Education

Extraordinary: That's how University at Buffalo officials describe the response of area high schools to UB's invitation to hear former vice president and environmental activist Al Gore speak on what could be the defining issue of their generation: climate change.

In the name of raising environmental awareness, enterprising University at Buffalo students are turning their campus into a virtual -- and real -- playground this week as they conduct a final project for their class in "Pervasive Gaming," an emerging game genre in which virtual and real-life play come together.

The University at Buffalo is looking for some new angles on its campuses -- literally. The university has launched "Framing UB," a year-long photo and video contest for students, faculty and staff. Participants will be invited to submit digital images and brief commentaries about their favorite -- and not-so-favorite -- places on UB's North (Amherst), South (Main Street) and downtown campus centers.

The University at Buffalo community is responding to Monday's shootings at VirginaTech with a series of events and activities in memory of the victims. At the same time, UB Counseling Services is reaching out to students feeling affected by, or having strong emotional reactions to, the tragedy, offering one-on-one support, as well as Web-based self-help information.

As a conversation starter, legal research may seem too esoteric of a topic. But add to the discussion a little atmosphere -- lunch at an Italian cafe, the chattering of fellow diners, a touch of jazz music in the background -- and now you have the makings of an Internet talk show. More specifically, you have a podcast on important ideas in law and society.

A light bulb exchange program that encourages students to trade in their old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is reaping economic and environmental benefits for the University at Buffalo only months after the initial launch.

Scholars from 25 countries will gather on March 29-31 at a meeting hosted by the University at Buffalo to discuss and debate ways to improve access and equity in higher education worldwide.

University at Buffalo President John B. Simpson has committed the university to taking a leadership role in fighting global warming by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

More than a decade ago, the University at Buffalo made a major investment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a $17 million comprehensive energy-conservation project. With the final payment made on the loan that partially funded the project, UB now will realize $4 million in annual energy-cost savings as a result of the work that was done.

The School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo has entered into an agreement with the Buffalo Public Schools to provide specialized group treatment and violence-prevention programs to help students who have been suspended return to their regular classrooms.