October 20, 1994: Vol26n7: Greiner outlines 'state of UB' for PSS meeting

By CHRISTOPHER SHEA
Reporter Contributor
Addressing the Professional Staff Senate for the first time this
academic year, President William R. Greiner outlined the state of UB
on Oct. 11, covering topics ranging from the ongoing plans for
construction on both campuses to NovemberUs race for governor and its
possible impact on UB.
	Greiner, speaking in the Student Union Theater, downplayed the
outcome of the politically charged race for governor and its effects
for UB, saying the problems that face the SUNY system - and the state
as a whole - are not partisan issues. Any economic impact on UB,
Greiner added, probably wonUt be caused by who wins, but instead by
the fact that post-election years are notoriously tight financially.
	RWhoever wins,S Greiner explained, RNew York State must go
through a structural reassessment of itself. Whoever is elected is
going to have to look at critical issues involving taxes, cutting the
size of government and the costs of Medicaid.S Greiner did say that
the recent appointment of Thomas Bartlett as SUNY Chancellor Rsends a
good message to the legislature and to whomever is governor that weUre
serious about solving our problems.
	RThe SUNY system needed to select someone with national
experience and national exposure,S Greiner added.
	Greiner said that, economically, UB may have to face Ra huge
squeezeS just like many other branches of state government. ROur
expectation is that state support of this university will go down in
the near future,S he said. This year alone Greiner noted, UB already
faces the problem of replacing $40 million in state aid that stemmed
from a one-time-only state-funded initiative.
	However, Greiner was quick to point out, UBUs financial
outlook isnUt without its bright spots. As state funding dries up,
Greiner said, this university has made a concerted effort to focus on
finding alternative sources of funding - namely alumni and
philanthropic contributions. These sources are critical, Greiner said,
if UB is going to continue to excel as a Rmajor public
research-intensive institution.
	RWeUre making a tremendous effort to improve ourselves in the
areas of University Advancement and Development,S Greiner said. RSome
of these efforts have already begun to bear fruit. WeUve received a
major grant from the Howard Hughes Foundation, and weUve also received
another major grant which has yet to be announced publicly.S

The condition of facilities and the future of building on both
campuses also took prominence in both GreinerUs address and the
questions from the Senate that followed. Greiner sought to reassure
several South Campus Senate members, emphasizing that the buildup of
the South Campus, in particular, was Rof the highest priority.S
	He said that UBUs Health Sciences Schools will be a focal
point of renovations on the South Campus. Due to the changing face of
health care in this country, he said, Ra greater need exists for
additional clinical space for the Health Services Education
Departments.
	RMore and more of the health care services offered in this
country will be taking place in areas outside of the hospital,S he
said. RHaving more space for clinics would be an invaluable asset in
preparing UB students for the future.S In the future, Greiner added,
UB will try to persuade state health agencies to share space on or
near the South Campus. RWe have the ability to create the core of a
great academic health center.S
	Additional space already has been created by relocation of the
Chemistry Department to the North Campus, Greiner said. In addition,
all of the Arts Departments are also on the North Campus as well - the
first time thatUs happened in school history, he said.
	On the North Campus - a campus he called Rthe best in the SUNY
system - Greiner said the next major building projects would be a
student services building and an apartment-style student living
complex. An arrangement with the universityUs construction fund has
already been reached for the financing of the student services
building, he said. At a proposed 60,000 square feet, this building
will be located in the circle between Capen Hall and the Hamilton bus
loop, according to the president. It will provide students with a kind
of Rone-stop shoppingS  he said, housing a variety of student services
such as a health services office.
	Greiner also said that according to UBUs research, many more
students would choose to live on campus if affordable apartment-style
housing units were constructed Plans are in the works for the
construction of several apartments in the northern portion of campus,
near Lake LaSalle, he said.
	Further on down the list of priorities, Greiner said, is a new
building to house the law school. While OUBrian Hall, the law schoolUs
current home, would be Ra super place for undergraduate education,
itUs not such a viable place for a law school,S he said.