GSA Winter Break Schedule

The GSA Winter Break Schedule will be as follows:

  • GSA open through Monday, December 12th
  • GSA closed Tuesday, December 13th until Monday, January 2nd
  • GSA on Summer Hours Monday, January 2nd to Friday, January 27th
    • Open Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm, closed on Fridays
  • GSA closed Monday, January 16th for MLK Jr. Day (University Closed)
  • Regular Business Hours resume Monday, January 30th with the start of the Spring semester

SNAP pre-screening invitation

Health Promotion is hosting a table in the Student Union on 10/19 from 11:30am to 2pm to help pre-screen students for eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

CASWNY, a community agency, will have a sign-up sheet asking for students’ phone numbers and emails. They will then schedule a 10-15 phone call to conduct the SNAP eligibility prescreening (and can further assist with application process).

If all other criteria are met, students could get an EBT card that can help pay for food, up to approx. $250/month.

While the Covid emergency is in effect, eligibility for college students has expanded slightly.

Any student who is eligible for work study (whether completing hours or not) or who has “0” Estimated Family Contribution on the FAFSA form should apply.

NOTE: residential students must receive <=50% of meals from a meal plan to be eligible.

Student input sessions with UBIT and University Libraries

Twice a year UBIT and University Libraries are hosting sessions with students to hear about any questions or issues they may have, highlight new services and resources we are offering, and learn about ways we can improve their experiences with us.  Our fall sessions are being held via zoom on Monday, October 17 at 1pm and Thursday, October 20 at 4pm.

Following is a link to a news item with further info about this and a link to the registration process.  https://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/news.host.html/content/shared/www/ubit/news/2022/student-input-session-2022.detail.html

New Counseling Services sponsored Mental Health Initiatives

Expansion of our Embedded Counselor Program

The Embedded Counselor program  is a community-centered service that:

  • Places a counselor within a community
  • Has (or over time develops) specialized knowledge about that community
  • Reduces stigma by normalizing mental health help-seeking within a community
  • Is Convenient – no travel involved for in person appointments
  • Provides mental health consultation to students and faculty/staff in the department

 

Starting in October, there will be a counselor available at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.   Counselors are also embedded at Athletics, the School of Law, the School of Dental Medicine, The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

 

New Counseling Groups

Black Student Support Group
Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 pm – In-Person (Richmond Quad, North Campus)
The Black Student Support group is a space dedicated entirely to the experience of being Black. We invite members of the African diaspora to come together to create community and dialogue around what it means for you to be Black. In this group we will discuss various topics including culture, racial/ethnic identity, colorism, intersectionality, family, the diversity

 

Perfectly Imperfect: Art Journaling Group *** 5-week group, offered twice during the semester***
Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 pm – In-Person (Michael Hall, South Campus)
Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough? Do you worry about making mistakes or failing at something? Perfectly Imperfect offers a reflective and playful time for self-connection and uses expressive art activities to learn ways to let go of perfectionism, develop self-compassion, and embrace who you are. Art journaling relies on the use of art supplies and creative techniques without the necessary pressure of a perfect result. The group offers an alternative means of self-expression and connecting with others.  No previous experience with art in needed and all supplies will be provided.

Coping and Connecting  ***Drop-in Group***
Thursdays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online
This is an open group for students to increase understanding of their current experiences and to find ways to cope and connect with others. Attention will be given to our unique individual experiences and to the contexts in which we experience them, in order to increase the capacity to respond more compassionately to ourselves and to one another.

 

New Outreach Program

Friends Without Borders

https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/life-on-campus/clubs-and-activities/search/friends-without-borders.html

Get to know students from other cultures in a friendly, comfortable setting.

Drop-in Conversation and Fun

Play games, have great conversations, and lots of fun, while making friends from around the world. Come to relax and play non-competitive, get-to-know you games that allow you to form cross cultural friendships. Event is open to all UB international and domestic students from all cultures and backgrounds.
September 8 – 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Student Union Landmark Room 210

October 6 – 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Student Union Landmark Room 210

November 3 – 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Student Union Landmark Room 210

Three Minute Thesis ~ Register to Enter!

Doctoral students who are currently enrolled at UB, actively engaged in dissertation research and have completed their Application to Candidacy, are eligible to enter the 3MT competition.
 
The 3MT competition cycle begins with the 3MT preliminary round Nov. 14-18, 2022. Registered participants will present their three-minute pitch and one static slide to a panel of judges. All participants will benefit by receiving feedback from audience reactors after their pitch. Winners of the preliminary round will receive additional training and go on to compete for cash awards in the 3MT final competition on Friday, March 3, 2023. 

The 3MT preliminary rounds will take place Nov. 14-18, 2021.

Register to Compete in UB’s 3MT Competition

Registration closes Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. Winners of the preliminary round will go on to compete for cash awards in the 3MT final competition on Friday, March 3, 2023.

3MT Micro-Credential

Doctoral students intending to participate in the 3MT prelims are encouraged to complete the new 3MT Micro-Credential: Communicating Research to Broad Audiences. This micro-credential was designed to both prepare students to communicate their research to non-specialists and to compete in the 3MT competition, and is open to all graduate students.

As a reminder, eligibility to compete is limited to doctoral students currently enrolled at the University at Buffalo and actively engaged in dissertation research who have completed their Application to Candidacy. All disciplines are welcome. 

Preliminary competition registration ends on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.   

Important dates to remember: 

  • November 4, 2022: Preliminary competition registration closes.
  • November 14-17, 2022: Preliminary competition.
  • December 1, 2022: Finalists are notified.
  • February 25, 2023: Dress rehearsal.
  • March 3, 2023: 3MT Competition.

Startup Boot Camp

Experience startup life, participate in Startup Boot Camp

Start your academic year off right, join us at Startup Boot Camp! Embrace your inner entrepreneurial spirit in this 3-day experience — meet and expand your network, explore the Buffalo Startup scene, learn to avoid the mistakes that stop so many founders short, and ask for help in a way that gets you the access you need. Win prizes!

Apply Now! Fall 2022 Boot Camp is September 16th through 18th, hosted at UB and in downtown Buffalo (transportation provided) Seats are limited – students accepted on a rolling basis. Open to all undergrad/grad students of any academic disciplines. No business experience required.

Apply at: https://bit.ly/StartupBootCampFall22

Questions? Get in touch at launchpadub@buffalo.edu or (716) 645-8111.

Watch a video about the Startup Boot Camp experience: https://youtu.be/G_5nQSwN0YY

Startup Boot Camp benefits:

  • Realize the value in making mistakes.
  • Earn your first co-founders – it’s the biggest sale you’ll ever make.
  • Validate market need by prototyping a one page web site, sales video, and a way to take pre-orders.
  • Get firsthand experience selling your product in an innovation bazaar, and get one-on-one advice from our mentor community.
  • Decide whether you’re an inventor or an entrepreneur.
  • Identify the gaps between your idea and a sustainable business – do you have a working product? If not, prioritize those gaps and form them into a coherent ask for help.
  • Meet key stakeholders in the UB and WNY startup ecosystem who can help you cross those gaps.
  • Leave knowing how to validate the next step in your own business.
  • $10 Campus cash provided to those that fully participate.

GSA Fall Office Hours

GSA Staff are working partly remotely.  Starting on September 7th we will have open walk-in hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 11:30am.  All other in-person meetings will be done by appointment only.  Please email gsa-feedback@buffalo.edu in order to set up an appointment or a Zoom meeting with staff.  You may also call 645-2960 and if staff are available they will be able to assist you over the phone.

Please note that our regular business hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, but the office does close for lunch daily from 1:00 to 2:00pm.