Graduate Student Association

Mandatory Officer Training Meeting
2017-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 105 Harriman Hall, 105 Harriman Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
In order to ensure that all club officers understand the system of encumbrances, reimbursements, special funding requests, etc., the GSA Executive Committee sets up a series of special meetings for GSA club officers.
These meetings will review GSA club policies and guidelines, and will outline your duties as officers. Please be advised that your attendance at one of these meetings is MANDATORY, for club Presidents and Treasurers. Your other club officers and club members are welcome, but this is a meeting for you. If you fail to attend, your club’s budget for the year will be frozen.
Each meeting will be about an hour and a half (with the exception of the October 20th date, which will be shortened for returning officers). Choose the meeting with the most convenient date and time from the following list:
Sept. 18 (Monday) 12:00 p.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus
Oct. 18 (Wednesday) 10:00 a.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus
Oct. 19 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. – 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus
*Oct. 20 (Friday) 4:00 p.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus (for returning officers only – requires prior registration)

Mandatory Officer Training Meeting (For Returning Officers Only)
2017-10-20 16:00 - 17:00 | 330 Student Union, 330 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
In order to ensure that all club officers understand the system of encumbrances, reimbursements, special funding requests, etc., the GSA Executive Committee sets up a series of special meetings for GSA club officers.
These meetings will review GSA club policies and guidelines, and will outline your duties as officers. Please be advised that your attendance at one of these meetings is MANDATORY, for club Presidents and Treasurers. Your other club officers and club members are welcome, but this is a meeting for you. If you fail to attend, your club’s budget for the year will be frozen.
Each meeting will be about an hour and a half (with the exception of the October 20th date, which will be shortened for returning officers). Choose the meeting with the most convenient date and time from the following list:
Sept. 18 (Monday) 12:00 p.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus
Oct. 18 (Wednesday) 10:00 a.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus
Oct. 19 (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. – 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus
*Oct. 20 (Friday) 4:00 p.m. – 330 Student Union, North Campus (for returning officers only – requires prior registration)
Please click here to register for the training if you are a returning officer: Pre-registration for the Mandatory Officer Training

Buffalo Bills Football Game vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2017-10-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Highmark Stadium, 1 Bills Dr., Orchard Park, 14127, United States
Tickets on sale September 25th at the SBI Ticket Offices (221 Student Union and 135 Diefendorf Hall) for $25 each. 1 per UB ID. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.

Club Recognition Application Deadline
2017-10-25 | Buffalo, United States
According to the mandate of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Senate, Special Interest and International Clubs must apply for annual recognition. Recognition must take place at one of the FALL GSA Senate Meetings (September 6, October 4, November 1 or December 6).
All application materials are due in the GSA office before the close of business to have your club’s recognition considered at the November 1st Senate Meeting.

Finance Committee Meeting
2017-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | GSA Conference Room, 310A Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Finance Committee meeting to review group funding requests for events to take place in November or later.

UBIT Student Input Session ~ Free Food!
2017-10-26 17:00 - 18:00 | 567 Capen Hall, Buffalo, 14260, United States
Printing? Wi-Fi? Classroom technology? Join UB VP/Chief Information Officer Brice Bible on 10/26 from 5-6 p.m. for free food and a chance to tell UBIT what you think about technology at the University at Buffalo. http://bit.ly/2iNQAKz

November Senate Meeting
2017-11-01 18:30 - 21:30 | 330 Student Union, 330 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
GSA Senate meetings are open to the public, but only designated representatives from Departmental and International clubs may vote. Sign-in begins at 6:00pm so that the meeting can begin promptly at 6:30pm.

Java Junction
2017-11-03 11:00 - 13:00, 2017-12-01 11:00 - 13:00 | GSA Conference Room, 310A Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Free Tim Horton’s coffee and doughnuts for graduate students in the GSA office.

Discount AMC Movie Tickets Available
2017-11-06 | Buffalo, United States
GSA will have discount AMC Movie Tickets available for sale on September 5th at the SBI Ticket Offices (221 Student Union and 135 Diefendorf Hall) for $6 each. 1 per UB ID. Tickets can be used for all movies at AMC theatre locations. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.

MLK at Buffalo ~ 50 Years Later
2017-11-09 15:30 - 17:00 | Student Union Theater, 201 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Join us on November 9, 2017 in the Student Union Theater, 3:30-5:00pm, as UB commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech in Buffalo. Dr. King appeared before a standing-room-only audience at Kleinhans Music Hall on November 9, 1967. This event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in 201 Student Union.
Attached is an accessible document version of the flyer, as well as a PDF version.

Escape Room Buffalo Event
2017-11-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Escape Room Buffalo, 290 Oliver St., North Tonawanda, NY, 14120, United States
GSA will be having an escape room event at Escape Room Buffalo (290 Oliver St., North Tonawanda). There will be 3 rooms available to escape from, and we will have timed slots (24 people each hour, 8 per room) at 6:00pm and 7:00pm. Groups will be organized at the event, and pizza and wings will be served.
Tickets on sale October 9th at the SBI Ticket Offices (221 Student Union and 135 Diefendorf Hall) for $10 each. 2 per UB ID.

GISA presents Diwali ~ Festival of Lights
2017-11-11 18:30 - 23:30 | Student Union Lobby, Buffalo, NY, United States
Diwali is the festival of lights, is a big festival celebrated across India. Come celebrate this pompous affair with GISA, in a carnival style on November 11th, 6:30 pm onward. Fun, food, games, dance and music shall ensue.

Deadline for December Conference Funding Applications
2017-11-15 | GSA Office, 310 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-2100, United States
All applications for Conference Funding for conferences during the month of December are due in the GSA office (310 Student Union) by the close of business.

South Campus Siesta
2017-11-15 15:30 - 17:30 | 105 Harriman Hall, 105 Harriman Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Free food and beverages for graduate students at South Campus.

Distinguished Speaker Series ~ Jesse Williams
2017-11-18 19:30 - 23:00 | Alumni Arena, Alumni Arena, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, 14260
Jesse Williams | Nov. 18, 2017
Free tickets available for graduate students on Nov. 2nd at the SBI Ticket Offices (221 Student Union and 135 Diefendorf Hall). 2 per UB ID.

Actor and Activist

Undergraduate Student Choice Speaker

More About Jesse Williams

A native of Chicago and graduate of Temple University, Jesse Williams began his professional career teaching high school in low income Philadelphia public charter schools. From there he moved to New York City and, after working at a law firm, began his professional acting career, performing off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre under the direction of award-winning playwright Edward Albee in “The Sandbox.”
Williams is ‘Dr. Jackson Avery’ in ABC’s hit series “Grey’s Anatomy.” He served as senior producer and correspondent for the EPIX docuseries “America Divided” with Norman Lear. He also executive produced the documentary “Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement,” which premiered summer 2016. His feature credits also include Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” “The Cabin in the Woods,” “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2,” “They Die By Dawn,” and 2017 releases, “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Band Aid.”
Williams is founder of the production company, farWord Inc. and the executive producer of “Question Bridge: Black Males,” a series of transmedia art installations, films, curriculum and website (QuestionBridge.com). The exhibition was an official selection of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival New Frontiers and continues to be exhibited in museums nationwide.
Off screen, Williams co-hosts the sports and culture-themed podcast “Open Run,” through a partnership with LeBron James’ digital network, Uninterrupted. He is co-owner of Scholly, a mobile app that connects students to scholarships for which they’re eligible. Additionally, Williams and partners launched Ebroji, the first curated GIF keyboard designed specifically to enhance the way we already communicate.
Williams gained international attention for his acceptance speech when presented with the 2016 BET Humanitarian Award as a champion of civil rights. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Advancement Project, a leading national civil rights advocacy organization and Harry Belafonte’s arts and social justice organization Sankofa.org.

For source or more information, please visit:

https://www.caaspeakers.com/jesse-williams/

Lecture Sponsor(s)

Undergraduate Student Association

December Group Funding Applications Deadline
2017-11-21 | GSA Office, 310 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-2100, United States
Application materials are due for Special Activities, Interdepartmental Activities, Symposium, Community Outreach and Scholarly Publication funding for events occurring after the December Senate meeting. All application materials due in the GSA office by the close of business.
*PLEASE NOTE* This is the final deadline to submit applications for Scholarly Publication funding for the 2017-2018 academic year! All publications must be printed by June 30, 2018.

Office Closed
2017-11-22 - 2017-11-24 | Buffalo, United States
The GSA office will be closed for Fall Recess.

Club Recognition Application Deadline
2017-11-29 | Buffalo, United States
According to the mandate of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Senate, Special Interest and International Clubs must apply for annual recognition. Recognition must take place at one of the FALL GSA Senate Meetings (September 6, October 4, November 1 or December 6).
All application materials are due in the GSA office before the close of business to have your club’s recognition considered at the December 6th Senate Meeting.

Nationwide Grad Tax Walkout
2017-11-29 13:00 - 14:00 | UB North Campus and South Campus, Buffalo, United States
Dear fellow Graduate students and everyone passionate about education:
We are distressed about the impact the proposed tax bill will have on all graduate students throughout the country. Specifically, graduate students given tuition tax waivers.
If you do not know, the House of Representatives approved a tax bill that eliminates the tax waiver on tuition waivers and it eliminates student loan interest tax deductions. As an example for here at UB, our stipend is approximately $24,000 a year and we are taxed at that income bracket. Under the new bill our adjusted gross income would now include tuition waivers as a form of “income.” This pushes our tax expense upwards of 400% of what we paid this year. Grad School tuition at UB is approximately $21,000 for full time graduate students taking a full course-load. This cost is 1.5x more for international students, who make up the majority of the grad student body especially in the school of engineering. This would mean our taxable income would be between $45,000 and $55,000. In other schools it is much worse (taxable incomes over $80,000!). This moves us into unsustainable tax brackets, at $24,000 a year our tax burden is approximately $1500. Under the new bill and a taxable income of $45k our tax burden jumps to $5k. This would dramatically affect grad student’s ability to afford basic living expenses.
UB mainly issues tuition waivers for Grad students- meaning they are paid for by either the department or the advisor through grants.
Should this tax bill become law (which is very likely), I urge you as chairs and the dean to take immediate action in changing the waiver to a scholarship. At the moment this is the only workaround and sends a powerful message to Washington.
Science and Scientists have long been a-political in the past. Unfortunately this has changed with the current administration. This bill is just one of countless examples of the disregard for our nation’s higher education in particular STEM education.
Graduate students teach your undergraduate classes, we grade your papers, we conduct the lab work to obtain data for grants, we keep the education-loop going.
We are the future of research, innovation and technology. We are also vital for the structure and function of higher education in the United States. Without us, universities wouldn’t have enough instructors or teaching assistants for their college courses. Join us in this national walkout to show just how important graduate students are to science, higher education, public policy, and healthcare.
There is a nationwide walkout (#gradtaxwalkout) on Wednesday November 29th at 1:00pm EST to show how vital graduate students are to higher education. As a UB grad student as well as the community science education director of Science Demands Action, Inc (previously Buffalo March for Science) I will be helping to organize this event for UB.
It is an hour long only, as we do not want to punish our universities and labs, as they are not responsible for this terrible bill. Help send a message by joining your graduate students!
Locations
North Campus- Founder’s Plaza
South Campus- Between Foster and Crosby
Please contact me or Alexandria Trujilio (atrujill@buffalo.edu) for more information and to let us know you support your grad students! It would be much appreciated if this email could be forwarded to all grad students, deans, chairs, and professors- as this bill will affect us all.
Help us get the word out with the #gradtaxwalkout, and join us by walking to either Founder’s Plaza on North Campus or Between Foster and Crosby Halls on South Campus on Wednesday November 29th at 1:00pm EST. Fight on!
Link to National Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/300955367071512/
Link for UB’s Walkout Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/185775955306704/
Sincerely,
Randall J. Smith Jr,
BS; Zoology and Philosophy
MS, Chemical and Biological Engineering
PhD Candidate-Biomedical Engineering
Director of Community Education (formerly the Buffalo March for Science)
Science Demands Action, Inc.
Buffalo, NY 14260

916 Furnas Hall
University at Buffalo
Amherst, NY 14260
716-534-8135-H
716-645-1203-W
716-302-9005 cell

Finance Committee Meeting
2017-11-29 19:00 - 21:00 | GSA Conference Room, 310A Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Finance Committee meeting to review group funding requests for events to take place in December or later.

Jingle Jangle Jam
2017-12-01 19:00 - 23:00 | Templeton Landing, 329 Erie St., Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
OPEN BAR, FOOD, DJ AND PRIZES!!!
Tickets on sale October 30th at the SBI Ticket Offices (221 Student Union and 135 Diefendorf Hall) for $20 each/$25 at the door (if tickets are still available). Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
*Please remember to bring photo ID as proof of age to the event. EVERYONE WILL BE CARDED AT THE DOOR!*

IDC LGBTQ Dinner
2017-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | 240 Student Union, Buffalo, 14260, United States
The Intercultural and Diversity Center will be having our monthly LGBTQ dinner next Tuesday 12/5 from 6-8 in 240 Student Union. All are invited to attend.
Please feel free to spread the word to any students who may be looking for LGBTQ/ gender diverse community or activities on campus. We will be having a taco bar catered from Moe’s (there will be gluten free and vegan options too) as well as games. Attached you’ll find our flier.
If you have any questions about the event or want more info about our office and what we do, feel free to email me: icdc.jarico@vpsa.buffalo.edu

December Senate Meeting
2017-12-06 18:30 - 21:30 | 330 Student Union, 330 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States

Last Day of Fall Classes
2017-12-08 | Buffalo, United States

Speak Out/Write In
2017-12-11 16:00 - 18:30 | 1032 Clemens Hall, Buffalo, 14260, United States

Deadline for January Conference Funding Applications
2017-12-15 | GSA Office, 310 Student Union, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260-2100, United States
All applications for Conference Funding for conferences during the month of January are due in the GSA office (310 Student Union) by the close of business.

Office Closed
2017-12-19 - 2018-01-07 | Buffalo, United States
The GSA Office will be closed for Winter Recess from Tuesday, December 19th until Monday, January 8th.
The office will be open for Summer Hours (Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm) from January 8th – 26th.
Regular business hours will resume with the start of classes on January 29th.

Winter Classes Begin
2018-01-04 | Buffalo, United States

GSA Office on Summer Hours
2018-01-08 - 2018-01-11 | Buffalo, United States
The GSA office will be open for Summer Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm, closed on Friday, January 12th.
