Located in 230 Student Union, the center specializes in addressing leadership concerns and in fostering individual and group leadership development for the entire UB community. The center offers training and guidance on such topics as listening skills, conflict management, creativity, diversity, conducting meetings, public speaking and teamwork.

"Students are still our main focus and will always come first," noted Frank Ciccia, director of student leadership development. "But if professors and other university professionals are able to take on an enhanced leadership role, it will enable them to better meet the needs of students."

According to Ed Brodka, assistant director of student leadership development, several departments and offices on campus are moving from a hierarchical structure to more of a team-oriented structure.

"We can point them in the right direction," said Brodka. "We don't teach 'how to be a better boss' but rather how to form coalitions and partnerships with people to increase the effectiveness of a group. If faculty and staff are working better in a team structure, then they will be more effective in how they deal with students."

Brodka and Ciccia noted that they have an extensive list of resources, including books, videos, audiotapes and CD-ROMs.

They emphasized that with the increasing emphasis on intensive teamwork in the classroom, as well as within individual departments, it is extremely important that everyone in the UB community is able to take on a leadership role in different settings.

According to Brodka, the resources on conducting meetings are the most popular with UB employees and students. "No one really talks about how to meet. People love it because we have guides on everything from how to formulate an agenda to tips on running a productive meeting."

All of the services and resources provided by the center are free to the UB community. "We are not trying to sell a book, an idea or a concept, but rather trying to meet the needs and concerns of students, faculty and staff here at UB," noted Ciccia. "We're encouraging the staff to use the materials in the center and to take advantage of the trained student consultants we have on staff."

Some leadership development workshops being offered this fall include: "Running an Effective Meeting" (Sept. 28), "Time Management Strategies for Success" (Oct. 14), "Successful Teams" (Oct. 27) and "Skills to Diffuse and Resolve Conflict" (Nov. 3).

For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 645-6125 or e-mail the Student Leadership Development Center at .