Achieving Operational Excellence

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The Division of Finance and Administration is committed to identifying, analyzing and improving our existing business processes to create greater efficiencies and cost savings, leading to high levels of service to students, faculty and staff.

On this page:

Business Process and Systems Improvements

Many of the division’s initiatives involve analyzing and improving operational processes and employee skillsets to achieve more efficient workflows and overall business growth. Several projects are planned or are underway.

Business Services

Reviewed 4/8/2026

Parking and Transportation

Reviewed 4/8/2026

Project Description

The University at Buffalo has teamed up with Modii, a digital parking and mobility solutions leader, to transform campus parking for students, staff, and visitors. This partnership enhances the driver experience and streamlines parking management. The UB Parking Finder is a web app designed to simplify your parking experience at the University of Buffalo’s North and South campuses. Accessible to everyone, UB Parking Finder requires no downloads or personal information. With its interactive map, the app provides predictive parking availability and insights, helping you navigate campus parking.

Target Audience

  • Faculty/Staff
  • Students
  • Visitors/Guests/Clinic Patients

Timeline

  • Kick-off meeting January 2024
  • Parking Finder Programming March 2024
  • Parking and Mobility Integrations September 2024
  • Parking Finder Live November 2024

Guiding Principles

The UB Parking Finder is designed to assist with providing personalized parking and sustainable commuting experiences. The Finder allows users to customize their experience by selecting specific permit types. This feature visually forecasts parking availability at specific times of day based on permit requirements. The technology also uses predictive technology; the UB Parking Finder helps commuters locate available parking quickly, reducing the need to circle parking lots.

Project Team

Nancy Kobielski, Parking and Transportation Services
Matthew Reitmeier, Parking and Transportation Services
Parking Ambassador Team, Parking and Transportation Services
Robert Wright, Enterprise Application Services
Karen Gong, Enterprise Application Services
Gregory Croniser, Enterprise Application Services
Nicholas Peterson, University Communications
Row Onishi, University Communications
James Emerson, Modii
Maxwell Sheldon, Modii

Resource Planning

Reviewed 4/8/2026

Sustainability

Reviewed 4/8/2026

Project Description

As a public research institution, UB’s model of sustainability focuses on finding solutions to global challenges through research, educating individuals about these challenges, setting high expectations of efficiency and effectiveness in our operations, sharing our experiences, and partnering with the external community. Through an integrated and collaborative resource planning approach, UB has become a higher education leader in sustainability and is on its way to carbon neutrality. 

Target Audience

  • UB faculty, staff and students
  • Buffalo Niagara Region

Timeline

  • Climate Action Plan calls for UB to become climate neutral by 2030
  • UB places number 1 in Climate Action by the Times Higher Education Impact Assessment in 2021

Guiding Principles

  • Minimize UB’s carbon emissions and environmental footprint
  • Advance climate justice by integrating racial, gender, LGBTQIA+, and ability equity into our work
  • Increase adaptation and resiliency across the enterprise as climate disruption increases
  • Create the next generation of climate action advocates
  • Leverage the University’s operations as a living laboratory and experiential learning opportunities
  • Create an environment that supports greater economic efficiency and cost savings

Focus Areas

Project Team

Project Leader

Ryan McPherson, Chief Sustainability Officer

Project Committee

Beth Corry, associate vice president for Business Services, Put a Price on Pollution
Ryan McPherson, chief sustainability officer, Not All Electricity is Created Equal
Chris Austin, director of Parking and Transportation, Zero Carbon Mobility
Tonga Pham, associate vice president for University Facilities, Keep it Cozy and Green
Carmen Gonzalez, assistant vice president for Purchasing and Contract Services, Waste Not
Stacy Knapper, chief executive officer for UBF, Responsible Investing
Christopher Delello, associate vice president for Human Resources, Every Action Counts
Christina Hernandez, senior associate vice president for Student Life, Taking Stock of our Food System
William McDonnell, associate vice provost for Academic Planning, Investing Locally to Provide Flexibility
Bruce Buerger, director of Capital Planning and Deferred Maintenance, Increasing Efficiency
Jason Corwin, professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies, Climate Justice

University Facilities

Reviewed 4/8/2026

University Police

Reviewed 4/8/2026

Project Description

Citizen’s Police Academy Departmental overview of officer responsibilities

Target Audience

Campus community (faculty, staff, and students)

Timeline

Spring semester

Guiding Principles

The Citizens Police Academy is a powerful bridge between law enforcement and the community it protects. By creating an educational environment where students, faculty, and staff can learn about police operations, decision-making processes, and daily challenges, the academy transforms abstract perceptions into meaningful understanding.

Project Team

Deputy Chief Gregory Sauers
Captain Jonathan Fletcher
Lt. Michael Saraceno

Project Description

Our comprehensive engagement initiative connects students, faculty, staff, and community members with our public safety professionals through multiple interactive programs:

RAD – Rape Aggression Defense empowers students with practical self-defense techniques and risk awareness strategies in a supportive environment. 

Student Internships offer immersive learning experiences within public safety operations. Interns gain real-world professional skills while contributing fresh perspectives to our department, creating pathways for future public safety and criminal justice careers.

Coffee with K9 Congi brings our talented service dog and handler to campus for relaxed, informal conversations. These popular events create approachable opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to connect with officers, ask questions, and build relationships in a positive setting.

Recruitment Engagement Events showcase public safety career opportunities through informational and networking sessions. These events serve both students exploring career paths and community members interested in serving their community through public safety roles.

Target Audience

  • Faculty/Staff
  • Students
  • Community members

Timeline

Fall and spring

Guiding Principles

These programs strengthen the bonds between our public safety team and the community we serve, fostering understanding, trust, and mutual respect.

Project Team

Deputy Chief Gregory Sauers
Deputy Chief Scott Marciszewski
Captain Jonathan Fletcher
Daryl Kempf, Technical Specialist, University Police

Project Description

Our technology initiative enhances public safety operations through strategic implementation of advanced tools and standardized training systems:

Vehicle plate readers - for investigations and crime prevention mobile data terminals for patrol vehicles.

Lexipol Training Platform - officer and dispatch virtual training and records management 

Computer-Based Field Training Officer Program - computer-based evaluations and progress tracking

Target Audience

Law enforcement

Timeline

Ongoing

Guiding Principles

These technological advancements create a more efficient, accountable, and effective public safety operation while ensuring officers have the tools and knowledge they need to serve the community with excellence.

Project Team

Deputy Chief Gregory Sauers
Deputy Chief Carl Lundin
Captain Jonathan Fletcher
Daryl Kempf, Technical Specialist, University Police