University at Buffalo Community Blog

University Community Farmers Market Opens Saturday

2012-05-18T16:50:00.000-04:00

The sixth season of the University Community Farmers Marketwill open Saturday May 19^th on the University at Buffalo South (Main Street) Campus featuring a variety of new and old vendors selling fresh food and local products.

The market will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through October 13^th on the Main Street sidewalk at Kenmore Avenue. Attendees can park for free in the Allen, Main and Bailey parking lots on the South Campus, directly behind the market across from the University Plaza.

“The University Community Farmers Market improves the quality of life in our neighborhood by providing an opportunity to buy healthy fresh produce from local farmers, to support local artisans, and to meet our neighbors in a relaxed outdoor environment,” said Gail Willsky, Market Manager and faculty in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Vendors will be selling fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan pasta, homemade cookies, bread, pastries, homemade jams, jellies, and relishes, homemade dog treats, herbs, plants, flowers, and in the fall season mums, pumpkins, winter squash, ornamental corn, corn stalks, and gourds.

The Market Planning Committee needs individuals to help coordinate the market, all are welcome. Vendor applications are encouraged. For more information contact the UB Office of Community Relations at 716-829-6145 or visit the market online here and on Facebook.

Farmers Market Seeks Vendors

2012-04-19T16:10:00.002-04:00

The sixth year of the University Community Farmers Market will open Saturday May 19th on the UB South (Main Street) Campus at 8:00am. The market is currently seeking vendors to apply to participate in the market season. Vendors must be sell produce or an artisan food product and carry liability insurance.

The market began in 2007 as a community event to bring fresh produce and market goods and support local business in the neighborhood. Each year more vendors and events are added to make the market an enjoyable community gathering place for all.

This market is a collaboration between the University at Buffalo, the surrounding South Campus neighborhoods and local organizations to promote wellness and community sustainability through the availability of fresh produce and locally grown food while promoting local entrepreneurs.

The market runs each Saturday through October 13th from 8:00am-1:00pm along Main Street at Kenmore Avenue. There is no vendor feel to apply and vendors can select which weeks of the 22-week season they would like to participate.

The 2012 market rules and regulation and vendor application is available HERE.

For more information contact UB Community Relations at 716-829-6145.

Lance Armstrong and the YMCA

2012-03-08T16:21:00.001-05:00

Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner and founder of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, has been added to the spring lineup of UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

Armstrong will speak at 8 p.m. April 28 in Alumni Arena, North Campus. Seth MacFarlane, creator of “Family Guy” and “American Dad!,” who originally was scheduled to speak on that date, has cancelled his appearance due to his production schedule at Fox Broadcasting Company.

In 1996, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Within months of his cancer diagnosis, Armstrong formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help others struggling with cancer. He survived the disease and went on to win the Tour de France a record-breaking seven times. Armstrong also is active with the LIVESTRONG campaign, which has become a global movement about hope, empowerment and taking control of your life and your health. His book, “It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life,” was the 2001 UB Reads selection (Armstrong did not appear on campus at that time).

Tickets for Seth MacFarlane are good for admittance to the Armstrong event, and need not be exchanged. Patrons desiring a refund for their MacFarlane tickets should do so at the point of purchase; visit the series’ website for more detailed information and instructions on ticket refunds. Armstrong tickets are on sale at the UB Alumni Arena ticket office and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Ticketmaster.com

Help Your Local YMCA
YMCA Buffalo Niagara has been selected as a finalist to receive funding allowing us to provide valuable programming for cancer survivors here in Western New York via the LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project.

The goal of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is to help participants build muscle mass and muscle strength, increase flexibility and endurance and improve functional ability. Additional goals include reducing the severity of therapy side effects, preventing unwanted weight changes and improving energy levels and self-esteem.

In order for YMCA Buffalo Niagara to receive the grant money however, we need your help in securing votes for our Association. YMCA Buffalo Niagara is one of nine YMCAs competing in our region and we need your help in spreading the word.

From today through Friday March 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm we are encouraging you along with your friends, colleagues, vendors, and family to vote for the YMCA to receive this funding. Starting today simply go to the YMCAs homepage and click on the Vote Today link. This will direct you to the LIVESTRONG Web site where you can cast your vote. Only one vote per valid email will be counted.

Click here to vote.

The UB undergraduate and Graduate Student associations, major sponsors of the Distinguished Speakers Series, will provide free tickets to UB students in April, during dates and times to be determined.

For more information on Lance Armstrong, the Distinguished Speakers Series and ticketing, visit the series’ website .

Garden Walk Call for Artists

2012-03-01T12:05:00.005-05:00

The Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk is looking for submissions of original artwork for the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk 2012 posters. Artwork should be garden-related. Entries are due by Saturday, April 30, 2012.

Artwork may be in the form of a painting, photograph, drawing, illustration, mixed media/collage, or digital art. Email up to five medium quality jpeg images of the artwork to: capengardenwalk@ourheights.org.

For more information or to download a prospectus, visit the Garden Walk online.

Food Access in WNY

2012-02-28T09:06:00.001-05:00

Food Access in WNY Roundtable Discussion

Free Admission – Open to the Public
Date: Wednesday, February 29 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: University at Buffalo South Campus, 100 Allen Hall

Female heads of households, living in poverty, are the face of poverty in WNY. Food, like water, is a basic necessity and a human right. The Junior League of Buffalo looks to build awareness of food access as a basic need, inherently connected to the success of female heads of households as they support their families, ultimately striving to end the cycle of poverty.

Topics Include:

Awareness of food system issues and access
Relationship to female heads of households, communities and their economic health
Define eating local; leading a healthy lifestyle
Importance of community empowerment and policies
Engagement opportunities for the community
Resources in WNY community for those impacted by the issue

Contributing Panelists include:

Diane Picard, Executive Director, Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP)

Jessie Gouck, Project Coordinator, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities of Buffalo

Susannah Barton, Executive Director, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo

Presented by the Junior League of Buffalo. For additional information, please call JLB Headquarters 716.884.8865 www.jlbuffalo.org

Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop III

2012-02-27T11:36:00.004-05:00

Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop III

Friday, March 2, 2012: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon (registration from 8:30 am)

Olmsted Center for Sight, 1170 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209-2331

The third Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop offers everyone concerned with Buffalo’s poverty the chance to hear about new and ongoing research, promising strategies, and opportunities for collaboration. The workshop is designed for local scholars, social service agencies, advocates, and government leaders and staff, among others.

In addition to getting the latest data on local poverty, participants will hear about three innovative university-community collaborations: implementing the “Housing First” model to end chronic homelessness; teaching science and engineering in the Buffalo Public Schools; and improving health outcomes by paying heed to patient voices.

Presenters include:

Karen Carman, Hope Center director, Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY
Elizabeth McClam, director, Homeless Services Program, Lake Shore Safe Haven, Lake Shore Behavioral Health
Dale Zuchlewski, executive director, Homeless Alliance of Western New York
Joseph Gardella, PhD, Chemistry, University at Buffalo
Daniel L. MacIsaac, PhD, Physics, Buffalo State College
Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, PhD, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo
Rona D’Aniello, RD, Diabetes Education Coordinator, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo
Sam Magavern, co-director, Partnership for the Public Good.

Click here for the full program.

The Workshop is free and open to the public. To register, email Sara Gales, sara@ppgbuffalo.org, or phone Megan Connelly, 852-4191, ext. 110.

Sponsored by The Homeless Alliance of Western New York, the Partnership for the Public Good, the UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy research initiative, and the WNY Service Learning Coalition.

Anastahili She Deserves Fundraiser

2012-02-24T10:48:00.001-05:00

Since 2009 UB staff and partners have been working to improve opportunities for women and girls in the Kitenga Village of Northern Tanzania through the Buffalo Tanzania Education Project (BTEP).

Please join us March 2nd for an evening of fun and celebration to support the Secondary School for Girls and a playground for the children. Please note that 100% of proceeds will go to the projects with a team of Buffalonians traveling to Tanzania this July to assist with construction.

The event will be in 100 Allen Hall on the UB South Campus from 6:00-8:00pm. tickets are $25 and $15 for students.

Through the generosity of the Buffalo community and through exciting collaboration we have already achieved the following impacts:

Construction of a bore well with solar pump soon to follow (Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club and support of other area clubs)
Delivery of 12 solar cookers (Solar Liberty Foundation) Construction of first classroom block for Early Childhood School (Association of Childhood Education International)
Construction of first classroom block for Secondary School for Girls

By supporting this fun event you will help make the vision of a secondary school a reality for hundreds of girls in the region. Please note that the program is very casual and child-friendly. You will learn more about the various projects, hear more about BTEP and how to get involved, and feel the excitement around this important project.

For more information contact Katie Biggie at 716-829-6170.

Rounds Avenue Association Unifies Residents

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Geraldine “Gerri” Griffin (pictured) is committed to the betterment of the University District. She was raised in the neighborhood and for the past 12 years has resided on Rounds Avenue with her husband and three children.

She first stepped up to lead a block club on her street four years ago. She advanced the district cause further last year developing the Rounds Avenue Association Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization of which she is president and part of the University District Block Club Coalition (UDBCC).

The objective of the association is to unify the neighborhood under one banner. The organization had its debut July 30 with Bring Back the Pride, an event that drew nearly 200 residents to Rotary Field on UB’s South Campus.

“My hope was that we could all come together and pool our resources,” says Griffin. “I thought Rotary Field might be a good central place.”

The event highlighted the district’s various block clubs. Representatives of fellow community organizations like the UDBCC and the University Heights Tool Library provided information. Festivities included live music and children’s activities, a health fair, housing and financial information, and employment opportunities.

Also at Bring Back the Pride, Ameer Dunston, 12, and Kristina Bonner, 14, each won a $250 prize for their essays in an anti-bullying writing contest. A military veteran solicited interest in establishing a VFW post in the neighborhood.

Griffin was pleased with the turnout for Bring Back the Pride, which she envisions as an annual summer affair. Other Rounds Avenue events include a Halloween get-together and an Easter celebration in partnership with the University United Methodist Church.

Griffin says the July event helped launch the association’s mission of bringing residents together. “I was hoping that block clubs would come and showcase what they are doing so that we could get more members of the community involved to help bring back the pride in the University District,” she says.

“Some people think that a block club is there only to bash neighbors, thinking that their house may be accused of being out of code or causing them issues. That’s not the purpose of a block club,” Griffin adds.

Instead, the Rounds Avenue Association hopes to use events like Bring Back the Pride to build relationships with various organizations and eventually raise funds to help neighbors with home repairs. “I’m trying to get people with skills to write grants, to get money to help build up the property,” Griffin says. “In 2012, my goal is to get more people involved in the association so that we can get more work done.”

What drives Geraldine Griffin to lead the charge? “I know what this neighborhood used to look like and what it’s capable of being,” she states. “My mind never stops. I always feel that we can go one step further. Let’s grab the youth and show them something better.”

To contact the Rounds Avenue Association, email roundsave@gmail.com or call 440-4547.

Photo by Douglas Levere

A Good Start

2012-01-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

Busy with her banking position and unable to find the quality day care she desired for her children, Felicia Doctor decided to take matters into her own hands. She left the corporate world behind to provide day care in her home.

The birth of My Precious Angels Childcare at 13 Weber Ave. in 2004 proved so successful that the number of children enrolled began to push capacity.

In 2008, Doctor moved into a commercial building at 2946 Bailey Ave. to open her child care center. It became a corporation with the capacity to serve 67 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, in six classrooms, including one infant, two toddler, one pre-school and two school-aged rooms, with a staff of 11.

“The center operates just like a school where we have classrooms and teachers, and children are with others of the same age, which helps for learning and social development,” says Doctor (pictured above), now executive director of My Precious Angels Childcare Inc.

Doctor is pursuing an early child care degree at Erie Community College City Campus that she expects to complete next fall. “My parents and the children enrolled at our center rely on me. I have to continue my education to provide a higher level of quality child care,” she explains.

For a better business perspective, Doctor enrolled in the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership’s Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs Program in UB’s School of Management, funded by the Allstate Foundation. “In any business, you have to know the financing and marketing sides. They allowed me to learn all those things. We now have a business plan.”

Doctor did so well that she earned the program’s 2010 Minority Protégé of the Year award and is mentoring another program participant. She also wants to pursue an MBA.

The success of My Precious Angels launched a second location, back to where it started on Weber Ave., where up to 16 children can receive a more home-like, day care experience. A third location is being considered in downtown Buffalo to serve the community. Doctor’s Small Business Administration loan is in process for that new location, or for an expansion of the Bailey Avenue center.

“Our inner-city children do not have the educational piece of early childhood before they enter the school system,” she observes. “My goal is to help the children prepare for kindergarten by giving them a jump start on their education.”

My Precious Angels is associated with Read to Succeed, a literacy program that helps build Buffalo’s low numbers in children’s literacy. The center also is associated with QUALITYstarsNY, a state-wide program promoting quality early childhood education.

In 2008, Doctor also founded an after-school mentoring program called TRU teens, where conversations hold sway and dancing becomes a common bond. The youngsters practiced their moves to a point that they were invited to try out last January for Randy Jackson’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” MTV series in New York City. Although they didn’t make it beyond the tryout stage, Doctor said they’ll pursue another invitation next year.

TRU teens is open to those ages 10-21 from anywhere in Buffalo. Call 896-3800 for information.

Photo by Douglas Levere

Building Blocks

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Construction began in June on a new home for the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), UB’s hub for community job training. The future facility at 555 Ellicott St. (pictured) will replace EOC’s present location at 465 Washington St. and will connect via a new entrance space to the UB Gateway building next door at 77 Goodell St.

The two buildings will be known as the UB Downtown Gateway Complex. Scheduled for completion in 2012-2013, the complex will house EOC’s headquarters, the UB Regional Institute, the administrative offices of UBMD (UB’s faculty physician practice plan), other UB-related entities and two existing tenants: the Buffalo Employment and Training Center and the Buffalo branch of URS Corporation, a global engineering and construction firm.

Photo courtesy of UB Facilities Planning and Design

Healthy New Options

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Three new and expanding UB medical offices are working to improve patient access to health care in the downtown community.

University Pediatric Dentistry

Having opened its doors recently at 1100 Main St. to fill a need for pediatric dental care, this state-of-the art facility offers a full range of services, including the only sedation dentistry available in the neighborhood. Young patients with disabilities are accommodated in a specially designed unit that includes a separate waiting room for easy access.

Adult patients also are being treated in the office—mostly parents who take the opportunity to seek dental care along with their children.

Ira G. Ross Eye Institute

Located at 1176 Main St., the Ross Eye Institute continues to recruit ophthalmologists nationwide to meet the needs of its rapidly growing patient base. Added to the staff over the past year are Ausra D. Selvadurai, medical retina specialist, Sandra F. Sieminski, glaucoma specialist, and Pradeepa Yoganathan, specialist in retina surgery and director of the center’s retina service. All three live in the neighborhood and are enjoying life in the city. They join Sangita P. Patel, cornea specialist, surgeon and scientist researching corneal swelling, and Airaj F. Fasiuddin, pediatric ophthalmologist, surgeon and associate program director for UB’s Ophthalmology Residency Program, who arrived in previous years.

UBMD Family Medicine at Jefferson (formerly Jefferson Family Medicine Center)

A neighborhood staple since 2005, the center at 1315 Jefferson Ave. recently partnered with UBMD Gynecologists and Obstetricians and expanded its addiction services. The staff of attending physicians has grown to seven with the addition of UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences resident physicians Saburo Okazaki and Priyanka Patnaik. This year, the practice also introduced Emmy Byrd, a full-time, certified diabetes educator. Byrd works individually with diabetic patients and offers monthly diabetes classes that include nutritional counseling.

Photo courtesy of Ross Eye Institute

1,500 Free Tickets for DSS Soledad O’Brien Lecture

2012-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

The University at Buffalo is offering free tickets to local community and religious organizations and churches and to Western New York high schools to attend UB’s 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration event featuring Soledad O’Brien, CNN anchor, special correspondent and author.

The lecture, sponsored by UB’s Minority Faculty and Staff Association and Citizens Bank, is part of the 25th Annual UB Distinguished Speakers Series and will take place on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. in Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo. Up to 20 complimentary tickets per group are available while supplies last. Ticket requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Requests for tickets for high schools should be made by the school's principal or one faculty/staff member; for community and religious organizations and churches, one representative should act as the sole liaison. To register your group’s ticket request, and to learn more about the series and Soledad O’Brien, visit http://www.specialevents.buffalo.edu/. Requests must be received by Jan. 26.

UB, with the support of Citizens Bank and Hodgson Russ LLP, an affiliate sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series, has dedicated approximately 1,500 complimentary seats for the community as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series’ educational outreach program.

O'Brien is the anchor for CNN morning show “Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien” and a special correspondent for CNN/U.S. Since joining the network in 2003, O'Brien has reported breaking news from around the globe and has produced award-winning, record-breaking and critically acclaimed documentaries on the most important stories facing the world today.

Read more here.

Happy Grads

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Members of the University Heights Collaborative (UHC) and the Minnesota Block Club (MBC) joined their UB mentors in Allen Hall in June at a graduation ceremony for the Good for the Neighborhood leadership training program—a series of workshops organized by the UB Office of Community Relations and funded by Independent Health to help participants launch community revitalization projects.

Left to right: Dave Benders (UHC), Yvonne Brown (MBC), Jim Steinwachs (UHC), Traci Jackson (UB/UHC), Jim Rosanzki (UHC), Michaela Schmidbauer (UHC), Greg Brown (MBC), Carrie Meyer (Independent Health), Suzanne Chamberlain (UB mentor) and Fred Brace (UHC).

Photo by Douglas Levere

Shape Up, Have Fun

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

UB offers a wide variety of affordable fitness classes this fall that will get your heart pumping, including indoor cycling and weight training, the popular Zumba fitness dance workout, salsa dancing and more.

Day and evening classes are held at Clark Hall on the South Campus and at AlumniArena on the North Campus. Classes are open to the public and cost as little as $5 per class (just $60 for an entire semester).

To sign up, bring a photo ID and cash, check or credit card to Room 113 in Clark Hall. For schedules and fees, visit UB Recreation or call 829-2926.

UB to Hold Police Academy

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

The UB Police Department is seeking recruits for its annual Citizens Police Academy.
The program, which will meet every Wednesday evening for seven weeks starting Feb. 15, is designed to give members of the university community an in-depth look into the workings of their police department and increase awareness of police officers role in the criminal justice system.

There are a limited number of spots available.

Classes are conducted in an interactive setting taught by University Police officers and other public safety professionals. Subjects include fire and first aid, New York State penal law, traffic and accident investigations, criminal and crime scene investigation, and family offenses and domestic violence.

Participants will have the opportunity to accompany University Police on a patrol ride-a-long, along with other hands-on activities.

For more information and applications for the Citizens Police Academy, access the University Police website, call 645-2228 or email Lt. Dave Urbanek at urbanekd@buffalo.edu.

Free Tax Preparation this Winter

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Area residents are encouraged to take advantage of UB’s annual free tax-preparation services this winter, offered to individuals and families with annual incomes below $50,000. The IRS estimates that such free services can save taxpayers between $100 and $300 in preparation fees.

UB’s program is conducted by IRS-certified finance and accounting students from the School of Management, who are trained to help low-income tax filers apply for earned income-tax credits that can provide a boost in annual income. The tax credits can reduce or completely eliminate income taxes by refunding taxes already withheld from wages, resulting in refunds

When and Where

Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 109 Allen Hall, South Campus 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (first come, first-served)

More sessions will be held in 106 Jacobs Management Center, North Campus, on March 3, 4 and 31, and April 1, 7, 8 and 14.

What to Bring

• Proof of identification (government-issued ID for each adult, such as driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, military ID, etc.).

• Original Social Security card for each filer and dependent.

• Date of birth for self, spouse and dependents.

• Wage and earning statements (Forms W-2 and 1099) from all employers.

• Interest and dividend statements (Form 1099).

• A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available.

• Bank routing numbers and account numbers, if direct deposit is desired.

More information will be available online after Jan. 1 at mgt.buffalo.edu/freetaxprep, or via email at mgtfreetaxprep@buffalo.edu.

Photo by Douglas Levere.

Lots to Learn at the Anderson Gallery

2012-01-06T12:07:00.002-05:00

Lectures, workshops and discussion tours are being offered this fall for families, adults, educators and students in conjunction with “Dinh Q. Lê: Saigon Diary,” an ongoing exhibition at UB Anderson Gallery that runs through the end of the year.

Photography, art and video installations by Lê document the activity of 12 “recycling women” in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City—formerly known as Saigon—who gather reusable goods cast off by others that they sell, preventing the waste from being dumped into landfills.

The exhibition includes sculptures made by Lê in collaboration with three of his relatives using objects purchased from the women, which provides a window on radical changes taking place in Vietnam, the global issue of mounting trash and issues regarding women’s labor.

Other education programming at the Anderson Gallery includes learning opportunities for K-12 teachers and students, and discussion tours and art-making activities for the general public. Many are offered in conjunction with “Cravens World,” the gallery’s permanent installation of archaeological and ethnographic objects from around the world, including masks, dolls, vases, weapons and ancient forms of currency.

Lectures, workshops and tours about the current exhibitions are held on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons. More information about educational programs at the gallery is available at www.ubartgalleries.org or by contacting the education curator, Ginny O’Brien, at 829-3754 or ginny@andersongallery.org. The gallery is located at 1 Martha Jackson Place, off Englewood Avenue near Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo.

Planning Day in Buffalo

2011-10-25T12:30:00.001-04:00

The City of Buffalo is nearing the halfway point of the Buffalo Green Code: Zoning Buffalo for the 21st Century project, which encompasses a citywide development plan and comprehensive zoning code update. The Buffalo Green Code represents a once in a generation opportunity to redefine the City’s development framework and will play a critical role in Buffalo’s economic development and quality of life for decades to come. The next step in this project is the release of the draft Future Development Plan later this month.

Planning Day in Buffalo will allow all members of the public to view, learn and offer commentary on the Plan. It will occur on Saturday, October 29th from 9a.m. to 3p.m. at the City Campus of Erie Community College, 121 Ellicott Street. The open house will include a presentation by the project team and various breakout stations where the public can learn more about specific components of the plan and provide feedback that will be considered for inclusion into the final version of the Plan.

Breakout stations will be open from 9:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. and a formal presentation will be conducted at 9:00a.m., 10:30a.m. and 1:00p.m. so that attendees can choose to participate early in the morning, mid-morning or in the afternoon.

Visit Buffalo Green Code on Facebook and Twitter.

Inauguration Week Events

2011-09-19T09:24:00.002-04:00

This week we celebrate the inauguration of its 15th president, Satish K. Tripathi, with a week-long series of events. Related art exhibitions will begin before and run beyond that week. All events are open to the public and all but a few are free of charge.

They are listed below and described in more detail on the inauguration website here.

Sept. 19

• SUNY Distinguished Professors Colloquium: "The Mission of Public Research Universities in the 21st Century," Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre, North Campus. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free.

• "Celebrating Student Excellence and Engagement," Center for the Arts and Student Union, North Campus. 1-3 p.m. Free.

• "Celebration of Faculty and Staff Academic Excellence," Center for the Arts, North Campus. 3:30 p.m. Free.

Sept. 20

• Grand Opening of the Behling Simulation Center, UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 150 Farber Hall (Butler Auditorium), South Campus. 5-7 p.m. Free. To attend, registration is required by Sept. 15 at 716-881-1709 or alapoint@buffalo.edu. Behling Center website: http://ahc.buffalo.edu/simulation/

• Buffalo Food Policy Summit Public Forum, "Economic Development and the Food System: Ideas for the Future," Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 453 Porter Ave., Buffalo. 5:30-7p.m. Free. RSVP requested to CEPPRSVP@buffalo.edu. Sponsored by the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, UB School of Architecture and Planning; Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo; Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus; Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County; Grassroots Gardens; Massachusetts Avenue Project; New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NYSAWG); UB 2020 Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative. Funded by the Community Foundation for a Greater Buffalo, with support from the UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative. Food Policy Summit website: http://ub2020.buffalo.edu/strategicstrengths/announcements/civic/buffalo-food-policy-summit-public-forum-2/

Sept. 21

• Buffalo Food Policy Summit Research Roundtable: "Rebuilding Community Food Systems; Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Research." 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus. 2:30-4 p.m. Free. RSVP required to CEPPRSVP@buffalo.edu. Roundtable sponsored by the UB Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, School of Architecture and Planning and UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative. For a complete list of the Buffalo Food Policy Summit Planning Committee and funders, visit the Summit website: http://ub2020.buffalo.edu/strategicstrengths/announcements/civic/buffalo-food-policy-summit-research-roundtable/

• UB on the Green: Celebration of our neighborhood with music, entertainment, arts activities; open to all, especially for neighbors of UB's South Campus. Hayes Hall lawn, 6-8 p.m. Free. website: http://www.buffalo.edu/community/ub_on_the_green.html

• UB Distinguished Speakers Series: Robert Gates, former U.S. Secretary of Defense. 8 p.m. Alumni Arena, North Campus. Tickets are $48, $44, $36 and $22; website: http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/special/distinguishedspeakers.shtml

Sept. 22

• International Symposium on Computer Systems Research will honor UB President Satish K. Tripathi and his contributions to the field of computer science. 330 Student Union, North Campus. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. website: http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/TripathiSymposium/

• UB Global Fair: A celebration of international student life and international research by faculty and students: food, drink, music and entertainment from many nations. Center for the Arts, North Campus. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, fun, delicious.

• UB Humanities Institute Fluid Culture Series: "Talking Back to Your Intelligent Cities," acclaimed globalization expert Saskia Sassen, Screening Room, Center for the Arts, North Campus. 4 p.m. Free. website: http://www.humanitiesinstitute.buffalo.edu/initiatives/fluid_culture_series.shtml

Sept. 23

• Behling Simulation Center Tours: see groundbreaking medical simulation methods, and equipment used in the education of health-care professionals at this new center, fourth floor, Farber Hall, South Campus. Tours at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11a.m. Free. Registration required by Sept. 22 at 716-881-1709 or alapoint@buffalo.edu; website: http://ahc.buffalo.edu/simulation/

• Investiture of Satish K. Tripathi as 15th President of the University at Buffalo, Center for the Arts, North Campus. 3 p.m. Free. A public reception will follow. Registration encouraged at website: http://www.buffalo.edu/inauguration

Sept. 24

• Homecoming Tailgate Parties, Special Events Lot, North Campus. 3-5:30 p.m. Free. website: http://www.buffalo.edu/truebluedays

• "Walk to Victory!" Join UB President Satish K. Tripathi and the UB football team at the Bronze Buffalo in Coventry Circle, in front of the UB Center for the Arts, North Campus, to cheer on the team prior to its game against UConn, then join the tailgate parties before heading to the game in UB Stadium. 3:30 p.m. Free.

• UB Football: University at Buffalo vs. University of Connecticut. UB Stadium, North Campus. 6 p.m. Adults: $26; Junior/Senior: $10; Children 5 and under: Free, UB undergraduate students with valid ID, Free. website: http://www.buffalobulls.com/sports/fball/2011-12/schedule

Related Art Exhibits

Sept. 6-27
Monday through Friday, 8:30-5 p.m. Free

• "UB Inaugurations, Anniversaries & Celebrations," The University Libraries Special Collections, 420 Capen Hall, North Campus. 9 a.m. web site: http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/blog/?p=2580

Sept. 16 to Oct. 22
Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free

• "Buffalo Beijing Translation," UB Art Gallery, 201 Center for the Arts, North Campus. Opening reception Sept. 16, 6-8 p.m. Work produced as part of ongoing exchange program between UB Department of Visual Studies MFA students and students of Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Arts. website: http://www.ubartgalleries.org/#?gallery=art&select=event&eventID=191
Sept. 17 to Dec. 31
Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m. Free

• "Dinh Q Le: Saigon Diary," UB Anderson Gallery, 1 Martha Jackson Place, Buffalo. Opening reception Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m. website: http://tinyurl.com/dinhqle

Sept. 19-25
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free

• The University Libraries Exhibition: The Inauguration of the 15th President of the University at Buffalo," Atrium, Center for the Arts, North Campus.

UB on the Green Tonight

2011-09-14T15:52:00.003-04:00

Tonight continues the fifth season of UB on the Green, a free outdoor performance series held on the South Campus. This evening's event features two local artists and will be held in a new location on Rotary Field on the South Campus along Bailey Avenue from 6:00-8:00pm. Attendees can enter on Coal Road and free parking is available in the lot on the right across from the field.

Billy Drease Williams will open the show at 6:00. He is a man of many talents who shares his positive experiences and talents to encourage and inspire students through his Hip-Hop performances he calls: “Finding A.M.Y.”

N 2 Deep will also perform around 7:00pm. They are a local crossover group that has performed for more than 30 years around the world. The series will end on September 21st back on Hayes Hall lawn along Main Street with the Genkin Philharmonic and The Buffalo Chips.

For more info on UB on the Green call UB Community Relations at 716-829-3099 or visit us online.

Buffalo Food Policy Summit

2011-09-09T11:57:00.003-04:00

A UB INAUGURATION WEEK SERIES OF EVENTS

Highlighting the important role of the local food system

in promoting economic development and health in Buffalo.

PUBLIC FORUM ▪ Tuesday, September 20, 2011 ▪ 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Karpeles Manuscript Library, 453 Porter Ave, Buffalo

“Economic Development and the Food System: Ideas for the Future”

Speakers:

James Johnson Piett, Urbane Development, Inc., Philadelphia
Mark Winne, Community Food Security Coalition, Portland
Heather Wooten, Public Health Law and Policy, Oakland, CA.

RSVP requested to Laura Mangan at CeppRsvp@buffalo.edu or 645-5376.

RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE ▪ Flyer and more info here

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 ▪ 2:30 - 4:00 pm Harriman Hall, UB South Campus

“Rebuilding Community Food Systems: Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Research”

Speakers:

Dr. Samina Raja, UB Urban and Regional Planning
Prof. Michael Conard, Urban Design Lab, Columbia University
Dr. Leonard Epstein, UB Medicine & Behavioral Science and Public Health & Health Professions
Dr. Sara Metcalf, UB Geography
Dr. Sarah Robert, UB Graduate School of Education

RSVP required to Laura Mangan at CeppRsvp@buffalo.edu or 645-5376.

This Research Roundtable is sponsored by the UB Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, School of Architecture and Planning and the UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative.

The Buffalo Food Policy Summit Planning Committee includes the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus; Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County; Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, UB School of Architecture and Planning; Grassroots Gardens; Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo; Massachusetts Avenue Project; New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NYSAWG); UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative. Funding has been provided by the Community Foundation for a Greater Buffalo, with support from the UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative.

For more information about all of the Buffalo Food Policy Summit events see: http://buffalofoodpolicysummit.blogspot.com.

Free Tickets to Area High Schools, Organizations for Robert Gates Lecture

2011-08-24T12:41:00.000-04:00

As part the Inaugural Celebration for President Satish K. Tripathi, UB will offer free tickets to Western New York high schools, as well as local non-profit and community organizations, and veteran and military organizations, to attend the upcoming lecture by former U.S. Secretary of State, Robert M. Gates.

Gates will kick off the 25th anniversary season of the UB Distinguished Speakers Series on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. in Alumni Arena on the UB North Campus. Up to 20 complimentary tickets per school or organization are available while supplies last. Ticket requests will be filled on a first-come, first served basis while the ticket allocation lasts.

UB, through the support of Hodgson Russ LLP, an Affiliate Series Sponsor, has dedicated a minimum of 1,500 complimentary seats for the community to participate in the Gates lecture.

Gates' lecture is part of a series of events celebrating the Sept. 23 inauguration of UB's 15th President, Satish K. Tripathi. The weeklong celebration will include a variety of programs and activities, with each day featuring one or more significant events and a specific theme illustrating UB's global reach and local impact.

Gates served from 2006 until this year as the 22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense, a position he held under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, making him the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in that office by a newly elected president. President Obama is the eighth president Gates has served.

Requests for tickets for high schools should be made by the school's principal or one faculty/staff member; for community, veteran and military organizations, one representative should act as the sole liaison. To register your school or organization's ticket request, visit http://www.specialevents.buffalo.edu. Deadline for Gates ticket requests is noon on Friday, Sept. 9.

Read more here.

School Supply Drive

2011-08-10T15:52:00.002-04:00

This month, UB Employees are invited to donate school supplies in a university-wide drive to benefit pre kindergarten through 12th grade students at various schools across the Buffalo Niagara region.

University employees are invited to donate items including paper, pencils, rulers, planners, markers, folders and more as suggested below. The supplies will be distributed to the Futures Academy, Aloma D. Johnson Fruit Belt School, Martin Luther King Multicultural Institute, Highgate Heights Elementary, and Westminster Community Charter School.

There are multiple drop off locations on the UB North, South and Downtown campus as listed below. The last day to donate is Friday September 2nd.

“This is another great example of the University giving back to the community. This university-wide drive will hopefully provide the youth at our neighboring elementary schools the tools they need to have a successful school year,” said Michael J. Pietkiewicz, Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations.

Drop Off Locations

Health & Sciences Library – Abbott Hall, Dental School of Medicine - Squire Hall, School of Nursing - Office of Student Affairs, Wellness Education, Center for Student Leadership – Student Union, Student Wellness, Admissions - Marketing Department, Intercultural & Diversity Center – Student Union, Office of the President – Capen hall, University Libraries (Silverman Libraries-Capen), Office of Community Relations – Allen Hall, Educational Opportunity Center - Downtown, BioInformatics, Office of Economic Engagement – Downtown Gateway; Center for Tomorrow

Suggested Donation Items

Kleenex; Lysol type wipes; Pack of small cups; Large book bag; Folders (plastic coated); Crayons and pencils; Composition notebooks; Scissors; Glue (bottle); Hand sanitizer; Gallon size plastic bags; Cleaning supplies; Glue sticks; Pocket folders; Wipe-off markets; Earphones; Colored pencils; Pink erasers; Ruler; Different color highlighters; Index cards; Clipboards; Folders with prongs; Hand soap; Notebook paper; Basic calculator; 1.2 -2 inch binder; Pack of dividers; Pencil sharpener; Pocket dictionary; Container for supplies; Pens; Removable drives; Organizer planner; Graphing calculators; Scientific calculators

For more information about the drive contact Community Relations at 829-3099.

Center Celebration

2011-08-10T15:41:00.000-04:00

The Center for the Arts will once again hold its Center Celebration to open its 2011-12 season. There will be a free picnic lunch open to the general public (while supplies last). The menu will include Sahlen’s hot dogs, veggie hamburgers, salads, desserts, and more. Special thanks to Falletta’s Award-Winning Restaurant.

All 2011-12 performances go on sale at 10:00am. One-day-only ticket discounts on Center for the Arts events will be available and there will be door prizes and giveaways. The first 500 patrons receive a Center for the Arts keepsake item!

Center for the Arts sponsor AAA of WNY/Horizon Club Tours will have their new state of the art motorcoach on site for visitors to take a walk through. This brand new 50-passenger coach, the first of its kind in Western New York, is configured to deliver substantially more legroom than a standard motorcoach and includes luxury features like plush leather seating, free Wi-Fi internet access and personal power outlets at every seat. For more information, visit www.horizonclubtours.com.

The event will be held rain or shine in the Center for the Arts’ Atrium. Live entertainment will be provided by The Dave Schiavone Quartet (Latin jazz) and Mick Hayes Band (blues). For more information on this event and the upcoming season, visit www.ubcfa.org.

WHO: Center for the Arts – University at Buffalo

WHAT: Center Celebration

WHEN: Wednesday, August 24, 2011– 11:00am-1:30pm

WHERE: Center for the Arts – University at Buffalo – North (Amherst) Campus

Welcome Freshman to UB

2011-08-09T11:57:00.001-04:00

Every year we have an opportunity to welcome the next “Class of” to campus during the “September Welcome” festivities.

The Office of Alumni Relations has for many years hosted a “Re-hydration Station and Information” tent outside the Wilkeson Quad location in the Ellicott Complex. This year's event will be on Thursday, August 25.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

As alumni, friends or staff, you’re being invited to engage with the new students and their parents in a very unique atmosphere. The event is outside, on what traditionally holds to be a perfect WNY weather day. You can drive golf carts to help families unload their cars and get their “belongings” over to the Quad and you’re not required to help physically move items into a student's room.

If you’d rather be stationed at the tent, we hand out water, provide directions, hold open doors and smile a lot! We help make the move-in experience enjoyable – or as enjoyable as it can be for anxious students and stressed parents!

Come and welcome the newest students to campus. We’ll take care of transporting you to the quad, feeding you, and getting you fresh air…. And all we’re asking for is your time. You can sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 volunteer shifts.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Registration deadline: Friday, August 19, 2011. A reminder and confirmation will be sent on August 22 with assignments and directions.

We hope to see you there.