|  Today, BISSNET programs serve over 6,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. Students have access to shared virtual library databases including EBSCO’s History Reference Center, Science Reference Center and Points of View; Gale E-books; SIRS Government Reporter and Researcher; and Turnitin (web-based anti-plagiarism software). Faculty and staff are invited to participate in Summer Professional Development classes on computer software and diversity training. The Diversity Program offers monthly SEED seminars for students and adults from BISSNET schools, faculty enrichment sessions at individual school locations, mini-grant opportunities and an annual Student Leadership Conference. Advancement personnel may join CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) through BISSNET’s Institutional membership.
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1997 |
Steering committee formed to create independent school consortium |
1998 |
17 BISSNET member schools vote to incorporate; 1st year of John R. Oishei Scholarship Program |
1999 |
John R. Oishei Foundation awards $3.98 million technology grant |
2000 |
Two additional schools join the consortium: Professional Development begins |
2001 |
Schools open with high-speed internet access; Diversity training begins with NCCJ; Email available for all faculty and staff |
2002 |
First five-year strategic planning process; purchasing agreement signed with Staples; 1st Consortium-wide Professional Development Day |
2003 |
BISSNET logo and website redesigned |
2004 |
1st BISSNET Arts Festival |
2005 |
First collaborative meetings with Buffalo Prep and Bison Scholarship Fund; BISSNET offices move to University at Buffalo |
2006 |
BISSNET creates Diversity & Community Engagement Program and receives $100,000 start-up grant from John R. Oishei Foundation; joins Buffalo Prep and Bison Scholarship Fund in “Alliance for Educational Opportunities”; internet-related services contract awarded to Finger Lakes Technologies Group |
2007 |
First Student Diversity Leadership Conference held at the Church @ Asbury Hall |
2008 |
BISSNET is featured on ‘Buffalo Matters’ television program; 2nd five-year strategic plan is approved |
2009 |
New logo and tagline created by Manzella Marketing Group; Diversity and Community Engagement Program is honored by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo with the Norman Goldfarb Humanitarian Award |
