Role of UB Foundation generates discussion

Questions about the role of the UB Foundation (UBF) and its status as a private, independent organization have generated campus discussions over the past several months.

In a call for greater public transparency, more than 120 UB faculty members, staff and students this spring signed a petition urging the leaderships of UBF and UB to “establish transparency for UB Foundation revenues, expenditures and investments — past, present and future — while maintaining reasonable confidentiality for private donors.”  

President Satish K. Tripathi in April posted a letter to the university community about the foundation. Tripathi said he hopes the letter “provides helpful context and clarification regarding the UB Foundation and its role with respect to the University at Buffalo.”

Last month, Robert J. Freeman, executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, spoke at the UB School of Law and answered questions about why the UB Foundation is not subject to Freedom of Information Law in accordance with a 2011 ruling by the New York State Supreme Court.   

SUNY Trustees, meanwhile, on May 4 approved revised guidelines for all campus-related foundations throughout SUNY. The guidelines were originally adopted by SUNY in 2013 as a way to strengthen the accountability of campus-related foundations.

The UB Foundation’s website offers detailed information about its activities and finances, as well as an FAQ about its operations. UBF Executive Director Edward Schneider and Laura Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration, periodically meet with the Faculty Senate, decanal groups and individual faculty members to discuss and answer questions about the role and responsibilities of the UB Foundation.