How do you describe the University at Buffalo in a media release? What is UB 2020? What are the goals of UB’s comprehensive physical plan?

To assist UB communicators who are called upon routinely to address such questions in their work, this section of the Communications Toolbox provides succinct statements about UB and its key initiatives.

When it comes to these topics, it’s important that official communications contain clear and consistent language, rather than each writer’s unique take on a subject. Using the information provided here, all that you need to do is cut and paste.

If you have questions or suggestions for additional content, please contact:

UB boilerplate statement

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

What is UB 2020?

UB 2020 is the University at Buffalo’s strategic plan, designed to transform it into a model 21st-century public university that will rise among the ranks of the nation’s public research universities.

Or:

UB 2020 is a vision for the University at Buffalo’s emergence as a world-class public research university and a strategic plan for fully achieving its vast potential.

How is UB 2020 being implemented?

UB 2020 is being implemented through investment in excellence in academic and other programs across the university, as well as eight strategic strengths that place it at an advantage over competing institutions when it comes to research funding.

UB’s growth plan

UB 2020 calls for UB, already the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York, to grow by 40 percent by the year 2020, increasing enrollment by 10,000 and faculty and staff ranks by more than 6,700.

A larger UB will have a greater economic impact and enhance the region's quality of life by offering more educational, cultural and recreational resources and programs to the public, and by having a greater presence in the community.

UB’s comprehensive physical plan

As part of its implementation of UB 2020, UB has developed a comprehensive physical plan to guide the growth and transformation of its North and South campuses and create a new Academic Health Center on its Downtown Campus.

This master plan will create three distinctive campus environments tailored to their respective suburban, urban and downtown settings, better connecting them with one another and integrating them with their surrounding neighborhoods.

UB’s economic impact

UB has an annual economic impact of $1.7 billion on Western New York and New York State that will more than double to an estimated $3.6 billion when UB 2020 is fully realized.

UB’s support of community jobs

Spending by UB’s more than 10,000 employees and 28,000 students, along with the thousands of visitors attracted to the region by the university, supports over 13,500 jobs in Erie and Niagara counties.

UB’s research expenditures

As a major public research university, UB’s annual economic impact includes more than $348.2 million in research spending, most of it from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health.

Or:

UB spends more than $348.2 million annually on research, creating new knowledge that improves the lives of residents of Western New York, New York State and the world beyond.  Our research leads to new cures, improved processes, stronger materials, faster computers, smarter software, smaller machines and thousands of other improvements that flow from a great research university.

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