UB has proposed a general 3 percent increase in the Comprehensive Fee each year for 2014-15 through 2018-19 in order to “continue to offer programs and services that our UB students need and expect in the current state, SUNY and UB budget climate.”

Under the five-year plan, which is proposed to assist students in planning for the next few years, the Comprehensive Fee would rise from the current $2,141 for undergraduates and 1,632 for graduate students for 2013-14 to $2,512.50 for undergraduates and $1,923.50 for graduate students for 2018-19.

The increases, according to a letter to students from Charles F. Zukoski, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Dennis Black, vice president for university life and services, would support state-mandated increases in salaries and fringe benefits for employees, increased technology and library costs and services, the bus contract negotiated in 2012 and central academic investments.

“UB desires to remain as one of the nation’s best buys in higher education and will continue to be a major public university and the premier public institution in the Northeast with continued student support,” the letter states.

Components of the Comprehensive Fee support intercollegiate athletics and intramural services (undergraduates only), campus life, college fee (set by SUNY), student health, technology, transportation and transcripts.

More details, including information on the specific components of the Comprehensive Fee, are available on the Comprehensive Fee website.

Students may comment on the proposed fee increase via email  through Feb. 28. Additional feedback may be provided to the representatives from the areas supported by student fees and by Facebook through Feb. 28. An assessment of student interests and concerns also is being conducted via the My Opinion survey that can be accessed through MyUB. Results will be shared via the Comprehensive Fee website.