Secrecy surrounding the UB Foundation is a jarring note for a public institution

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/buffalo-news-editorials/secrecy-surrounding-the-ub-foundation-is-a-jarring-note-for-a-public-institution-20160225

The University at Buffalo Foundation occupies a peculiar place in Western New York’s public life. It is a private entity, but one whose purpose is to support one of the most important public institutions in the region. As such, it has a common-sense duty to operate transparently and efficiently. The university’s standing depends on it, yet the foundation isn’t doing the former, which makes it difficult to determine whether it is doing the latter.

The issue arises in light of an analysis of the foundation’s spending conducted by a UB faculty organization. What it found was disconcerting – not illegal, not unethical, but also not in keeping with the policies of an organization seeking to maximize its influence. All of Western New York has an interest in the foundation doing just that.