Dear Bengals,
I am excited to announce that Buffalo State College is planning to safely restart on-campus operations this fall with a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online courses. We are Ready to Roar Again!
Based on guidance from Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health, we submitted our re-start plan to the State University of New York for review on June 23 and it was approved by Chancellor Kristina Johnson on July 1.
Of course, I must note that Buffalo State’s plan remains 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.
This fall, we intend to prioritize on-campus instruction for courses, labs, studios, and practicums where in-person interactions and hands-on experiences are critical to student learning. Core and signature experience courses will also 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. Many classes that can be effectively delivered 100 percent online will remain remote to help reduce density on campus. Course schedules will be finalized and posted to Banner in late July.
We are also planning for residence hall operations to resume this fall, albeit with reduced occupancy. Single rooms will be provided to students upon request at no additional cost to the standard double rate. More information about housing assignments and a phased move-in plan will be shared in July. Dining services will be adjusted to maximize social distancing with expanded takeout, pickup, and meal delivery options under consideration. Student support services, extracurricular events, and recreational activities will be offered in a mix of virtual and in-person formats. Intercollegiate Athletics is also preparing for the return of student-athletes and working with the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) on new divisional alignments for competition this fall.
Our academic calendar will undergo changes this fall. While classes will begin as scheduled on Monday, August 31, we will conclude in-person instruction before the Thanksgiving holiday and finish the final three weeks of the fall semester (including final exams) exclusively online. To accommodate these changes, fall recess will be canceled.
While this semester most certainly will look much different than any semester before it, we are committed to preserving the vibrant, diverse, and engaged campus experience for which Buffalo State is known.
Throughout the fall semester and until further notice, all members of the campus community will be required to wear masks when adequate physical distancing is not feasible. New York State has become the nation’s leader in reducing the infection rate of COVID-19. For that progress to continue as we return to campus, we must recognize that preserving our health and safety will be a collective effort. Compliance with the mask requirement and physical distancing will maximize safety for all. Masks will be provided to every student, faculty, and staff member upon their return to campus. In accordance with guidance established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health, testing and tracing protocols will also be in place for students, faculty, and staff members. CDC and state guidelines will also inform our cleaning of campus spaces, building ventilation, protective barriers, and foot traffic patterns.
Members of Buffalo State’s Incident Management Team, Human Resource Management, and Environmental Health and Safety are finalizing divisional Return to Work protocols as we plan for a phased return to campus for our employees ahead of the fall semester. Until employees are notified by supervisors, alternative work arrangements remain in effect.
As always, I thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this uncharted space.
Be well and roar on!
Sincerely,
Katherine Conway-Turner
President
Buffalo State College
