Campus Life Fee

• Improves student retention
• Increases sense of community and campus pride
• Builds and improves campus traditions
• Teaches student responsibility and citizenship
• Provides diversity education
• Efficient cost effective services and programs
• Support for enhanced student involvement
• Quality response and service for students experiencing difficulty
• Programs and services to support commuter students, off-campus students and veterans
• Broad support for and involvement in campus-wide programs
• High quality facilities, which serve as the center for the student community
• Increase student participation in mentored academic research and creative activities as a means to deepen and extend learning beyond the classroom
• Enhanced preparation of undergraduate and graduate students for post-graduate opportunities and success
• Increase student access to senior faculty
• Co-curricular program opportunities
• Capacity for making connections with field of study and industry experts including alumni

• Campus wide programming boards
• Individual and group services
• Multi-location programs and services
• Host over 7,000 programs annually
• Web-enabled programming

Provide support to the offices of the Vice President for Student Life, Administration and Planning, and Marketing and Communication.  The Office of the Vice President provides overall leadership, vision and implementation of the Student Life mission.  Administration and Planning provides support to the division in the areas of resource planning, and processing for the division of Student Life. Marketing and Communications provides leadership and institutional-level guidance to the internal and external marketing initiatives within Student Life. Representing the division as a member of the university’s senior communicators group, we provide top level administrative marketing support while also engaging units through brand guidance, web integration, and communications solutions to meet the ever evolving needs of UB and our respective audiences.

We strive to provide the new experiences, programs and resources that will meet the ever-changing needs of our diverse student body. Current initiatives include:

• Here to Career: Student Life’s career readiness and employment program, Here to Career is designed to provide students with intentional and meaningful work experience regardless of their major or position on campus. Our comprehensive program is based on nationally recognized criteria and will provide students real world skills to ultimately set them apart in a highly competitive workforce.
• One World Café: In partnership with the university, and with the approval of the Capital Planning Board, Campus Dining and Shops intends to design and build a new dining experience as part of UB’s overall Heart of the Campus (HOTC) initiative. 
• Student Housing Master Plan: Starting in summer 2017, and completed in Fall 2019, UB initiated a comprehensive student housing master plan across its three campuses. We are committed to better understanding the most appropriate and efficient use of all current and future campus student living space. 
• Experiential Learning: The university is committed to providing students with opportunities to customize and enhance their college career.  We recognize that you learn by doing, and UB provides learning opportunities that connect students to their interests while bridging with their academics. These opportunities span all majors and are offered in many forms including research, internships, and community service. Experiential learning is learning fostered by reflection, and is available to all students while also engaging faculty, staff, and community partners who are dedicated to the intentional and guided educational experiences offered to students. Experiential learning compliments the university’s mission to research, educate, and serve by offering opportunities that will prepare students for their professional careers and provide those skills to continually contribute to their communities in a world that is ever-changing.
• UB Next: Student Life’s Office of Assessment and Research oversees the collection of undergraduate outcomes data by administering the annual UB Next survey. This data provides a snapshot of student outcomes six months after graduation, be it employment, graduate school, volunteer work, or other pursuits. This information helps us identify opportunities for our new graduates, better serve alumni, work with our community partners and employers, and helps current and future students understand the possibilities available to them through their University at Buffalo education
• New to UB - The First Year Experience: Through a collaborative effort between Enrollment Management and Student Life, New to UB enhances the student experience through the university’s pre-existing assets with new programs and services. The joint effort serves as a tool for ensuring student success, and highlighting the benefits to be gained from improved interaction between the many high-quality programs and services UB already provides for first-year and transitioning students.
• Student Union Master Plan: To meet the changing student needs and evolving programs, Student Life retained the services of a nationally recognized firm to perform a master plan for future use of the North Campus Student Union and Harriman Hall on the South Campus. 
• Wellness Center Task Force: As we seek to advance the health and wellness of our students a unified approach to recreation, health and wellness is needed. This task force is working to create a set of recommendations that enhance the student experience through flexible facilities and holistic programmatic offerings integrating recreation, counseling, health and wellness component services. 
• UB Campus Bookstore Task Force: The task force solicited broad and inclusive feedback from the University community on the future of UB campus store needs and operations, focused on delivery of academic material, contracts, physical space review, and assessment.  The task force submitted their finding during the Spring 2020 semester.
  

• Office of the Vice President provides oversight to 17 Student Life units.
• Student Life is one of the largest on-campus employers of students.
• Completed 80+ projects for Student Life units, including high level web and social campaigns.
• Provides oversight to Student Life Gateway website, encompassing all Student Life departments.
• Annually completes INSIGHT publication, highlighting divisional assessment and research data to share with university leadership.
• Recipient of two SUNY CUAD awards for When It’s Seen Intervene bystander intervention campaign and Blue Table innovative food pantry marketing campaign.
• Named the 2020 NASPA Excellence Award Winner in Academic Advising Careers Graduate Professional category for Here to Career student employee initiative.

Comprehensive set of programs and services designed to assist students in making a successful transition to UB, focusing specifically on preparing for academic success, encouraging intentional engagement, facilitating connections, supporting transitions, and coordinating processes. Primary components include Summer Orientation, Welcome Weekend, and Year One initiatives, complemented by programs and initiatives for parents and family members who are supporting students in transition.

• 3,975 first-year students completed orientation in Summer 2020
• 1,398 transfer students completed orientation in Summer 2020

The Career Services mission is to challenge students to see possibilities and seek opportunities in preparation for life after college.

• Career coaching in-person and virtually
• Website live chat
• Resume, Cover Letter, C/V reviews
• Career and individual assessments
• Comprehensive website and online career development services (Bullseye powered by Handshake)
• Major exploration course (UE 101)
• UB Career Connector Network
• Career, job and internship fairs
• Networking programs
• On-campus interviewing
• Employer information sessions with individual companies/organizations
• Practice interviews (Big Interview)
• Workshops

• Approximately 4,400 individual student appointments
• 312 students enrolled in UE Majors Explorers courses
• 22,175 students utilized Bullseye powered by Handshake (online career management system)
• 54,761 full-time and part-time jobs and internships were posted in Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 64,461 applications were submitted in Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 22,095 approved employers in Bullseye powered by Handshake
• 6,979 students attended employer info sessions, class presentations, workshops, and networking events
• 270 organizations/companies attended networking, job, and internships fairs
• 124 employer hosted events
• 413 student to alumni consultations in the UB Career Connector Network
• 300+ assessments completed with students
• 2,395 students attended the STEAM Job + Internship Fair
• 68 students attended the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Networking Reception

Provide just, safe, orderly, and positive campus climate through regulations, disciplinary processes, informational programming, and intervention effort.

• Student Conduct process
• Community service programs
• Victim assistance
• Student interventions for alcohol or drug overdose
• Behavioral intervention and support
• Student Advocacy service
• Emergency fund programs
• COVID-19 student compliance

• 10 Student Employees/Volunteers trained and supervised/advised
• 1 graduate assistant as Chief Hearing Representative for the Student-Wide Judiciary
• 4 law student Hearing Representatives to the Student-Wide Judiciary
• 5 Student Justices including one Chief Justice to the Student-Wide Judiciary
• 4 Student Assistants handling general office work   
• 1 part-time staff person as Student Support Coordinator
• 245 student conduct adjudications (59 administrative hearings; 162 SWJ)
• Of 59 Administrative Hearings, 11 were sexual misconduct
• 65 informal behavioral interventions
• 44 alcohol or other drug interventions
• Of 44 interventions, 24 were from alcohol or other drug hospitalizations
• Approximately 1,500 community service hours assigned and/or coordinated (service paused in March 2019 due to COVID-19)
• Approximately 80 outreach presentations to campus partners
• Approximately 15 training presentations for student or para-professional staff teams
• Assisted with virtual orientation programs for first-year students, transfer students, international students and parents/families
• 1,072  emergency fund applications administered
• Of 1,072 applications, 458 were to the Gerstner and Heckscher Student Emergency Fund and 614 were to the Student Life Emergency Gift Fund128 Advocacy Consultations
• 5 student deaths and a postponed annual Remembrance Ceremony
• Approximately 1,250 student background checks
• 421 student of concern consultations and support for behavioral intervention
• 28 consultations and support for Title IX/VAWA reporting parties
• 62 consultations and support for Non-Title IX/VAWA victims of crimes/other
• 38 consultations and support for medical illness or injury

Suicide Prevention - $132,881

Provides greater support for all students, including at-risk students, by focusing on mental health and emotional wellness promotion.

• Offered 20 QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training programs to the campus community (489 attendees)
• Collaborated with the over 20 departments and student groups, for a highly attended Suicide Prevention Week (265 attendees)
• Staff participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Buffalo Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention and assisted in raising $250,000 for suicide prevention research and education (4,000 attendees).

Student Engagement enhances learning and development by facilitating impactful opportunities that empower students to be contributors in a global society.  We provide programs and services that encourage and inspire involvement through integrative and intentional experiences.

• Co-curricular Certificate Program
• Here to Career Student Employment Program offers training, workshops, newsletter, and UBLearns course to student employees and their campus supervisors
• Here to Career Student Employment Program piloted 4 micro-credentials
• Leadership Development programs, conferences and activities
• Student organization leadership training
• Leadership courses (credit bearing)
• Leadership House (living learning community)
• Leadership Mentoring programs
• Community service and volunteer coordination
• Alternative Break programs
• Campus involvement portal system (UBLinked) showcasing the vast number of student clubs and organizations on campus
• Advisement of Phi Eta Sigma, Circle K, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Improves student retention
• Builds and improves campus traditions
• Increases sense of community and campus pride
• Serves as the first point of contact for involvement opportunities on campus

• Approximately 2000 plus students participated in leadership programs
• 100 individuals enrolled in the Leadership Certificate Program (TORCH, UBXL and PEAK) in 2019-2020
• 130 micro-credentials were started in 2019-2020; 24 were issued during our pilot
• 30 Leadership House members, 15 Leadership House mentors
• 14 Student Engagement Ambassador interns provided over 200 hours of peer mentoring appointments
• Over 1,000 students participated in community service programs
• UBLinked has more than 23,500 users and 664 organizations (including University departments)
• Approximately 300 students participated in the DISC assessment (DISC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work, teamwork and communication)
• 1,882 hours were tracked on UBLinked by UB students, these hours equal almost $51,201.28 in volunteer labor to the community
• Over 30 community partners worked with the Student Engagement office to provide volunteer opportunities to UB students.
• Over 30 students  participated in Alternative Spring Break programs

We create a strong sense of belonging by celebrating our differences as proudly as we celebrate our commonalities, while helping students broaden their perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of our ever-changing world.

• Educational workshops
• Diversity Zone training
• Safe Zone training
• Tough Topics Series
• Cultural programming, activities and events
• LGBTQ+ programming, activities, and events (PRIDE week, queer prom, LGBTQ dinner crew)
• Commencement/recognition celebrations
• Diversity Advocate Program
• Intercultural Leadership Retreat
• Students of Color Conference
• Coordinated advocacy and social justce opportunities/efforts
• Collaboration efforts with various departments and organizations

• Approximately 2,505 students participate in various diversity activities and events
• Over 600 participants in cultural bazaars (due to no program in Spring 2020)
• 510 undergraduate and graduate student participants in the Annual ALANA Celebration of Achievement
• 21 students participate in the Lavender Celebration Over 1,000 students participate in various diversity workshops
• Over 150 students received Diversity Zone training
• Over 250 students received Safe Zone Training
• Approximately 400 student leaders participate in diversity leadership training programs
• 10 students serve as diversity advocates per academic year
• Approximately 350 students in monthly social diversity events

Provide a platform for leadership development, civic engagement, and philanthropic service as part of the academic and social advisement of the members of recognized Greek-letter social fraternal organizations at UB. Serves as a resource for the University community in regards to information and issues related to the UB Greek community.

• Educational programs
• Philanthropic programs
• Leadership programs
• Organizational advising
• Academic recognition programs

• Serves 23 social fraternal student organizations that are affiliated with our campus comprised of  approximately 600 active participants including chapters of three national Greek honor societies: Gamma Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, and Rho Lambda
• 2,330.25 hours of service to the UB and WNY communities, during the 2019-2020 academic year
• $21,315 in charitable fundraising for local and national beneficiaries during the 2019-2020 academic year

Helping student veterans balance college life with student life goals.

• Ease transitions of veterans
• Conduct veteran needs assessment
• Centralized service center

• Achieved Yellow Ribbon Veteran School status
• Achieved Veteran-Friendly School designation
• Achieved “Best for Vets” Status
• Veteran’s lounge
• Ranked #48 in UB News and World Reports National Universities for Veterans

Student Unions provides a variety of services, facilities and programs designed to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors on both campuses.

• Club suite and offices for student clubs and organizations
• Meeting rooms, theater, social hall, assembly theater, ballrooms and conference rooms
• Digital display advertising
• Building reservations operations staff
• Welcome Center
• Building maintenance
• Building furniture
• Lounge spaces
• Dining and retail operations
• Reflection room
• Lactation room
• Lost and found
• Battery recycling drop-off location
• Blue Table food pantry
• Ticket office

• Houses over 60 clubs and organizations
• 424 lockers maintained
• Processed over 9,000 reservations **cancellations due to COVID-19
• An estimated 289,000 in attendance at all events throughout the year
• Blue Table food pantry had over 500 orders in 2019/2020
• Blue Table supported operations during COVID-19
• Over 200 Blue Table emergency bags handed out to students during COVID-19

Civic Engagement promotes student awareness of civic responsibilities and opportunities; engages students in service on behalf of others; and educates on role of citizens and community needs

• Integrated learning opportunities
• Community and civic engagement programming including service trips
• Voter registration initiatives via the UB Votes Committee

Outdoor Pursuits offers a variety of programming and adventure opportunities for the students, faculty, staff and community. Programs listed below were created to offer critical outdoor recreational release from the vigors of academic study and provide sustainable practices through connections and appreciation to the natural world.

• Lake LaSalle Paddling
• Fire pit programming
• Outdoor workshops and clinics
• Outdoor gear loans Adventure trips
• 9-hole Disc Golf course
• Consultations on trips, local hiking and paddling locations

• Over 6,000 students participated in Paddling on Campus including canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. Served over 1,000 students paddle on Lake LaSalle during Welcome Weekend.
• Fire pit reservations allows clubs and organizations to hold on-campus fires as a teambuilding opportunity
• Facilitated outdoor workshops and clinics
• Provided opportunity for students to hike local WNY trails with a trained and certified guide
• Our outdoor gear loan program had over 1,000 participant days of gear loans that included: tents, sleeping bags, stoves and much more.

The Athletic Bands consist of the Marching Band, the Pep Band, and Dazzlers Dance Team and  are student ambassadors for the university that create an environment supporting the highest standards of the University at Buffalo’s spirit and tradition.

• The Athletic Bands are a critical component to the game day environment (football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball) and promotion of the UB student experience.  The bands also perform in support of university programs and initiatives.
• The Marching Band, consisting of 140 members, represents the University and Student Engagement through performance and community outreach.
• Opening Weekend performances
• (7) Seven televised UB Home Football Games
• “Walk to Victory”- 6 events  (2.5 hours before kickoff)- football game day
• UB Veterans Day Ceremony
• UB Tag Day- Donor Thank You/Recognition
• Student Association Carnival
• Mardi Gras – Student Union Parade
• Home Coming Pep Rally
• (12) on campus performances for UB Presentations and Promotional Events

Off- Campus/External Community Events

• Perform in support of football team at (1) away football game
• (2) New York State Field Band Conference- Local High School Marching Festival performances
• Annually represent UB at the New York State Field Band Conference- State Championships- Featured Performance Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
• Represent UB at the MAC Football Championships in Detroit, MI
• Represent UB an post season Bowl Games; most recently the Maker’s Mark Bowl Game in Nassau, Bahamas

The Pep Band consisting of 80 musicians and 16 dance team members , represents the University and Student Engagement through performance and community outreach.

• (22) UB Home Basketball Games- Men’s and Women’s Basketball
• (3) Accepted Students Day Performances
• Niagara Falls HS Basketball Game performance- community outreach
• UB Band Day- invitational for local High School bands to attend and perform with our Pep Band
• Mid American Conference Basketball Tournament- Cleveland, OH
• Men’s Basketball Team
• Women’s Basketball Team
• NCAA Basketball Tournament (off campus)
• Men’s Basketball Team- most recently in Tusla, OK
• Women’s Basketball Team- most recently in Storrs, Conn

POPULATIONS SERVED

• Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in MUS 130 and/or MUS 330
• Other students (not enrolled in the bands as a class) who participate in the marching and pep bands.
• The Athletic Bands members represent nearly all majors in every college on campus including the Honors College and Academies.
• The Athletic Bands perform in partnership with the following University Departments/Organizations
• Student Life
• University Communications
• Athletics Department
• Music Department
• Off Campus Student Services
• Veteran Services
• Student Association
• Orientation, Transition, and Parent Programs
• Alumni Association
• Office of Admissions
• Office of Alumni Engagement

The Athletic Bands Student- Contact Hours:

• Marching Band -July- December accumulated 380 hours of instruction and performance contact with students
• Pep Band- November - May 2019 accumulated 250 hours of instruction and performance contact with students to include post season performances

Pride and Traditions Programming coordinates several major student programs designed to aid students in their emotional, social, and academic development. Programs are designed to enhance a sense of community and promote traditions on campus.

• Welcome Weekend
• Family Weekend
• Countdown to Commencement (Photo Mosaic, Virtual Sign-a-Bull)
• Human Interlocking UB
• General student programming throughout the fall semester designed to assist in campus engagement

• Provided a free carnival for students during Welcome Weekend
• Hosted the largest involvement fair to date with over 100 clubs and 2000 participants during Welcome Weekend
• Over 3300 students participated in the Human Interlocking UB Photo, the largest ever!
• Graduating students participated in Photo Mosaic project to celebrate their favorite UB memory, virtually
• Over 5,000 students and family members participated in Welcome Weekend activities
• Hosted largest Family Weekend tailgate to date with approximately 800 people
• Off-campus trips throughout the WNY area in the fall and spring semesters allowed students to explore WNY

The Strategic Investment Fund (initiated by the university) allocates a portion of the Campus Life Fee for strategic investment areas that impact the entire student body. Strategic investment areas include disability accommodations, victim assistance, suicide prevention, and civic engagement programs. These funds are used to support initiatives on behalf of the student experience identified through the UB 2020 strategic planning process.

New initiatives or enhancements to programs offered under the auspices of the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Education to improve the Undergraduate Experience:

Supporting Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities: Students from across all majors and programs of study are encouraged to participate in mentored research through the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA). As a comprehensive portal for undergraduate research, CURCA has emerged as a popular resource for opportunities and funding to support students’ research interests and experience. CURCA supports students in all phases of their research activities from identifying potential projects to applying, preparing findings through poster presentations, and submitting for up to $500 per semester, per student, to support research activities. CURCA also supports research by highlighting student projects at the annual Celebration for Student Academic Excellence, coordinating a campus-wide poster session and award selection, while also helping students access summer REU’s and opportunities to present at regional, national, and international forums. It should be noted that CURCA serves all students regardless of citizenship, area of focus, or program of study.

Other ELN activities:

• ELN Sophomore Living and Learning Community: Twenty-seven students were admitted and lived together in Greiner Hall, taking a 1-credit fall and spring design challenge course focused on working in teams on mentored projects aimed to have positive community impacts.   
• Course Infusion: Faculty may apply for funds to support the inclusion of experiential learning activities within existing undergraduate courses – 145 students in 7 courses participated during the 19-20 academic year
• ELN Digital Badges: Students who complete a mentored project earn a digital badge to display on their resume, eportfolio, etc.
• Focus on outreach to historically underrepresented units and disciplines to ensure meaningful opportunities and experiences for all students
• Utilization of website for posting of research opportunities for students along with social media to encourage broad participation from students across disciplines and content areas
• Growing opportunities for students to participate in regional, national, and international project opportunities.
• Promotes a culture of research and exploration through coordinating Celebration of Student Excellence poster session and awarding students with demonstrated excellence in research through award ceremony.
• Builds capacity among faculty and academic departments with regard to engaging undergraduates in research and creative activities
• Research and creative experiences help support students’ professional and academic goals

Experiential Learning Network (ELN)

Designed to serve as a dynamic hub for credit-based and enhancing experiential learning, ELN offers customized support to students and faculty toward the goal of cultivating and leveraging high-impact learning opportunities.

Student Benefits and Impacts:

The ELN works to incubate and infuse courses with high-impact experiential learning through a number of programs targeting faculty from across disciplines and programs.

• Course Infusion Funds –support the inclusion of experiential learning within existing undergraduate courses
• Faculty Fellows Program- ELN accepts faculty fellows who are committed to developing new or significantly redesigned courses that feature high-impact experiential earning
• Global Collaboration Digital Badge- engages students in reflection and integration of global engagement with academic and professional goalsGPS Journal- in partnership with the UB Libraries- an open-source digital journal available to students and global partners
• Customized short-term study abroad courses- ELN works with UB faculty and the Study Abroad office/ International Education to customize short-term experiential learning courses
• Development and piloting of new Global Collaboration Digital Badge- Piloted Fall 2018

ELN Sophomore Living and Learning Community:

• Thirty-seven students were admitted and lived together in Greiner Hall, taking a 1-credit design challenge course during the fall semester, and working in teams under the mentorship of faculty and community leaders.   

Mentor Network and Un-Office Hours: The ELN Lounge serves as a comfortable and inviting space for innovation and creative learning opportunities to incubate and grow. Informal mentoring and Un-Office Hours are scheduled throughout the year to provide students with informal engagement with ELN faculty and mentors.

ELN Fast Facts:

• Went from 75 to 170 portal projects from August 19 to July 20
• 61 student projects received funding for the 19-20 AY
• 279 students participated in the ELN digital badge
• 205 digital badges were issued
• Hosted the first fully online Celebration of Academic Excellence Poster Session in response to COVID-19
• Hosted over 75 Zoom mentoring sessions, supporting students’ interests in mentored projects and facilitating their participation in our various offerings

The Heart of the Campus (HOTC) project is a university-wide initiative to build community and a sense of place at the center of UB’s campuses. Key elements of the project include:

• Renew and upgrade building infrastructures and services
• Selective renovation of Capen, Norton and Talbert Halls to expand and reorganize library services and consultation, integrate many student services, and provide flexible and technology-enriched classrooms and spaces for collaboration and group study, as well as galleries and cafes.
• Transform central library and support space into a multi-use setting housing a 21st century library and variety of formal and informal learning environments, IT and faculty support, one-stop shopping for student services and casual dining.
• Capen Hall provides “entry-to-exit” services for UB’s entire student population in one place.
• Provide an identifiable entrance to UB’s north campus
• Provide a learning landscape environment throughout the facility

Student Life: Fraternities and Sororities, Marching Band, Student Activities and Organizations, Outdoor Pursuits, Student Union
150 Student Union
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Student Unions

Unions open Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Student Unions Welcome Center
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday– Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m

Student Unions Administrative Offices
235 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Student Engagement

150 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m..

UBLinked
223 Student Union
(Moving effective spring 2019 to 150 Student Union)
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Intercultural and Diversity Center
240 Student Union
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
112 Student Union 
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Student Conduct and Advocacy
9 Norton Hall
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Career Services
259 Capen Hall
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Veteran Services
321 Student Union
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Counseling Services
120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday – Thursday 8:30am – 7:00pm

Michael Hall, 2^nd floor (South Campus)
Monday 8:30am – 7:00pm
Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

What is “Student Life”?

The mission of Student Life is to provide programs and services that encourage and inspire involvement, leadership, diversity, pride, tradition, learning, and self-development. From a student’s first step on campus, Student Life will assist them in becoming a force for positive change in the University community and the greater society.

Is there anything fun to do on campus?

Yes! Just walk through the Student Union any day of the week to experience involvement fairs, cultural celebrations, art displays, and much more.  Check out UBLinked for a list of clubs and organizations hosting events, meetings, etc. and stop by the Student Engagement Office, 150 Student Union to learn about ways to get involved on campus and about events happening on campus.  Checked out the Student Life events calendar: https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/who-we-are/departments/engagement/events-calendar.html

What is UBLinked and how do I use it?

UBLinked is a getting involved virtual platform for students and the campus community to learn about clubs and organizations along with events scheduled on campus.  It’s a great first step in learning about the outside the classroom experience at UB. Any student, faculty or staff with a buffalo.edu email address has an account and can log on with their UBIT information!

What is so different about the Student Union from other buildings on campus?

The Student Union is one of the most popular places on campus to hang out. On a typical day you are likely to find five student organization information tables in the lobby, vendors promoting services for students, music from the special event of the day, career fairs in the Social Hall, small concerts and movies in the theater and a variety of activities and meetings throughout the building. There is never a dull moment during the academic year.

How can I find out more about social justice and diversity issues on campus?

Stop by the Intercultural and Diversity Center and learn more about Diversity Zone Training. It is designed to spark thought and engage students in conversations about the concepts of diversity, cultural identity and social justice in a safe, encouraging and challenging environment. This four-hour certificate workshop addresses specific areas of diversity that are geared to actively engage students in experiential learning via activities, team building exercises and guided dialogue. Students are encouraged to step outside of their “comfort zone” in order to probe more deeply the complexity of issues of oppression. Participants receive a certificate at the completion of training for use on their resumes and portfolios.

What is there to do on campus at night?

On-campus programs are held in the Student Union throughout the week and weekends along with events scheduled in the residence halls.  Checking UBLinked, campus calendars, marketing throughout campus, and asking resident advisors are great ways to learn more about what’s happening on campus.

Do I have to be a Music major to join the Marching or Pep Band?

No. The Thunder of the East comprises students from all majors. This past fall, over 97% of students registered for band camp were non-music majors. The chosen academic field of study of band members ranges from Aerospace Engineering to Communication to English.

Why is it so important to develop my leadership skills?

Leadership is an important part of your life whether you are serving on a committee, participating in a classroom discussion, volunteering for a community service project, playing sports or working at a job. Your ability to lead and be a contributing member of a group plays a vital role in your success at UB and your future role in the community, a career, and family life. Many recent surveys show that one of the top things employers are looking for from prospective hires is leadership ability!

Do I have to be an underrepresented student to participate in the programs or use the services offered by the Intercultural and Diversity Center?

Absolutely not. Our programs are open to all students and we encourage students to stop by the Center at any time.

Is there any place on campus I can volunteer for community service activities?

Yes, there are hundreds of opportunities to become involved. The Community Engagement Team in the Student Engagement Office (150 Student Union) is here to help all students, individuals or groups, find and complete long-term, short-term and one-time community service projects. Whether students want to engage in community service for a class assignment, to give back to their communities, or as part of a student organization requirement, community service helps build leadership skills andenriches the lives of both the one serving as well as those who are served. The Student Engagement office is the place to visit for help getting started.

Why would I want to join a fraternity or sorority?

Greek-letter social organizations provide students with the opportunity to get involved in the campus and local communities, establish lasting friendships and develop leadership skills.

When can I join a fraternity or sorority?

A student must be at least a2.5 UB GPA and 12 earned college credits in order to be eligible for membership in a fraternity or sorority.

What if I want to explore a major or change my major?

In addition to your academic advisor, you can also seek guidance to explore your options through Career Services. You can consider completing assessments that can provide you information of your values, skills and interests that can be helpful in determining your options.

How can I get a job after graduation?

Your prospects for getting a job in your field after graduation are enhanced by building a strong resume of experience during your time at UB and building your network. Securing an internship or two and making connections with alumni contributes to your success. Career Services can provide support in these crucial areas.