2015-2016

Congratulations to this year’s Professional Staff Award Winners, who were honored at a luncheon on May 18 in the Center for Tomorrow.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service

• David Costello
• Elizabeth Harding
• Christina Hernandez
• Kara Saunders
• Roberta Sullivan
• Radhika Suresh
• Cheryl Williams

Outstanding Service Award

• Brandon Gilliland

Outstanding Service to the Professional Staff Senate Award

• Ed Brodka

On June 2, 2016, the PSS Staff Development and Services Committee presented this day long conference at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center. The keynote speaker was Cindy Miller, 2010 National LPGA Teacher of the Year Golf Pro, player in five Women's U.S. Opens, and motivational speaker. Breakout sessions and door prizes were also offered. See the links below to pdfs from many of the presentations.

• "Own It"(677 KB) by Cindy Miller
• Workstation ergonomics pros and cons(214 KB)
• Change your workstation(2.9 MB)
• Changing a work relationship(813 KB)
• Getting involved in PSS
• Maximize your EDGE individual development plan(1.3 MB)
• Maximize your EDGE
• Resume writing guide template(174 KB)
• Resume w(27 KB)riting - coping with career employment transitions(27 KB)
• Resume writing - realistic advice(21 KB)

On June 1 the Sustainabile Living Committee sponsored a tour of Griener Hall, UB BikeShare, Lake LaSalle, Grace Plaza Rain Garden, sustainability features of the student Union, and a tour of the Campus Garden. Check out the UB Reporter article 

http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/stories/2016/06/sustainability-walk.html.

On March 15 the Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosted a panel discussion on transgender identities as part of their Education & Advocacy Series of events. The panel featured both UB staff and community members sharing insights, tips, and resources. As policies and attitudes change nationally to better reflect transgender individuals, including here at UB and SUNY-wide, it becomes increasingly important that we engage in open and informative conversations about what it means to be part of an inclusive and equitable learning community. See Time Warner News's report on the panel.

The UB Offices of Shared Governance: Faculty and Professional Staff Senates celebrated the first annual “UB Day of Shared Governance” March 1, 2016. In the spirit of positioning UB as a leader in SUNY shared governance, the two Senatesdeclared that the first Tuesday of March be known as “University at Buffalo Day of Shared Governance” and that it be observed together by the five pillars of shared governance, including faculty, staff, students, administration and councils, as well as our alumni associations, through a series of informative, collegial, and celebratory events.

The featured event of the day took place at 3:00pm in the Center for Tomorrow: a historic joint session of the UB Faculty Senate and the UB Professional Staff Senate. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and SUNY Faculty Senate President Peter Knuepfer addressed attendees and along with President Satish Tripathi, Provost Charles Zukoski, Faculty Senate Chair Philip Glick and Professional Staff Senate Chair Domenic J. Licata. Following the joint session, Campus Dining and Shops will provided specially prepared selections from UB Big Blue food truck and the first public appearance of UB Little Blue food truck.

The Day of Shared Governance will began noon in 543 Capen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the change in name from the Office of “University Governance” to “University Shared Governance”. Last fall, a resolution for this change was approved by both senates and promulgated by President Satish Tripathi. The change signifies that in regards to each other and with the other members of UB shared governance, the senates will inculcate of the values of trust, collegiality, dialogue, sharing perspectives, listening, shared sense of purpose, recognizing differences while remaining open to finding common ground and transparency of information.

At 2:00pm in 531 Capen there was a special meeting of the UB Campus Governance Leaders group with Peter Knuepfer. The CGL was convened by previous Chairs Ezra Zubrow (Faculty Senate) and Ann Marie Landell (Professional Staff Senate) and includes leadership from constituent groups across the UB community, including the UUP, CSEA, PEF, PBA, RF, GSA and SA. The CGL meets regularly to discuss governance issues and shared concerns.

The Faculty Senate and the Professional Staff Senate made significant efforts towards meaningful representation of their constituents and their roles in shared governance. The SUNY Governance Handbook defines shared governance as the “structures and processes through which faculty, professional staff, administration, governing boards and students participate in the development of policies and in decision making that affect the institution.” Policy is not something that “just happens,” but rather should involve those with specific areas of experience and expertise who are directly impacted.

On March 1 the Faculty and Professional Staff Senates celebrated the first annual “UB Day of Shared Governance.” Positioning UB as a leader in SUNY shared governance, the two Senates declared that the first Tuesday of March be known as “University at Buffalo Day of Shared Governance” and it was observed together by the five pillars of shared governance, including faculty, staff, students, administration and councils, as well as our alumni associations, through a series of informative, collegial, and celebratory events. Learn the specifics.

Was held Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at UB's Student Union. This free event featured dozens of vendors offering ways to green our homes, yards, and offices while reducing our environmental footprint. Door prizes and free samples given away. Goodwill's truck was be located on the roadway in front of the Student Union to recycle gently used clothing, household goods, furniture, electronics and books to donate to their great cause. Free paddle boats were available on Lake LaSalle thanks to UB's Buffalo Outdoor Pursuits.

in 531 Capen there was a special meeting of the UB Campus Governance Leaders group with Peter Knuepfer. The CGL was convened by previous Chairs Ezra Zubrow (Faculty Senate) and Ann Marie Landell (Professional Staff Senate) and includes leadership from constituent groups across the UB community, including the UUP, CSEA, PEF, PBA, RF, GSA and SA. The CGL meets regularly to discuss governance issues and shared concerns.

As part of their Education & Advocacy Series, the Professional Staff Senate Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosted a Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act (aka Title IX) panel discussion focusing on campus sexual assault prevention, reporting and response on 9th. It featured Barbara Ricotta (Associate Vice President for Student Affairs), Sharon Nolan-Weiss (Title IX Coordinator/Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion), Elizabeth Lidano (Director of Judicial Affairs & Student Advocacy), Anna Sotelo-Peryea (Violence Prevention Coordinator, Wellness Education Services), and Joshua Sticht (Deputy Chief, University Police). Speakers discussed what the Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act is and what effect it has on campus.

On January 6 the Staff Development & Services Committee in connection with UB Alumni Relations hosted a FREE Lunch Time Webinar on LinkedIn. This Webinar was the second in a two part series. A recording of the first part about "Creating a Great Linkedin Profile" can be viewed here by logging in with your UB email to access this free recording. The recording for "Using LinkedIn as a Career Success Tool" can be found here.

Ed has also made a brief article on the topic available.

On December 9, 2015 the Inclusion and Diversity Committee hosted their annual potluck in the Student Union. This year PSS arranged a special shuttle service to bring staff members on the Main Street Campus to the event. Colleagues learned about UB's diverse communities while enjoying excellent food and networking oppurtunities.

Thursday, October 15, 2015 PSS members took a UB Stampede bus for a narrated tour of the downtown Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. First Stop was Educational Opportunity Center on Ellicott Street for a brown-bag lunch presentation. A brief 30 minute overview of LinkedIn was provided by Ed Brodka from UB Career Services teaching the basics and a few tricks that you may not already know.

On September 5th, the PSS gathered in Stampede Square for tailgating and the live music of Thompson Square. After the party PSS cheered on the Bulls home opener. Buffalo got off to a good start defeating Albany by 51 to 14.

Join those who simply don't have to park their cars. Take public transportation to work. You'll save money and help UB reduce its huge carbon footprint.

As a result of union collective bargaining, State of New York and Research Foundation employees are eligible to take advantage of a special federal program that allows us to purchase public transportation using pre-tax dollars. For most of us, that amounts to a 40% discount off the fare.

You can purchase monthly passes or use a pay-as-you-go declining balance card.

The NFTA sweetens to pot by giving monthly pass holders unlimited free travel on Metro Bus and Metro Rail over and above daily commutes. Monthly pass holders get special offers from merchants and discount admissions to local events.