other election concludes during the period when nominations for at-large senators are still being accepted, eligible individuals may self-nominate for the position.

If you are interested in being a candidate, please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate. We look forward to your participation in the vital process of campus governance.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
A faculty vote was conducted in February to determine which proposal should be put forth to amend bylaws Article III C(5). Choice 3 received the majority of votes. Choice 3 states, “Seats are distributed proportionally to the number of full-time teaching faculty within each school.” This proposal was presented at the March meeting of the College Senate and will go forward for a vote in April. 

Thank you to those who participated in this process of shared governance.

Top o’ the morning, Buffalo State College. Chartwell’s is offering St. Patrick’s Day food and beverage specials through Friday, March 18, in the Campbell Student Union food court:

• Shamrockin’ shake, a special chocolate mint chip blend, at True Burger: $4.09
• Irish crčme latte, a mix of Irish crčme syrup, espresso, and milk, at Spot Coffee: $3.79–$4.69
• Giant shamrock sugar cookie, complete with green frosting and sprinkles, at Spot Coffee: $1.99
• St. Patrick’s Day Refresher, a kiwi-starfruit refresher sprinkled with a little luck, at Starbucks in Butler Library: $4.25

Hours of operation vary by location and can be found on the Chartwell’s website. If you have questions or would like help catering your next event, please contact Maggie Balcerzak, Chartwell’s marketing manager.

From the Chair of the Search Committee for the Vice President for Enrollment Management
The search committee for the vice president for enrollment management invites the campus community to attend the following open forum, during which the candidate will make a short presentation on his vision for Enrollment Management at Buffalo State College and answer questions:

Candidate 2: Kevin Browne, today, March 15, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 217, or via Microsoft Teams.

Attendees are invited to share feedback on the candidate with the committee via this link.

The spring 2022 “Conversations in and out of the Disciplines” series kicks off this Friday, March 18, when Natalie Szymanski, assistant professor of English and director of the College Writing Program, presents “From Invisible to Promoted Labor: Burning Down Updating the Tenure and Promotion System.” The talk, followed by a question-and-answer session, will begin at 3:00 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 320. Everyone is welcome.

Please also mark your calendars for the second and third talks of the semester. On Friday, April 15, Sue Maguire, associate professor of anthropology, will present “Making Connections: Exploring Interdisciplinary Approaches to Archaeology at Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown, New York.” 

And on Friday, April 29, Gehan Senthinathan, assistant professor of social and psychological foundations of education and adult education, will present “Sweet Neuroscience: Intermittent Access and Excessive (Addiction-like) Consumption.”  Each of the talks will begin at 3:00 p.m. in Ketchum Hall, Room 320, and will be followed by a Q&A.

The “Conversations” series was started over a decade ago by Ann Colley, SUNY Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, to “celebrate and draw attention to the research being done in various departments at Buffalo State College.” Over the last few years, colleagues from Anthropology, Art Conservation, Art History, Biology, English, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Secondary Education (among others) have shared their work with the Buffalo State and Buffalo communities.

Anna Cooke, ’17, ’20, owner of Black Mind Meditation & Coaching LLC, is offering three mindfulness workshops this spring that are open to Buffalo State College students, faculty, and staff.

“Conquer Yourself Before Life Conquers You” will be held today, March 15, at 12:30 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. Participants will learn how to identify triggers and improve their mental health by using visualization, meditation, and mindfulness techniques that can be modified for busy lifestyles and used virtually anywhere.

“Rethink Cutting Them Off: Reassigning Relationships” will be held Thursday, April 14, at 12:30 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203. Participants will learn how to change their perspectives in exhausting relationships. They will use techniques taught in the March workshop to help manage uncomfortable emotions that may arise during the reorganization process.

“Redefine Self-Care” will take place Wednesday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m. in Technology Building 258. Participants will learn how to create a routine that encourages stress management, boosts inner confidence, increases inner peace, and helps facilitate good energy.

The workshops are co-sponsored by the Grant Allocation Committee and Weigel Health Promotion. Advance registration is appreciated but not required.