A new memo of understanding between the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (BECHS) and Buffalo State took effect on January 1, 2011.

The new agreement continues the mutually beneficial relationship between the organizations, while requiring less time from the director of the college’s museum studies program.

Cynthia Conides, director of the museum studies program and associate professor of history and social studies education, will step down as executive director of BECHS. However, she will continue to serve the museum as its curator of special projects. Mark Severson, dean of the School of Natural and Sciences, will be the official Buffalo State liaison to BECHS.

Under the agreement, collaborative opportunities such as the sharing of space, facilities, and archival resources; library services and digitization; and joint grant applications, publications, and other development and fundraising opportunities will be explored.

“Our collaboration has benefited our students very much,” said Conides. “We look forward to continuing BECHS internships, archival training, and service learning opportunities for Buffalo State graduate and undergraduate students.” The college is also exploring degree programs in museum studies.

Conides served as the executive director of BECHS for four years, and led the organization through a successful museum accreditation process. “We hope to increase the college’s access to the rich research and education resources at BECHS,” she said, “and to increase the museum’s access to Buffalo State’s resources, including student placements and faculty expertise.” The museum received re-accreditation this month from the American Association of Museums (AAM) and is one of just 800 of the country’s nearly 18,000 museums to hold this accreditation.