From the President
Posted: Wednesday, March 6, 2019Please Support the 2019 Faculty and Staff Appeal
As we head into the 2019 Faculty and Staff Appeal, I first want to thank everyone who has generously contributed to this student-focused campaign in the past. As you consider a gift for this year, I want to remind you of the narrow financial margins students often face, the kind that mean the difference between earning a Buffalo State degree and dropping out.
For instance, every year several students who are otherwise doing well learn that they cannot register for the next semester because of a hold on their account. This could be due to a shortage of just a couple hundred dollars. For whatever reason, these students simply don’t have the money to continue their education, regardless of how close they are to the finish line.
This is where a new campus scholarship comes into play. Called the Back on Track Fund, it provides one-time assistance to students in good academic standing with an outstanding balance in their account that prevents future course registration. James Finnerty, vice president for institutional advancement, created the fund last fall, and Connie Cooke, director of financial aid, manages it.
In order for Back on Track to be successful, please consider contributing to this fund. Back on Track is one of six emergency funds that push students over the hump when they run into unexpected financial hurdles.
Begun in 1988, the Faculty and Staff Appeal has become interwoven into the Buffalo State culture of philanthropy. There are now almost 800 funds to which you can contribute, including scholarships, fellowships, memorial funds, and program and department funds. The full list (PDF, 289 KB) is available on the Giving website.
Please join me in supporting the 2019 Faculty and Staff Appeal. Whether you make a one-time gift or opt for payroll deductions, know that you are helping Buffalo State students achieve their goal of reaching the finish line and earning a college degree.
For more information, please contact Claire Collier, appeal coordinator, 878-5206. Thank you for your support.
