Canisius Athletics is thrilled to announce the success of the More Than a Game fundraising campaign, a concerted effort that supports each of the University’s 20 varsity athletic programs and the school’s 400-plus student-athletes.
Since the campaign launch on October 11, the campaign has resonated deeply with the Canisius community, resulting in an impressive total of more than $330,000 raised (surpassing our goal of $315,000), from 1,000-plus generous donors.
Funds raised during the More Than a Game campaign will enhance the overall athletic experience for student-athletes, providing critical support for equipment and apparel, nutrition, recruiting and program development. The incredible response from the Canisius community showcases the commitment to fostering excellence in both academics and athletics.
The campaign’s success is not only a testament to the generosity of the Canisius community but also highlights the collaborative effort with campus partners. Their contributions, whether through sharing on social media, promoting the campaign to fellow Griffs or making personal contributions, played a crucial part in achieving the fundraising goal.
Canisius University is proud to celebrate this milestone, emphasizing the collective power of a community united in support of our student athletes.
If you did not get a chance to participate in the More Than A Game campaign and would still like to support our student athletes, please click here to make a gift. Thank you!
Submitted by: Brandon Bielecki, Director of the Canisius Fund & Advancement Officer, Office of Advancement
Teacher candidates were able to attend one day of the The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE) annual conference in Rochester, NY.
NYSCATE is a non-profit, professional organization representing more than 25,000 technology using educators and administrators in New York State. NYSCATE is an affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and cooperates with such partners as the New York State Education Department, state and national educational organizations, private sector corporations, and publishers to further the use of technology in our schools.
NYSCATE is involved in helping define statewide policy regarding the use of technologies in education. The conference registration fees were paid for using donations from alumni of the special education program from past Giving Days. This represents the first professional educational conference all of these candidates have attended and will hopefully be the first of many!
Submitted by: Marya Grade, chair, Teacher Education and Leadership
Help Desk hours for winter break through the first week of the spring semester are as follows:
Monday, December 11 – Friday, December 22: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, December 25 – Tuesday, January 2: CLOSED (Winter Break)
Wednesday, January 3 – Friday, January 12: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Regular hours resume on Tuesday, January 16:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, visit the help desk located in Horan O’Donnell 016, by Email at helpdesk@canisius.edu or at Ext. 8340.
Submitted by: Grant Guzda, help desk manager, ITS
The 2024 Winter Faculty Development Week (WFDW) page is now live! WFDW will be from January 8th to the 11th online via Zoom.
Links for the Zoom Meetings are also available on the WFDW page.
Take a look at the full session lineup and RSVP today!
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
It’s coming up to the end of the semester again. Here are some actions you should take by the week after grades are due:
You can click here to view the COLI Checklist page, which has further resources. View this video for a quick overview of the End of Semester Checklist:
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
With final exams around the corner, it may be useful to review these features of D2L Quizzes and Dropboxes.
D2L Quizzes provides a robust tool to grade quizzes easier and quicker. Some features can help prevent cheating to a degree, like basic question randomization and advanced question randomization. You can also import questions from another quiz into your final exam. Connect your exam directly to the grade book for faster grading. You can also have your students sign an Academic Integrity Pledge before continuing to the exam. Customize the Quiz Result display, in combination with a faux exam, to show students what questions they got and see where they need to brush up on their studying.
Please note that if you allow automatic grading of your exam, D2L will not automatically grade written responses. Those need to be graded manually. Inform your students that the grade they have immediately after completing the exam is not reflective of their overall grade. If you want to see all of the tutorials on the D2L Quiz tool that COLI has compiled, click here.
D2L Dropboxes are a great way to receive student work in various formats but most notably PDFs, Microsoft Office files (ex, Word and PowerPoint), JPGs, or PNGs. You can also restrict the types of files the Dropbox will accept. Attach the Dropbox to the grade book or use a D2L Rubric and attach it to the Dropbox for faster grading.
For more information on D2L Dropboxes, click here. For tutorials on D2L Rubrics, click here. For other resources concerning D2L and it’s various tools, take a look at the D2l Self-Paced Training for Faculty and Staff Wiki page.
COLI also offers a number of workshops on D2L’s tools. Sign up for them on the Faculty Development Opportunities page.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Do you need/require hardware for the January Intercession?
The Canisius Media Center offers a wide range of microphones and cameras that you can borrow and use with your laptop to record video with.
If you are interested, let the Media Center know your needs or visit the Media Center checkout office on the 4th floor of Old Main.
Additionally, you may be interested in the Lightboard Studio and the Digital Media Laboratories Podcast Studio.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Chartwells’ newest green dining options are garnering attention in the foodservice industry. Food Management and Food Service Direct both reported on Canisius’ eco-sustainable initiatives in their latest issues.
Click here to read the Food Management story.
Click here to read the article in Food Service Direct.
Submitted by: University Communications
The students in the core capstone ABEC404 (Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Africa) collected more than 2,000 cans and bottles during their “recycle for rhinos” effort.
The funds, along with a few donations, will go towards supporting rhino conservation efforts in South Africa by funding fly-overs in ultralight aircraft to spot poachers and monitor rhino populations.
Thank you to everyone who supported this effort, especially the big soda-consumers out there (you know who you are…).
Submitted by: Sue Margulis, Professor, ABEC and Biology
This Sunday, December 3, begins the four weeks of Advent, a period of spiritual preparation and celebration of Christ’s birth.
Canisius’ faith community invites all to observe this sacred season during a series of Sunday worships at Christ the King Chapel, which will include the lighting of the Advent Wreath, the blessing of the Manger and a children’s nativity.
Click here to view the full schedule of services.
*Campus Ministry will also remember Daniel Vella during the Sunday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. Mass. Vella was a Canisius student who died suddenly last December.
Submitted by: Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain, Campus Ministry
Please join us Tuesday, December 19, 2023 for the Annual Canisius University Christmas Mass & Luncheon.
Please respond by Friday December 8: Use this link
If you run into any issues with the link, please send your response to flannerd@canisius.edu
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!!
Click here to add this event to your digital calendar.
Submitted by: Denise Flannery, executive associate, President’s Office
As the U.S. Department of Education prepares to launch its broad overhaul of the federal financial aid system and more specifically the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Canisius University is taking a proactive approach to ensure the changes have a minimal impact on both current and prospective students. The new 2024-2025 FAFSA is set to open by December 31, 2023 and “will be a more streamlined application process,” explains James Nowak, associate director of enrollment and financial aid at Canisius University. “But there are also significant changes to the application process and how aid is calculated that may have substantial effects on students’ eligibility for financial aid.”
Nowak is raising awareness and educating students, parents, guardians and guidance counselors ahead of the important and upcoming changes to the federal aid process. To date, he has presented at more than 20 local high schools and hosted a Buffalo Public School Counselor Professional Development and Information Session.
Among the most helpful changes to the FAFSA process: a shorter form, more straightforward questions and its availability in more languages. Prospective students will also be able to list up to 20 colleges on their FAFSA (up from 10), and students and parents will now have their income verified through Direct Data Exchange with the Internal Revenue Service. Moreover, “the new FAFSA formula will make an additional 600,000-plus students from low-income backgrounds eligible for Pell Grants,” notes Nowak. The Federal Pell Grant program is the largest of its kind, designed to help low-income students. The intention behind the FAFSA simplification is to get Pell dollars into the hands of the families who need them the most.
There are other key changes, however, that may hinder the FAFSA process for students, delay delivery of their financial aid packages or eliminate them all together.
Click here to learn more about those changes and what Canisius University is doing to minimize the impact for current and prospective students.
Submitted by: University Communications
ITS will be preparing the campus computer labs for the spring semester. To do this efficiently, we need your input.
Please read the attached document and then complete the Google form to submit any requests for additional software. Requests must be received before January 3.
Submitted by: Tom Prince, director of user services, ITS
Slip, trips and falls can be caused by poor personal behaviors such as lack of attention while walking, especially in winter weather.
What can you do? Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:
–Pay attention when walking and only travel on designated paths.
–Wear the right shoes for the right conditions.
–Plan ahead and have enough time to get to your location.
–Take short steps on slippery surfaces.
–Follow campus parking notices so snow removal can happen.
–Always hold on to the railing when using the stairs.
–Don’t carry more than you can safely handle.
Submitted by: Matthew Moje, safety coordinator, Facilities
Canisius Men’s Basketball hosts Quinnipiac in the KAC at 7:00 p.m. tonight, Friday, December 1, for their MAAC Opener.
Quinnipiac is 5-1 on the season but the Griffs are winners of three of the last four games. Both teams are playing extremely well and it should be a great match-up. Stop by the Griff-mas Sale on Friday at the Koessler Athletic Center from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for an exclusive ticket offer.
Of particular note, the match-up in the post between Canisius’s reigning MAAC Player of the Week, Frank Mitchell and Quinnipiac’s Paul Otieno should be incredible.
Then, make sure to come back to the KAC on Sunday, December 3 as Canisius hosts St. Peter’s at 1:00 P.M. The game is a “We win, you win” with free rewards from Tim Hortons if Canisius beats the Peacocks.
Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director, Department of Athletics
The Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities extends its heartiest congratulations to its new Alpha Sigma Nu inductees. A total of 15 students and one Honoree were inducted at the Alpha Sigma Nu Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, November 29 2023 in Christ the King Chapel. (Three were unable to attend the ceremony: Mary Helen Nowotarski, Nejla Reggero and Haley Welch.)
Alpha Sigma Nu recognizes those students who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service. The only honor society permitted to bear the name Jesuit, Alpha Sigma Nu encourages its members to a lifetime pursuit of intellectual development, deepening Ignatian spirituality, service to others, and a commitment to the core principles of Jesuit education. Selection to Alpha Sigma Nu is one of the highest honors awarded to students in the top 15% of the class on a Jesuit campus.
Submitted by: Veronica Serwacki, Canisius chapter coordinator, Alpha Sigma Nu; executive associate, College of Arts & Sciences
Stock up on Canisius and Nike gear ahead of the Christmas and the holiday season.
We will have an impressive selection of Nike and Canisius gear at the Koessler Athletic Center from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, December 1.
Shoppers will also receive an exclusive ticket offer for stopping by the sale.
Happy Shopping, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from the Griffs.
Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director, Department of Athletics
Don’t lose sight of your long-term financial goals and be intentional about setting aside some time to plan for your retirement.
You can start by planning to sit in any these (see above) free webinar sessions being offered by TIAA in December. Each workshop is designed to equip you with the insights and strategies needed to conquer your retirement goals.
Click here to log in and register.
Submitted by: Bethany Voorhees, projects assistant
Please join us on Thursday, December 7, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., for the final session of our professional development series. Hosted by Career Partners International, the series is open to all faculty and staff.
Session 4: Navigating Procrastination and Managing your Time Effectively
Description:
We all experience lack of motivation and focus from time to time. Many of us believe that we have to improve our mindset or that we’re just lazy, but these emotional states have deeper meanings behind them. We’ll discuss the WHY behind these tactics and how we can begin to navigate and shift into productivity, excitement, and flow more easily. Participants will also complete a time assessment, understanding where they spend their time on a daily basis, to identify where they can create change.
The zoom information is below:
Lindsey Zajac is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9515719440?pwd=ek90S0Z3cnR0Qjl4dkQzOEwrd3ZHdz09
Meeting ID: 951 571 9440
Passcode: 9409
Please contact the Office of Human Resources with any questions.
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Compliance
Clipchamp is a freemium (i.e., free to download and use with some “premium” features behind a paywall) alternative to ScreenPal. Clipchamp allows you to record and edit video, similar to ScreenPal. The Clipchamp editor is also a bit more powerful than Panopto’s in-built editor, though it does come at the cost of being more complicated to use.
COLI has several videos on using Clipchamp, with more on the way. Check them out below:
Introduction & Overview – This video takes you through how to download Clipchamp to your computer for faster access. Then it shows your around the Clipchamp dashboard.
Recording & Exporting a Video – In this demo, we take you through how to quickly record a screencast and export the video to upload it to Panopto.
You can check out these tutorials, and future tutorials, on the Clipchamp Wiki page.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Do you need/require hardware for the January intercession?
The Canisius Media Center offers a wide range of microphones and cameras that you can borrow and use with your laptop to record video with.
If you are interested, let the Media Center know your needs or visit the Media Center checkout office on the 4th floor of Old Main.
Additionally, you may be interested in the Lightboard Studio and the Digital Media Laboratories Podcast Studio.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI
Dr. Harold Fields, appointed vice president for student affairs and dean of students in 2022, is a key advocate for student empowerment and environmental sustainability. In his dynamic role, he oversees a range of projects with a focus on equity, inclusion and sustainability. With a diverse background from five different colleges, Dr. Fields integrates innovative ideas into Canisius University’s framework, prioritizing student-driven initiatives. Notable sustainability projects include “Reducing Landfill” and addressing food waste, showcasing his commitment to environmentally conscious practices.
For the academic year 2023-2024, Canisius University introduced water filters in freshman dorms, aiming to reduce single-use plastics. Dr. Fields stresses the importance of this initiative, influenced by both student demands and his personal commitment to sustainability. He actively engages with the natural environment, inspired by the belief that the Earth responds to our actions. Dr. Fields supports Laudato Si’ and emphasizes the interconnectedness of equity and sustainability.
Highlighting the significance of environmental considerations in classrooms, Dr. Fields connects university projects with the local community, fostering growth opportunities for students. Initiatives such as the OZZI system for sustainable take-out containers and transparency in food sourcing through Chartwells exemplify the university’s commitment to sustainability. The transition to Enterprise for public safety vehicles signifies a move towards more sustainable fuel sources.
With a focus on championing student advocacy, Dr. Fields envisions Canisius University as a hub for positive change. His leadership aims to create an inclusive, equitable, and environmentally conscious campus, where students’ voices and passions drive transformative initiatives.
Check out our interview here:
Submitted by: Genevieve Fontana, USA Sustainability Chair
After a brief hiatus, the Athletics Griff-mas returns to the Koessler Athletic Center from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1.
This is a great opportunity to stock up on Canisius gear for family and friends (or yourself)!
There will be a vast selection of Nike sweatshirts, sweatpants, polos, shirts, jerseys and more – at deeply discounted prices.
Hope to see you there!
Submitted by: Mike Kochczynski, Assistant Athletic Director, Department of Athletics
The Division of Academic Affairs is hosting a Town Hall to provide updates on its progress toward the university’s five-year Racial Equity Plan.
The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, November 30, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., in the Regis Room of the Richard E. Winter Student Center. It is open all members of the Canisius University community.
Click here to add this event to your digital calendar.
Submitted by: Amy Beiter, curriculum and student support project associate, Academic Affairs
When Canisius’ Christ the King faith community learned that many students would remain on campus during the Thanksgiving break, they decided to offer both a family Mass and brunch for all.
With help from Gabby De Rocher, in Residence Life, an uplifting Mass was celebrated on Thanksgiving morning which drew people from campus, parish, alumni and even guests from John Carroll University in Cleveland.
During Mass, there was no offertory collection but each family brought packaged cookies for the Pete’s Pantry which were placed at the Altar. Brunch was funded and prepared by parishioners in the undercroft.
We were so happy that many of our international students participated, enjoyed the meal, took home lots of goodies and had good conversation with our parishioners.
Submitted by: Rev. Frederick Betti, SJ, chaplain, Mission & Ministry
