Campus News

Setting behavioral expectations for safer return to campus

By DEVON JERLA

Published August 13, 2020

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“By associating these behaviors with a sense of unity, we’re asking everyone to share responsibility for keeping our campus community safe. ”
John DellaContrada, vice president
University Communications

Through the ongoing development and implementation of the campus-wide health information campaign “Together, we are UB,” University Communications, in collaboration with several UB units, continues to raise awareness about the importance of complying with the critical protocols outlined in UB’s official health and safety guidelines.

As the fall semester approaches and faculty, staff and students return to campus more fully, University Communications has implemented several new tactics to help set behavioral expectations in a myriad of campus environments, with the aim of reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to protect the entire UB community.

Large signs across the North and South campuses will welcome individuals as they enter campus and set an important precedent for wearing face coverings, both indoors and outdoors. Lawn signs are also posted in more heavily trafficked areas where people are likely to gather, keeping physical distancing and mask wearing in the forefront.

Additionally, University Communications worked with Parking and Transportation Services to display several health and safety reminders inside buses and outside shelters near Founders Plaza.

“Our campaign is focused on behaviors experts say are the most effective way to stay healthy during the pandemic,” says John DellaContrada, vice president for university communications. “By associating these behaviors with a sense of unity, we’re asking everyone to share responsibility for keeping our campus community safe.”

New signage is also present inside buildings to reiterate these health-critical behaviors, as well as safely direct movement and engagement within general spaces.

In collaboration with Campus Planning, University Communications developed an extensive suite of visuals to help everyone navigate UB’s shared environments, including new instructions around line formations, hall and stairway traffic, room and seating area capacities, and building ingress and egress points.

These appear alongside key reminders to frequently wash hands, physically distance, wear face coverings and stay home if feeling unwell. From posters and digital displays to floor appliqués and window clings, members of the campus community will be reminded to adhere to these crucial behaviors wherever they travel.

Across the university’s digital properties, the UB COVID-19 Planning and Response website continues to be a hub for important updates, garnering more than 350,000 visitors since its launch in February, with more than 14,000 views of the health and safety guidelines page and more than 75,000 views of the safe return to campus video.

As users navigate other areas of buffalo.edu, they will see helpful videos, tips and information for returning to campus and how best to follow UB’s health and safety guidelines. In addition, a new “Safe Return to Campus” webpage offers guidance to employees on a range of issues, from UB’s requirement on face coverings to the cleaning of office spaces. Student Life produced and curates a comprehensive guide dedicated to students that covers campus living arrangements, dining options and other information to help students stay healthy, safe and engaged in campus life.

UB’s social media channels are also postinghealth and safety content, focusing on a different behavioral protocol each week in the lead-up to the fall semester, allowing followers to engage with the university and ask important questions.

Together, these elements will help the campus community adjust to a more health-conscious culture and create a safer environment for all.

READER COMMENT

Hello and thank you for your updates. Key question: Can we remove our face masks to give lectures, providing of course that we are more than six feet away from the students? I am afraid that many of the students may not understand us if we speak from behind the mask, as the sound is muffled.

Or, can we receive a microphone to augment the sound?

Sharonah Esther Fredrick