Vaccines: All Buffalo State students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their initial course of vaccinations and boosters consistent with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
While vaccines are not required at this time as a condition of enrollment, SUNY reserves the authority to change this policy at any time because of changes in local conditions or due to requirements imposed by Federal, State, or local authorities.
Masks: Students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are not required to wear masks in most settings, indoors or outdoors. Anyone who wishes to continue wearing a mask on campus is welcome to do so.
International students who obtained a COVID-19 vaccination may provide documentation signed by a healthcare provider duly licensed to practice medicine in the United States or a foreign country, and such documentation must include the dates of vaccination and name of the COVID-19 vaccination given. International students who have received COVID-19 vaccines not licensed or under an EUA by the FDA in the United States, or not authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization ("WHO") (e.g., AstraZeneca/Oxford) may apply for a medical accommodation, as discussed below, which will be addressed in accordance with NYS guidance by each campus on a case-by-case basis. In general, campuses will designate these students as partially vaccinated and they will therefore be subject to the conditions of the medical accommodation until further notice.
International students and COVID-19 unvaccinated students who are traveling abroad and arrive in the United States to enter SUNY facilities may be subject to additional quarantine restrictions as determined by the SUNY facility.
Students who are unable to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination in their hometown or country of embarkment will have an opportunity to be vaccinated when they arrive in New York State. These students must begin the vaccination process as soon as possible and either: (1) quarantine for at least ten (10) days upon arrival; (2) submit an attestation to the campus that they have quarantined for at least ten (10) days prior to arrival; or, (3) provide evidence of a negative result on an approved COVID-19 test within the past (5) days. Any such student must also abide by all COVID-19 related health and safety restrictions for all applicable SUNY Facilities (e.g., face coverings, social distancing, and surveillance testing) until fully vaccinated.
Learn about campus services, academic success strategies, and on-campus resources to support your physical and mental well-being.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is critical to get tested and isolate until you know the status of your results. Symptoms for COVID-19 typically begin a few days after being exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
Visit the New York State Coronavirus webpage to find a testing location closest to you.
Check your email daily. Student Affairs communicates updated information directly to you. These emails are very important and could alter issues with your testing frequency/compliance.
This website will continue to be the clearinghouse of all relevant information related to Buffalo State’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains information, resources, and frequently asked questions segmented by audience (students, faculty/staff, parents/community, and all) as well as a comprehensive list of related campus e-mail communications.
SUNY maintains a comprehensive dashboard of COVID-19 testing and infection rate status across the system and at each campus.
Buffalo State also maintains a campus-specific COVID-19 case dashboard.
SUNY COVID Vaccination Policy Effective as of Summer Semester 2023
I. General
For the purposes of this policy, "students" are defined as any individual matriculated or otherwise enrolled full-time or part-time at SUNY Facilities as well as visiting, auditing, exchange, continuing education, and international students taking in-person courses at SUNY. The definition of students does not include individuals whose student status is solely due to participation in workforce training programming arranged directly through their employer, unless specifically designated by the campus. The definition of students also does not include high school students in concurrent enrollment courses offered by a SUNY campus and located at the student’s high school or other third-party location. Instead, such high school students must follow the health and safety guidelines and protocols of the physical location where they receive instruction. If the course is delivered at their high school or a third-party location, they must follow the local school district guidelines or the guidelines of the third party. However, if a student takes a course in a SUNY facility, they must follow the applicable SUNY Facility guidelines, including this policy.
This policy is subject to change based upon guidance from governmental authorities or if new federal and/or NYS COVID-19 related requirements are imposed.
II. COVID-19
All students are strongly recommended to stay up to date on their vaccinations as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including obtaining any booster authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC for their age group. While not required at this time, SUNY reserves the authority to impose a requirement for any vaccination or booster at any time because of changes in local conditions or requirements imposed by Federal, State, or local authorities.
All SUNY faculty and staff are also strongly recommended to get vaccinated.
Certain employees, students, and volunteers at healthcare facilities, including SUNY healthcare facilities and hospitals, or any external location, may be subject to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination pursuant to relevant regulations and policies.
Masks and COVID-19 testing should be available readily as needed, and use should be encouraged. Wearing a high-quality mask along with vaccination and self-testing helps reduce transmission of COVID-19.
Campuses must continue to submit data on the vaccination status of their students to System Administration.
Campuses have the discretion to impose additional health and safety restrictions as they deem appropriate for their Campus Communities in accordance with applicable guidance as issued by the Chancellor. The campus must work with campus stakeholders in the development of any additional changes and broadly communicate to the entire college community. Campuses should continue to monitor local conditions carefully and make changes as appropriate. Campuses should refer to accompanying guidance for additional information regarding this policy.
We understand that this is an exceptionally challenging time. Buffalo State has resources to help you get the support you need.
New York State Office of Mental Health Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5 to 741741.
