FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT

BROAD-BASED FEES

 

Broad-Based Fees

Broad-based fees for institutions within the State University of New York (SUNY) are generally charged to all enrolled students to finance discrete activities that benefit the student body -- excluding those activities that are part of the core instructional program.  Buffalo State's broad-based fees include:

  1. Athletics Fee, which supports intercollegiate athletic activities
  2. College Fee, which support Buffalo State's operations
  3. Health Fee, which provides basic medical assistance to students via the Weigel Health Center
  4. Technology Fee, which provides enhancements to campus technology for students
  5. Transportation Fee, which funds Buffalo State's NFTA Metro Pass Program

Broad-based fees are intended to work in concert with SUNY's rational tuition plan, providing students and their families with information that will help them to plan for the costs of college.  SUNY's expectations for campuses include:

  1. Student consultation through open forums
  2. Annual increases limited to 2.6%, to cover mandatory costs, expansion of existing services, provision of new services or upgrades to equipment. The fee base used to calculate the 2.6% cap encompasses all-broad-based fees, including the student activity fee.
  3. A rolling five-year plan (FY 2013-2014 through FY 2017-2018) for broad-based fees

SUNY's Policy on Fees, Rentals and Other Charges provides system-level information regarding broad-based fees.  Buffalo State's Comprehensive Broad-Based Fee Policy describes the process for establishing fees at this institution.

Buffalo State's current and requested broad-based fees are provided here, along with a broad-based fees budget:

               

    

Other Fees

These fees are additional to the broad-based fees listed above:

  • The student activity fee supports programs that benefit Buffalo State students, including programs for cultural and educational enrichment and recreational and social activities.  A student-body referendum, held every two years, determines whether student activity programs will be supported by either voluntary or mandatory student fees.

  • A mandatory graduate student fee helps to support research and scholarship, participation in professional organizations, travel expenses for professional purposes, and professional development opportunities.

At Buffalo State

Buffalo State's Office of Student Accounts manages the collection of tuition and fees for the campus.

Fee waivers are granted for Buffalo State students who are enrolled in study-abroad, or in on-line courses exclusively, where the classes never meet on campus.  Buffalo State has adopted individual policies that address on-line, off-site, and part-time students.

In accordance with SUNY policy, Buffalo State provides for participatory student involvement in the broad-based fee decision-making process, hosting  a forum for discussion and opportunities for questions and answers.  Buffalo State's consultation process began January 28, 2013, and ends April 1, 2013. Student feedback is welcome.