The International Education Office will hold its Fall Study Away Fair today, September 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Student Union Plaza. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Interested in studying away but not sure where to start? By attending this fair, you will learn the answers to the following questions:

What exactly is study abroad/study away?
Why should I study abroad?
What types of programs are available?
Where can I study abroad?
How much does it cost?
What kind of classes can I take abroad?

Representatives from SUNY-wide study-abroad programs, international internships, and National Student Exchange will be available to discuss national and international opportunities available to students.

Follow us for news and updates on Facebook and Instagram: @bengalsabroad

The International Education Office is pleased to announce the SUNY Study Away Fair on Thursday, September 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Plaze. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held in the Campbell Student Union lobby.

Interested in studying away but not sure where to start? By attending this fair, you will learn the answers to the following questions:

What exactly is study abroad/study away?
Why should I study abroad?
What types of programs are available?
Where can I study abroad?
How much does it cost?
What kind of classes can I take abroad?

Representatives from SUNY-wide study-abroad programs, international internships, and National Student Exchange will be available to discuss national and international opportunities available to students.

Follow us for news and updates on Facebook and Instagram: @bengalsabroad

Michael Spogli, TIAA’s financial representative, will be available for personal financial consultations with Buffalo State College faculty and staff members via telephone or Zoom videoconference on Thursday, September 2, and throughout the month.

Mr. Spogli can answer any questions you may have regarding your financial and retirement goals, review your investments, or help you enroll in a tax-deferred annuity account.

Sign up online or contact Michael Spogli directly, (585) 246-4631.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The first meeting of the College Senate for fall 2021 will be held Friday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person in Bulger Communication Center 215 (Newman Lecture Hall). Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, with questions. The format of the meeting (remote or in person) may be subject to change with evolving guidance from the CDC, state, and SUNY.

From the Chair of the College Senate
As we return to campus, I wanted to send a note of gratitude and welcome to the fall semester to our campus community on behalf of the College Senate. The last 15 months have been a journey that has tested our faith, our resilience, and our courage. As we turn the page with cautious optimism, I welcome you to the start of a new year and new beginnings. I also want to thank the Buffalo State College community for answering the challenges that we have faced each day for the last year and a half and for adapting our lives and work. The Senate leadership is thankful for being in communication with the administration over the summer. I look forward to our continued dialog and important work in representing the students, staff, and faculty in strengthening our cross-cultural and caring Buffalo State community as we begin the 150th year of the college and the 50th year of the College Senate in its current form.

Thank you and welcome to the fall 2021 semester.

Please join us to experience the sampling of a groundwater monitoring well on campus on Tuesday, September 14, during Bengal Pause (12:15–1:30 p.m.). We will meet outside the Science and Mathematics Complex on the east side near Lot I-37 at 12:15 p.m. This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff. A light outdoor lunch will be served.

Additional Applied Geography Bengal Pause activities will take place throughout the fall 2021 semester. Each activity is a low-stress, relaxed affair (many outdoors) designed to provide you with a unique hands-on experience. Consider these sessions an antidote to Zoom! Updated informational posters can be found in the Classroom Building, Science and Math Complex, and Campbell Student Union. More information is available under the “Applied Geography Bengal Pause” link on the left side of the Geography and Planning Department website under News and Events.

These activities are brought to you by the Buffalo State Grant Allocation Committee and the Geography and Planning Department.

The SUNY Online Teaching unit has developed a portfolio of resources in a variety of modes to best fit institutional or individual needs. We will continue our monthly webinar series to provide an overview of the various resources resuming in September 2021. All webinars will take place from noon to 12:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars for the dates below.

Wednesday, September 22
OSCQR and Regular Substantive Interaction (RSI)

Wednesday, October 13
SUNY Online Teaching Community Engagement and Resources

Tuesday, October 26
Checklist for Remote Teaching

Tuesday, November 16
Supporting Online Student Success

Wednesday, December 8
Interested in Teaching Online

Read more details and register for these free webinars on the SUNY Center for Professional Development website.

We hope to see you at one or more of our upcoming virtual events, and we wish you a successful fall semester!

The Professional Development Center would like to form running, jogging, or walking groups who will meet weekly to exercise around Buffalo State College's campus together during the fall 2021 semester (weather dependent). If you or someone you know is interested in participating in one of these groups, please complete this form by Friday, September 3.

If you have any questions, please contact the Professional Development Center.

Please join us for "Reconnecting to Campus: Strategies for Employee Wellness, Productivity, and Self-Care," facilitated by Jonathan Hulbert, director of leadership and organizational development. The following virtual and in-person sessions will be offered. Please register below.

Butler Library 318 Sessions:

Thursday, August 26, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Zoom Session:

Thursday, August 26, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Friday, August 27, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Please email the Professional Development Center with questions.

Buffalo State College currently supports two different platforms for web conferencing: Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Microsoft Teams Meetings. Both can be used in a variety of scenarios including meetings with department members, committee meetings, virtual office hours, class meetings, and more.

Blackboard Collaborate has gone through several upgrades over the last year, including Gallery View for all participants and an improved Whiteboard experience. More information about Collaborate can be found at Blackboard's Collaborate Ultra Experience Help site and Instructional Design and Distance Learning's Blackboard Collaborate page.

The SUNY Online Support Services Help Desk is also available to assist faculty, staff, and students via phone or the Internet.

Microsoft Teams Meetings has also evolved recently, with new features being added regularly. Knowledge Base articles about Teams Meetings can be found in the IT self-service portal including

• Schedule Online Meetings with Microsoft Teams
• Student Guide to Microsoft Teams Meetings
• Recording Microsoft Teams Online Meetings
• Live Captions in Microsoft Teams Meetings

A service ticket is also available (Microsoft Teams Meetings Assistance) where users can request help.

Several great resources can be found in the Microsoft Teams Meetings help section of support.office.com, as well.

Faculty and staff members can also request individual training sessions through our Bookings site.