Wellness and Recreation
As the University at Buffalo seeks to advance the health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff we must create a unified approach to recreation, health and wellness.
The Next Chapter - Implementation
As the University at Buffalo seeks to advance the health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff we must create a unified approach to recreation, health and wellness. As we strive to meet not only the academic and research aspirations of students, but also provide access, opportunity and promotion of physical and mental health, the university must capitalize on the momentum and outcomes of the 2021 wellness and recreation master planning efforts. Many factors will determine the implementation of the wellness and recreation projects on North and South campus. Availability of funding sources, approval of final program requirements and the strategy for implementation are some factors to be considered. Strategic investment priorities and coordination with other aspects of the overall university master plan need to be affirmed.
As this project moves forward, we recommend an executive committee to convene and lead the next chapter of design and project implementation. This committee shall:
- Make recommendations regarding concurrent vs phased design and construction
- Solicit design firms
- Begin design work
- Bid construction (phased or concurrent for each campus)
- Engage in broad-based fee strategy, planning and consultation
- Understand and identify legislative actions to bring the project to a successful conclusion
- Oversee the work of subcommittees that include the scope of financial, program planning and integration, operations, communications, and student advisory.
- Recognize decanting of recreation, counseling, health services and health promotion and backfill or demolition planning that will complement this planning process.
A New Home for Health Services
Provost A. Scott Weber and Vice President for Student Life Brian Hamluk celebrate with Student Wellness leaders: Sharon Mitchell, Susan Snyder, Dr. Mary Stock and Paula Taton.
Health & Wellness: A Collaborative Approach
Counseling Services, Health Promotion and Student Health Services work together to provide a stepped approach to your care.
South Campus
Secure State University Construction Fund (SUCF) investment of $80M for the South Campus site (Clark Hall).
- SUCF building walkthrough: completed, January 2023
- Consultant selection: Diamond Schmitt awarded design contract, March 2023
- Design work
- Program verification: completed, May 2023
- Schematic design: planned start, January 2024
- Construction: planned start, October 2025
North Campus
Consultation and planning are still in progress; a project timeline will be posted in the future.
Executive Sponsors
- A. Scott Weber, Executive Vice President and Provost
- Mark Alnutt, Vice President and Director of Athletics
- Brian Hamluk, Vice President, Student Life
- Laura Hubbard, Vice President, Finance and Administration
Executive Committee
- Christina Hernandez, Senior Associate VP Student Life, Chair
- Beth Corry, Associate VP/Controller, Business Services Tonga Pham, Associate VP Facilities
- Kelly Hayes McAlonie, Director Campus Planning
Subcommittees
Subcommittee participation shall be determined based on functional expertise, stakeholder status and cross-functional campus engagement. Subcommittee work shall focus as follows:
In support of the executive committee work to refine and update existing financial proforma, inclusive of advancement and corporate foundation resources, in support of debt service, staffing growth plans and operational considerations that will reside both in this cost center and centrally. Make recommendations regarding broad based fee student consultation process and campus level fees in support of the SUNY fee approval process.
In support of the executive committee, work to refine program integration in support of physical space design and operational excellence. Make staffing plan recommendations in support of scaled or new services. Coordinate with the consultants and recommend departments, services, and programs that will be the primary occupants of the Wellness Center. Discuss with occupants their physical space needs as well as the services/programs offered, preferred hours of operation, method of service/program delivery, customers/users. Engage with stakeholders, students and occupants for feedback. Review and discuss centrally supported services that need to be planned for in this newly created space, both indoor and outdoor. Make recommendations regarding design and operations that will enhance operational efficiencies and excellence.
Communications Subcommittee: in support of the executive committee, work to promote, message and encourage campus stakeholder engagement into the planning and design process. Ensure campus stakeholders are informed of project progression while highlighting the outcomes and campus benefits associated with a holistic wellness student and campus experience. Triage and manage media inquiry regarding project. Support planned opportunities for student and campus feedback sessions. Make recommendations regarding environmental branding and wayfinding in and around space.
Student Advisory Subcommittee: in support of the executive committee work to represent the voice of the student stakeholders and provide feedback on space design, programming needs, operations of space. Work to share information collected from other student stakeholders not represented on committee and work collaboratively with communications committee and student governments to ensure dissemination of updated planning millstones.
