University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Free fertilizer available

UB’s trash can be a gardener’s treasure.

Members of the UB community and the general public can get free organic fertilizer by contacting Tom Ludtka, manager of Statler Commissary, at 645-2832 or tludtka@buffalo.edu.

Ludtka oversees operation of UB’s food waste decomposer, which transforms everyday refuse from campus dining centers—onion skins, egg shells, chicken bones, bell pepper tops, baked goods, coffee grinds, banana peels—into a rich, brown soil amendment gardeners can use to fertilize their plots. (Broken down poultry bones, which contain slow-release calcium and phosphorus, make for a particularly rich additive, Ludtka says.)

The decomposer, which Campus Dining and Shops purchased this fall, helps keep garbage out of landfills.

Join UB colleagues at Bisons game

Faculty and staff can attend UB Day with the Buffalo Bisons on May 28 and purchase tickets for only $10.

The cost of the ticket includes admission to the park and $5 in Bisons Bucks that are good for the purchase of concessions and souvenirs throughout the season.

A ticket order form can be downloaded and completed online. Once the order form is received, a confirmation will be e-mailed and tickets sent through Campus Mail.

Communication topic of PSS conference

Members of the UB professional staff can learn how to communicate well, truly listen, use new communication technologies and improve relationships with co-workers by attending “Yakety Yak: Communicate Back!” the Professional Staff Senate’s biannual professional development conference.

The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 at Classics V, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst.

“Every two years, we organize a staff development conference based on needs we experience ourselves or hear about from other UB staff,” says Lani Jendrowski, senior counselor with the Educational Opportunity Program and event-planning chair. “This year, we will provide new communication tips for your personal and professional life, a little music and a lot of fun. In addition to learning opportunities, we’ll have raffles, giveaways and great food!”

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Lori E. Miller, owner and president of Developing Professionals. Miller, who has 20 years of management experience in higher education, human resources, communications, media and Fortune 500 companies, will present “Influencing and Persuading Others,” a tool for understanding motivation for oneself and co-workers. She will describe four different styles of influencing people and how to communicate effectively in each of these styles.

Morning and afternoon workshops will address such topics as workplace conflict, new communication tools and generations in the workplace.

The cost of the conference, which includes a continental breakfast, two breaks, lunch and a wrap-up session with door prizes and giveaways, in addition to the keynote and workshops, is $30 for UB staff and $35 for those not affiliated with UB.

Space is limited and registration is required by May 7. Click here for registration information.