Coronavirus Information

Update: August 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m.

Earlier this summer, the State University of New York announced updated COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for summer/fall 2022 operations. Buffalo State College has updated campus policies to reflect its ongoing progression through the pandemic.

Buffalo State’s guidelines are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health, and SUNY. This fall will feature several changes. For instance, we will no longer use seating charts in classrooms, nor will we conduct contact tracing. Additionally, students will no longer use COVID-19 symptom trackers.

Buffalo State has established a COVID-19 task force, as we continue to monitor and recover from the pandemic. The task force will focus specifically on COVID-19 and allow campus to quickly adjust to any changing federal, state, local, or SUNY guidelines. This will allow the campus to prepare for other potential emergency situations. Recommendations made by the task force will be reviewed by the Emergency Response Planning Group (ERPG) before consideration by me.

All members of the campus community are urged to familiarize themselves with the following guidelines and to stay informed of any changes. As always, the health and safety of the campus community remains paramount. The college may adjust its health guidelines, as needed, based on new scientific evidence and the course of the pandemic.

Vaccination Requirements

• Students who live on campus or who come to campus for classes or activities are required to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and are strongly encouraged to get boosters when eligible, in accordance with SUNY guidelines.
• Employees are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their vaccinations, including getting a booster shot when eligible.
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is not required to attend campus events.

COVID-19 Testing

• The college will not require return-to-campus testing.
• Students with medical or religious exemptions to the vaccination requirement and who live on or come to campus must participate in COVID-19 testing. Rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits will be available for students who have met the waiver requirement at the welcome area (Information Desk) of the Campbell Student Union. Students with a COVID-19 immunization waiver must test weekly.
• If a student receives a symptomatic test, a PCR test will be administered at the Weigel Health Center.
• Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests kits are available for any college employee in Human Resource Management, Cleveland Hall 403, during business hours, and are available 24 hours a day in Chase Hall at the Safe Trade Zone.

Masks

• Students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are not required to wear masks in most settings, indoor or outdoor. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask on campus is welcome to do so.
• Individuals who are not up to date on their vaccinations or are immunosuppressed are encouraged to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask in indoor settings.

Off-Campus Settings

• Students enrolled in any program or course, or who are participating in a clinical or internship, at an off-campus location must comply with all health and safety guidelines in place at the location, including any vaccination or testing protocols.

Monitoring Your Health

Monitor your health, and stay home if you’re sick.

Any student who receives a positive COVID-19 test result must isolate and report it to Weigel Health Center.

Any employee who receives a positive COVID-19 test result must isolate and report it to his or her supervisor and to Human Resource Management. HR will provide additional guidance.

Quarantine and Isolation 

• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must follow the CDC’s guidance for isolation or quarantine.
• The college has designated campus housing where residential students can isolate or quarantine if they have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Commuter students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to isolate or quarantine at their residence.
• Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to isolate or quarantine at their residence.

Compliance

• Incidents of noncompliance with any college protocols will be adjudicated through Buffalo State’s Code of Conduct process for students and through the Human Resource Management Office for employees.

Additional details and protocols for the fall semester can be found on Buffalo State’s Coronavirus Information website. Students should check their email for updates from Student Affairs, Residence Life, and their faculty members.

As we have through the last few years, Buffalo State will remain flexible and ready to adjust its plans should conditions change. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff will continue to be our top priority.

We look forward to seeing everyone on campus soon. The fall semester begins August 29!