The Research and Creativity Council (RCC) is pleased to announce this call for submissions for the annual Faculty and Staff Research and Creativity Forum. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the traditional fall forum was postponed. In recognition of the scholarly and creative work that the Buffalo State College community has continued to pursue despite the global pandemic and the many unexpected challenges we have all faced since March 2020, the Digital Commons will host a virtual “poster session” forum of research presentations. We encourage all Buffalo State faculty and staff members to submit their latest research and scholarly endeavors to this forum (multiple submissions are welcome). All submissions will be peer reviewed before publication in the Digital Commons.

Please follow the instructions below:

1. All presentations must be submitted via PowerPoint. You are encouraged to use voice-over annotation throughout the presentation.
2. Please include your name(s), job title, department, and school and the title of the presentation on the first slide.
3. Please limit the total presentation to three or four slides.
4. Please submit your presentation electronically.
   a. Select your school.
   b. Click "Submit Your Work."
5. Submission due date: Friday, May 14.
6. Forum publication date: Friday, May 28.
7. Please contact Raquel Schmidt, chair and associate professor of exceptional education, or Gina Game, research compliance manager for sponsored programs, with questions.

Please join Buffalo State College students and alumni to view a work in process in collaboration with acclaimed global artist Michael Mwenso today, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Since mid-February, Mr. Mwenso has worked with students and alumni to develop a work based on his curriculum “Hope, Protest, and Resilience through the Black Arts.” He met with students through a hybrid model and spoke, danced, and sang with them about the history, spirit, and joy of Black art in our current climate of Black Lives Matter and the COVID-19 pandemic. The students used music from Mwenso and the Shakes to develop a premier piece with the Buffalo State’s Runway theme, “History Retailored,” showing in May.

We thank the Grant Allocation Committee, the Theater Department, the Africana Studies Interdisciplinary Unit, and Buffalo State Runway for their support in bringing this wonderful collaboration of art, healing, and research from the Black perspective to life.

Join the Zoom meeting.

Meeting ID: 856 8230 9474
Passcode: 880414

A Social Justice Subcommittee work group of the President's Equity and Campus Diversity Council is seeking feedback from full- and part-time faculty members as part of its efforts to draft recommendations regarding opportunities to integrate social justice content into the undergraduate curriculum. Our goal is to build faculty input into the planning process so that the resulting recommendations are informed by and reflective of the breadth of pedagogical acumen on campus. 

A link to the anonymous survey was emailed to full- and part-time faculty members on April 12 and will remain open for responses until Wednesday, April 28. Thank you for your assistance with this initiative. If you have any questions, please contact James Golden, assistant professor of social work.

This year’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, April 20, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. For the past 20 years, Buffalo State College students, faculty, and staff members have come together to celebrate the lives and memories of campus community members who have passed away during the last year. This event is a meaningful tradition that provides a forum to remember those members of our Buffalo State community who are no longer with us. This nondenominational, spiritual celebration honors their lives through music, readings, and the lighting of candles. The name of each Fallen Bengal will be read aloud, followed by the ringing of our memorial bell.

RSVP online by noon on Tuesday, April 20, to receive the Zoom link and invitation. The program will be recorded for those who cannot attend the live Zoom event.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service is coordinated by the Dean of Students Office and the Weigel Wellness Center. If you are aware of a campus member who has passed away since 2020 and would like to add his or her name to the list of remembrances, please email the student resource coordinator with the relevant information.

From the Chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee
Three at-large College Senate positions will become vacant on August 30, 2021. Additionally, one University Faculty Senate alternate position is vacant. Two at-large Senate seats will be open to academics only, and one at-large seat will be open to professionals and academics. All full-time faculty and professional staff members are eligible to run for these seats provided they meet other eligibility requirements (see below).

At-large senators represent the entirety of the college. The University Faculty alternate senator is a senator within both the College Senate at Buffalo State College and the SUNY University Faculty Senate. The alternate attends SUNY University Faculty Senate meetings only in the absence of the University Faculty senator.

A call for nominations and information about candidates’ statements is posted on the College Senate website. The call for nominations begins at 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 26, and continues through 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 30. Elections for these positions will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 3, to 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 7.

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 e-mail services for campaigning. Please limit campaigning to the candidate statement posted on the College Senate website, available to the college community on Monday, April 26.

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.

Distinguished alumnus Bob Williams, ’79, senior vice president of communications for the National Collegiate Athletic Association, will discuss sports communication careers and his role at the NCAA on Monday, April 19, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. 

Mr. Williams oversees the NCAA’s communications efforts through two units: external affairs and strategic communications. He is also the association’s primary media spokesperson. He joined the NCAA in February 2005 after more than 25 years of service with the United States Air Force, where he managed public relations activities in a number of capacities since 1980. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Buffalo State College and a master’s degree in mass communication and public relations from Boston University.

Join the Zoom meeting.

Meeting ID: 816 8761 6501
Passcode: 394747

Join us live on @bscrunway Instagram today, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. for a “Collaboration and Conversation with Africana Studies,” featuring Marcus Watson and Naila Ansari from Africana studies and Runway faculty director Erin Habes, with special guests Elayzha Nakia, Elijah Person, Maddy McDaniel, and FTT alumna Jayla Smith. 

This year’s digital Runway focus, “History Retailored,” revisits decades of accomplished Black designers through a social justice lens. There is much work to do. With the support of our Africana studies program, Runway reaffirms our desire to reflect, to learn, and to insist on a more diverse and inclusive future throughout the fashion industry. Tune in live as we discuss racial injustices and how to use your voice to advocate Black Lives Matter in the fashion industry and beyond. Learn more about the Buffalo State College Africana studies major.

Save the date: Digital Runway Fashion Show - Friday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit the Runway website.

The nomination period for the positions of president, vice president, recording secretary, and treasurer will be open from Friday, April 16, to Monday, May 10. Applications for election to office will be available from and must be returned to the committee members listed below. Applications will be distributed to individuals wishing to run for office themselves, and may not be requested on behalf of someone else, as membership status must be verified before an application can be distributed. Applications may be distributed in person or via email, and accurately completed and signed applications may be returned in person or via email, but must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 10, to be considered valid. As many employees have varying schedules because of the pandemic and remote work protocols, please plan accordingly and contact committee members before stopping by offices to request or drop off applications. Thank you.

Mary Codick, Chair, Chase Hall 222, 878-6121
Brian Everett, Clinton Center 120, 878-6124

From the Chair of the Bylaws and Elections Committee
As a result of the merger of the School of Natural and Social Sciences and the School of Arts and Humanities, the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee brought forth a motion at the March 12, 2021, College Senate meeting to change Article III, Section C, Number 5 of the Bylaws of the College Faculty. 

The motion is regarding the allotment of Senate seats for the new School of Arts and Sciences. The motion can be viewed on the College Senate SharePoint drive. The College Senate voted in favor of this motion at its April 9, 2021, meeting. It will now be brought before the Buffalo State College faculty (defined by the bylaws as all academic, professional, and managerial employees) for a vote.

Please complete the Qualtrics poll, which will serve as your vote, on whether the Buffalo State College faculty should or should not adopt the amended bylaws contained in the College Senate resolution.

The vote will be conducted between Tuesday, April 20, and Friday, April 23 (closes at 11:59 p.m.).

Please direct questions about this process to Ramona R. Santa Maria, chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee.

From the Chair of the Bylaws and Elections Committee
As a result of the merger of the School of Natural and Social Sciences and the School of Arts and Humanities, the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee brought forth a motion at the March 12, 2021, College Senate meeting to change Article III, Section C, Number 5 of the Bylaws of the College Faculty. 

The motion is regarding the allotment of Senate seats for the new School of Arts and Sciences. The motion can be viewed on the College Senate SharePoint drive. The College Senate voted in favor of this motion at its April 9, 2021, meeting. It will now be brought before the Buffalo State College faculty (defined by the bylaws as all academic, professional, and managerial employees) for a vote.

The vote will be conducted between Tuesday, April 20, and Friday, April 23 (closes at 11:59 p.m.).

Please complete the Qualtrics poll, which will serve as your vote, on whether the Buffalo State College faculty should or should not adopt the amended bylaws contained in the College Senate resolution.

Please direct questions about this process to Ramona R. Santa Maria, chair of the College Senate Bylaws and Elections Committee.