Exam week at the University at Buffalo did not stop a student organization from protesting their dissolution by the school. Sub Board 1, or SBI, is an independent, student-run, student-owned, non-profit corporation that has served the UB community since 1970. It works as a fiscal agent, responsible for the allocation of student activity fees to the different student government bodies. The Faculty-Student Association (FSA) will soon be taking over SBI’s accounts.
“Moving those fiscal accounts to FSA is creating some concern with our students because of their recent issues with internal controls,” said SBI President Jennifer Schechter. “They were the ones who were involved in the embezzlement scandal with the former Vice President of Student Life, Dennis Black. “
Black was sentenced to probation and community service last year.
Another cause for concern isthe possible elimination of services considered vital to students. That includes the SBI Safety Shuttle Service which chauffer’s students anywhere within a one-and-a-half mile radius of the South Campus. Safety Services Coordinator Mark Hays said it would hurt students who work.
“A lot of our student population, myself included, make minimum wage and I’d like to think that we do honest and good work for our community. What this means is that our service would conclude so students will be left to their own devices to get home,” Hays said.
In a written statement Tuesday, the university said after an internal review, SBI was not in compliance with SUNY policy and the transferal of fiscal agency to the FSA will lower student fees. UB also said it will explore transportation options.
