Talking Points on Key Issues
UB’s Economic Impact
UB’s presence in our community and plans for growth will increase economic prosperity for our region and all Western New Yorkers.
- Through implementing the UB 2020 strategic plan for growth, UB’s economic impact is expected to increase substantially from $1.5 billion dollars in 2005 – 2006 to more than $2.6 billion by the year 2020. It is important to note that these dollars are new to the Western New York economy – that is, they would not exist if not for the presence of UB.
- UB’s growth will power a new, knowledge-based economy, foster innovation and medical discoveries, tackle complex issues like health care and the environment, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the people of our community.
- For our region to grow and transition to a knowledge-based economy, community support of the University at Buffalo is imperative. To join a campaign to move Western New York and the University at Buffalo forward, become a UB Believer online at www.buffalo.edu/YourUB.
UB’s Community Impact
UB’s presence in our community consistently provides a better quality of life for all Western New Yorkers.
- Because of UB, last year nearly a half-million community members were able to take advantage of world class speakers such as the Dalai Lama and Nobel laureate Al Gore as well as athletic matches, gallery openings and musical entertainment on university campuses.
- In 2006, UB students provided social services at more than 250 field locations across WNY, including schools, addiction centers, and hospice programs. Their dental clinics provide free or low cost care to more than 120,000 patients annually and since its inception, the Affordable Housing Clinic has leveraged $165 million to develop affordable housing in our region.
- For our region to grow and transition to a knowledge-based economy, community support of the University at Buffalo is imperative. To join a campaign to move Western New York and the University at Buffalo forward, become a UB Believer online at www.buffalo.edu/YourUB.
UB’s Educational Impact
With an enrollment of more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UB is Buffalo Niagara’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher learning – but it doesn’t stop there. UB also drives education in our region by providing educational programs, resources and opportunities for school-aged children, community members and professionals.
- UB and the Buffalo Public Schools are engaged in a partnership to increase the number of local public school students who graduate from high school interested in and ready for attending college, and better prepared to be successful in jobs in the 21st century.
- UB’s Educational Opportunity Center annually offers more than 2,000 students training and life skills to successfully enter emerging fields.
- For our region to grow and transition to a knowledge-based economy, community support of the University at Buffalo is imperative. To join a campaign to move Western New York and the University at Buffalo forward, become a UB Believer online at www.buffalo.edu/YourUB.
UB's 2009 Legislative Priorities
UB has identified four key legislative priorities:
- Achieving a rational tuition policy through which small, regular increases in tuition would provide the university with predictable funding to support high-quality programs and allow parents and students to better plan and budget for expenses.
- Gaining spending and contracting flexibility, unshackling UB from unnecessary pre-review and approval requirements.
- Obtaining access to market capital through authority to borrow funds from recognized lending agents and to engage private developers in partnerships so that developer-financed facilities can be built on campus.
- Attaining the ability to lease or purchase land and facilities, freeing UB to form partnerships to benefit the university and local economy.
UB's 2009 advocacy goals are detailed in "Defining the Challenge." | Read more