Updated: August 24, 2021
Fall 2021 classes begin on Monday, August 30.
The final day of the fall 2021 semester is Thursday, December 16.
Yes.
Vaccination is required for:
Vaccination requirement is met if you are fully vaccinated, in the active process of becoming fully vaccinated, or have a documented medical or religious exemption certified by Weigel Wellness Center.
Buffalo State College will return to normal in-person course scheduling in the fall. This means the majority of courses will be held face-to-face, with select classes offered in hybrid or fully online formats. Students can check the attribution codes in Banner to determine the modality of a course. Students who have a health or safety concern regarding in-person classes should consult with their advisers about online course options.
Students with accessibility concerns will continue to be accommodated on a case-by-case basis by the Student Accessibility Services Office.
The Buffalo State Child Care Center is available at a reduced rate for student parents with child-care concerns.
Students experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a fever, shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain should call (716) 878-6711 for advisement on proper management.
Students who suspect that they are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, should isolate themselves and call the Weigel Health Center immediately at (716) 878-6711. Please call before going to the clinic.
For evenings and weekends, please call our after-hours nurse line at 1-866-710-1002. Call University Police at (716) 878-6333 for any emergency situations.
Faculty or staff members experiencing symptoms should stay home and contact their personal health-care provider. Please call before going to the provider’s office or clinic.
Medical Emergencies
Coronavirus Information
The Counseling Center remains open but has temporarily suspended in-person services. Counseling is available via telehealth services. To schedule a phone screening with a counselor, students can call (716) 878-4436.
Family Justice Center SafeLine at (716) 558-SAFE (7233)
For free emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314.
If you have general questions about the novel coronavirus, call the New York State novel coronavirus hotline at (888) 364-3065.
If you have questions about student health services, please contact the Weigel Health Center (716) 878-6711.
Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, August 23, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) mandate that all students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is now in effect. Buffalo State College strongly supports and will enforce this mandate as we collectively work to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus community.
Effective immediately, all students who are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must adhere to the following deadlines:
(1) Students receiving a vaccine that requires only one dose (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) must receive the vaccine no later than Monday, August 30.
(2) Students receiving a vaccine that requires two doses (Pfizer or Moderna) must receive the first vaccine dose no later than Monday, August 30, and receive the second vaccine dose no later than Monday, September 27.
Students can find a nearby COVID-19 vaccination location by visiting www.suny.edu/knowyourvax. (Please note:residential students and student-athletes are required to adhere to previously communicated vaccination deadlines.)
The Weigel Health Center will track students’ vaccination status automatically through the New York State Immunization Information System and will have their vaccination information on file. Students will not need to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations unless they receive communication from the Weigel Health Center stating that their vaccination information cannot be located.
Any student who fails to complete a vaccine regimen by Monday, September 27, will be automatically removed from all in-person courses by the Registrar’s Office and assigned a grade of W for these courses. Students are financially liable for all courses unless they have officially dropped or withdrawn from course(s) by the published deadlines. The deadline to drop or withdraw from a course without financial penalty is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 7. This policy also applies to students who are withdrawn from courses due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students are responsible for reviewing and understanding applicable policies and financial aid implications related to the receipt of W grades. Students who receive the vaccine after being withdrawn from in-person classes this fall will have the opportunity to re-enroll in in-person classes in spring 2022.
Students seeking an exemption due to medical reasons or religious beliefs should do so immediately or no later than Monday, August 30. Exemption request forms are available on the Weigel Health Center website. Questions about the limited exemption process may be emailed to weigel@buffalostate.edu.
Questions about the vaccine mandate may be directed to the Student Affairs Office by email at studentaffairs@buffalostate.edu or by phone at (716) 878-4704.
Thank you for doing your part to keep the Buffalo State College community healthy and safe.
Resources:
SUNY Board of Trustees Resolution Authorizing Mandate (PDF, 200 KB)
SUNY COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Buffalo State College Coronavirus Information Website
Yes. In accordance with updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Erie County Department of Health, Buffalo State College requires all campus community members and visitors—regardless of vaccination status—to wear face masks while indoors on campus.
Face masks are not required when faculty or staff members are alone in their personal offices or when students are inside their private residence hall rooms, or for individuals who are actively eating or drinking in a campus dining area.
Unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear face masks in all outdoor settings. Face masks will also be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all large outdoor group settings of 200 or more people.
All faculty, staff, student, and visitor vehicles parked on campus are required to display current parking permits appropriate to the lot designation (PDF), and according to permit instructions. Parking meters provide short-term parking for visitors, and are available in lots R-3, R-4, G-25, and I-30. Vehicles in metered spaces must display a valid meter receipt.
To ensure proper use of campus lots with the return to in-person operations, full parking enforcement has resumed.
Questions about parking at Buffalo State may be directed to parkingservices@buffalostate.edu.
Please review the Residence Life Office's COVID Vaccination FAQ page.
