In response to NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant initiative in 2011, the University at Buffalo created a strategic investment plan to invest in and expand academics and research, need- based aid, and faculty and researchers. Fueled by NYSUNY 2020, the plan was leveraged by capital funding, a rational tuition policy, and the Academic Excellence and Success Fee (AESF).
The Academic Excellence and Success Fee program provides the crucial margin of resources that enabled the full realization of UB’s NYSUNY 2020 academic strategy.
The first element of this strategy focused on the expansion of interdisciplinary faculty teams that provide new, relevant educational programs for UB students and that build UB’s competitiveness in attracting new research support to the university. This research support provides opportunities for graduate student research and an improved standing for UB in the national and international research community.
Second, UB NYSUNY 2020 built educational capacity at UB. With the addition of faculty, UB now offers more course sections in high-demand course areas. We also provide the advising, technical and facilities infrastructures that ensure more timely attainment of every student’s degree objective and a higher quality educational experience. UB has concentrated the investment of Academic Excellence and Success Fee revenue to build these infrastructures for our students.
With this research and educational paradigm provided in part by the Academic Excellence and Success Fee, UB is steadily expanding our stature, renown and impact. The world’s best and brightest faculty are increasingly coming to UB because they desire to be part of the cutting-edge research discoveries and breakthroughs. At the same time, UB’s transformational education is preparing our students to face the challenges confronting our world and to become the future leaders in their professions and communities. UB is steadily attracting more high-caliber students who are drawn by the unique opportunity to work directly with faculty at the forefront of their fields. For our graduates, the investments made with Academic Excellence and Success Fee revenue only further strengthens the value and distinction of a UB degree now and in years to come.
The Academic Excellence and Success Fee seeks to support innovative university initiatives that accelerate UB’s efforts to be recognized as one of the leading public research universities in the nation by strategic investments to support our faculty, students, staff and the entire academic enterprise.
UB’s Center for Excellence in Writing - Supports students at every level and in any major to develop their writing skills and produce writing products that achieve their desired results. Primary forms of support are one-to-one consultations, workshops, and presentations. The Center also disseminates research-based information about writing development across campus to support highly effective writing instruction.
In the 2022/23 academic year, the CEW:
Upgraded classroom facilities – The ACES fee has provided rehab to dozens of centrally scheduled classrooms across north, south and the downtown campuses. Creating new flexible learning spaces and learning landscapes, while also updating traditional classrooms and lecture halls. The ACES supports all phases of the classroom rehabs from planning to design to construction.
Office of Resource Planning
544 Capen Hall
Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Is the Academic Excellence and Success Fee part of the Comprehensive Fee?
The Academic Excellence and Success Fee is not a part of the “bundled” Comprehensive Fee, however is considered a “broad-based fee.” Broad-based fees are generally charged to all enrolled students to finance discrete activities that benefit the student body, excluding those activities that are a part of the core instructional program.
Is this fee included in the Broad-based Fee Student Consultation?
Yes. During the student consultation, there are many ways to become involved (MyUB, survey, Facebook, and your student representatives). Students have the opportunity to express their thoughts regarding any of the broad-based fees at any time.
In the formative year of the UB NYSUNY 2020 program, multiple correspondences were sent to students in fall semester billing communications that announced the AESF program and its linkage to the larger NYSUNY 2020 program. The Vice President for University Life and Services and the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education held an extended forum with student leaders in early December of 2011 to discuss UB NYSUNY 2020 and the Academic Excellence and Success Fee. The input from that meeting was that student leaders actively engaged in the discussion were supportive of the UB NYSUNY 2020 approach and encouraged continual, active dialogue with students in constructing future plans for tuition and fee revenue use. For UB students, the AESF was first charged in 2011 at an annual rate of $75 and was increased by $75 annually through 2015-16, and in 2019/20, an additional increase of $150 was approved
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