Major Summer Improvements at Canisius Complete
Several major construction and renovation projects were completed on the college's campus this summer, including $1.5 million in improvements to the Health Science Center. Phase I includes the construction of five new classrooms on the first floor, which was previously used as a garage. The classrooms are now wired with the same state-of-art technology as the Old Main classrooms. (For more details on the technology in the new rooms, click here for the LIS News page.) A new student lounge was also added.

The Spillman parking lot behind Health Science has been opened up (the concrete barrier was removed), and 50 new spaces have been added behind the college-owned homes on Florida Street. A new fence is being constructed, the area has been landscaped, and closed-circuit television cameras were added so that public safety can monitor the lot at all times. New signage consistent with other college parking lots clearly identifies the area as a Canisius parking lot.

The entrance area of the Health Science building will include an Internet plaza where students can check their E-mail or do quick Web research in between classes.

According to Laurence W. Franz, PhD, vice president for business and finance, workers were challenged to complete several outdoor projects in less than perfect weather conditions. 

"The almost constant rain was a challenge for the facilities management staff and the contractors, especially for those replacing the roofs on the student center and the library," says Franz.  "But they worked extremely hard to ensure that the projects were completed as scheduled."

In addition, the first floor of Health Science includes a new home for the college's Graduate Literacy Clinic run by the School of Education. The new clinic includes two new classrooms, five diagnostic testing rooms, program offices and a conference room.  Future plans for the center include a family literacy center, and GED program for adults and children from the surrounding community. Gillian Richardson, PhD, assistant professor of education, is the center's director.  Canisius students in the Graduate Literacy Program provide diagnostic testing and remedial reading services to students from local elementary schools.

"We were glad to be able to give the Education Department a central location for their Graduate Literacy Clinic, which should prove beneficial to both graduate students and their clients who receive services," says Franz.

Phase II of the Health Science Center renovations, which includes the addition of a freshman biology lab and a new computer lab, is scheduled to begin sometime next year.

The Office of Student Records in Bagen 106 has a new look this semester, thanks to $45,000 in renovations.

The Office of Student Records also has a new look. The office received a $45,000 face-lift that includes new carpeting, paint and furniture and a new high-density filing system. The entry door was moved further into the lobby, additional lighting was added, and the heating and cooling units were relocated.

In order to be more accessible to faculty, ITS has a new faculty technology services center (known as the FacTS Center) located in Churchill Academic Tower 003, which it will operate in conjunction with the Center for Teaching Excellence. A new and improved GriffMail system, known as GriffMail 2, was introduced this summer. For more information, click here for the LIS News Page. 

Major repair projects completed this summer include roof replacement for the Andrew L. Bouwhius Library and the Richard E. Winter '42 Student Center. Construction also continued on the new Eastwood Residence Hall (click here for updated construction photos).

Fall Semester Parking Updates
As the fall semester gets underway, parking once again becomes an issue of concern for faculty, staff and students. Gary Everett, director of public safety says that officers will be present in all college parking lots and entrances to direct traffic and assist new students who may be unsure of where to park.  

Everett adds, "I am confident that within two weeks or so, once students become familiar with the campus, that any parking concerns will be ironed out."

The new Florida Street lot includes 50 additional spaces.  College employees may use the shuttle service (space permitting), which runs continuously from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shuttle signs are clearly posted at the Delevan Townhouses, the Health Science Building, the Hughes Street entrance to Old Main and near the parking ramp. After 5 p.m., employees may utilize the point-to-point shuttle, which will transport them directly to their car.  

For more information about college parking options, click here. 

Senator Clinton Visits Canisius to Announce Local Business Initiative

(left to right) Ken Kruly, director of government relations poses with U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton during her recent visit to Canisius.

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) visited the Canisius College campus on August 6 to announce a partnership between Count Me In and Micro Biz Buffalo, which will provide loan capital and training to micro entrepreneurs in Buffalo. 

At a news conference held in the college's Demerly Hall, Senator Clinton outlined the multifaceted collaboration, which is aimed at the economic revitalization of Jefferson Avenue.  Plans include several local elements, including a Canisius College initiative that enables its business school students to provide business training to micro entrepreneurs.

Men's Baseball Recruits 2003 MAAC Coach of the Year
The men's baseball program at Canisius has a new head coach. Mike McRae, the 2003 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year, made the move to Canisius from Niagara University, where he led the Purple Eagles to back-to-back MAAC playoff appearances and compiled a 65-86 overall record. In 2003, McRae set a school record with 26 wins. He topped the mark in 2004 with 27 wins and a second place finish in the league.

"We are extremely pleased to have Mike on board at Canisius," said Athletics Director Timothy J. Dillon. "Over the last three years, he's demonstrated he can build a winning program in this area and I know he can do the same at Canisius."

McRae was a four-year letter winner at Colby College, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He also holds a master's degree in education from Niagara.  For more information, click here to visit the Athletics Department Web site.

Office of Student Activities Realigned to Better Serve Students

From left to right: Connie Pileri, '92, MS '93 director of campus programming; Brian Smith, director of leadership development and the Richard E. Winter '42 Student Center; and Katie Duffy, assistant director of campus programming and leadership development. 

The Office of Student Activities has a new name: the Office of Campus Programming and Leadership Development. The staff re-alignment and name change reflects a merger between student activities and campus programming. The goal is to develop a comprehensive leadership development program for all students.

Connie Pileri '92, '93 MS is now director of campus programming. For the past five years, Pileri served as assistant director for the Office of Residence Life.  She has worked at Canisius for the past 10 years. In her new role, Pileri will manage and organize programs for the students in the residence halls through the programs that the resident assistants create, and implement campus-wide programs for all students, both commuters and residents.

Brian Smith is now the director of leadership development and the Richard E. Winter '42 Student Center.  For the past five years, Smith has been director of student activities and the student center. Smith has worked at Canisius College for 17 years. His new responsibilities include the development of a comprehensive leadership development program for students.  Smith continues to oversee all campus clubs and organizations, and manage the student center. 

Kathleen Duffy '02, MS '04 is assistant director of campus programming and leadership development.  Her responsibilities include the coordination of Family Weekend, Friday Nights in Palisano (FNIP), Saturday Nights in Palisano (SNIP) and Senior Week. Duffy is also the advisor for the Campus Programming Board and the Commuter Student Association.

For more information on the Office of Campus Programming and Leadership Development, click here. You can reach also the office by phone at Ext. 2190.

NetGazette to Publish Monthly
The NetGazette will be published on a monthly basis. The deadline for submissions is one week prior to publication (Wednesday, September 8 for the September issue).