Coronavirus Information

Update: March 12, 2020, 6:13 p.m.

To the Buffalo State Community,

The rapid developments over the last two days—yesterday’s announcement by Governor Cuomo, the news of our plan to extend spring break, and our move to remote instruction on March 30 for the remainder of the spring semester—have certainly been a great deal to absorb. Please know that we are working intensely to address the questions and concerns being raised by students, parents, faculty, and staff.

To be absolutely clear, Buffalo State College remains open, and we are committed to doing all we can to help our students during this unprecedented time. Our staff members communicated with resident students this morning that our residence halls will remain open for those students who wish to remain on campus for spring break and the remainder of the semester. Our Residence Life team is also working to assist students and families who choose to return home ahead of the switch to remote instruction. We are here to support those students and their families with important decisions and logistics.

All students should also know that all campus support services and offices will remain open to assist them throughout the break and semester. Our teams are working on plans to support students virtually in the coming weeks. The move to remote instruction will undoubtedly raise some questions, but our faculty and staff members will be here to help.

There will, however, be some changes to campus operations that will be necessary to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on current state and local health department guidance, those changes include the following:

Limiting Density

• We will limit large gatherings and events in campus spaces to fewer than 50 individuals until further notice. Students, faculty, and staff members are encouraged to explore virtual options for any meetings or events moving forward. *Please note, a determination has not yet been made about spring commencement activities.
   
• In the coming days, Student Affairs and Dining Services will be sharing and implementing plans to limit density and large gatherings in the Bengal Kitchen, retail dining, and the Campbell Student Union.

Limiting College-Funded Travel

• All college-funded travel, both international and domestic, is generally prohibited until further notice. Limited exceptions for travel to non-affected areas (see CDC guidance) may be considered with the approval of the appropriate cabinet member. 

Faculty members, this afternoon you should have received information from Interim Provost James Mayrose regarding plans and resources to move courses to remote instruction over the next two weeks. I have already heard uplifting stories of faculty members who are proficient with distance-learning technologies volunteering to guide their colleagues through this process. I want to thank each and every one of you for the tremendous work you will be doing over the next few weeks and the remainder of the semester. Students should be advised that our faculty members will be sharing updated course syllabi and expectations with them no later than Friday, March 27.

Lastly, we have created a new Coronavirus Information website to share updates and resources with our campus, parents, and community—including a new frequently asked questions section, which we will continue to update and expand in the coming days as we learn more from SUNY and establish protocols for this temporary shift in our operations. Please continue to check the site regularly for updates.

Thank you again to the entire Buffalo State community for your flexibility, understanding, and patience during this extraordinary moment for our campus, country, and world.

Sincerely,

Katherine Conway-Turner
President
Buffalo State College