Earlier today, SUNY Global announced the official cancellation of SUNY-sponsored undergraduate international activities for winter term 2022. The suspension of undergraduate international activities will remain in place through the winter term, but SUNY System officials continue to engage with the NYS Executive Chamber regarding the possibility of offering some undergraduate education abroad and other undergraduate international travel for the spring 2022 semester. The UB Office of International Education team remains actively involved in discussions with SUNY System officials regarding the possibility of offering a variety of education abroad programs in Spring 2022 and will post additional updates as they become available. Students who were planning to participate in the Winter 2022 programs may wish to consider some of the Virtual Study Abroad Programs available during the winter term or other in-country programs currently being planned for future semesters. The Office of Study Abroad Programs team is available to help students explore these options in 201 Talbert Hall, by phone (716) 645-3912, or via email studyabroad@buffalo.edu.
Senior officials within The State University of New York (SUNY) system continue to work with state government officials on a proposal to safely offer study abroad programs in Winter and Spring 2022. This includes a carefully monitored and reviewed risk management strategy that incorporates CDC, U.S. Department of State (DoS), and New York State guidelines for health and safety. The UB Office of International Education is actively collaborating with colleagues on other SUNY campuses to advocate for the relaunch of study abroad in Winter and Spring 2022 but is currently waiting for approval of a SUNY-wide relaunch plan that was submitted to the state government and SUNY system office.
UB staff continue to meet with students to discuss the broad range of rewarding study abroad program options for the 2021-2022 academic year. The UB Study Abroad Fair will be held virtually from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Students are encouraged to register for the fair and to schedule advising appointments with the UB Office of Study Abroad Programs staff. Applications for winter and spring 2022 programs are currently being accepted. September 15 and October 1 are key application deadlines for most programs.
Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
MEMORANDUM
From: Shadi Sanvik, Provost-in-Charge
Subject: Cancellation of Undergraduate Study Abroad for Fall 2021
After careful deliberation, the determination has been made that all University sponsored undergraduate international travel (study abroad and faculty led student activities) is cancelled for the Fall 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. This is a continuation of the current suspension of international undergraduate study/travel and is driven by our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
MEMORANDUM
From: Shadi Sanvik, Provost-in-Charge
Subject: Cancellation of Study Abroad for Summer 2021
After careful deliberation, the determination has been made that all University sponsored student international travel (study abroad and other student activities) is cancelled for the summer 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic and uncertainty of availability and efficacy of a vaccine. This is a continuation of the current suspension of international study and sponsored travel and is driven by our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
In light of the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel, both SUNY and UB have cancelled all winter and spring study abroad programs for 2021. (See the SUNY announcement below.) This applies to both conventional credit-bearing programs and non-credit experiential learning trips, including those for service, clinical and internship experiences. Students who have applied for such programs and trips through the Office of International Education have been notified.
MEMORANDUM
From: Tod A. Laursen, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Subject: Cancellation of Study Abroad for Winter & Spring 2021
After careful deliberation, the determination has been made that all University sponsored student international travel (study abroad and other student activities) is cancelled for the winter and spring 2021 terms due to the ongoing pandemic. This is a continuation of the current suspension of international study and sponsored travel and is driven by our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
In light of the ongoing threat of the global pandemic of COVID-19, the university is cancelling UB-administered study abroad programs for Fall 2020.
The cancellation affects programs with start dates from August through November 2020 and is based on a careful assessment of current and future risks from the pandemic in countries where UB administers programs. The health and safety of students remains UB’s highest priority.
Students are still able to participate in programs abroad administered by other SUNY campuses as long as they continue to be offered.
View full notice to campus.
In light of the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel, both SUNY and UB have cancelled all summer study abroad programs for 2020. (See the SUNY announcement below.) This applies to both conventional credit-bearing programs and non-credit experiential learning trips, including those for service, clinical and internship experiences. Students who have applied for such programs and trips through the Office of International Education have been notified.
MEMORANDUM
From: Tod A. Laursen, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Subject: Cancellation of Summer Study Abroad
Study Abroad Summer 2020 Cancelled
After careful deliberation, and consultation with many of you, we have made the decision to cancel all study abroad programs for Summer 2020. (Note that before we even had the chance to communicate that to you, the State Department issued its own Level 4 Advisory, recommending no international travel for any U.S. citizen due to existing international in-country travel restrictions and quarantines as well as likely flight disruptions.)
