2007-2008 Comprehensive Fee Report - Overall Summary
University at Buffalo Comprehensive Fee
Background
The Comprehensive Fee was implemented in 1998. It is a consolidation of SUNY and campus-required fees, which support several University services and programs. All students at the University at Buffalo pay the Comprehensive Fee, unless they meet fee waiver requirements. Many of the schools in the Mid-American Conference, of which UB is a member, also have a comprehensive approach to fees and several American Association of Universities and SUNY campuses have also instituted a Comprehensive Fee. These include Wisconsin, Iowa, SUNY/Albany, Fredonia, Canton, and Cortland.
Student Benefits/Impact
- Better communicates the cost of attendance
- Reduces multiple fee waivers required of some students
- Simplified student invoices
- Improves campus processing of payments
Student Access
- Comprehensive Fee web site updated frequently to keep students and community abreast of changes
- Waiver information and application available on-line
- Professional staff member available to answer Comprehensive Fee questions and to process waiver requests
- Student input on fee planning through Intercollegiate Athletic Board, Student Health Advisory Committee, Student Union Advisory Committee, and advisory groups on transportation and student activity areas. Input solicited in development of campus technology plans.
Contact Information
Judicial Affairs & Student Advocacy
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm
Expenditure Plan
Overall Comprehensive Fee: $37,594,500
Technology $14,156,000Build and maintain an infrastructure that will enable UB to offer its students the highest quality learning environment.
- Educational Technology
- Student Services
- iConnect@UB
- Digital Library
Athletic Fee $7,148,000
Supports Recreation and Intramural Services activities for students. Part of the long-term plan to address the upgrade of Intercollegiate Athletics.
- Recreation and Intramural Services
- Intercollegiate Athletics
Transportation $6,496,000
Provides parking and transportation services to the University.
- Parking Services
- Transportation Services
Health Fee $5,183,000
Provides health services to students.
- Health Services
- Disability Services
- Counseling Services
- Wellness Education Services
Campus Life $3,896,000
Supports programs and facilities that promote the quality of campus life.
- Student Life
- Judicial Affairs/Ombudsman
- New Student Programs
- Campus Life Initiatives
- Strategic Investment Initiatives
College Fee $583,000
Satisfy debt service payments on residence halls.
- University Police
Transcript Fee $132,500
Provide transcript services to students and alumni.
- Official transcripts
- Unofficial transcripts
Student FAQ Materials
Q. Why have a Comprehensive Fee?
A. This approach simplifies student invoices, improves campus processing of payments, better communicates the cost of attendance, and reduces the multiple fee waivers required of some students.
Q. Are Comprehensive Fees common at other schools like UB?
A. Yes. Many of the schools in the Mid-American Conference of which UB is a member have a comprehensive approach to fees and several American Association of Universities (AAU) and SUNY campuses have also instituted a Comprehensive Fee. These include Wisconsin, Iowa, SUNY/Albany, Fredonia, Canton, and Cortland.
Q. Do all students pay the same fee?
A. No. All students are billed for the college, technology, health, campus life, transcript, and transportation components as part of the comprehensive approach. Undergraduate day students also are billed for the intercollegiate athletic component. In addition, Comprehensive fee components, except for the transcript fee, are assessed at a pro-rated per-credit hour basis for part-time students.
Q. How can I request a fee waiver?
A. Waivers are available for students meeting established guidelines, including the following criteria:
- study takes place outside of the University at Buffalo grounds &
- the student DOES NOT have an active University computer account &
- the student DOES NOT have a current UB parking permit
Waivers can be processed on-line.
Q. How can I impact how the fees are spent?
A. There are several opportunities for student input on fee planning, first and foremost the annual fee consultation process. Students can also participate in advisory and programming committees in various fee areas.
For more information on student input, please view the "Access Points" section of each component's annual report or contact Student Affairs at: compfee@vpsa.buffalo.edu.
