Comp fee to push over $800

The cost of attending UB will rise next year regardless of state tuition if a proposal to increase the undergrad comprehensive fee is passed in an upcoming administrative decision.

UB officials have proposed a 3.5 percent increase to the fee for the 2006-07 school year, which would add $30 to bill paid each semester by undergraduates.

Right now, the fee is the $779.25. If passed, it would be the eighth increase in as many years.

Coupled with possible tuition increases and cuts in state financial aid programs by the still-in-progress New York State budget, students could be facing a whole new financial burden.

The governor's plans aren't expected to pass, but the comprehensive fee - which goes towards technology, transportation, athletics, campus life improvements and health services - will total $809.25 if the increase is adopted.

Some students might balk at an additional cost, but according to Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs, the hike is at a rate equivalent to the Higher Education Price Index.

"The HEPI is a national measure of the annual increase in the general cost of higher education. SUNY uses the index to 'cap' increases for student fees," Black said in an e-mail. "For example, campuses can increase fees only at the rate of national higher education inflation."

The largest proposed increase within next year's fee is the $19.25 per semester towards campus life improvements. According to a memo from the Office of Student Affairs, $3 of the hike will support "some state-mandated negotiated salary and benefit increases, and minimum wage increases for student payroll, not provided for in the University's base budget."

The other $16.25 from the funds earmarked for Campus Life - two percent of the total fee and more than half of the proposed fee increase - will support a university-initiated "strategic investment fund for improving the campus experience."

"UB established a 'two percent fund' from all budgets last year to fund UB2020 efforts," Black said in an e-mail. "So for this coming year, two percent of the comprehensive fee is being set aside to support UB2020 initiatives that improve the student experience."

According to Black, this all translates into new student research and civic engagement programs, a faculty contact program, a new alcohol awareness program, a new victim's assistance program, an increased suicide prevention program, and an enhanced learning community model for retention.

In other words, this two percent "investment fund" will be used solely for student-related services and will be reported fully in the next fee annual report. The funds will not be used for other purposes or other UB2020 purposes.

"As part of UB2020, the university is seeking to improve the student experience and to offer strategic investments to achieve greater excellence," Black said. "For students, this means a commitment to more civic engagement programs and opportunities related to our 'public' university mission."

The two percent investment fund is being billed as part of the Campus Life fee, so campus life, as we know it, is not actually getting any more than its "fair share," according to Black.

"It just looks inflated due to the two percent that is housed in the fee," he said.

This investment fund was met with praise from students.

"I like the idea that they're looking to increase the university experiences. It makes the college more competitive and I like that they're putting it into student life," said Mike Domino, a senior biology major.

Greg Bachison, a freshman aerospace and mechanical engineering major, agreed but was skeptical as to whether the money will be put to good use.

"If the money is going to something that will benefit me then that's good," Bachison said. "It all sounds good, but will somebody actually have the desire to make it work?"

The second-largest increase, at $5.50 per semester, will go towards Intercollegiate Athletics, which will cover inflationary increases in the program and increased costs of doing business, but not any new initiatives. This is much less than last year's $10.50-per-semester increase.

This lack of new athletics initiatives disappointed Jason Brown, a sophomore political science and history major.

"I'd be happy to contribute (an additional) $30 or however much to see things happen as long as I saw results," Brown said. "I'd like to see intercollegiate athletics improve. Buffalo's more of a football and hockey town so I'd love to see a D-I hockey team. We could recruit from Canada and have a really good team."

Another $3 per semester will go towards Health Services, again a change from last year's $8-per-semester increase. The Health Services fee was increased last year to support the North Campus Health Center.

"Due to the SUNY cap on fees, there is a limit on fees that can't be exceeded," Black said. "The North Campus Health Center will be funded heavily by the current fee level."

The fee increase is merely a proposal at this point, but the increase will be solidified by the end of the semester, according to Black.

"UB will propose the fees to SUNY. Then, based on these recommendations and input from students during the consultation process, UB will hear from SUNY in May or early June and any changes will be reflected on fall 2006 semester invoices mailed out this summer," he said.