The university is partnering with the other SUNYWest campuses-Brockport, Buffalo State College, Fredonia State, Geneseo State and Alfred University-as well as United University Professions (UUP) to offer employees Web-delivered, self-directed learning courses on a range of professional development and business-skills topics.

The courses will be provided through SkillSoft Corp., "a leading provider of critical business and professional e-Learning solutions for Global 2000 companies and government organizations."

UB employees can check out SkillSoft and the courses to be offered during information sessions scheduled for March 8 in Capen Hall on the North Campus. During the sessions, a SkillSoft representative will demonstrate the product, show employees how to access the courses and answer questions on the program.

The three-year SUNYWest contract with SkillSoft-supported in part through a $90,000 grant from the state-UUP Professional Development Committee-will allow 1,000 UB employees to access 106 on-line courses from their own Internet portals that will be provided by SkillSoft. Participants will be offered the menu of courses selected by SUNYWest, as well as other menus that provide additional resources related to the e-learning initiative.

The program is open to UUP members, as well as employees from all other bargaining units, and the Research Foundation, UB Foundation and Faculty Student Association.

The curricula cover a range of topics, including communication, customer service, finance/accounting skills, human-resource management, knowledge management, leadership, marketing, personal development, project management, strategic planning and team building.

All courses are of at least an hour's duration, with some requiring up to six hours for completion. Participants will be able to see the courses that they have begun and their progress toward completion. The system allows learners the opportunity to begin a course, work as long as their time permits, bookmark the page and return to complete the course requirements at a later time.

Certificates of completion will be awarded to participants who master designated courses in certain skill areas. For example, an employee can earn a certificate for completing five specified courses of instruction in fundamental supervisory skills.

In addition, mastery certificates are available in professional success factors and managerial success factors at two levels: the manager level and the executive level.

Once enrolled in the program, employees may continue taking courses during the first contract year, through February 2002.

In order to participate, learners must be able to access the courses from a Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0 workstation and be able to complete a minimum of two SkillSoft courses between March 8 and May 11. Additional courses may be completed as time allows.

After finishing each course, participants also must complete the Course Mastery Assessment.

Information sessions will be offered from 9-10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30-3 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. on March 8 in 201 Capen.

Space is limited to 47 participants for each session. To register for the sessions, contact Nancy Cullis in Human Resource Services at 645-5000, ext. 1292, or via e-mail at ncullis@business.buffalo.edu Participants also may register on-line at the HRS Web site at http://www.business.buffalo.edu.

For further information, contact Cullis or Jerry L. Linder at 645-5000, ext. 1262.