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Buffalo State (SUNY)
General Institution Overview
Established in 1871, Buffalo State is the largest comprehensive
college in the State University of New York system. Today, more than
11,000 undergraduate and graduate students enjoy tremendous advantages
at Buffalo State, both on the 125-acre campus and throughout the Western
New York community. Buffalo State’s 11,000-plus students represent
the largest and most diverse student body of the SUNY colleges. The
college enrolls significant proportions of nontraditional (adult),
first-generation, and disadvantaged students with demonstrated
potential.
Buffalo State has more than 135 undergraduate and 44 graduate
academic programs in the arts, sciences, education, and professional
programs. Buffalo State’s academic programs include several
unavailable at any other State University of New York (SUNY)
institution: design (computer textile design for industry, fiber,
furniture,
jewelry), fashion textile technology, forensic chemistry, dietetics
coordinated, health and wellness, hospitality administration, public
communication, the arts (a general performing arts program), and urban
and regional analysis and planning. The college’s visual arts
program is one of the largest and most comprehensive within SUNY.
Building on its historical foundation as a teachers college, Buffalo
State continues to earn national recognition for the quality of its
teacher-preparation programs.
Vision and Goals
As stated in its mission, “The goal of Buffalo State is to
inspire a lifelong passion for learning and to empower a diverse
population of students to succeed as citizens of a challenging world.
Toward this goal and in order to enhance the quality of life in Buffalo
and the larger community, the college is dedicated to excellence in
teaching and scholarship, cultural enrichment, and service.”
Buffalo State College aspires to be recognized as an institution that
serves to improve our region, our nation, and our world, one student at
a time.
Buffalo State's campus is a vibrant, diverse environment for
international students. Students have come from countries across the
globe, including China, Jamaica, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Singapore,
Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. The International Student Affairs
Office helps students make a successful transition to Buffalo State and
the United States
The vision statement for International & Exchange Programs
states that Buffalo State College will be known as an institution where
international perspectives permeate campus life and the curriculum
offered both here and abroad; that is responsive and hospitable to
international students and scholars, that offers international and
domestic exchange opportunities viable for students in every discipline
and of varying financial means; and that utilizes its international
contacts to improve economic conditions in WNY.
Progress
Undergraduate Programs
Buffalo State College has student learning outcomes associated with
the global/international dimensions of undergraduate education in the
general education program requirements, also known as Intellectual
Foundations.
Diversity Requirement (3 credit hours)
The goal of the diversity requirement is to prepare students to
live and work in a multicultural society through an academic experience
in which students can increase their knowledge related to one or more
diverse groups, develop their inter-cultural cognizance, sensitivity,
and commitment to social justice, and examine their personal
perceptions, preconceptions and values and understand their sources and
how they affect their relationships with others with the ultimate goal
of expanding their reference group membership to include others who they
perceive as being different from themselves.
Western and Non-Western Civilizations Requirements (6 credit
hours)
Within the context of broadly understood historical eras, students will:
demonstrate knowledge of a broad outline of world history including
cultures, geography, institutions, societies, polities and economies;
demonstrate knowledge of ways of thought in one or more historical
period, in one or more non-western civilization or multi-cultural
region, including at least two foundational fields of thought (e.g.,
science and religion, or artistic expression and political
philosophy); demonstrate knowledge of an era in terms of the
historical periodization, continuities and discontinuities, in at least
one civilization or multi-cultural region; understand the
interrelatedness among world civilizations and multi-cultural regions;
and respond inquisitively, critically, and respectfully to
information and ideas from at least one non-western civilization or
multi-cultural region.
Foreign Language requirement
All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a single
language other than English equivalent to the successful completion of
one year of college-level work.
Academic Minors
The International Studies Interdisciplinary Minor is intended to
foster international awareness and a spirit of intellectual creativity
and independence.
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The Study of Understanding Community, Diversity and Peace minor
integrates concepts from a number and variety of academic disciplines as
a means of providing students with an expansive yet focused view of the
world, its resources, contexts, and people, and their relationship to
functions of community, diversity and peace.
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International Economics minor is designed primarily for students
with a strong interest in the international affairs and study abroad, as
well as in majors like Foreign Languages, Political Science and
Anthropology.
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The African and African American Studies Minor is housed in the
African and African American Studies Interdisciplinary Unit.
The unit incorporates faculty with expertise and experience in a wide
range of scholarly areas, and organizes campus and community-wide
programs and events. The unit draws upon a diverse array of courses in
Anthropology, Dance, Education, English, Foreign Languages, Geography,
History, Music, Political Science, and Sociology that focus on Africa
and the experience of African people on the African continent and in the
Diaspora.
Special Programs
In 2003 Buffalo State College academic affairs and student affairs
were reorganized into one administrative unit called Academic and
Student Affairs which facilitates collaboration between curricular and
co-curricular education initiatives.
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The International and Exchange Programs Office is dedicated to
promoting the "internationalization" of the Buffalo State campus and
provides integration of Buffalo State's international study
opportunities. Through study abroad and exchange programs,
international academic programs, and academic support services,
International and Exchange Programs helps prepare Buffalo State students
for careers in the fast-paced, cross-cultural global economy.
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The Office administers 12 study-abroad and exchange programs in
Australia, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Quebec and
Spain, as well as additional short-term faculty/staff-led
programs. International Education also advises students about the
400-plus programs in 58 countries available through other SUNY
international programs.
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The Center for China Studies promotes and coordinates research,
faculty and student exchanges, academic programs, and economic
development with China
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International Graduate Programs for Educators at Buffalo State is
responsible for the development, management, and delivery of the master
of science program in multidisciplinary studies as well as professional
development for education professionals working at American/
International Schools. The degree program is hosted by
American/International Schools for cohorts (groups) of education
professionals. The entire program requires ten (10) courses that can be
delivered at the school site, electronically or through a combined
approach of on-site/on-line instruction, depending on the course as well
as the needs of the cohort.
Co-Curriculum
The Office of International Student Affairs helps international
students/scholars make a successful transition to Buffalo State and the
United States by assisting with immigration obligations, meeting
governmental laws, and serving as a liaison to appropriate international
agencies. The office coordinates several programs to assist
international students to integrate into the campus community.
American Host Family Program. The Office of
International Student Affairs sponsors an American Host Family Program.
More than 100 families from the community participate in this program,
which allows the internationals to be invited for a meal, for a drive or
to spend the day with an American family. No home stay is involved and
the families are all volunteers. This program is indeed proof of a
commitment of the college to the community.
The Global Perspective Program enables Buffalo
State’s international students/scholars as well as staff and
faculty to be guest speakers/demonstrators in area high schools. It
gives American students the opportunity to learn more about the world
through our internationals as well as provide the internationals a
chance to share their native beliefs and traditions. They can share
their views on history, geography, culture, religion, sports, politics
and other facets of life in their respective countries. These
presentations enhance student growth, involvement and cultural
awareness.
The International Student Advisory Council (ISAC) is
composed of faculty, staff, international students and American
students. This body makes recommendations to the Office of International
Student Affairs for programs and activities to better serve the
international students at the college. In addition, this council
sponsors monthly coffee hours with a guest of honor from the campus or
the community. The council also sponsors an annual End of the Year
reception with a guest from the international community.
The International Friendship Program pairs new
international students/scholars with veteran international and American
students.
Global Living Center in North Wing Residence Hall is
a dedicated to international students and other students interested in
international studies and exchange programs. This residence hall
provides special programs and facilities for its residents.
Student Organizations
The International Students Organization (ISO)
promotes international understanding and multi-cultural awareness in
both American and foreign students through such activities as
International Nights and the annual International Fiesta. The
organization also works in conjunction with the International Affairs
office as a support group for students on exchange from foreign
countries. The southeast quadrant of Butler Library's third floor
was dedicated to Buffalo State's international students. The area is
enhanced by a display of artifacts from several countries representing
some of the home nations of current and former Buffalo State
students.
Adelante Estudiantes Latinos encourages members to
express their Latin cultural identity
Caribbean Students Organization bands the Caribbean
students of Buffalo State together to share their unique culture with
the campus community.
Pan African Students Organization seeks to educate
students from Africa and others about African culture, traditions, and
politics. They aspire to help people in Africa, provide a cultural link
to Africa, and promote awareness of ongoing African issues.
The French Club provides students with a social and
educational forum for the promotion of the language and culture of
French-speaking countries.
The German Club seeks to educate Buffalo State
students about the culture and concerns of Germany and German-speaking
countries.
Graduate Programs
Faculty and staff have opportunities to lecture/teach at nearly 30
sites around the world where the International Graduate Program for
Educators offers master’s degrees to teachers at international
schools.
Successful Strategies
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The SUNY Office of International Programs and the Buffalo State
College Research Foundation have $150,000 since 2000 to support travel
for nearly 50 faculty and staff to develop research collaborations and
faculty exchanges with institutions in Russia, China, Thailand, Slovenia
and Cambodia. These initiatives provided visiting scholar programs
and over $1.5 in collaborative research grants.
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The Equity and Diversity Office provides grants of up to $2000 to
academic programs and student organizations for collaboration between
multicultural and international activities, projects and programs.
Future Plans
A Presidential level award and other awards are given annually to
faculty, staff, students, and academic departments that promote
diversity and individual difference. An award to recognize
international efforts of faculty will be proposed.
Please direct questions about this page to:
jill_wisniewski@ace.nche.edu
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This page last updated on 03/03/2009
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