Thank you for a fantastic Sustainability Month 2019!

We compiled interviews from individuals across the university that have infused sustainability into their every day work. Check out our Sustainability Superstar series! Watch the videos and ask yourself — how can you be more like these ten amazing individuals?

Check out our full calendar of events — there's something for everyone!

The field of social work prioritizes economic justice, and considers extreme poverty as a human rights issue, organizers say. Symposium participants will explore these gaps and hear about current efforts that show promise in alleviating poverty.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Room 1220

Finance and Administration invites you to take a break from the daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to learn from and connect with subject matter experts and UB preferred suppliers. The event is free to attend, and a complimentary shuttle will run between the Center for Tomorrow parking lot, Flint Loop and the Marriott hotel.

There are many workshops that touch upon sustainability here at UB!

For example, at 9:00 a.m., "University Waste Streams" presented by Brian Foti will go into detail about our recycling practices."Understanding the Heart of the Campus Project" at 10 a.m. led by Kelly Hayes McAlonie will talk about our huge renovation project and its green features. Lastly, you can learn all about how UB Sustainability and Facilities are developing the university's new Climate Action Plan at 1:30 p.m. at "Hold on to your Timbits- Check out UB's ICECAP" presented by Ryan McPherson. 

This presentation highlights Dr. Cox’s engineering education research in the areas of assessment and evaluation, professional development, and diversity and inclusion. She will discuss the expansion of her dissertation work to the creation of an online assessment tool to observe science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching; the role of her National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career (CAREER)/Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) work in the demystification of the engineering Ph.D.; and collaborative work exploring the persistence of women engineering faculty in engineering. Translating research to practice, Dr. Cox will reflect on connections between her work, her engineering education professional journey, and her passion for impacting the lives of others.

Presented by: The Department of Engineering Education

Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Location: 101 Davis Hall 

Do you want to have conversations about sensitive topics like race, sexual orientation, and religion but are afraid that you might use the “wrong” words and offend others? Do you feel like a focus on “political correctness” keeps meaningful dialogue from taking place?  This workshop explores the difference between inclusive language and politically correct language and introduces participants to helpful information about words that are considered inclusive rather than dated or offensive.  

Presented by: Intercultural and Diversity Center

Time: 4-5 p.m.

Location: 240 Student Union 

This information-packed 3-hour session is for behavioral health, as well as health professionals, who work in case management and care coordination services, mental health and substance abuse agencies, schools, family services programs, and in hospital and insurance settings. You will learn how the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) impact your clients’ quality of life outcomes, and how to efficiently and effectively utilize the eleven steps of the Comprehensive Case Management Path© to improve client success.

Cost is $60 and counts as 3 CEU credits. 

Time: 8:45 a.m. -12:45 p.m.

Location: UB Center for Tomorrow 

Let's talk strategies. How do you think UB can lessen its Greenhous Gas Impact? What can we do to become climate neutral in the next 10 years? Help us develop our new Climate Action Plan. Attend our engagement session on March 29th from 11-1pm at the GRoW Home on South Campus to leave us your ideas on renewable energy, transportation, and behavioral changes that we can institute here at UB!

You do not need to stay for the entire event- just swing by, jot some ideas down on a Post-it note, and grab a slice of pizza. 

Time: 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

Location: GRoW Home on South Campus behind Hayes Hall

In this workshop you will learn about different transgender identities. Transgender is an umbrella term that includes all people whose gender identity is the different than their assigned sex. This workshop will cover intermediate and advanced development of ones understanding of the trans community. It will help increase individuals transgender cultural competency and skills to be a better ally.  

Presented by: Intercultural and Diversity Center

Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Location: 240 Student Union 

Terrance L. Green — assistant professor, University of Texas at Austin College of Education — presents “Here Comes the Neighborhood: The Influence of Gentrification on Urban Schooling and Educational Leadership” as part of the Graduate School of Education's 2018–19 Colloquium Series.

The University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education Colloquium Series is designed to bring together a range of perspectives on issues and innovations related to the lives of learners. This series defines the learner broadly across the lifespan and across a range of social settings, activities, and personal goals including but not limited to campuses, classrooms, libraries, and other community settings. With a particular concern for equitable opportunities to learn and individual's social and emotional well-being, the speakers in this series are invited to address factors that all people face in their ecologies. This speaker series will help establish links across theoretical and disciplinary traditions and provide attendees with improved awareness of these dynamics and the development of empirically derived strategies that may foster the development of healthier learning environments and more cohesive communities.

Time: 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Location: 120 Clemens Hall

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is simply a sustainability scorecard for green buildings. Buildings can become LEED Certified as can people! The LEED Green Associate is the only professional designation to show employers and clients you have certified knowledge in the field.

To date, this course and its materials have proven to be instrumental in helping over 8000 students pass their respective exam at a 100% pass rate. This course is offered at a quarter of the price and time as the competition and is geared at allowing students to graduate with letters after their name!

This course is instructed by a USGBC Faculty member and meets the exam’s eligibility requirements and the USGBC charges a $100 (reduced for students) fee for the actual exam which can be taken at any time at your nearest Prometric center. Save money by reserving your spot today and make a positive difference in your career!

If you are worried about your busy schedule or distance from the course location, fear not, as the workshop is entirely recorded and you can watch the part that you cannot attend or take the whole course online.

This professional designation never expires and you will never have to retest if you pass now!

Early-Bird Cost: $300 ($200 for full time students)

The School of Public Health and Health Professions is hosting the fourth annual Step Challenge! The 2019 challenge is a part of our school's annual National Public Health Week celebrations, taking place during the month of April.

Open to all wishing to participate, the challenge is a fun way to unite the university and greater community while promoting healthy and active lifestyle choices. Participants will be asked to sync or log their individual step counts, with each participant’s submissions contributing towards the collective goal during the month of April. All participants will qualify to win various prizes each week throughout the contest ranging from yoga mats to iPads.

This competition lasts from April 1 - 30th.

Dr. Yeeli Mui is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Community for Global Health Equity and UB Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab.   

Sponsored by the CHHB GSA

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: 180 Farber Hall

Think big. Think broad. Think collaboratively.

The World's Challenge Challenge calls on students to solve some of the problems facing the world. In teams of three, students from diverse backgrounds will choose one idea and relate it to one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the global community. It is an engaging opportunity for students to gain real-world experience through social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Time: 4 - 6 p.m.

Location: 10 Capen (the Buffalo Room)

You’ve probably heard that men are paid more than women are paid over their lifetimes. But what does that even mean? In this 2 hour session, you will learn concrete strategies for evaluating and negotiating for a salary that is compensatory with your value!

Time: 4-6 p.m.

Location: 259 Capen Hall

Scott launched Generation Citizen in 2009 while he was a student at Brown University. In 2012, he was named one of Forbes "30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs." Scott's passion for the importance of youth political engagement stems from his experience growing up abroad. During college he served as the student director of STAND, a national student anti-genocide coalition. Sponsored by Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars.

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: 210 Student Union

Dr. France A. Córdova is an astrophysicist and the 14th director of the National Science Foundation. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is a National Associate of the National Academies. She is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS).

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: 10 Capen

The Right of All Children to a Family: 
Implications for Placement in Orphanages, Residential Care, and Group Homes under International Law

The 1989 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has long been interpreted as permitting the placement of children in institutions, such as orphanages and group homes, where abuse rates are exceptionally high. The 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) says otherwise, insisting that children with disabilities have a right to grow up in a family setting.

On the 30th anniversary of the CRC, Executive Director of Disability Rights International Eric Rosenthal argues it is time for a permanent reinterpretation of the CRC, such that all children are understood to have a right to grow up with a family.

Come hear a discussion of the implications—for orphanages, psychiatric facilities, group homes, abuse and neglect cases, and family separations at the border. 

Talk open to all.

Dinner to be served at 6:00pm and must RSVP to Prof. Melish at tmelish@buffalo.edu.

Time: 4:30- 5:45 p.m.

Location: 509 O'Brian Hall

Diversity Zone training explores the foundations for understanding the role of privilege and allyship within systems of power and oppression.  This 4 hour interactive workshop will explore our individual identities, how we connect to the people around us and the importance of doing so.  Upon successful completion of this training, participants will receive a Diversity Zone certificate.  

Presented by: Intercultural and Diversity Center

Time: 1-5 p.m.

Location: 240 Student Union

The snow and ice have finally melted away leaving behind all of the trash that has accumulated over the past few months. UB Sustainability is hosting a cleanup of our campus’ Bizer Creek. Please come dressed for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. The waterfowl will appreciate your efforts!

RSVP

Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Location: 101 Statler

EEH Seminar: The Intersection of Public Health, Emergency Medicine and the Opioid Epidemic

• 12 – 12:50 p.m.
• Location: 144 Farber Hall

Panel: “Think Locally. Act Globally.”

• Mara Huber – Tanzania
• John Stone – Brazil
• Laura Smith – Zimbabwe
• Lina Mu – China

UB Parking and Transportation has invited Pro Terra to bring electric buses to our campus. Come for a test drive to see what EV buses sound and feel like! 

Time: 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (walk-through)

         2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (limited riding tour)

Location: Lee Loop     

UB Parking and Transportation has invited Pro Terra to bring electric buses to our campus. Come for a test drive to see what EV buses sound and feel like! 

Time: 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. (walk-through)

         2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (limited riding tour)

Location: Founder's Plaza  

General Membership Meeting for the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association (FSA).

All faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

Location: 567 Capen Hall

Join the GBNRTC and NFTA for a Transit-Orientated Development (TOD) Visioning Workshop!

This workshop is geared towards STUDENTS and FUTURE RIDERS!

The 2-hour session is looking to talk to students and future riders to help create a vision for various aspects dealing with the transit extension, stations, and development that may occur around it.

Parking is available at the University Station or in nearby lots on the campus. 

Bonus - pizza and beverages will be available!

For more information, see the attached flyer or contact Fred Frank at fred.frank@wsp.com or 716-362-9182.

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: 217 Hayes Hall

Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator and current visiting professor from Bennington College, will present  Beyond Plastics, a new project designed to promote local laws to reduce plastic pollution and train college students and community members in becoming anti-plastic packaging advocates. This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by UB Sustainability, Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. 

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Jacobs School of Medicine, 955 Main St., UB Downtown

Poor mestizos in northern Peru offer a new way to theorize humanism and sentient landscapes that interact with humans in terms of environmental justice, collective ethics, and health. This model transcends the limits of ontological cosmopolitics and political ecology. Mestizos respond to climate change and environmental devastation and challenge the governance of late liberalism by engaging indigenous sentient landscapes as leaders of environmental movements and co-creators of an interethnic world. They attach moral agency to the natural world for social and environmental transformation and open up a new kind of political debate. By defining “community” and “well-being” as humans-in-relationship-to-places-as-persons, poor mestizos resignify “nature” itself as an anchor for social justice.

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: 306 Clemens

The Dare to Repair Cafe is a community event where individuals can bring broken items (lamps, vacuums, toys, etc.) to the repair cafe and have expert volunteer “fixers” try to repair the item alongside them for free.

While there is no guarantee that an item can be fixed, participants are sure to learn something new and have fun along the way. It’s not just about fixing things, it’s about reducing waste and building community!

Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Location: Lovejoy Discover School #43- 161 Benzinger Street - Buffalo

This event engages 6th-10th grade female students from across the WNY community, along with UB students, faculty and alumni, to inspire girls about career possibilities in computers, technology and entrepreneurship. It features hands-on demonstrations and an opportunity to meet and talk with female business founders. Sponsored by Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars.

Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Make and eat a meal together, share tips for saving money and time. Each session is different meal.  Please notify instructor in advance of any dietary needs or restrictions. Presented by UB Wellness.

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: South Lake Village Community Building 

The Parking and Transportation Services office will have expert bicycle mechanics on location to oil chains, check brakes and perform routine maintenance on your bicycle, all for free.

Time: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Location: The Commons across from the Student Union 

Before the keynote speaker, ASDA Sustainability Club has organized different activities to get you in touch with what Earth Day is all about; you can decorate re-usable bags for grocery shopping, get beautiful plants to bring home with you, learn about simple lifestyle “hacks” to reduce your waste, composting, and more!

Did you know plastic tooth brushes are one of the top 10 plastics found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is the size of Mexico! It takes OVER 400 YEARS for toothbrushes and floss to decompose… that’s why founder of Woobamboo, Steve Hyde, is excited to join us and provide FREE bamboo toothbrushes to the first 300 people at this event! 

Sponsored by: ASDA Sustainability 

Time: 5:00 -6:00 p.m. - Earth Day Festivities

         6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lisa Knowles

Location: Harriman Hall, UB South Campus 

Meet up with UB friends and colleagues at the Pride Center of WNY's April Out for Business

Out for Business is Buffalo's premiere LGBTQ professionals networking event organized by the Pride Center of WNY. The mission is to continually provide a social environment where guests are encouraged to network.

The April Out for Business is located at Lobby Bar at Statler City, 107 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202.

Sponsored by: LGBTQ FSA

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Location: Lobby Bar at Statler City, 107 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo 

The Parking and Transportation Services office will have expert bicycle mechanics on location to oil chains, check brakes and perform routine maintenance on your bicycle, all for free.

Time: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Location: Main Bus Loop on South Campus

The Erie Hack is a data and engineering competition that unites coders, developers, engineers, and water experts to generate enduring solutions to Lake Erie’s biggest challenges. The competition includes $100,000 in prizes for the most creative and effective hacks. Working from challenge statements derived from ideation sessions with NASA representatives and regional stakeholders, teams were charged with creating innovative digital tools, hardware innovations, and engineering solutions that build “the Blue Economy”:  the emergent economic sector dedicated to the sustainable stewardship of bodies of freshwater around the globe. The Erie Hack provides high school students, college students, and professionals the opportunity to combine their own expertise with solid mentoring to create technologies with the potential to invigorate Lake Erie’s environment and economy.

Time: 1-3 p.m.

Location: 210 Student Union 

Volunteer with outdoor projects like tree planting, invasive species control, trail work and more. Dress to work outside. Advance registration required. Please call 716.825.6397 to register.

Time: 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Tifft Nature Preserve 1200 Furhmann Blvd, Buffalo

Celebrate all things clean energy with Environmental SA, UB Sustainability and the Education and Leadership Fellows in Sustainability. See solar panels, hear from business leaders in the clean energy field, and participate in fun solar activities. Plus, free food! 

Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Student Union Lobby

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY26) will be visiting our campus to hear pitches from student teams that have drafted recommendations and tactics for local businesses to cut their carbon imprint. Afterwards, he will give his remarks on how our community can move forward to ramp up solutions and answer your questions!

April 23

12-2pm

10 Capen

UB Parking and Transportation has invited Build Your Dreams (BYD) to bring electric buses to our campus. Come for a test drive to see what EV buses sound and feel like! 

Location: Lee Loop

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recycle your old electronics and drop of clothing for donation at the Professional Staff Senate's Electronics and Clothing Recycling event!

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Location: Center for Tomorrow Parking Lot

UB Parking and Transportation has invited Build Your Dreams (BYD) to bring electric buses to our campus. Come for a test drive to see what EV buses sound and feel like! 

Location: Main Circle from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and Flint Loop from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

The 15th Annual Celebration of Student Academic Excellence will be taking place on Thursday, April 25. Come join the UB community as we gather to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic contributions of our students, faculty, and research mentors. The event will feature presentations from students participating in research and creative works followed by a formal recognition ceremony with President Tripathi honoring select individuals for their contributions to academic excellence.

Questions, comments and concerns can be directed to the CURCA Graduate Assistant, Meghan Lipinoga, at prov.mllipino@provost.buffalo.edu.

Time: 1-3 p.m. Poster Session

3:30 p.m. Celebration Ceremony

Location: Center for the Arts

Last year, Dani, Kelley and Isabel formed a team for the World's Challenge Challenge that focused on menstrual health maintenance and waste management systems in Ghana. The Flow Project has had a year to grow and hone their idea, as well as test out their curriculum at a school in Ghana. They now need your help!

We will start by screening the documentary Period. End of Sentence. that won best documentary at the 2019 Oscars. Afterwards, the Flow Project will ask for your help in developing ways to assess and evaluate the program, infuse waste management into the curriculum, and plan for the sustainability and longevity of the program.

Refreshments will be provided.  

Time: 5:30- 7:30 p.m.

Location: 240 Capen Hall

This conference brings together some of the nation’s leading Veterans’ advocates to discuss issues that are too often ignored in our conversations about Veterans and their families, including:

·       How to improve services for Veterans in the criminal justice system.

·       How to best represent Veterans who were wrongfully assigned a less-than-honorable character of discharge.

·       How to best assist Veterans who are confronting alcoholism and/or substance abuse.

·       How to prevent discrimination against Veterans in the workforce, in the housing market, and beyond.

·       How to improve resources and services for women who serve in the Armed Forces, both during their military service and after their discharge from the military.

·       How to enhance outreach and service delivery to Veterans in populations that are often marginalized in our society, including (but not limited to) Veterans who are Native Americans, Veterans who are African-Americans, and Veterans who identify as LGBTQIA. 

Time: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: 108 O'Brian Hall

In celebrating this new event on UB’s calendar, the GIAL will represents a more active role in collaborative efforts to create GIS research, learning and outreach activities for students, faculty and alumni. The proposed events of A-GIAL Earth Day are around GIS touching any of the Department of Geography’s five defined research areas (http://www.buffalo.edu/cas/geography/research.html) as well as collaborators on UB’s campus. The event is closely coordinated with the Geography graduate/undergraduate student associations, the directors of UGS and DGS, the leadership of the NCGIA and CTED and the chair of the Geography Department. 

Time: 8:30- 10:30 a.m.

Location: Geography Department, Wilkeson Quad

Visit UB Sustainability’s new office space on April 26 at the opening reception for the Sustainability Art Show and SLICE Awards and an open house for those interested in connecting to find solutions to the global challenges we face!

Time: 4:30- 6:00 p.m.

Location: 101 Statler, North Campus

UB Community Day is held twice each year to help clean up neighborhoods and assist local agencies with service projects. This benefits the community, fosters better relationships with residents, and shows students the value of getting involved in neighborhood projects.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: 150 Farber Hall (Butler Auditorium), South Campus 

If each of us is to realize our full personal and professional potential at UB we must foster, explore, and celebrate the diversity of our organization. While we all know this to be true, many people may feel that they are treading new territory when they are asked to work with a team made of individuals from different cultures, heterogeneous mixes, and differing demographics. This feeling of uncertainty indicates a lack of understanding of the techniques required to work within diverse teams, which can cause team member motivation, satisfaction levels and productivity to drop. Taking the time to understand people’s differences can have a profound impact on organizational performance in multiple ways, among them: recruitment, retention, communications, succession planning, motivation/rewards, team relationships and performance. The class offers insight into the differences that exist between people and strategies for optimizing your interactions with others who may be different than you. This allows everyone involved to maximize their potential and have a truly rewarding experience working at UB.

Presented by: Organizational Development & Training (Work Life & Services)

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location:142 Crofts Hall

The next big clean energy ideas will be presented at the Transforming Our Tomorrow clean energy symposium. Students from across the state will present their work on changing the way we produce our energy to a more sustainable and resilient system. 

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Location: 6 Norton (*Please note, location change!) 

David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes will lead you on a visual journey of their most recent National Geographic assignments, from the tropics to the polar ice. UB Staff adn Faculty can buy one get one free by using the promo code BOGONGUB. UB Students can attend for only $10 using promo code NATEGEO10.

Time: 7 - 9 p.m.

Location: Kleinhans Music Hall - 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY 14201

Join over 180 people representing 87 businesses form across WNY and Southern Ontario. More details to come. 

Time: 11:30 a.m. -6:00 p.m.

Location: Hotel Henry