Please note that reopening plans are subject to change based on evolving health and safety information, guidance, and/or direction from the State of New York and the Governor’s Office.
Public Spaces
Indoor common areas—including performance spaces, reservable spaces on campus and residential common spaces—will contain signage with instruction regarding traffic patterns, wearing masks, reducing density, and social distancing.
Safe Transportation
The following transportation services are poised to continue/resume in order to meet campus needs in spring 2021.
Each of these services has enacted COVID-19 procedures to ensure user safety.
Parking Services
Parking Services staff have been emphasizing electronic transactions (e.g., web payments of parking summons), and mail rather than in-person transactions (e.g., purchasing parking permits).
When populations return to campus, counter service will resume in accordance with Buffalo State’s COVID-19 Procedures for Social Distancing and Face Covering, and staff will also assist customers via phone and email communications.
Campus Shuttle Services Reduction in Service
Because peak ridership during a typical semester is approximately one quarter of the vehicle capacity, it is not anticipated that additional shuttles would be required. Service providers will take measures to encourage social distancing while on public transportation.
Buffalo State and its contracted transportation service providers value rider and employee safety. To support this, the college requires transportation providers to operate in accordance with the interim guidance for public transportation activities during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PDF).
The guidance requires:
Yes. Buffalo State College has developed new procedures—consistent with guidance from SUNY System Administration—for spending controls to help mitigate the wide-ranging financial impact this situation continues to have on our campus budget.
The Accounts Payable Office will accept Buffalo State College Foundation and subsidiary entity payment requests three ways:
Submissions still require a completed payment request form, approval by authorized signatories, and attachment of all backup information.
For electronic payment request forms and further guidance, please visit the Accounts Payable website.
Yes. Buffalo State College has developed new procedures—consistent with guidance from SUNY System Administration—for spending controls to help mitigate the wide-ranging financial impact this situation continues to have on our campus budget.
For Students
Use of face coverings will be an integral part of the re-opening of campus operations.
All students will be provided a PPE kit—including two reusable and washable masks, hand sanitizer, a sanitary key (to open and touch surfaces safely), disinfecting surface wipes, a hand sanitation card, and information about COVID-19 health resources—upon arrival to campus.
Students will be required to affirmatively indicate that they have read and reviewed all COVID-19 safety protocols and expectations. Masks are required to be worn by all members of the Buffalo State community on campus at all times, including in classrooms, conference rooms, and other spaces, even after vaccination and when six-foot social distancing exists.
Exceptions to mask wearing include when students are (1) in their private residential or personal space, (2) eating meals on-campus while seated and social distancing is appropriately enforced, or (3) by themselves. Faculty and staff are likewise exempt when alone in their office or other space. Any requests for medical, religious, or other accommodations to this policy will be reviewed on an individual basis in accordance with relevant laws and campus procedures.
Other PPE such as sneeze guards and social distancing floor markings have been integrated into reopening plans for dining, retail and other common areas. The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Office staff evaluate workspaces and provide the necessary PPE.
For Employees
Buffalo State will expect all employees to adhere to federal, state, and local governing guidance on appropriate health and safety guidelines. Those authorities are likely to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
EH&S has provided two reusable facial coverings to each campus employee. Informational notices and signage are being used to inform the public (students, employees, visitors, contractors, etc.) that facial coverings are required on campus. Signs are posted outside the building entrances. Disposable masks are available through EH&S and the Weigel Health Center.
PPE orders will be placed by the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Office and/or through the collaborative SUNY regional procurement process. Orders will be received through the college’s Central Receiving Department. EH&S will then add them to the internal PPE inventory tracking system. EH&S staff will distribute PPE for faculty and staff in response to requests from department directors and deans. For workplace modifications (i.e. sneeze guards, social distancing floor markings and hand sanitizing stations) departments will submit requests to have potential workplace modifications assessed. EH&S staff will evaluate and respond to the departmental requests.
The State of New York, SUNY System Administration and Buffalo State College recognize that there are legitimate reasons for faculty and staff to remove property from the college for work-related functions.
All Buffalo State College property—whether recorded on a departmental inventory or not—that is removed from campus by faculty or staff for work-related functions must be identified on a Loan of College Property Form.
This requirement applies to assets, such as laptop computers, that are transported back and forth on a continual basis.
All signatures are required in order for the form to be considered a valid request. It is the responsibility of the user to secure permission and signatures to take an item out in loan. Electronic signatures are permissible.
Please contact Property Control with any loan or inventory questions.
Loan Renewals
Loan forms are required to be renewed every year. An email reminder will be sent out when the user’s loan has expired. Signed original forms should be submitted to the Property Control Office.
Loan Returns
It is the user’s responsibility to report to Property Control when a loaned asset has been returned to campus. This will remove the loan status from the user and allow for the inventory to be updated to reflect the new location of the property. If the return is not reported, then the loan status for the asset will remain with the user. This will cause inaccuracies when an audit occurs.
The State of New York, SUNY System Administration and Buffalo State College recognize that there are legitimate reasons for faculty and staff to remove property from the college for work-related functions.
All Buffalo State College property—whether recorded on a departmental inventory or not—that is removed from campus by faculty or staff for work-related functions must be identified on a Loan of College Property Form.
This requirement applies to assets, such as laptop computers, that are transported back and forth on a continual basis.
All signatures are required in order for the form to be considered a valid request. It is the responsibility of the user to secure permission and signatures to take an item out in loan. Electronic signatures are permissible.
Please contact Property Control with any loan or inventory questions.
Loan Renewals
Loan forms are required to be renewed every year. An email reminder will be sent out when the user’s loan has expired. Signed original forms should be submitted to the Property Control Office.
Loan Returns
It is the user’s responsibility to report to Property Control when a loaned asset has been returned to campus. This will remove the loan status from the user and allow for the inventory to be updated to reflect the new location of the property. If the return is not reported, then the loan status for the asset will remain with the user. This will cause inaccuracies when an audit occurs.
Students returning to campus or attending courses on campus for the winter 2020-21 spring 2021 semester will be tested for COVID-19. Buffalo State has developed plans to phase in the safe return of students to accommodate the testing and other health and safety requirements.
Faculty and staff working on campus will also be pre-tested before returning to campus.
These specific SUNY requirements will be met:
Buffalo State will resume surveillance testing as soon as students return to campus, pursuant to the individual campus testing plans incorporated into the campus reopening plans and SUNY’s Mandatory COVID-19 Testing Program as announced on September 4, 2020. All students, faculty, and staff who live on campus and/or plan to be on campus regularly (including instruction, co-curricular activities, and meetings) will be tested regularly.
In cases of possible exposure to COVID-19 on campus, Buffalo State will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance entitled, Testing, Screening, and Outbreak Response for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), specifically the section “Tiered approach and inclusion criteria for SARS-CoV-2 testing of persons with possible exposure in IHE setting in the context of an outbreak.”
Students, faculty, and staff who have traveled to and from restricted states and regions or to and from international locations as defined by New York State will follow the New York State Travel Advisory—whether living on- or off-campus—and attest that they have submitted the New York Traveler Health form.They will be required to follow the guidance of the governing local health department related to mandatory testing, quarantine, isolation, and timing of returning to campus.
Any student, faculty, or staff testing positive for COVID-19 will isolate and follow the New York State Department of Health Order on isolation and the guidance of the governing local health department on the length of the isolation and the timing of returning to campus.
Buffalo State will provide appropriate quarantine and isolation space for on-campus residential students and will work with the governing local health department to assist with quarantine and isolation space for off-campus students if necessary.
To reduce the spread of and exposure to COVID-19, the Copy Center will be monitored remotely with no staff on site.
Until further notice:
Buffalo State anticipates that there will be approximately 1,100 residential students and 3,500 students in hybrid/in person courses during the spring 2021 semester. Spring 2021 move-in dates are as follows:
| Fall 2020 | Spring 2021 | |
| North Wing | 74 | 74 |
| Tower | 0 | 106 |
| Campus Walk (off-site emegency spaces) | 0 | 16 |
| Total | 74 | 196 |
| Five percent quarantine spaces based on fall occupancy (1,600 residents) | 80 | 80 |
| Number of spaces beyond 5 percent | -6 | 116 |
A limited number of laptops is available for use by students who need to move to isolation and continue their coursework. (These laptops will then be quarantined for three days and cleaned via established protocols prior to use by others.) The Residence Life Office is investigating ways to consolidate current residential students to secure an additional on-campus suite-style hall for use in spring 2021.
Agreement
All residents living on campus for spring 2021 will sign an agreement/license acknowledging COVID-19 requirements.
Support
The following supports are available for students staying on campus during the break period:
Communication and Enforcement of Pre-Arrival Requirements
Students will receive emails, text reminders, announcements in CMS/Blackboard and Banner, and video messages via social media and the campus website to instruct them regarding the requirements for safely returning to campus for spring 2021 courses. They will receive this information beginning in late November 2020 and through early January 2021. The message instructs students that they need to do the following:
Communication to students will include information related to the potential for a mandatory pause if ordered by New York State Department of Health (NYDOH), ECDOH, SUNY or Buffalo State. It will be clearly communicated that a pause will cause the following to shift:
The campus consulted with the ECDOH on numerous occasions about isolation related to COVID-19 and developed its protocol: The campus has identified 74 isolation spaces in North Wing and an additional of 106 isolation spaces in Tower 2. These facilities will house students who meet the following criteria:
Buffalo State recognizes the importance of supporting students during these difficult times. The follow services will be advertised and available to students during the spring 2021 semester:
The campus will promote on-campus and community-based mental health treatment and resources via:
All available services will be promoted using:
Staff who have been instructed to return to the workplace must conduct symptom monitoring. Employees will self-evaluate for COVID-19-related symptom prior to reporting to work. If any symptoms are present, if the employee has been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, or if the employee has received information that they may have been exposed, then the employee should seek medical advice and not report to work.
Employees must be free of any symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 to be eligible to report to work. Each employee will complete a daily COVID-19 health screening questionnaire in an online or paper form. The employee will submit the questionnaire to their supervisor at the end of each week.
Any employee who is sick will be instructed to stay home and charge the appropriate leave accruals.
COVID-19 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include muscle aches and pains, fatigue, decrease in appetite, or loss of taste or smell. The employee should take their temperature without taking any fever reducing medications (i.e. Tylenol or acetaminophen), consistent with CDC guidelines. If the employee’s temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or if they have these symptoms the employee will contact their supervisor and Human Resource Management immediately. Human Resources will review the current medical state, ask questions pertaining to last day on campus, close contacts, and work location. Documentation from the employee’s medical provider will be required.
Human Resources will report information to Facilities Management for cleaning protocols to be initiated. Human Resources will also report the case to the SUNY Portal and Department of Health if applicable.
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they must contact their supervisor and the Human Resource Management (HRM) Department. Human Resource Management will initiate contact be made by an appropriate campus tracer. Tracers will follow guidance and directives from the campus designated liaison, the Assistant Vice President for Weigel Wellness Center, in consultation with SUNY and the local department of health on next steps. HRM will notify SUNY and report the information to Facilities Management for cleaning protocols to be initiated. The close contact log will be reviewed for appropriate information.
Positive case will be reported to the college’s reporting dashboard. The dashboard notes that the college partners with the Erie County Department of Health on contact tracing efforts and that any close contacts will be notified directly as appropriate.
The dashboard, which is updated daily, offers a snapshot of the number of known positive test results across the on-campus population: 1) Resident Students; 2) Commuter Students who attend at least one in- person class or utilize campus facilities; and 3) Faculty/Staff who report to campus. Remote-only cases among commuter students with 100-percent online schedules and faculty/staff with 100-percent remote- work arrangements will also be tracked. In compliance with the New York State Department of Health’s Supplemental Guidance For Covid-19 Containment At Higher Education Institutions During The Public Health Emergency (PDF, 160 KB), the college’s dashboard also displays the number of on-campus cases over set two-week measurement periods.
Were Buffalo State to reach 100 on-campus cases within a set measurement period, the college would shift to remote instruction for 14 days and limit in-person activity on campus. The dashboard notes that the college partners with the Erie County Department of Health on contact tracing efforts and that any close contacts would be notified directly as appropriate. Additionally the dashboard links to the SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker, the Erie County COVID-19 Case Mapping Tool, and the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.
To reduce the spread of and exposure to COVID-19, the Copy Center will be monitored remotely with no staff on site.
Until further notice:
Resident students are being given the option to request a single room for the spring 2021 semester. Students will be provided with detailed move-in information. February 2021 move-in will include density controls such as assigned move-in times, guest restrictions and face covering requirements.
Students are required to provide a negative test result from a test taken no less than 24 hours prior to moving into their rooms.
Buffalo State does not plan to change its Code of Conduct, which already addresses health and safety policies. We have updated our residential license to specifically address wearing of masks and social gathering policies Residential students will be allowed to visit other residence halls as described in existing guest policies. Non-residents and non-students will not be allowed inside the residence halls for this academic year. Students in need of assistance will be helped by Student Accessibility Services in accessing residential accommodations.
The following safety practices will be employed for dining services:
J-Term 2020-21
Buffalo State’s J-Term is a three-week mini-term that occurs during the first three weeks of January. Instruction for J-Term will be fully remote—with the exception of courses that require physical presence—for both undergraduate and graduate students. On-campus density will be minimized to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidelines.
Spring 2021 Term
Buffalo State spring term instruction will begin later than usual—on February 1, 2021. Students may return to campus prior to February 1 in order to meet the mandatory testing requirements.
Buffalo State’s modes of instruction will ensure safe on-campus density, consistent with New York State and Erie County health department guidelines. Buffalo State is prepared to execute fully remote plans if it meets the threshold for a mandatory pause on in-person instruction as outlined in the Supplemental Higher Education guidance from the New York State Department of Health.
Our expectations for students during such a mandatory pause will be clearly communicated to students prior to the beginning of the semester.
Remote Instruction
Working together with campus governance processes and in collaboration with its faculty and support staff, Buffalo State will work to ensure that remote instruction meets or exceeds expectations of regular and substantive interaction. Buffalo State will continue to assist students with access to devices and internet connectivity in order for students to be successful with remote instruction.
Before the beginning of each semester, Buffalo State will publish on its website the percentage of courses that will be offered in-person and remote.
The college will:
Currently, within the internet and technology category, Buffalo State utilizes Open SUNY Support Services. This resource:
Additionally, Buffalo State’s Academic Success website provides a link to Open SUNY Support Services and similar resources listed on the SUNY site for low-cost internet.
The Teaching and Learning Center: Preparing for Spring 2021 links to the SUNY Remote Teaching Institute, which provides access to past recordings of webinars and additional SUNY resources.
Resources from SUNY Online (Open SUNY Support Services) will continue to be advertised via the Daily Bulletin and on the Teaching and Learning Center website.
The Academic Success website will be updated to include many of these resources. These will be communicated to the Buffalo State community by their respective areas (Student Accessibility Services, Financial Aid Office, etc.) prior to the start of the spring semester.
Buffalo State will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the needs of international students completing coursework from other time zones. These may include opportunities for asynchronous instruction, interactions scheduled in a way that takes into account the time zones of the students enrolled in the section, and other such flexibilities.
Buffalo State will engage students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, while also including at least two of the following:
Buffalo State will work with faculty to equip them with the knowledge and skill to support remote learning of students with disabilities; and will remind faculty members that the standard process for requesting academic accommodation through the Office of Student Accessibility continues to apply, no matter the mode of instruction.
Buffalo State will work to ensure all faculty and students have access to orientation and training opportunities to familiarize them with instructional technologies and remote pedagogies, especially those faculty for whom such technologies and pedagogies are new and for those students in vulnerable populations.
Buffalo State will provide proactive and regular advising interventions for all academic programs in a manner that prioritizes student success
Spring Break
Consistent with SUNY requirements and given the current risks associated with COVID-19 spread, spring break will not occur at Buffalo State. Buffalo State is not planning for any reading days or shorter breaks because we want to limit how often large numbers of faculty, staff, and students leave and then return to campus.
Commencement
Plans for Commencement 2021 will be determined in accordance with guidance from New York State. The campus will be prepared to proceed with virtual commencement if necessary.
In-person activities at Buffalo State will continue to follow mandatory health department guidance for social distancing. To the extent possible, activities will be held outdoors or in a well-ventilated location. Buffalo State has improved its ventilation system by installing MERV13 filters.
All general-purpose classrooms and shared spaces will utilize new seating plans to facilitate proper social distancing for instructors and students while they are seated. Classrooms and shared spaces with built-in furniture will be properly marked to prevent seating that does not comply with social distancing guidelines. On-campus instruction for courses, labs, studios, and practicums where in-person interactions and hands-on experiences are critical to student learning will be targeted and prioritized for in-person instruction, while other classes may be offered in a true hybrid format—that is, with lectures offered online and supplemental in-person instruction in smaller groups. Classes that can be effectively delivered 100 percent online will remain remote to help reduce density on campus.
In-class course offerings and revised scheduling continue to be coordinated with academic planning and facilities based on revised classroom capacities and other facility factors. Course schedules will be finalized and posted to Banner.
Researchers
All researchers will be required to complete a Return to Research Application outlining their plans for implementing safety precautions that will minimize the potential for exposure to the COVID-19 virus. These plans are to be reviewed and approved by the chair, dean, Sponsored Programs Office, and provost prior to the continuation of any research.
E. H. Butler Library
Butler Library will open in a limited capacity to campus members with card access.
Students will be required to present health screening information upon entry. Building modifications may include the removal of furniture and workstations, the installation of sneeze guards, floor markers, and barriers, and modifications to entrances and exits. Library services will be provided online when possible or using no/low-touch customer service strategies (ex. online payments and check-outs).
Large Spaces
Large spaces such as gymnasia, auditoriums and assembly halls will be analyzed for possible use for classroom instruction and student co-curricular activities. Performances and rehearsals will be set based on the rooms and venues ability to allow for physical distancing and audience capacity reduced by 50 percent.
Beginning January 11, the Mail Room resumed delivery to the 10 buildings that receive the most mail. These deliveries will be made early each day to reduce exposure. Departments from other buildings will be required to continue curbside pickup at the Mail Room. This will be monitored and adjusted as needed to meet the needs of the campus community.
Beginning January 11, the Mail Room resumed delivery to the 10 buildings that receive the most mail. These deliveries will be made early each day to reduce exposure. Departments from other buildings will be required to continue curbside pickup at the Mail Room. This will be monitored and adjusted as needed to meet the needs of the campus community.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Employees are required to wear face coverings when in direct contact with members of the public except where doing so would inhibit or otherwise impair the employee’s health. Employees who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical or other health condition should consult with Human Resource Management to discuss reasonable accommodations.
Cleaning Operations
Buffalo State will continue to assess and confirm that its cleaning protocols are in compliance with NYSDOH Higher Education Guidance and CDC guidance. Cleaning protocols have been revised with special attention given to high-touch surfaces. The campus has procured EPA-approved hospital grade disinfectant products that are effective on SARS-COV-2. Academic departments have been supplied with these hospital-grade products. All cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been modeled after current CDC guidelines and are reviewed for updates. Buffalo State has procured three air-assisted misting disinfecting machines for use in Butler Library, the Student Union and residence halls.
The college has initiated the “blue tape” system on office doors to monitor access and
cleaning/disinfecting needs. Custodial staff place blue tape on the doorknob of an office or suite after it is cleaned; staff remove the tape when entering the space to work. This allows cleaners to know which spaces require cleaning and disinfecting. Additionally, Buffalo State has procured touchless hand sanitizer dispensers, along with alcohol-based sanitizer and is strategically placing and refilling hand sanitizer stations on campus.
Custodial Services will respond to campus cleaning needs upon determination of classroom and facility usage for fall semester; and will re-assign custodial staff dependent upon classroom, residence hall and facility usage. Staff sign in/sign out reporting procedures have been altered to provide social distancing. All staff have been provided gloves and reusable masks.
Custodial Services continues to “deep-clean” all academic and residential facilities in preparation for re-opening and return of students.
HVAC Systems and Ventilation
All HVAC ventilation systems will be operated for longer hours, with more outdoor air being supplied to indoor spaces where possible. Ventilation systems in all student housing facilities and all restrooms will be operated continuously.
Air handling units will be inspected, and filters changed. Cooling towers have been operational, tested, and inspected. Testing will continue as normal. A classroom ventilation analysis has been conducted.
Plumbing/Water Systems
Plumbing domestic water systems have been flushed weekly in all unoccupied buildings. Dining services ice machines have been flushed and sanitized when shut down. Upon repopulation of the campus, systems will be cleaned and sanitized prior to operation. Drink dispensing machines have been flushed, sanitized, and turned off. Upon repopulation, systems will be cleaned and sanitized prior to operation.
Mail and General Delivery Services
The campus mailroom and central receiving will operate under COVID-19 procedures with reduced staffing from December 21 to January 11. Under these procedures, mail and parcels are received, sorted, and held at the mail room, with department representatives required to retrieve items by appointment via curbside pickup.
As employees return to campus, the mail room will phase in mail delivery while limiting personal exposure by delivering to the 10 buildings that receive the most mail. These deliveries will be made early each day to reduce exposure. Departments from other buildings will be required to continue curbside pickup at the mail room. This will be monitored and adjusted as needed to meet the needs of the campus community.
This guidance applies through April 15, 2020, and is subject to extension. It supports the continued processing of time records and payments for hourly employees (includes CSEA Hourly, UUP Hourly, student assistants, and work study):
Non-essential employees who are not in the workplace pursuant to the Governor’s direction should code timesheets as time worked. Such employees should be working from home to the greatest extent possible. Hourly employees, including CSEA hourly or UUP hourly, student assistants, and work study, may work remotely via the telecommuting program.
Essential employees not in the workplace may also work remotely via the telecommuting program. Telecommuters will treat telecommuting days like regular workdays and will be expected to maintain a regular work routine while telecommuting.
Supervisors may require telecommuters to have a set telecommuting schedule that is specified on the work plan. Telecommuters will work their entire approved workday. Supervisors will ensure work plan is followed and review and approve their timesheets.
This process is based on current guidance, applies from March 16 forward, and is subject to change at any time.
This guidance applies through April 15, 2020, and is subject to extension. It supports the continued processing of time records and payments for hourly employees (includes CSEA Hourly, UUP Hourly, student assistants, and work study):
Non-essential employees who are not in the workplace pursuant to the Governor’s direction should code timesheets as time worked. Such employees should be working from home to the greatest extent possible. Hourly employees, including CSEA hourly or UUP hourly, student assistants, and work study, may work remotely via the telecommuting program.
Essential employees not in the workplace may also work remotely via the telecommuting program. Telecommuters will treat telecommuting days like regular workdays and will be expected to maintain a regular work routine while telecommuting.
Supervisors may require telecommuters to have a set telecommuting schedule that is specified on the work plan. Telecommuters will work their entire approved workday. Supervisors will ensure work plan is followed and review and approve their timesheets.
This process is based on current guidance, applies from March 16 forward, and is subject to change at any time.
Athletics
Practices and event protocols are consistent with New York State guidelines of November 23, 2020.
Consistent with operational changes, the Buffalo State athletic fee for spring 2021 has been reduced by 17 percent. The remainder of the fee supports continued engagement with campus and athlete health initiatives, and continued recruitment and retention activities. The plan for spring 2021:
Athletic Recruits Visiting Buffalo State College
To allow high school student-athletes recruited by Buffalo State Intercollegiate Athletics coaches to visit campus during their recruitment, Buffalo State will:
Recreation
Intramurals, use of the Fitness Center and open swimming will only be offered during spring 2021 should Erie County be moved out of the yellow zone. Examples of safe events that could be offered and protocols are listed below.
Tentative and Suggested Intramural Programming
Health protocols will be in place:
Recreation: Open Swim at the Natatorium
Health safety protocols will be in place:
Events Management
Activities reserved through the Events Management Office, athletics, and activities in performance spaces and the Student Union will be conducted using density reduction. Student groups that reserve space for an event will review a document regarding policies pertaining to social distancing, mask wearing, and health practices. Student groups will be encouraged to host virtual events.
Building staff will monitor spaces, reconfigure spaces, and evaluate traffic patterns for all reservable spaces. Student performances must be approved by the appropriate President’s Cabinet member in advance of the performance. Social distancing must be employed, along with limited audience capacity based on density reduction guidelines.
Events and meetings will be held in compliance with the Campus Events and Visitors Protocol. A Campus Events and Visitors committee has been established to review all event requests according to the priority and risk matrix found in the Protocol. The committee recommends appropriate events to the Executive Committee for final approval.
Yes. Procurement Services Office staff are working remotely until further notice.
Please refer to the Procurement Services Temporary Procedures instructions for details on how to complete purchase requisitions remotely.
Yes. Procurement Services Office staff are working remotely until further notice.
Please refer to the Procurement Services Temporary Procedures instructions for details on how to complete purchase requisitions remotely.
Students
Students who report health, safety or child care concerns when considering returning to a face-to-face classroom will be referred to, and assisted by, the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will assist with contacting the appropriate departments to address student concerns on a one-to-one basis. Students with accessibility concerns will continue to be accommodated on a case by case basis by Student Accessibility Services Office.
The campus has available for students, at a reduced rate, child care resources if this is of primary concern.
Employees
Employees with concerns about returning to campus will be assisted by the Human Resource Management (HRM) Office. The employee, supervisor and HRM will work collaboratively to seek solutions. These solutions may include schedule changes where operationally feasible, reduced work schedules or extended remote work. These situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to best meet the needs of both the employee and the college.
Updates to Travel Guidance: Effective July 1, 2021
This guidance pertains to all state, Research Foundation, and Buffalo State College Foundation funds:
International travel continues to be prohibited.
All travel requests require approval of the traveler’s supervisor.
Limited domestic travel may be permitted if it is consistent with local health guidance, supports essential business of the college, and relates to
With the exception of Research Foundation–sponsored travel, all requests require review and approval at spending thresholds consistent with ongoing spending constraints reviews. Proposed travel valued above $10,000 would be subject to approval of the College Budget Committee. Research Foundation sponsor-funded travel is allowable consistent with New York State and local health guidance
Travel Cards (T-Cards) will be available for use on approved travel. To reactivate T-Cards, please secure supervisor and respective cabinet member approval and submit to Bonnie Heim, director of non-contract procurement.
Questions about this update may be directed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu. Thank you for your continued support of these spending controls during these challenging times.
Cleaning protocols have been revised with special attention given to high-touch surfaces. The campus has procured EPA-approved hospital grade disinfectant products that are effective on SARS-COV-2. Academic departments have been supplied with these hospital-grade products.
The campus has initiated a special Custodial Response Team to clean and disinfect potentially compromised locations on campus. The college has also initiated the “blue tape” system on office doors to monitor access and cleaning needs. Additionally, Buffalo State is strategically placing and refilling hand sanitizer stations on campus.
Custodial Services will respond to campus cleaning needs upon determination of classroom and facility usage for fall semester; and will re-assign custodial staff depend upon classroom, residence hall and facility usage. Staff sign in/sign out reporting procedures have been altered to provide social distancing.
