Prior to 1920, the various departments conducted most of the business affairs of the University of Buffalo, with ultimate financial authority residing with the University Council. The Treasurer, an officer of the University Council, handled only those few accounts that affected the University as a whole.

In practice, the Council delegated most of its financial authority to the Committee on General Administration. Between meetings of the Council, the Committee could exercise the full power of the Council. It was specifically responsible for the preparation of the tentative yearly budget and could authorize changes in that budget during the year.

The centralization of financial affairs came because of what was known as the “Greater University Movement” (circa 1905-1920). Its supporters envisioned the “creation of some kind of college of high character around which the University’s professional schools should be grouped, and the whole reorganized and compacted into one efficient organization” (Letter of Charles P. Norton, Council minutes, October 11, 1918). This reorganization included the centralization of the business affairs of the University under one chief financial officer.

Similar to other administrative units, Business Affairs has been restructured on multiple occasions throughout the University’s history, from its beginnings as a private institution, to its merger with the State University of New York.