November Group Funding Applications Deadline
2023-10-18
Application materials are due for Special Activities, Interdepartmental Activities, Symposium, Community Outreach and Scholarly Publication funding for events occurring after the November Board of Directors meeting. All application materials due by the close of business at 4:30pm.

Distinguished Speaker Series presents Amy Schneider
2023-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Center for the Arts, Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Amy Schneider

History-Making “Jeopardy!” Champion | Author

Free tickets available for graduate students starting October 5th through the UB Ticket Office. 1 per UB ID. Any remaining graduate student tickets will be available at the door, first come, first served.

Public Ticket Information

Thurs., Oct. 19, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Center for the Arts
UB North Campus

More About Amy Schneider

Amy Schneider is an American software engineer and recent “Jeopardy!” champion. Following an impressive 40-game winning streak, she became the most successful woman ever to compete on “Jeopardy!” She is second all-time in the show’s history, trailing only Ken Jennings, and the 11th highest-earning contestant of all time across all American game shows. Schneider is also the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions.
Schneider’s upcoming book, “In the Form of a Question,” serves as an inspirational memoir and an exploration of what it means to ask questions of the world and of yourself.
Having been raised in a Catholic family, Schneider suppressed her gender identity well into adulthood. She has since stressed the importance of trans representation and shifting the focus from their suffering to their accomplishments. Since her transition in 2017, she has made a point to say yes to new experiences, from trying stand-up comedy to piercing her nose.
The Ohio native earned a spot in the show’s Hall of Fame and won the Tournament of Champions after competing against some of her all-time favorite contestants.

Fall Fest at Becker Farms
2023-10-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Becker Farms, 3724 Quaker Rd, , Gasport, NY, 14067, United States
Tickets on sale October 9th at the UB Ticket Office (online or at 221 Student Union) for $10 each. 2 per UB ID. Tickets must be used on Saturday, October 21st only (from 10:00am to 4:00pm) and include pumpkin or apple picking, 1 beer or wine token, and access to all other available farm activities. Check out www.beckerfarms.com for more information.
PLEASE NOTE: The email voucher you receive must be exchanged for the Becker Farms wristband and drink ticket at the UB Ticket Office in 221 Student Union. The QR code from the Ticket Office WILL NOT be accepted for admission.

Buffalo Sabres Hockey Game vs. New York Islanders
2023-10-21 19:00 - 22:30 | Key Bank Center, 1 Seymour H Knox III Plaza , Buffalo, NY, 14203, United States
Tickets on sale September 25th at the UB Ticket Office (online or in 221 Student Union) for $10 each. 2 per UB ID. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
**DIGITAL ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE EMAILED OUT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO GAME TIME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EMAILED TICKET FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IS ONLY A VOUCHER, AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.**

Club Recognition Application Deadline
2023-10-25, 2023-11-29
According to the mandate of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Board of Directors, Special Interest and International Clubs must apply for annual recognition. Recognition must take place at one of the FALL GSA Board Meetings (September 6, October 4, November 1, or December 6).
All application materials are due by the close of business at 4:30pm to have your club’s recognition considered at the September 6th Board Meeting.

Finance Committee Meeting
2023-10-25 18:30 - 20:30
Finance Committee meeting to review group funding requests for events to take place in November or later.

November Board of Directors Meeting
2023-11-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Online via Zoom
The November 1st Board of Directors meeting will be held online via Zoom. GSA Board of Directors 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. Once the meeting begins no one else will be admitted for attendance purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Every club will need to email Stephanie at slfrank@buffalo.edu no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 1st with who will be attending the meeting on the club’s behalf so that eligible representatives can be verified in advance. Once representatives are verified they will be sent the Zoom meeting link and password directly, along with some instructions on how the meeting will be managed, in order to be able to participate and vote. Only previously verified representatives will be admitted to participate in the Zoom meeting.
For attendance purposes each Special Interest Club may have one representative participate directly in the Zoom meeting, but they will not have voting privileges. Additional special requests for guests and/or speakers to be admitted may be sent to gsa-feedback@buffalo.edu.
The meeting will also be live streamed via GSA’s Facebook Page for anyone else that is interested in watching the meeting without voting privileges or an official attendance record, as meetings are open to the public.

Moulin Rouge! at Shea's Performing Arts Center
2023-11-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Tickets on sale October 16th at the UB Ticket Office (online or at 221 Student Union) for $25 each. 2 per UB ID. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
**DIGITAL ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE EMAILED OUT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SHOW TIME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EMAILED TICKET FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IS ONLY A VOUCHER, AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.**

Java Junction
2023-11-03 11:00 - 13:00, 2023-12-01 11:00 - 13:00 | 145 Student Union
Free Tim Horton’s coffee and doughnuts for graduate students in 145C&D Student Union.
All participants must review the GSA’s Safety Acknowledgement and Participant Disclaimer before attending.

Discount AMC Movie Tickets Available
2023-11-06
GSA will have discount AMC Movie Tickets available for sale on November 6th at the UB Ticket Office (online or in 221 Student Union) for $5 each. 1 per UB ID. Tickets can be used for all movies at AMC theatre locations. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
*PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR PHYSICAL TICKET(S) FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IN 221 STUDENT UNION. THE EMAILED TICKET IS ONLY A VOUCHER AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.

Graduate Students of Color ~ Writing Workshop with Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka
2023-11-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Online via Zoom

Pharmaceutical Sciences Distinguished Alumni Symposium
2023-11-08 - 2023-11-09 | Pharmacy Building
The Pharmaceutical Sciences Distinguished Alumni Symposium is an annual tradition within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held as an all-day event in which graduate students have the opportunity to meet with a prominent alumna/alumnus from the Pharmaceutical Sciences department. This year, we have invited Dr. Doahn (Donny) Tran as our distinguished alumnus. Dr. Tran currently serves as Deputy Director of the Division of Cardiometabolic and Endocrine Pharmacology at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and he has previousy held several other leadership positions within the FDA during his time there including Deputy Director for the Division of Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Products and the Division of Dermatology and Dental Products. Dr. Tran has several decades of experience to share amongst current pharmaceutical sciences graduate students, and we are excited to hear of his fruitful career following his graduate education at UB. During the symposium, graduate students will have the opportunity to engage in a career development lunch session with Dr. Tran and fellow student leaders within the department. Further, students will be able to reserve a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Tran to further discuss his research and career, expand their career network, and learn about opportunities available to pharmaceutical science graduates within the pharmaceutical regulatory area. The day-long event will conclude with a keynote speech from Dr. Tran delivered to the university. This speech will be of great interest not only to those wihtin the pharmaceutical sciences, but also across several disciplines including Biological Sciences, Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemistry, Public Health, and Chemical Engineering, among others. We firmly believe that providing graduate students with the opportunity to meet with distinguished UB alumni will enhance their graduate student experience and inspire them to strive for similar success.

South Campus Java Junction
2023-11-10 11:00 - 13:00, 2023-12-08 11:00 - 13:00 | 105 Harriman Hall, 105 Harriman Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Free Tim Horton’s coffee and doughnuts for graduate students at South Campus in 105 Harriman.
All participants must review the GSA’s Safety Acknowledgement and Participant Disclaimer before attending.

GISA ~ Diwali
2023-11-11 18:00 - 23:00 | 145 Student Union, Buffalo
Diwali is the festival of lights with its variations also celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.. It is a vibrant festival of happiness, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and the world. Our student club is organizing this event on November 11, 2023 to bring together the diverse student community on our campus and celebrate this cultural festival in a fun and inclusive way.
The event will feature a range of activities such as Rangoli competition, Diya painting, games, Indian food and DJ, all centered around the festival of Diwali. We expect a large turnout of students from various cultural backgrounds with an estimated attendance of over 400 people. We aim to host at least one event per semester in which the student community can gather and celebrate. The event will be celebrated in the Student Union 145 from 6PM – 11PM.

Buffalo Bills Football Game vs. Denver Broncos
2023-11-13 20:00 - 23:30 | Highmark Stadium, 1 Bills Dr., Orchard Park, 14127, United States
Tickets on sale October 9th at the UB Ticket Office (online or at 221 Student Union) for $40 each. 1 per UB ID. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
**DIGITAL ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE EMAILED OUT 24 HOURS PRIOR TO GAME TIME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EMAILED TICKET FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IS ONLY A VOUCHER, AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.**

Deadline for December Conference Funding Applications
2023-11-15
All applications for Conference Funding for conferences during the month of December are due by the close of business at 4:30pm.
The GSA Conference Funding Application is now available as an online form on GSA’s UBLinked page. Please note that you must be signed in to UBLinked and “Join” as a member of GSA in order to be able to access the form on the Homepage.

Distinguished Speaker Series presents Nicholas Thompson and Nita Farahany
2023-11-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Center for the Arts, Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, United States
Nicholas Thompson & Nita Farahany

AI and the Future of Everything: In Conversation with a Technologist and a Neuroethicist

Free tickets available for graduate students starting November 2nd through the UB Ticket Office. 1 per UB ID.

Public Ticket Information

Thurs., Nov. 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Center for the Arts
UB North Campus

More About Nicholas Thompson & Nita Farahany

Nicholas Thompson

CEO of The Atlantic | Former Editor-in-Chief of WIRED

Nicholas Thompson has occupied the most prestigious positions in the world of tech writing and journalism—staking out a bold, optimistic vision for what our future will look like. Thompson currently serves as CEO of The Atlantic, leading the team to National Magazine Award wins for unprecedented coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, new perspectives on 9/11, the rise of global autocratic power, the case to return the national parks to Native American tribes and the hypocrisy behind high-class education in America. His years of experience covering tech makes him a leading analytical voice in the field, where he uncovers how each new development in the world of tech will impact us all.
How will the world’s dominant tech corporations—Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft—interact with citizens, help write policy and redefine privacy and security? How will artificial intelligence and robotics change our devices, the way we work, earn a living, fight wars, solve problems—our very selves? No matter the subject—design, culture, media, tech, ethics or our digital future—he’s more than ready to break the news with big ideas and fearless takes.
As the editor-in-chief of WIRED, Thompson broke massive stories about Facebook’s hidden flaws, cyber-warfare, the Robert Mueller investigation and numerous other topics. His groundbreaking investigative reporting on Facebook was a finalist for a 2020 Loeb Award, and he oversaw work that won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Magazine Award and has even led to Oscar-winning films.
At The New Yorker, Thompson served as editor of the magazine’s digital platforms, breaking new ground with stories about his friendship with Joseph Stalin’s daughter, how our lives are forever changed by the consumer drone industry, and arson amid the election cycle. His work at The New Yorker is defined by his fearless leadership and unwavering commitment to quality stories: The main strategy for growing audience is to publish more, better stories. The stories we’re prouder of, the stories we put more effort into, attract more readers.
He’s also the author of the critically acclaimed biography “The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War”—a fascinating double biography that follows two rivals and friends from the beginning of the Cold War to its end. The New York Times said that the book was “brimming with fascinating revelations about the men and the harrowing events they steered through.”
Thompson is a former senior editor at Legal Affairs and a former contributor at CBS. With a massive and vigilant following on social media, he’s one of LinkedIn’s most-followed individuals. He earned the 21st Century Leader Award from The National Committee on American Foreign Policy, was a Future Tense Fellow at the New America Foundation and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Thompson is also an accomplished runner and is currently the American record holder for men over age 45 in the 50k. He is also ranked in the top ten marathoners in the world for his age group. He can show you how the lessons he’s learned from running are also applicable to business, and every other field. The discipline and grit put into this solo sport is undeniably influential on productivity, creativity and purpose. To Thompson, running is not a matter of physical talent, but a matter of mental strength.

Nita Farahany

Author of “The Battle for Your Brain” | Legal Scholar & Ethicist | Director of The Duke Initiative for Science & Society

You’re driving home after a long day, desperate to stay awake. Suddenly, a mild zap from your headrest bolts you upright, alert. You’re safe—no caffeine required. This kind of revolutionary device is already in action, and they’re only getting more sophisticated. Nita Farahany is at the forefront of the technology and ethics of wearable AI devices that use our biological and neurological data. An internationally acclaimed thought leader who bridges law, ethics and technology to champion ethical progress in science and technology, she says these “mind-reading” neuroscience and AI technologies will revolutionize everything. The same zap that can save a drowsy driver can also be used in the workplace to increase safety measures or tell businesses whether their customers really love what they’re looking at.
Farahany leads audiences on an optimistic, but cautionary, tour through the future of AI programs, like ChatGPT, and neurotechnology. She goes over the necessary regulations and shifts that need to be implemented with this rapidly developing technology, including how employers must build employee trust when adopting new technologies in the workplace. If we want to make the most out of AI and neurotech, transparency is vital.
Farahany’s talks break down AI and neurotech to diverse academic, legal, corporate and public sector audiences. Her impactful insights have reverberated on stages from TED and the World Economic Forum to the Aspen Ideas Festival and beyond. She consistently shapes public discourse and policy on neuroscience, artificial intelligence and societal impacts through her rigorous scholarship, and influential public engagements with academics, policymakers and corporations.
President Obama appointed Farahany to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, where she served for seven years. She currently serves on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke, as an elected member of the American Law Institute and on the Global Future Council on Frontier Risks for the World Economic Forum, among others. Farahany is a co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and the Biosciences and is on the board of advisors for Scientific American. As an ethics consultant, her expertise is sought by corporations and governments worldwide. Her contributions have been recognized through election to prestigious bodies including the American Law Institute, the Uniform Laws Commission and the AAAS.
Farahany is the Robinson O. Everett Distinguished Professor of Law & Philosophy and founding director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. She is a widely published scholar on the ethics of emerging technologies, including the book “The Battle for Your Brain: Defending Your Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology.” She spearheads research on futurism, law and ethical implications of emerging technologies for society—offering a roadmap for cognitive freedom in our increasingly interconnected world.

December Group Funding Applications Deadline
2023-11-21
Application materials are due for Special Activities, Interdepartmental Activities, Symposium, Community Outreach and Scholarly Publication funding for events occurring after the December Board of Directors meeting. All application materials due by the close of business at 4:30pm.
PLEASE NOTE: This is the final deadline for all Scholarly Publication funding requests for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Thanksgiving Break
2023-11-22 - 2023-11-25

GSA Closed
2023-11-22 - 2023-11-24
The GSA will be closed for Thanksgiving Break.

Finance Committee Meeting
2023-11-29 18:30 - 20:30
Finance Committee meeting to review group funding requests for events to take place in December or later.

Discount AMC Movie Tickets Available
2023-12-04
GSA will have discount AMC Movie Tickets available for sale on December 4th at the UB Ticket Office (online or in 221 Student Union) for $5 each. 1 per UB ID. Tickets can be used for all movies at AMC theatre locations. Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
*PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR PHYSICAL TICKET(S) FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IN 221 STUDENT UNION. THE EMAILED TICKET IS ONLY A VOUCHER AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.

December Board of Directors Meeting
2023-12-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Online via Zoom
The December 6th Board of Directors meeting will be held online via Zoom. GSA Board of Directors 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. Once the meeting begins no one else will be admitted for attendance purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Every club will need to email Stephanie at slfrank@buffalo.edu no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 6th with who will be attending the meeting on the club’s behalf so that eligible representatives can be verified in advance. Once representatives are verified they will be sent the Zoom meeting link and password directly, along with some instructions on how the meeting will be managed, in order to be able to participate and vote. Only previously verified representatives will be admitted to participate in the Zoom meeting.
For attendance purposes each Special Interest Club may have one representative participate directly in the Zoom meeting, but they will not have voting privileges. Additional special requests for guests and/or speakers to be admitted may be sent to gsa-feedback@buffalo.edu.
The meeting will also be live streamed via GSA’s Facebook Page for anyone else that is interested in watching the meeting without voting privileges or an official attendance record, as meetings are open to the public.

Last Day of Fall Classes
2023-12-11

Discount Canalside Ice Skating Packages Available
2023-12-11 | Canalside Ice Rink, 44 Prime St., Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Vouchers on sale December 11th at the UB Ticket Office (online or in 221 Student Union) for $2 each. 2 per UB ID. Tickets include admission and skate rental. Vouchers must be used by February 25, 2024!
Limited quantity available. First come, first served.
*PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR PHYSICAL TICKET(S) FROM THE UB TICKET OFFICE IN 221 STUDENT UNION. THE EMAILED TICKET IS ONLY A VOUCHER AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION BY THE VENDOR.

GSA Closed for Winter Recess
2023-12-12 - 2024-01-01
The GSA will be closed for Winter Recess from Tuesday, December 12th until Tuesday, January 2nd.
The office will be open for Summer Hours (Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:00pm) from January 2nd – 23rd.
Regular business hours will resume with the start of classes on January 24th.

Deadline for January Conference Funding Applications
2023-12-15
All applications for Conference Funding for conferences during the month of January are due by the close of business at 4:00pm.
The GSA Conference Funding Application is now available as an online form on GSA’s UBLinked page. Please note that you must be signed in to UBLinked and “Join” as a member of GSA in order to be able to access the form on the Homepage.
