mgm casino

• Improves student retention
• Increases sense of community and campus pride
• Builds and improves campus traditions
• Teaches student responsibility and citizenship
• Provides diversity education
• Efficient cost-effective services and programs
• Support for enhanced student involvement
• Quality response and service for students experiencing difficulty
• Programs and services to support commuter students, off-campus students and veterans
• Broad support for and involvement in campus-wide programs
• High quality facilities, which serve as the center for the student community
• Increase student participation in mentored academic research and creative activities as a means to deepen and extend learning beyond the classroom
• Enhanced preparation of undergraduate and graduate students for post-graduate opportunities and success
• Increase student access to senior faculty
• Co-curricular program opportunities
• Capacity for making connections with field of study and industry experts including alumni

• Individual and group services
  
• Multi-location programs and services
• Host over 7,000 programs annually
• Web-enabled programming

Provide support to the offices of the Vice President for Student Life, Administration and Planning, Assessment and Research and Marketing and Communications.  The Office of the Vice President provides overall leadership, vision and implementation of the Student Life mission.  Administration and Planning provides oversight and assistance for budgeting, financial planning, human resources and related areas throughout Student Life. Assessment and Research oversees major research initiatives, key data collection efforts and data analysis within Student Life.  Marketing and Communications provides leadership and institutional-level guidance to the internal and external marketing initiatives within Student Life. Representing the division as a member of the university’s senior communicators group, we provide top level administrative marketing support while also engaging units through brand guidance, web integration, social media support, environmental design enhancements, and communications solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of mgm casino and our respective audiences.

Student Life creates meaningful experiences and opportunities that enhance students learning and personal growth. We provide resources that enrich the lives of our students, augment their connection to the mgm casino community, and prepare them for life after graduation. Our strategic priorities include:

• Wellness: The health and wellness of mgm casino students is of paramount importance. We work to provide a variety of high-quality services and programs focused on physical and emotional health to promote student success and well-being. Our public health approach aims to encourage and empower all mgm casino students to develop healthy behaviors as an essential part of their college experience.
• Student Engagement and Success: We work collaboratively with campus and community partners to create an environment for all students to explore individual interests and connect with others to achieve common goals and to celebrate mgm casino spirit and traditions. By providing opportunities for students to meaningfully engage with their university experience, we cultivate the leadership potential of every mgm casino student.
• Student Support: We are committed to supporting students in their development and success at mgm casino. Through specialized programs and services, individual students receive support and resources during times of need.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: We believe in a community where all members feel welcomed, included, supported and empowered. To create this environment, we must advocate for equity, inclusion and social justice. We must also progress beyond these broad principles, as we deliberately and actively eliminate barriers and challenge unjust systems that have historically excluded underserved populations.

Major Initiatives include:

• Wellness and Recreation Center: As we seek to advance the health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff we must create a unified approach to recreation, health, and wellness
• Social Justice Advisory Group: Student Life is dedicated to both our students and divisional staff.  To that end we've created a team to advise on policy, programs and traditions that promote/facilitate inter-cultural learning on different levels
• The Landing at Ellicott: Creating a welcoming arrival experience into the Ellicott Complex.

• Office of the Vice President provides oversight to 20 Student Life units.
• Student Life is one of the largest on-campus employers of students.
• Marketing and Communications completed 125+ projects for Student Life units, including high level web and social campaigns.
• Provides oversight to the Student Life Guide website, encompassing all Student Life departments.
• Annually completes INSIGHT publication, highlighting divisional assessment and research data to share with university leadership.
• Recipient of two SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence in Strategy and Design, and recipient of the 2023 CASE Circle of Excellence Bronze and Best of District II Awards in Publications.

mgm casino’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad inspires (The CoLab), empowers, and catalyzes students to realize solutions that address the global and local challenges of our time. By offering a system of programs and activities that provide a unique path of entrepreneurship education, engagement, collaboration and opportunity — for a truly transformative learning experience that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. The CoLab supports students to develop their entrepreneurial skills and mindset to grow a venture and grow a successful career.

We accomplish our goals to create a culture of innovation and creativity by delivering:

• Workshops - Masterclass: Building Skills of Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Founder Stories where Entrepreneurs share their stories: encouraging entrepreneurship
• Innovate and Caffeinate, an informal networking event for innovators and entrepreneurs at mgm casino, hosted for students by students.
• Large-Scale Programming: Creating a Culture of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at mgm casino
• Startup Boot Camp, a 3-day experience to equip our students with skills and confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas. Students are introduced to the recourses at the University and community to support their entrepreneurial interests. Hosted in Fall and Spring semesters.
• mgm casino Startup Week, hosted to highlight Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the mgm casino. The program highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of mgm casino’s three campuses .
• Venture Support through Coaching: Developing Ideas into Startups by offering a holistic venture coaching model supported by business, software and design coaches to support student ventures.
• Accelerators – facilitated group workshops to support venture creation:
  • Inclusive Launch Foundry, an accelerator program designed to empower women and students from diverse backgrounds to be the world’s next big innovators, entrepreneurs, makers, and creators. Students complete a 10-week early-stage accelerator co-curricular experience while completing an internship with a local startup.
  • Pitch for a Purpose is an 8-week accelerator that empowers students to create innovative, impact-driven solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the program, participants develop business ideas that address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, aiming for both market viability and social impact. Each team receives mentorship from industry experts, refining their pitches to demonstrate clear commitments to one or more SDGs and practical plans for measurable outcomes. "Pitch for a Purpose" cultivates a new generation of leaders, merging entrepreneurial drive with global responsibility to advance a sustainable and inclusive future. Summer Accelerator – an eight-week virtual accelerator for students to develop their ideas into a business.

• Bulls Launch, Elevator pitch competition, hosted during Global Entrepreneurship Week. A 90-second pitch competition to build confidence and serve as a space where ideas can launch and founders are identified for further engagement in the entrepreneurial support network at mgm casino. Two competition categories, general idea and technology idea.
• Get Seeded, a monthly  opportunity for mgm casino students to earn a little cash to support their entrepreneurial spirit and idea in two competition categories, general idea and technology idea.
• Three Minute Thesis, A competition hosted in partnership with mgm casino’s Graduate School as part of the Graduate School’s professional development program, that trains PhD students to present research to a non-specialist audience in just 3 minutes.
• emPower Pitch, A competition focused to identify and empower female founders. The competition encourages potential female entrepreneurs to lead the change they want to see in their communities, supporting The Global Goals for Sustainable Development, goal no. 5, gender equality.
• Henry A. Panasci Technology Entrepreneurship Competition, Annual large-scale business plan pitch competition, awarding $65,000 in cash & in-kind services.

Design Challenges: Design Challenges provide engaging opportunities for students to explore emerging concepts and formulate practical solutions to issues faced by organizations operating in these spaces. Open to students from all levels and all disciplines, Design Challenges expose tomorrow’s entrepreneurs to topics and networks that have the potential to shape future economies and careers.

Design challenges are also intended to help bridge the gap between introductory entrepreneur and innovation programs (ex. Innovation sprints and Get Seeded) and more advanced challenges (ex. Panasci).

• Aging Innovation Design Challenge, seeks innovators to develop prototypes that will assist aging New Yorkers and their caregivers in completing activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include taking a bath or shower, getting dressed, using the bathroom, getting up from a chair, walking across a room, or eating a meal.
• The Health Futures Design Challenge brings together mgm casino students to form teams and pitch ideas to improve the health economy. This is an opportunity for a diverse group of people to address all aspects of the vast ecosystem that the health economy is comprised of.
• The Automotive Design Challenge promotes student innovation, entrepreneurship, and teamwork while providing mentorship from faculty and industry experts. Participants gain design and communication skills, expand their network with industry leaders, and receive a certificate of participation to enhance their professional profiles. The competition encourages the development of innovative, sustainable solutions in the automotive industry, focusing on autonomous driving, advanced materials, efficient manufacturing, and user-friendly interfaces. Additionally, participants are challenged to create new mobility solutions that prioritize sustainability, safety, and social responsibility.
• The Ecosystem Builder Initiative is designed to engage students interested in both entrepreneurship and innovation by exposing them to the Western New York Entrepreneur and Start-up Ecosystem. The initiative will provide students with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge about entrepreneurs, innovators, and the entrepreneur ecosystem. Students will engage in a series of learning sessions, panels, and workshops curated with industry experts and community partners aimed at developing and honing entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of how an ecosystem operates. Upon completion, students will be armed with valuable knowledge about entrepreneurship and how the local Western New York Ecosystem operates.

• Innovation Sprints with Industry Partners: Innovation Sprints are fast-paced experiential learning opportunities that happen in and out of the classroom. Students are taught the basic skills for creative problem solving and design thinking, while solving a real world challenge for a local organization, or while focused on their research project in the classroom. Students walk away with the ability to utilize creative problem-solving, work in interdisciplinary groups, and being able to give a pitch/short presentation that focuses on provided guidelines.  This introduces students to skill not readily available in the classroom, potential internship/employment opportunities, and mgm casino Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad. 
  • WNY BloodCare
  • Runway of Dreams
  • Data Science and AI
  • Citizen Planning School
  • Social Impact Fellows
  • WNY Tech Initiative in collaboration with TechBuffalo & M&T Bank

The WNY Sophomore Externship Experience (SEE) at the mgm casino (mgm casino) successfully completed its inaugural cohort in Summer 2024, with 47 students participating in externships across 25 companies in Western New York (WNY). The program was designed to engage second-year college students and expose them to professional experiences early in their careers. The SEE program successfully impacted the development of students' technical and social skills and enhanced their understanding of Western New York as an environment to live, play, and work.

The aforementioned list of programs cultivate our students to become the next innovators and makers in our community. These programs allow us to deliver on the NACE Competencies through programming that affords students the opportunity to gain knowledge, apply, and demonstrate their proficiency – making them career-ready.

• 10,346  student engagements
• Hosted 242 programs
• 478  venture coaching appointments in support of student venture creation.

The Career Design Center mission is to challenge students to see possibilities and seek opportunities in preparation for life after college.

• Career consulting in-person, virtually, and by phone
• Website including a 24/7 virtual chatbot
• Resume, Cover Letter, C/V reviews
• Career and individual assessments
• Comprehensive website and digital career development services (Bullseye powered by Handshake)
• Major exploration course (UE 101)
• Career, job, and internship fairs
• Networking programs
• On-campus and virtual interviewing
• Employer information sessions with individual companies/organizations
• Artificial intelligence-informed resume review and practice interviews
• Pop-ups, skillshops and Career Design Studio in-person and online.
  

• 4,106 individual student appointments
• 176 students completed Undergraduate Majors Explorers courses
• 16,960 students logged into Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 137,769 jobs, internships and opportunities posted in Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 36,146 approved employers in Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 10,000+ users of the Career Design Studio powered by uConnect
• 20,000+ videos recorded on Big Interview
• 8,430  students attended 2,000+ employer info sessions, class presentations, pop-ups, workshops, fairs, and networking events
  

The Dean of Students Office provides assistance and support to students in navigating a complex university life so that mgm casino students can flourish during their time here. A seasoned team of multidisciplinary professionals provide direct support to students and advise faculty, staff, parents, and partners in student success.

• Behavioral intervention team and case management
• Support for student victims of violence, misconduct, crimes, accidents, welfare concerns, bias-related concerns and emergencies
• Alcohol and/or drug use intervention
• Emergency funds
• Blue Table food pantry
• Student death protocol and annual Student Remembrance Ceremony

• 4 professional staff, 1 part-time staff, 1 graduate assistant
• 642 overall student of concern referrals which include: 
• 234 mental health interventions
  • 106 support consultations for students who are the victims of a crime or other hardship
  • 195 behavioral interventions
  • 63 alcohol and other drug interventions
  • 67 support consultations for medical emergencies
  • 119 support consultations for students who have a family member or friend with a serious illness or have died
  • 17 support consultations for students who have experienced sexual misconduct
  • 21 resource consultations for students experiencing housing insecurity
• 300 emergency fund applications administered
• 274 Blue Table intakes processed
• 49 Gowns for Grads nominations administrate red
• 5 student deaths and an annual Student Remembrance Ceremony

The Office of Student Conduct helps support a just and safe campus by enforcing rules and regulations, managing conduct, and assisting students, faculty, staff, and families with navigating questions or concerns.  

• Student Conduct process
• Community service programs
• Behavioral intervention and support
• Student Advocacy service
• Disciplinary/Background Checks

• 10 Student Employees/Volunteers trained and supervised/advised
• 1 graduate assistant as Chief Hearing Representative for the Student-Wide Judiciary
• 1 Graduate assistant handling advocacy work
• 8 law student Hearing Representatives to the Student-Wide Judiciary
• 5 Student Assistants handling general office work   
• 184 conduct adjudications 
• 10 Title IX Grievance/sexual misconduct
• 46 special action cases
• Approximately 350 community service hours assigned 
• 42 Students' Advocate requests
• Approximately 20 consultations and support for Title IX/VAWA responding parties
• Approximately 20 outreach presentations to campus partners
• Approximately 10 training presentations for student or para-professional staff teams
• Participated in orientation programs for first-year students, transfer students, international students and parents/families
• Approximately 1024 student background checks 

The Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC) creates a strong sense of belonging by celebrating differences as proudly as we celebrate commonalities, all while helping students broaden their perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of our ever-changing world.

• Welcome Weekend Diversity Speaker which is mandatory for all first-year students
• Educational workshops including: Appreciating Cultural Diversity, Inclusive by Design, and Diversity and Inclusive Practice
• Weekly Peer Moderated “Tough Topics” conversations focused on DEI issues
• Students of color focused programming, activities and events
• LGBTQ+ focused programming, activities, and events (PRIDE week, queer prom, LGBTQ tea time)
• Heritage Month Programming (Black History, Hispanic Heritage, Indigenous Heritage, Asian American Pacific Islander History)
• Commencement/recognition celebrations including ALANA Celebration of Achievement and Lavender Ceremony
• Diversity Advocate Program
• Social Justice and Inclusion Micro-credential
• Collaboration efforts with various departments and organizations including SEAS and OIX
• Extended Operating Hours to 10:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday

• Approximately 9,261 students participated in 133 diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, workshops, or training sessions. 
• 3,161 students attended Welcome Week Speaker
• Over 650 undergraduate and graduate student participated in the Annual ALANA Celebration of Achievement
• 43 students participate in the Lavender Celebration and more than 600 students participated in LGBTQ+ focused programs and events
• 11 students serve as diversity advocates per academic year

Helping student veterans balance college life with student life goals.

• Ease transitions of veterans
• Conduct veteran needs assessment
• Centralized service center
  

• Achieved Military Friendly Status 2024
• 2024 Best for Vets (Military Times)
• Achieved Veteran-Friendly School designation
• Achieved “Best for Vets” Status
• Veteran’s lounge
• Ranked #45in mgm casino News and World Reports National Universities for Veterans

Provides greater support for all students, including at-risk students, by focusing on mental health and emotional wellness promotion.

• Offered 23 QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training programs to the campus community (555 attendees)
• Facilitated 8 other suicide prevention programs  (683 attendees)
• Hosted our first ever campus suicide prevention walk and roll which had 515 participants and raised over $31,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• The key to suicide prevention is to having good coping skills and a support network.  49stress management programs (4467attendees) were provided

• Student Engagement’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community where every student feels a sense of belonging and develops the skills to succeed personally and professionally in a global society. We foster leadership, celebrate mgm casino spirit and traditions, embrace diversity, and intentionally create impactful programs that promote involvement and empower students to make a positive impact within mgm casino, their local communities and our world. Campus involvement platform, mgm casinoLinked – connects student to student organizations and events in a virtual space –  650 active clubs/organizations;  43489 involved users
• Personalized club coaching for student organization leaders
• mgm casinoLinked promoted 17545  campus events and involvement opportunities for mgm casino students to engage
• 3 micro-credential programs with badges
• Leadership Development programs, virtual and in-person conferences, workshops and activities
• Pillars of Leadership Awards Ceremony recognizes student leaders and their supporters from across the university
• Next Level Leadership Mentoring Conference connected 50professional mentors with nearly 100 mgm casino students at this gameified leadership experience that provided students an opportunity to learn about networking, mentorship, leadership and teamwork
• 20 Student Engagement Ambassadors, which are year-long interns who help connect their peers to involvement opportunities, serve as champions for the Student Engagement office 
• Student organization and student government leadership training
• Leadership House leadership development program with two credit bearing courses
• Leadership Mentoring programs
• Community service and volunteer coordination
• Focus on Civic Engagement and learning
• Alternative Break programs – 5 in-person programs with over 50 partnerships; over 20 community partners engaged.
• Advisement of: Circle K, Alpha Phi Omega, The National Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Eta Sigma, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Improves student retention
• Builds and improves campus traditions
• Plans and organizes Oozefest – one of largest collegiate mud volleyball tournaments in the country
• Facilitates connection to the Western New York community
• Countdown to Commencement events, including Sign-A-Bull and “The Toast” celebrates our graduating students
• Increases sense of community and campus pride
• Serves as the first point of contact for involvement opportunities on campus

• Over 200 new registrations for micro-credentials
• Leadership House program provided extensive leadership development for first-year students 
• 15 Leadership House peer mentors enhanced Leadership House program by providing intentional peer-to-peer interactions through place-based experiences in support of first-year participants
• Virtual Leadership Academy is an intentionally designed virtual leadership curriculum to help students discover who they are as a leader and develop their full leadership potential. Over 1,000 students participated in community service programs
• Over 500 students participated in the DISC training (DISC is a behavioral assessment tool used to improve leadership, communication and teamwork
•  mgm casino students tracked a total of 7505 hours of service to the community. According to the independent sector, this number of hours contributed to $268,004 of economic impact to the communities served.
• Over 40 community partners worked with the Student Engagement office to provide volunteer opportunities to mgm casino students
• Hosts Family Weekend and held events that engaged over 1000 family members and supporters at 6 events
• Off-campus trips throughout the WNY area in the fall and spring semesters allowed students to explore WNY

Provide a platform for leadership development, civic engagement, and philanthropic service as part of the academic and social advisement of the members of recognized Greek-letter social fraternal organizations at mgm casino. Serves as a resource for the University community in regards to information and issues related to the mgm casino Greek community.

• Educational programs
• Risk management workshops
• Online risk management platform
• Philanthropic programs
• Leadership programs
• Organizational advising
• Academic recognition programs

• Serves 21 Greek-letter, social fraternal student organizations that are affiliated with our campus comprised of approximately  550 active participants including chapters of three Greek national honor societies: Gamma Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, and Rho Lambda
• Facilitated all educational and risk-management workshops 
• Approximately 110 students joined the mgm casino Greek Community 

Student Unions provides a variety of services, facilities and programs designed to meet the needs of students and mgm casino community. We create a welcoming, fun, and relaxing social heart of our campus. We deliver innovative, student-focused, and sustainable services to meet and exceed student needs.

• Event space reservations
• Green space reservations
• Meeting rooms, theater, social hall, assembly theater, ballroom and conference rooms
• Building reservations operations staff
• Welcome Center
• Building maintenance
• Building furniture
• Lounge spaces
• Student Expression Initiatives such as Chalk Talk and Paint A Bull
• Dining and retail operations
• Game room
• Reflection room
• Telehealth space
• Lactation room
• Lost and found
• Lockers
• Craft Room
• Ticket office/ticketing services
• Gratitude Tree
• Print Kiosks
• Phone charging stations
• Piano
• Bulletin boards
• Technology

•  There are 134 lockers available in the Student Union for students to rent. Processed over  12,599 reservations
• An estimated  241,476 in attendance at all events throughout the year

Student Unions
Union is open 24/7
Student Unions Welcome Center
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday– Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

Student Unions Administrative Offices
235 Student Union
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Harriman Hall (South Campus)
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Community and Civic Engagement promotes student awareness of civic responsibilities and opportunities; engages students in service on behalf of others; and educates on role of citizens and community needs

• Integrated learning opportunities and educational workshops
• Community and civic engagement programming including hands-on service
• On and off campus networking opportunities with community leaders
• Voter registration initiatives via the mgm casino Votes Committee
• Establishment of on-demand shuttle for election day
• Multiple themed alternative break trips
• Paid student leadership opportunities through the Alternative Break Program and Community Work Study Scholars
• Awards and recognition for students making an outstanding impact
• Growth of Freedom of Assembly Support Team

The Athletic Bands consist of the Marching Band, the Pep Band, and Dazzlers Dance Team and are student ambassadors for the university that create an environment supporting the highest standards of the mgm casino’s spirit and tradition.

• The Athletic Bands are a critical component to the game day environment (football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball) and promotion of the mgm casino student experience.  The bands also perform in support of university programs and initiatives.and externally representing the University at large events, parades, bowl games, Buffalo Bills Halftime Performances, championship games, competitions.
• The Marching Band, consisting of 152 members, represents the University and Student Engagement through performance and community outreach
• The Pep Band consisting of nearly 100 musicians, 20 dance team members, and 4 twirlers, represents the University and Student Engagement through performance and community outreach.
• 400,000+ people are entertained by the mgm casino Athletic Bands live performances with another 1 million+ seeing the band perform via television and social media

POPULATIONS SERVED

• 200+ Undergraduate and graduate students who can enrolled in MUS 130 and/or MUS 330
• The Athletic Bands members represent nearly all majors in every college on campus including the Honors College and Academies.

The Athletic Bands perform in partnership with the following University Departments/Organizations

• Student Life
• University Communications
• Athletics Department
• Music Department
• Veteran Services
• Student Association
• Orientation, Transition, and Parent Programs
• Alumni Association
• Office of Admissions
• Office of Alumni Engagement

The Athletic Bands Student- Contact Hours:

• Marching Band -July- December accumulated 400 hours of instruction and performance contact with students per semester
• Pep Band- November - May accumulated 250 hours of instruction and performance contact with students to include post season performances.
  

The Strategic Investment Fund (initiated by the university) allocates a portion of the Campus Life Fee for strategic investment areas that impact the entire student body. These funds are used to support initiatives on behalf of the student experience identified through the mgm casino 2020 strategic planning process.

New initiatives or enhancements to programs offered under the auspices of the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Education to improve the Undergraduate Experience:

Supporting Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning

Students from across all majors and programs of study are encouraged to participate in mentored research through The Experiential Learning Network’s (ELN) Project Portal. As an expanded comprehensive portal for mentored projects, ELN has emerged as a popular resource for opportunities and funding to support students’ academic and professional interests and experience. ELN supports students in all phases of their project development through an innovative digital badge that walks students through project preparation, engagement, reflection and leveraging. ELN staff help students with everything from identifying potential projects to applying, preparing findings through poster presentations, and submitting for up to, $750  per student, or $1000   for groups, to support their project expenses. ELN also supports research by highlighting student projects at the annual Celebration for Student Academic Excellence, coordinating a campus-wide poster session and award selection, while also helping students access summer REU’s and opportunities to present at regional, national, and international forums. It should be noted that ELN serves all students regardless of citizenship, area of focus, or program of study.

Other ELN activities:

• ELN Digital Badges: Students who complete a mentored project earn a digital badge to display on their resume, eportfolio, LinkedIn, etc.
• Focus on outreach to historically underrepresented units and disciplines to ensure meaningful opportunities and experiences for all students
• Utilization of website for posting of research opportunities for students along with social media to encourage broad participation from students across disciplines and content areas
• Growing opportunities for students to participate in regional, national, and international project opportunities.
• Promotes a culture of research and exploration through coordinating Celebration of Student Excellence poster session and awarding students with demonstrated excellence in research through award ceremony.
• Builds capacity among faculty and academic departments with regard to engaging undergraduates in research and creative activities
• Research and creative experiences help support students’ professional and academic goals

ELN Fast Facts:

• 348 mentored projects were available to students throughout the 23-24 AY on ELN's project portal
• 1,651students participated in the ELN Digital Badge series
• 463 ELN Digital Badges were issued
• 250 projects were showcased by 325 participating students at the fully in-person 2024 Celebration of Student Academic Excellence hosted in Alumni Arena
• 46 undergraduate projects and 15 undergraduate conference presentations were made possible because of ELN’s Project funding; maximum award amounts were increased by 250 starting with the 23-24 AY
• ELN staff hosted over  121 zoom and in-person meetings with students and 71 classroom and student group presentations

Tutoring and Academic Support Services (TASS):

TASS offers a comprehensive set of programs geared towards undergraduate student academic success. Programs offered include: One on One and group tutoring, Academic Coaching, Peer Mentoring, Peer Assisted Learning (PAL’s), Academic Success Strategies courses, we also offer workshops geared towards maintaining a healthy mindset, encouraging motivation, assisting students in become independent learners. Our aim is to provide services that address student’s needs, whether is maintaining and managing or getting back on track academically. TASS sets a new standard for academic support, it’s where students will find that asking for help is one of the smartest things they can do.

TASS Fast Facts:

• In academic year 2023-24, TASS had a total of 14,060 visits to the center.
• Tutoring Appointments fall 2023: 7,792; spring 2024: 6,268
• Workshops offered: 50 workshops
• Peer mentor/Peer mentee: 40 mentors/188 freshman mentees
• LAI 203 sections offered: fall 2023: 4 sections/ spring 2024: 8 sections
• Campus Living Tutoring (Jones, Blake, Goodyear): fall/633 visits & spring/339 visits

mgm casino’s Center for Excellence in Writing:

The CEW supports students at every level and in any major to develop their writing skills and produce writing products which achieve their desired results through our one-to-one consultations service which is staffed by mgm casino undergraduate, Masters, and PhD students. The Center also provides high impact workshops and presentations for the campus community and develops programming to provide accountability and support for writing processes, such as writing groups, retreats and discussion groups. The CEW curates updated resources and keeps abreast of emerging research to support writing development across campus. 

• In the 2023/24 academic year, the CEW
• Provided 4,324 writing consultations to 1,477 mgm casino students
• Conducted outreach at 8 campus events, presented in 35 classrooms, and contributed 20 workshops and presentations at the request of collaborators. 
• Trained 10 undergraduate students to work as writing center consultants through the course Writing Center Theory and Practice.
• Provided 20 hours of professional development to 37 student writing consultants. 
• Supported over 300 mgm casino writers in writing, retreats, groups and discussion cafes.   

The Heart of the Campus (HOTC) project is a university-wide initiative to build community and a sense of place at the center of mgm casino’s campuses. Key elements of the project include:

• Renew and upgrade building infrastructures and services
• Selective renovation of Capen, Norton and Talbert Halls to expand and reorganize library services and consultation, integrate many student services, and provide flexible and technology-enriched classrooms and spaces for collaboration and group study, as well as galleries and cafes.
• Transform central library and support space into a multi-use setting housing a 21st century library and variety of formal and informal learning environments, IT and faculty support, one-stop shopping for student services and casual dining.
• Capen Hall provides “entry-to-exit” services for mgm casino’s entire student population in one place.
• Provide an identifiable entrance to mgm casino’s north campus
• Provide a learning landscape environment throughout the facility

 Fraternities and Sororities, Marching Band, Student Activities and Organizations, Student Union
150 Student Union
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Student Unions
Union is open 24/7
Student Unions Welcome Center
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday– Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

Student Unions Administrative Offices
235 Student Union
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Harriman Hall (South Campus)
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

150 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m..

150 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Dean of Students Office
315 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

240 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

112 Student Union 
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

9 Norton Hall
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

259 Capen Hall
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

321 Student Union
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Counseling Services
120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday – Thursday 8:30am – 7:00pm

Michael Hall, 2^nd floor (South Campus)
Monday 8:30am – 7:00pm
Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

After hours crisis intervention available 365 days a year. Call 716-645-2720 and select option #2

What is “Student Life”?

The mission of Student Life is to provide programs and services that encourage and inspire involvement, leadership, diversity, pride, tradition, learning, and self-development. From a student’s first step on campus, Student Life will assist them in becoming a force for positive change in the University community and the greater society.

Is there anything fun to do on campus?

Yes! Just walk through the Student Union any day of the week to experience involvement fairs, cultural celebrations, art displays, and much more.  Check out mgm casinoLinked for a list of clubs and organizations hosting events, meetings, etc. and stop by the Student Engagement Office, 150 Student Union to learn about ways to get involved on campus and about events happening on campus.  Checked out the Student Life events calendar: /studentlife/who-we-are/departments/engagement/events-calendar.html

What is mgm casinoLinked and how do I use it?

mgm casinoLinked is a virtual involvement platform for students and the campus community to learn about clubs and organizations along with events scheduled on campus.  It’s a great first step in learning about the outside the classroom experience at mgm casino. Any student, faculty or staff with a buffalo.edu email address has an account and can log on with their mgm casinoIT information!

What is so different about the Student Union from other buildings on campus?

The Student Union is one of the most popular places on campus to hang out. On a typical day you are likely to find five student organization information tables in the lobby, vendors promoting services for students, music from the special event of the day, career fairs in the Social Hall, small concerts and movies in the theater and a variety of activities and meetings throughout the building. There is never a dull moment during the academic year.

How can I find out more about social justice and diversity issues on campus?

Stop by the Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC) or sign up for their weekly digital newsletter to learn more about the various weekly, monthly, and annual programs they offer that engage students in conversations about diversity, inclusion, and social justice in a welcoming environment that recognizes and celebrates the intersectional nature of cultural identity. IDC programs include weekly peer-moderated conversations about controversial issues, heritage month celebrations, workshops that explore how to be more inclusive, and a Social Justice and Inclusion micro-credential that students can earn to show their commitment to diversity.

What is there to do on campus at night?

On-campus programs are held in the Student Union throughout the week and weekends along with events scheduled in the residence halls.  Checking mgm casinoLinked, campus calendars, marketing throughout campus, and asking resident advisors are great ways to learn more about what’s happening on campus.

Do I have to be a Music major to join the Marching or Pep Band?

No. The Thunder of the East comprises students from all majors. This past fall, over 97% of students registered for band camp were non-music majors. The chosen academic field of study of band members ranges from Aerospace Engineering to Communication to English.

Why is it so important to develop my leadership skills?

Leadership is an important part of your life whether you are serving on a committee, participating in a classroom discussion, volunteering for a community service project, playing sports or working at a job. Your ability to lead and be a contributing member of a group plays a vital role in your success at mgm casino and your future role in the community, a career, and family life. Many recent surveys show that one of the top things employers are looking for from prospective hires is leadership ability!

Do I have to be an underrepresented student to participate in the programs or use the services offered by the Intercultural and Diversity Center?

Absolutely not. Our programs are open to all students and we encourage students to stop by the Center at any time.

Is there any place on campus I can volunteer for community service activities?

Yes, there are hundreds of opportunities to become involved. The Community Engagement Team in the Student Engagement Office (150 Student Union) is here to help all students, individuals or groups, find and complete long-term, short-term and one-time community service projects. Whether students want to engage in community service for a class assignment, to give back to their communities, or as part of a student organization requirement, community service helps build leadership skills and enrich the lives of both the one serving as well as those who are served. The Student Engagement office is the place to visit for help getting started.

Why would I want to join a fraternity or sorority?

Greek-letter social organizations provide students with the opportunity to get involved in the campus and local communities, establish lasting friendships and develop leadership skills.

When can I join a fraternity or sorority?

A student must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA at mgm casino, 12 earned college credits, and attend a University-sponsored Fraternity/Sorority Information Session in order to be eligible for membership in a fraternity or sorority.

What if I want to explore a major or change my major?

In addition to your academic advisor, you can also seek guidance to explore your options through Career Services. You can consider completing assessments that can provide you information of your values, skills and interests that can be helpful in determining your options.

How can I get a job after graduation?

Your prospects for getting a job in your field after graduation are enhanced by building a strong resume of experience during your time at mgm casino and building your network. Securing an internship or two and making connections with alumni contributes to your success. Career Design Center can provide support in these crucial areas.