University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Tree huggers needed

Volunteers are needed to help plant a grove of trees at UB’s Solar Strand, the solar-power generation facility and public art installation on the North Campus.

The planting will take place from 9 a.m. to noon—rain or shine—on Oct. 23 at the Solar Strand on Flint Road near Maple Road, across from the Center for Tomorrow.

Volunteers are asked to arrive between 8:45-9 a.m. to receive their assignments. They should dress for the weather; closed-toe boots or shoes are required and gloves are encouraged.

All equipment and planting materials will be provided. Light refreshments will be served.

The 90 trees that will be planted will help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—it is estimated to reduce the university’s carbon emission by several hundred metric tons—and make the Solar Strand a peaceful gathering place for social and educational activities.

Once completed, the massive, 3,200-panel solar array will have a rated capacity to produce 750,000 watts of energy—enough to power hundreds of on-campus student apartments, UB officials say.

Those interested in volunteering should click here.

Business Day 2011 set for Oct. 27

Business Day 2011, the annual day of training, information gathering and networking presented by University Business Services, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Ramada Inn & Conference Center 2402 North Forest Road, Getzville.

The theme this year is “Charting a New Course for Success.”

The event will feature workshop sessions on new business systems, requirements, processes, and other current topics, as well as UB and vendor information tables, prizes, refreshments and networking opportunities.

Visit the Business Day website for the workshop schedule and registration. Deadline for registration is Oct. 18.

FBI agent to speak on gang behavior

The School of Public Health and Health Professions and University Police will host a seminar on “Gang Behavior as a Public Health Issue” for students, faculty and staff from noon to 12:50 p.m. Oct.19 in 150 Farber Hall, South Campus.

Speaking will be Darell Dones, supervisory special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who currently is assigned as a criminal behaviorist and adjunct faculty member in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.

“Gang violence presents a rapidly growing public health emergency that is epidemic across the United States,” says Paul Wietig, core curriculum coordinator for the School of Public Health and Health Professions and seminar co-organizer with UB Police Chief Gerald W. Schoenle.

“Gang membership is a risk factor for drug use and violence, and it places huge burdens upon the health and well-being of victims, their families, friends, witnesses and even the perpetrators themselves,” says Wietig.

The seminar will address the role of communities in both the onset and resolution of gang membership, as well as the social and behavioral science programs that can provide multiple levels of intervention.

For more information, contact Wietig at 829-6169.