Each year, the Student Leadership and Engagement Office receives multiple requests from students to create new organizations on campus. At times, these organizations are without a faculty or staff adviser and are unsure where to look on campus to fill the role. In addition, adviser positions sometimes become vacant for returning student organizations.

The SLE Office would like to give faculty and staff members who are interested in advising an organization the opportunity to have their name placed on a list to be considered when organizations need one.

Faculty and staff members who are interested in advising can fill out the Student Organization Adviser Interest Form. Those who submit a form will be entered into a collection of potential advisers we can use to refer student organization leaders in need of an adviser.

Requirements and Responsibilities of Advisers

• Must be a full-time faculty or staff member. Graduate assistants or interns are not eligible to serve as student organization advisers. 
• Must have knowledge and understanding of the student organization’s mission, values, and history, lending continuity to the organization.
• Must be aware of and attend (when necessary) activities, meetings, and programs sponsored by the student organization.
• Must build trust with the student organization and establish guidelines for their role as adviser.
• Must encourage members to assume responsibility for their actions and effectiveness of their programs.
• Must guide student members, while at the same time allow them to plan and coordinate their own activities and programs.
• Must provide knowledge and information relevant to the needs of the organization through expertise and experience.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Luke Haumesser, associate director of student leadership and engagement. 

From M. Scott Goodman, Campus Signatory Official for the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects, and Jill Norvilitis, Chair of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects 
As the campus begins to reopen, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) continues to recommend that in-person human subjects research be avoided if at all possible and that alternative means of data collection be used.

However, if researchers must conduct in-person studies, the IRB will again be accepting such protocols for review. These protocols must address COVID-19 safety procedures. Further, researchers who wish to resume previously suspended studies must submit a modification to the IRB explaining how the researchers will minimize COVID-19 risks by completing the appropriate procedures for protocol modification, which can be found online. 

As part of the review process, new protocols and modifications are subject to review by the director of environmental health and safety.

Blackboard Inc. has provided a variety of webinars for instructors who are just getting started with teaching using Blackboard Learn Original and Blackboard Collaborate, as well as those who have started to transition to deliver instruction remotely and are looking to make some improvements.

Please see the list of webinars and register online.

Employees may update their phone numbers, home addresses, and emergency contacts and view their legal name, demographics, and education information in the SUNY System Administration’s Human Resources Self-Service Module.

Employees are encouraged to review their records annually to ensure that their information is accurate and up to date. If a change is necessary, it may be requested via the Self-Service Module. A user guide is available to assist employees in accessing and using the Self-Service Module. Home address and legal name changes may also be requested by completing the paper form. Campus directory updates may be requested using the paper or online Directory Add/Update Form. Departments with multiple directory edits for their staff members may e-mail a list of the changes to Noelle Fisher, office assistant 1 (keyboarding) in Human Resource Management.

Please e-mail Noelle Fisher or Lydia Kawaler, manager of personnel operations, in Human Resource Management with questions.

As we enter year three of our institution’s five-year Title III grant, we are excited to work with InsideTrack and launch Foundational Coach Training.  

InsideTrack is a higher education nonprofit organization that partners with colleges and universities across the country. Its mission is to unlock the potential of individuals and organizations by implementing student success programs that improve educational outcomes. 

We will host a five-day Zoom training on September 10, 11, 14, 16, and 18 for Buffalo State advisers, completion coaches, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) counselors, and Say Yes counselors. Each day, the training will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a one-hour break at noon.   

The training will focus on ways to incorporate coaching skills in our work with student to effectively and holistically support them.  

We are extending an invitation to Buffalo State faculty members to attend the training as well. However, we have space for only five faculty members.

If you’re a faculty member interested in this opportunity, please e-mail Agnes Zak-Moskal by 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 21. The first five faculty members to reply will be able to participate.  

Even though the space is limited at this time, more training opportunities will become available in the future. 

You can learn more about the Title III grant initiatives online or by contacting Agnes Zak-Moskal, Buffalo State’s Title III activity director. 

The New York State Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) is distributing summer member newsletters electronically because of the COVID-19 emergency.

As always, the newsletters are packed with useful information about NYSLRS benefits. Find out about new Retirement Online features, including a pension calculator that uses your current account information, and the ability to file a retirement application online.

The Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) newsletter (PDF, 687 KB) and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) newsletter (PDF,793 KB) can be found online.

The following seminars and workshops, which are required for most education majors, are now coordinated by the Teacher Certification Office: Child Abuse, SAVE, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Fire and Arson, and DASA.

Please e-mail the Teacher Certification Office with questions about these seminars, or visit the Teacher Certification website for more information.

The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan will host a series of educational webinars for all employees who wish to attend. The NYSDCP is a supplemental retirement plan that is also known as a 457(b) plan. It is designed to help state and local public employees achieve their retirement savings goals and help bridge any potential financial gaps in retirement.

Pre-Retirement Webinar
Wednesday, August 19
9:00 a.m.
This free educational webinar will explain important considerations to think about for those approaching retirement. The presentation will discuss longevity, income sources, asset consolidation, and withdrawals and required minimum distributions. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. (There is no need to download GoToMeeting software to attend.)

You can also dial in by phone: (669) 224-3412
Access Code: 762-860-141

Join from a video-conferencing room or system. 
Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com
Meeting ID: 762 860 141 
Or dial directly: 762860141@67.217.95.2 or 67.217.95.2##762860141

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Enrollment Webinar
Thursday, August 20
9:00 a.m.
This free educational webinar will explain the benefits of enrolling and participating in the NYS Deferred Compensation 457b Retirement Plan and how it can help you save for and live in retirement. The presentation will review the basics of investing and investment options, pre-tax contributions, and the easy and secure online enrollment process. Public School District employees may contribute to a 457b in place of or in addition to a 403b plan. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. (There is no need to download GoToMeeting software to attend.)

You can also dial in by phone: (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 385-350-565

Join from a video-conferencing room or system.
Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com
Meeting ID: 385 350 565
Or dial directly: 385350565@67.217.95.2 or 67.217.95.2##385350565

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Combined Pre-Retirement/Enrollment Webinar
Wednesday, August 26
6:30 p.m.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

You can also dial in by phone: (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 118-338-941

Join from a video-conferencing room or system.
Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com
Meeting ID: 118 338 941
Or dial directly: 118338941@67.217.95.2 or 67.217.95.2##118338941

To schedule a phone or online virtual appointment, please visit the online scheduling tool.

Episode 2 of the Data Science and Analytics program podcast Buffalo State Data Talk is now available. This podcast will introduce you to data and explore careers that involve data. This episode features Jessica Weitzel, CEO of VIA Evaluation. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

As the campus seeks to register and educate student voters this fall, we are also working to mobilize voters to the polls. Research shows that people who cast their first ballot when they are young (18–24 years old) are more likely to be lifelong voters in elections. 

To mobilize and encourage student voters, we are asking faculty, staff, alumni, and students to share their voting stories for the Bengals Voting Project. The Bengals Voting Project will use the Civic and Community Engagement Office's website and social media platforms to share our campus community’s voting stories as a way to inspire our students to make their voices heard. Please take five minutes to share your voting story with us.