COVID-19 Prevention: Campus Facilities

All UB students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes in-person in the spring, according to a mandate from the state. Students can submit vaccination documentation through the Student Health Services portal.

While vaccinations are not mandated for employees, UB officials and infectious disease experts strongly urge all faculty and staff to get vaccinated and get boosted as soon as medically eligible. Vaccines and boosters are the most effective defense against the coronavirus. State employees who do not get vaccinated will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.

Employees are required to affirm that they have read, understood and will abide by UB’s health and safety guidelines by submitting the Acknowledgment of Workplace Health and Safety Provisions for Employees form.

Effective Aug. 3, the University at Buffalo will require all students, employees and visitors – regardless of their vaccination status – to wear face coverings while inside campus buildings. This includes classrooms, hallways, libraries and other common spaces, as well as UB buses and shuttles.

The new policy is in accordance with updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Erie County Department of Health.

Vaccinated UB students, employees and visitors will not be required to wear face coverings outdoors on UB campuses, but unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear face coverings in all indoor and outdoor settings.

Mandatory weekly testing will continue for those who:

• Are on campus AND have not been fully vaccinated 
• Fail to verify that they have completed their vaccination series

UB employees should be returning to campus to support our goal of being a place-based institution for the fall semester. We ask that all individuals interested in exploring workplace flexibility and telecommuting be patient as the university takes steps to implement the new policy.

• Unvaccinated students will need to provide proof they tested negative for COVID-19 within five days prior to arriving on campus for the semester.
• That must be followed up by another COVID-19 test on their day of arrival on campus.
• In lieu of a negative test, unvaccinated students need to attest to UB that they quarantined at least 10 days prior to or upon arrival to campus.

When visiting UB’s Art Galleries (e.g., Anderson Gallery, CFA galleries) or other displays, exhibits or collections of artistic or scholarly work, during normal operations, vaccination is not required. However, attendees at events held in gallery or exhibit spaces (e.g., opening receptions, artist lectures, performances) ARE required to show proof of a completed vaccination series.

Visiting UB galleries and exhibit spaces during normal operations:

When visiting UB’s art galleries or other displays of artistic or scholarly work during normal operations:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
• Masks are required at all times.

Children under 12 who are not vaccinated must be masked at all times.

Attending events at UB galleries or exhibit spaces:

When attending events that take place in UB galleries, displays or other exhibit spaces (e.g., gallery receptions, artist lectures, performances), attendees MUST:

• Provide proof of completed vaccination series

A vaccination card, a photo of a vaccination card, an Excelsior Pass or a digital vaccine card are all acceptable. Attendees should be prepared to show photo ID as well.

• Wear masks at all times.
• Children under 12 who are not vaccinated must be masked at all times. 

Effective Aug. 3, the University at Buffalo will require all students, employees and visitors – regardless of their vaccination status – to wear face coverings while inside campus buildings. This includes classrooms, hallways, libraries and other common spaces, as well as UB buses and shuttles.