Plan would hike student fees $82

By MARA McGINNIS
Reporter Assistant Editor

Proposed changes in the comprehensive student fee would increase next year's fee $82 a year for full-time undergraduates, raising it to $1,212 for 2000-2001 from $1,130 this year, according to a proposal issued by Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs.

The proposed increase includes $10 for negotiated personnel salary/benefits increases, $30 for technology, $10 for transportation and $32 for campus life.

There are no proposed increases in the SUNY college fee ($12.50), health fee ($75) or intercollegiate athletic fee ($140) for full-time undergraduates.

"UB remains strongly committed to providing an educational environment fostering student development and success," Black explained. "To maintain that commitment in times of limited state support, additional fee revenues have been proposed through a modest increase in the student comprehensive fee."

If adopted, the increases would raise the comprehensive fee 7 percent for undergraduates and 10 percent for graduate and professional students, while raising the total cost of attendance for UB students by less than 1 percent, according to Black.

"Next year's state and SUNY budgets, apparently close to being finalized, do not anticipate major financial changes in UB state support," said Black. "However, the university needs to continue to invest in programs and services essential to delivering a high-quality educational experience."

This year, comprehensive fee-increase proposals are being made in advance of the semester's end and already have been reviewed with student leaders, Black explained. A student-comment session will be held at noon tomorrow in 145C Student Union for students to express their opinions, concerns and questions about the proposed fee increases.

The fee increase for negotiated salary/benefits resulting from statewide contract settlements would help cover the additional costs of state personnel who work in areas of the university funded by student fees.

"State negotiated adjustments for workers on fee accounts are not covered by the state," Black explained. "The state enters into the contracts, but does not provide the support needed to implement them. This cost must then be included in fee assessments."

The increase in the technology fee would provide support for Microsoft Office Premier Edition licenses and upgrades for student use, 50 new email terminals to be located in kiosks across campus, a new 50-seat technology classroom and a 25-seat public computing lab on the South Campus.

The transportation/parking increase would help pay for paving, lighting and security phones in the Stadium parking lot, as well as construction of a new student parking lot and sidewalks from South Lake Village to The Commons.

Black explained that the new student parking lot, proposed for construction this summer north of Alumni Arena near the UB Child Care Center, also could be reserved some evenings for special events held in Alumni Arena or the Center for the Arts.

The increase in the campus-life fee would maintain current services and provide for enhanced career-planning-and-placement services, including new interview rooms, improved student lobby areas, an expanded resource library, enhanced electronic-testing services and better credential services.

"Comprehensive fee adjustments would be reflected in student-account statements distributed to all returning and new students in mid-July. While they will slightly increase the cost of student attendance, UB still remains one of the nation's best buys in higher education," said Black. "With increased investments in technology and campus life, UB will continue to be a major public university and the premier public institution in the Northeast."

Black noted that fees will continue to be prorated on a credit-hour basis for part-time students and the current waiver policy will be maintained.

Individual student-government mandatory activity fees are assessed in addition to the comprehensive fee.