UB Recognizes Beta Alpha Psi for Achievements

By Jacqueline Molik Ghosen

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo School of Management’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals, received special recognition at UB’s Celebration of Academic Excellence, held April 14 in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

Beta Alpha Psi received the first annual Student Organization Award for Excellence in Academics and Service, recognizing the organization’s commitment to academic success, school spirit and service to the community.

Members of Beta Alpha Psi are required to maintain a 3.3 GPA in their respective major and a 3.0 GPA overall. They also provide weekly tutoring to undergraduate School of Management students, with more than 650 hours of volunteer tutoring provided so far this academic year. The organization has displayed its school spirit through a Homecoming cookout, intramurals participation, attendance at basketball games and participation in other campus-wide events.

To serve the community, Beta Alpha Psi runs the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at UB School of Management, where IRS-certified accounting students provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $42,000. In 2008, the VITA program set records for total returns filed (393), total refunds distributed ($234,566), and total certified volunteers (138) who collectively contributed more than 1,400 hours of service over the 10-week program. The organization received special recognition from the IRS for having the largest Beta Alpha Psi-run VITA program in the nation in 2008, based on the number of volunteers who contributed at least five hours of service.

In addition, Beta Alpha Psi members have volunteered with community organizations including Big Brother Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-A-Highway, St. Vincent’s Food Kitchen and the International Institute of Buffalo. They have also provided financial literacy education at local area high schools, and ran a food and clothing drive to benefit the Salvation Army.

“Our students have set a high bar as the inaugural recipients of this award,” said Arjang A. Assad, dean of the School of Management. “The exemplary level of service that they provide within UB and beyond to the Western New York community while maintaining academic excellence is outstanding. We are extremely proud of them.”

The Wall Street Journal has ranked the UB School of Management No. 9 in the nation among schools with strong regional recruiting bases. In addition, BusinessWeek has ranked the school as one of the country's top 5 business schools for the fastest return on MBA investment, and Forbes cited it as one of the best business schools in the U.S. for the return on investment it provides MBA graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.