The Teaching and Learning Center and Applied Learning are pleased to announce the fifth session in the new weekly conversation series in preparation for remote and hybrid learning in the fall, "Field Studies in Your Online Course" on Tuesday, July 28, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The series will look at a number of topics centered on applied learning in an online environment. A short presentation will be followed by a discussion exploring ways we can design new activities or adapt or revise current projects.

This session, presented by Jessica Kulak, assistant professor of health, nutrition, and dietetics, will present her experience with the field study component of her online course in fall 2019 and plans for further adaptation for fall 2020 due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Following the presentation, participants are invited to share their experiences, questions, and challenges.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

The Teaching and Learning Center and Applied Learning are pleased to announce "Beyond Discussion Boards: Other Methods to Encourage Student Collaboration," the next workshop in our new conversation series in preparation for remote and hybrid learning in the fall, on Tuesday, July 7, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The series will look at a number of topics centered on applied learning in an online environment. A short presentation will be followed by a discussion exploring ways we can design new activities or adapt or revise current projects.

This talk, presented by Katrina Fulcher-Rood, associate professor of speech-language pathology, will first discuss the use of discussion boards in online or remote classes including prompts, grading expectations, and rubrics. Following this, alternatives for student collaboration and engagement outside of discussion boards will be discussed (e.g., use of Google docs/presentations, breakout rooms, group discussion boards, etc). Time for brainstorming among attendees will end the talk.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

During our remote work environment and as we continue with remote instruction over the summer, please be mindful of the importance of communicating our availability over the Independence Day holiday.

Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4. Please note that the state has not designated an alternative day of observance for Independence Day in 2020. It is a "pass day" holiday. Under the state’s attendance rules, all eligible classified and unclassified employees will receive equivalent compensatory time off for the holiday, which is noted on the time and attendance records. Use of the holiday time should be requested in advance and approved by the supervisor. Please note that the holiday time cannot be used before July 4, 2020, and must be used before the holiday recurs.

Please post notices in advance in your offices (if applicable) and on your website, use the out-of-office automatic e-mail replies, and change voice mail recordings so that students and other employees are aware that the office is not available. These messages should provide information on whom to contact in case an issue requires immediate attention.

For more information on holidays, please visit the Human Resource Management website.

If you have questions, please contact Jamie Warnes, officer in charge, Human Resource Management, 878-4822.

From the Co-chairs of the School of Arts and Sciences Task Force
Since May 15, the task force charged with creating the underlying structures for the college’s new School of Arts and Sciences has been meeting weekly via Zoom conferencing. During these meetings, the 13 members have shared their ideas and insights to ensure that the creation of the new school aligns with Buffalo State College’s mission, vision, and values while equally representing the tenets of the current School of Arts and Humanities and School of Natural and Social Sciences.

During these virtual meetings, we’ve been struck by the level of respect that all members of the committee have demonstrated toward one another. Faculty members from the sciences have made sure that language reflecting the artistic and creative work of the arts and humanities is included. Likewise, Arts and Humanities faculty and staff members have called for inclusion of language describing the critical problem-solving and research emblematic of the sciences.

We’re happy to report that the task force has been working diligently to craft the new school’s mission, vision, and values statements. The members also serve on at least one subcommittee. Throughout May and June, they have been handling such tasks as writing the job description for the new dean, creating bylaws, and crafting promotion and tenure procedures.

Our goal is to have the dean’s job description completed by the end of July so the college can start a search for this position in the fall. And we intend to continue working on the other tasks until they are completed, ideally by the end of the summer.

Thanks to the contributions of the task force—a diverse group of voices and experiences—we’re confident that we will emerge with a thoughtful, unique, and thorough finished product that we all can be proud of.

Carol DeNysschen, Chair and Professor
Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics

Mark Warford, Chair and Associate Professor
Modern and Classical Languages

To prepare for the possibility of some version of remote instruction in fall 2020, the Teaching and Learning Center is pleased to share the following free external programming opportunities:

Inclusive Teaching: Supporting All Students in the College Classroom explores the principles of inclusive teaching and learning how to apply them in your classroom to support diverse learners.

REMOTE: The Connected Faculty Summit provides a forum to identify and promote the best possible pedagogy, techniques, and tools by faculty for online and blended learning to help faculty design the most engaging experience for learners.

For further information and resources, please visit the Preparing for Fall 2020 website. If you have program suggestions, please contact the Teaching and Learning Center.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 204 declaring that all state offices be closed on Friday, June 19, 2020, in celebration of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Non-essential employees regularly scheduled to work on Friday will receive the day off with pay.

Based on their work schedule for Friday, June 19, employees deemed essential for state operations will be granted one day of compensatory time off (CTO). Employees whose regular pass day falls on June 19 will be granted one day of CTO (i.e., 7.5 hours for a 37.5-hour work week and 8 hours for a 40-hour work week, prorated based on employment/payroll percentage for part time employees).

Any employee, essential or non-essential, prescheduled to charge leave credits on Friday will not be required to charge any credits for that absence. Employees on leave with or without pay not charged to credits, such as leave without pay, workers comp, military leave, sick leave at half pay, short-term or long-term disability, childcare leave without pay, leave donation (status is LWOP), etc., would not be returned to pay status or credited with CTO.

Employees may not be paid additional compensation in lieu of CTO. This policy applies to all employees regardless of Attendance Rules coverage. The CTO granted under this shall expire one year from Friday.

Department heads and supervisors should communicate to their classified and professional employees whether they will be required to work on June 19, 2020. Department heads and supervisors are encouraged to make every effort to consider requests from employees to have the holiday off.

Programming updates are being implemented in the SUNY Time and Attendance System. For questions about recording the holiday on time and attendance records, please contact Al Galone, manager of payroll, 878-4124 (for CSEA), or Carey Seneca, assistant manager of personnel operations, 878-3042 (for UUP).

The Daily Bulletin will not be published tomorrow, June 19, as the governor has declared that all state offices be closed in celebration of Juneteenth. Items for Monday's Daily, June 22, must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. today, June 18.

From the Chief of University Police
As we commence new student orientation programs this week and prepare to welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus this fall, I write today recognizing that many members of our valued Buffalo State College community are hurting, scared, frustrated, and angry.

Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. Rayshard Brooks. Just some of the black men and women who have recently died at the hands of police officers—the very individuals who were supposedly sworn to protect the communities they serve. These injustices lay bare the regrettable reality that systematic racism still deeply plagues our society.

The University Police Department at Buffalo State College strongly condemns the actions of those law enforcement officers involved in Louisville, Minneapolis, and Atlanta and stands in solidarity with the black community during this terrible—and too often repeated—moment in our nation’s history. I want every member of our community to know that you are welcome here. You are safe here. You matter here. Black Lives Matter here.

Central to our steadfast commitment to community policing is trust. But we fully acknowledge that trust in police right now is understandably hard to come by. While the abhorrent use of force and brutality exhibited by some police officers across the country does not in any way represent what we stand for at Buffalo State, our officers stand ready to earn your trust through our actions, outreach, and engagement with the incredible community we serve. We are here to listen to you. We are here to support you. We are here to serve and protect you.

Our officers regularly and actively participate in important training regarding de-escalation strategies and implicit bias, and we proudly partner with our colleagues in Student Affairs in restorative justice practices. As a campus-based police department, we are fortunate to have solutions that municipal departments simply do not have. Rather than focusing solely on punitive penalties, we can offer educational solutions where appropriate to help our students learn from their mistakes and reach their full potential. 

As an alumnus of Buffalo State, a graduate of the Educational Opportunity Program, and a 40-year member of this department, I want nothing more than for every member of our community to feel safe, secure, and supported at all times. In the coming weeks and months, if I or any member of our department can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us directly by e-mail at careypm@buffalostate.edu or police@buffalostate.edu, or by phone at (716) 878-6333.

Be well, fellow Bengals.

Sincerely,

Peter M. Carey
Chief of University Police
Buffalo State College

From the Chair of the College Senate
All final reports from the College Senate standing committees, presented at the May 8, 2020, College Senate meeting, are now posted on the College Senate Standing Committees web page. Reports given by Vice President Barnum at the May 8 Senate meeting are posted along with the podcast. All reports and podcasts for past Senate meetings are available on the College Senate website. Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, for more information.

From the Chair of the College Senate
The first meeting of the College Senate for fall 2020 will be held Friday, September 11, at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom web conferencing if COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. Any changes in location will be announced, and Senate members will be notified. Please contact Vincent Masci, assistant to the College Senate, for more information.