Proposed changes in the comprehensive student fee would increase next year's fee $60 per year for full-time undergraduates, raising it to $1,250 for 2001-02, according to a proposal issued by Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs.

Under the proposal, the yearly fee for graduate and professional students would rise to $30, bringing it to $940 for the year.

A session in which students can comment on the proposed fee increase will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow in 330 Student Union, North Campus.

Students also may comment via email to compfee@vpsa.buffalo.edu before noon April 23.

The proposed increase includes $6 for negotiated personnel salary/benefit increases, $12 for technology, $12 for parking/transportation and $30-undergraduates only-for intercollegiate athletics. There are no increases proposed for the other components that make up the comprehensive fee-the SUNY college fee, student health fee and campus life fee.

The budget that will go into effect July 1 will provide additional funding only for contractual cost increases, Black said. But the university must continue to invest in programs and services essential to delivering high-quality educational experiences, while supporting the increased costs of ongoing services and programs, he said.

"UB remains committed to providing an educational environment fostering student development and student success," he stressed. "To do this, additional fee revenues for next year have been proposed through a modest increase in the student comprehensive fee."

Black pointed out that fees would 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 would continue to be assessed in addition to the comprehensive fee.

The fee increase for negotiated salary/benefits resulting from statewide contract settlements would help cover the costs of state personnel who work in areas of the university funded by student fees that are not provided for in the university's base budget.

The increase in the technology fee would provide support for the university-wide implementation of a successful pilot course-management system, additional electronic materials to allow greater student access to library and research materials, more educational technology enhanced classrooms and the replacement of aging equipment in some existing classrooms.

The parking/transportation increase would provide a new intra-campus shuttle service for the South Campus and expanded blue-light telephone service on both campuses.

The increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee-for undergraduates only-would provide support for expansion of women's varsity sports to bring them on a par with the men's sports, as well as additional support for the student payroll in Recreation and Intramural Services.

"Comprehensive fee adjustments, if adopted, would be reflected in student account statements distributed to all returning and new students in mid-July," Black said. "While slightly increasing the cost of student attendance, UB would remain one of the nation's best buys in higher education and will continue to be a major public university and the premier public institution in the Northeast."