Update: March 3, 2020, 4:15 p.m.
Fellow Bengals,
Buffalo State College continues to intensely monitor the evolving situation related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and is taking multiple steps and precautions in the event of possible impacts on our campus community.
To be clear, as of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020, there were still no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Erie County or among any members of the Buffalo State community. Local health officials continue to stress that the current risk level for members of our campus and the region is low. Nevertheless, last week, we heard officials at the federal, state, and local levels begin to acknowledge that it is no longer a matter of “if” the novel coronavirus will find its way to our communities, but rather a matter of “when.” This news was understandably unsettling to many of us.
Consistent with the warnings issued by health officials last week, we learned today that there are now two confirmed cases in the New York City area. The first case, which was announced Sunday, is a health-care worker in her 30s who recently returned from a country affected by the virus (Iran). Authorities reported Monday that her symptoms were not serious and that she has been isolated in her home in the New York City area since returning to the United States. The second confirmed case, which was announced by Governor Cuomo this morning, is a 50-year-old Westchester man with underlying health conditions who has not traveled internationally.
Although federal, state, and local health officials continue to communicate that the immediate risk to our region remains low, I write to you today to outline a number of steps we have taken to protect our students, faculty, and staff members and prepare our campus for the likely impact of novel coronavirus on our community.
As a reminder,
- If you are a student and suspect that you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, isolate yourself and call the Weigel Wellness Center immediately at (716) 878-6711. Please call before going to the clinic.
- If you are a faculty or staff member and are experiencing symptoms, stay home and contact your personal health-care provider. Please call before going to the provider’s office or clinic.
As the situation continues to unfold, we will continue to keep you updated with the latest information.
Sincerely,
Katherine Conway-Turner
President
Buffalo State College
Campus Preparations
- On February 26, Vice President for Finance and Management Laura Barnum activated the college’s Emergency Response Planning Group (ERPG) to accelerate our preparations and ensure continuity of operations.
- On February 27, we shared an overview of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including steps you should take if you traveled to an affected country and have symptoms, as well as important prevention information. In the coming days, we will begin to disseminate general awareness and prevention tips through the Daily Bulletin, fliers, and social media platforms reinforcing simple steps the campus community can take to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like novel coronavirus—such as washing our hands often.
- On February 28, the ERPG held its initial meeting with representatives from Academic Affairs, Environmental Health and Safety, Global Engagement and International Education, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Communications, Student Affairs, University Police, and the Weigel Wellness Center. During the meeting, the group discussed a number of operational plans, including steps and protocols that would be needed to isolate and quarantine any resident students who may test positive for coronavirus in the future. The ERPG, in consultation with Information Technology and Academic Affairs, is also discussing technologies that may be used by faculty and staff members to ensure continuity of operations from alternative locations if necessary.
- Also on February 28, Human Resource Management issued guidance to all campus supervisors regarding recent or planned travel by employees to affected countries. Even if a medical professional has not ordered a quarantine for an individual returning from a country affected by the coronavirus, a supervisor, in consultation with Human Resource Management and the appropriate vice president, can, out of an abundance of caution, make arrangements for the employee to work from an alternative location for up to 14 days (even if the employee isn’t showing symptoms).
Study Abroad and International Travel
- In coordination with the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Health, we initiated efforts to bring home three students involved in study-abroad programs located in countries affected by the coronavirus—two from programs in Florence, Italy, and one in Seoul, South Korea. All three students are healthy and are not known to have any symptoms—but out of an abundance of caution, they have been instructed to self-quarantine away from campus for a period of 14 days upon their return to the United States. These students will also be in regular contact with their local health departments and the Weigel Wellness Center during the quarantine period. Additionally, our interim provost and the students’ respective deans are working closely on alternative arrangements to ensure that any impact to the students’ academic progress is minimized.
- Last week, Buffalo State canceled a study-abroad experience to Siena, Italy, planned for later this spring for two students and one faculty member. Similar accommodations have been made to minimize the impact on the students’ academic progress.
- We continue to communicate with and monitor the well-being of the seven students who remain on study-abroad programs this semester—four who are currently in the United Kingdom and three who are in Australia. If the need arises to bring those students home, we will do so swiftly in coordination with SUNY and the New York State Department of Health.
- Additionally, the ERPG, the interim provost, and staff members from Global Engagement and International Education are in close consultation with SUNY and New York State officials and are evaluating risks associated with any other planned study-abroad experiences in the coming months.
- ERPG members, in coordination with Human Resource Management, are consulting with SUNY and state health officials on recommendations for faculty and staff members regarding international travel in the coming weeks and months. While we await official guidance from SUNY and New York State, faculty and staff members are strongly encouraged to monitor the travel guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and review all planned travel—both domestic and international—with supervisors, chairs, and respective vice presidents. All future state-funded travel will now require pre-authorization from an employee’s respective vice president. More details about this change will be communicated by each division. Any faculty or staff member planning personal travel in the coming weeks or months is also encouraged to review current CDC travel advisories before booking or departing on personal trips.
- With spring break approaching (March 23–28), students are also urged to review all travel advisories from the CDC before booking or departing on any trips. Additionally, any resident student who wishes to remain in his or her residence hall throughout the break will be accommodated.
Additional Considerations
- Looking ahead, the ERPG is reviewing plans to provide interim housing over the summer months for any of our international students who may not be allowed to return home because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus.
I ask all members of the Buffalo State community to keep our international students and their families in their thoughts. While these are trying times domestically for all of us, many of our international students have been enduring the stress of this situation without family members to lean on. Please join me in letting the members of our international community know that they are welcome here and we are here to support them.
