School Spirit

In terms of school spirit, UB is far less than the sum of its parts. The University is made of many small communities—academic units, sports, clubs, and social groups, but these communities don't add up to a cohesive whole. Most students are happy in their corner of the University, but can muster only lukewarm spirit for the larger institution. Students credit all the fun parts of their years in Buffalo (parties, friendships, achievements) to their communities within UB, while they blame the institution as a whole for all the depressing parts (huge classes, monolithic architecture, parking, and the weather).

Since the 1990s, the administration has poured money into the football and basketball programs, hoping that their success would unite the campus. With the exception of basketball, this effort has yet to pay off (if anything, the football team's problems have increased student apathy). Nevertheless, there's a core of students at UB who love the school, despite its flaws. Many students grow to love Buffalo, as well.