UB to Host Ninth Annual Safe Schools Initiative Seminar March 14

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will host the ninth annual Safe Schools Initiative Seminar on Wednesday, March 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus.

This year's seminar, Bullying: Insights and Tools for Gaining Control, showcases two renowned experts in their fields who will provide a proactive approach to dealing with bullying issues in our schools and community.

Amanda Nickerson, PhD and director of UB's Dr. Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence, will present an overview of key issues related to prevention and intervention of bullying in schools. The importance of taking a comprehensive approach to create a safe and respectful environment, including the active involvement of students, peers, school staff, parents, law enforcement and community members will be emphasized.

In addition, Mark Frank, PhD, professor, director of the UB Communication Science Center and a leading international authority on behavioral observation, will provide an in-depth workshop focusing on how to read or interpret nonverbal communication. He will also discuss how the behavioral clues in facial expressions, voice and body can provide information about feelings, preferences, intentions, deception and other behaviors--clues that can be indispensable for an interviewer/counselor/faculty/staff or officer in identifying problems before they begin or in helping develop strategies to overcome issues once they have been recognized. This ability to interpret nonverbal behavior has implications for addressing issues related to bullying such as the nature of the relationship between individuals, the imminence or likelihood of an attack and the fear of victims or witnesses (whether or not they are forthcoming).

The seminar is free and open to all who deal with school safety issues including grade school, middle school, high school and district faculty, staff (administrators, counselors, psychologists, school resource officers, etc.) and school board members; college and university administrators, police officers and other law enforcement officials; and school transportation professionals.

This year's program sponsors include the United States Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office; University at Buffalo (University Life & Services, University Police and the WNY Educational Service Council); the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, New York Branch; and the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of New York. The exclusive seminar sponsor is Utica National Insurance Group.

For more information about the seminar, the speakers and to register, please visit: 9th Annual Safe Schools Initiative Seminar Web site.