read our latest
Message from the chair
May on campus is a mix of emotions. High School students depositing and having thousands of questions about the new experience ahead of them. UB students completing their studies and projects to walk across the graduation stage. Friends made – saying goodbye, or moving on to start their careers elsewhere - Dorm rooms being emptied, cars being packed, yet new students moving in for their orientation. It is a time of year here at UB that reminds us that one thing is constant on our campus - change.
I hope you have time this month to enjoy the fruits of your labor, in the success of those you assisted during their time at UB. As well, I hope you can find new strength, enthusiasm and patience to on-board our new arrivals.
The PSS has been again active this past month. You will read of some upcoming events and opportunities in our May newsletter below, (the last of the semester – we will begin anew in September).
I would like to share a few items from the recent SUNY-wide Senate Plenary, held at SUNY Upstate Medical last weekend.
The plenary allows campus senate representatives some quality time with SUNY trustees and also with the SUNY Chancellor. Chancellor King was very open with his comments on the future of SUNY. He stated that his immediate job is to advocate for more financial support for SUNY. (the NYS budget should hopefully be approved, since the time that I submitted this message). Once the state budget is approved, the Chancellor will get to work on setting SUNY priorities based on the constraints of the funding received. This is where we all have an opportunity and an obligation to make our priorities heard. The best ideas to move SUNY forward will be the ones prioritized by the Chancellor. It was refreshing to have him sit and listen to the concerns and ideas from each campus sector represented at that plenary.
Chancellor King also forewarned those gathered of the ramifications of a Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. SUNY and our own campus must be prepared to best navigate faculty/staff hiring’s and also admission of students in a world that may very well strike down some of the current affirmative action policies we have in place. Constant change on our campus !
One other change to mention. This will be my final message as PSS Chair. With my second term coming to a close, I want to wish our incoming PSS Officers, Tony Waleszczak, Secretary – Virginia Stever, Vice Chair – Don Erb – Chair success as they transition into their PSS leadership roles. Thank you to everyone whom I have worked with both inside and outside the PSS during my terms. It has been a pleasure to serve in this capacity since 2019. The lessons learned and hills climbed have been transformational. I look forward to staying involved in continuing to make UB a very special place to live, learn and work. Let us each continue to respectfully challenge each other towards positive change.
Please find time for a safe and refreshing summer!
With gratitude, Go Bulls Go!
Tim Tryjankowski, PSS Chair
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