COVID-19: UB Workplace Updates

  • SUNY Telecommuting Policy
    8/18/22
    On August 2, 2021, the new SUNY Telecommuting Policy was distributed to the University at Buffalo for implementation at the campus level. The policy has been officially extended by the New York State Office of Employee Relations (OER) through December 31, 2022.
  • Submitting Employee Vaccination and Booster Information
    1/20/22
    As we prepare for the start of the spring 2022 semester, we would like to reiterate that our top priority is the health and safety of our entire university community. The primary way to lower the risk on our campuses is for individuals to be fully vaccinated. As such, UB is updating its guidelines prior to the start of the spring semester, in accordance with new guidance issued by SUNY. This updated guidance requires students to be vaccinated and to have a booster.
  • UB Urges Campus Community to Get COVID Boosters
    10/25/21
    UB is strongly encouraging COVID-19 booster shots for those on campus who are eligible, but has not made them mandatory for students as it did with the initial round of vaccinations.
  • Reminder: Employee Vaccination Information and Weekly Surveillance Testing
    8/6/21
    Employees returning to campus are encouraged to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination information and are reminded to participate in weekly surveillance testing.
  • COVID-19 Summer Updates and Protocols
    8/4/21
    UB is updating its COVID-19 protocols in preparation for more employees returning to campus over the summer. 
  • Daily Health Check: Fall Semester Reminder
    8/2/21
    As the university prepares for more normal operations ahead of the fall semester, employees returning to campus are reminded of their obligation to complete the Daily Health Check, UB’s COVID-19 screening tool.
  • Updated Travel Pre-Approval Information
    7/14/21
    Pre-approval is still required for all UB travel. 
  • Telecommuting at UB
    6/29/21
    In consultation with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) and the SUNY System Office of Employee Relations, UB will begin implementing a robust, in-person return-to-campus plan for all employees.
  • Acknowledgement of Workplace Health and Safety Provisions for Employees
    6/23/21
    All employees are expected to acknowledge their obligation to follow the updated guidance from SUNY and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations regarding our return to work.
  • UB Workplace Guidance Updates Effective Immediately
    6/21/21
    The University at Buffalo has received specific guidance from SUNY and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations regarding our return to work. These guidelines are effective immediately. They will be summarized in a forthcoming document, which all UB employees will be expected to sign and submit to the Office of Human Resources.
  • Surveillance Testing Schedule Change
    6/10/21
    Beginning on June 14, 2021, the surveillance testing sites on north and south campus will now be open only Mondays and Tuesdays. The hours of operation will not change.
  • Daily Health Check: Vaccine-Related Updates
    3/25/21
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • Employees Will Be Granted Excused Leave for COVID-19 Vaccination
    3/17/21
    Governor Cuomo recently signed legislation that grants employees time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Effective March 12, 2021, under this new law, employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued.  
  • Daily Health Check: Spring Semester Reminder
    2/9/21
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • University Sponsored Student International Travel
    2/3/21
    University sponsored student international travel (study abroad and other student activities) is cancelled for the summer 2021 session. 
  • Weekly COVID-19 Employee Testing at UB
    1/25/21
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • Presidential Order on SS Tax Deferral
    9/15/20
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • Announcing COVID-19 Surveillance Testing
    9/10/20
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • Fall Update From A. Scott Weber, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
    8/24/20
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • Classes and Activities to be Held on Labor Day 2020
    7/16/20
    Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2020 and classes and activities will be held. 
  • Return to work safely, unit plans in review
    6/16/20
    UB units were asked to develop and submit return-to-work plans that follow a set of best-practice health guidelines.
  • Campus planning for return to campus
    6/3/20
    UB will begin building plans to return employees to working on campus. The approach to build a plan has been shared with all UB leaders, Unit Business Officers, and unit HR Administrators.
  • Non-essential employees to continue working remotely until May 28
    5/15/20
    This message is to communicate to the UB community that the governor’s directive advising all non-essential employees to stay at home and work remotely will continue through May 28.
  • Working remotely remains in effect for non-essential employees
    5/7/20
    This message is to remind the UB community of the governor’s directive advising all non-essential employees to stay at home and work remotely until further notice is given by the university.
  • Non-essential employees to continue to work remotely
    4/23/20
    In response to the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency, Governor Cuomo has extended to May 15 the directive indicating that all non-essential state employees in all New York State agencies and public authorities are not to report to work.
  • SUNY and NYS non-essential employees to work remotely until 4/29/20
    4/13/20
    UB received confirmation in response to the continuing public health emergency for the COVID-19 virus, that the Governor extended his directive for all non-essential State employees for New York State’s agencies and public authorities in every county, to not report to work until April 29.
  • Face coverings at UB
    4/13/20
    n accordance with the recent Executive Order issued by Governor Cuomo (4/12/20) and guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the voluntary use of face coverings, UB intends to supply our essential employees with suitable face covering materials for use in the workplace.
  • Face coverings and social distancing recommended on all UB campuses
    4/6/20
    On April 4 the CDC recommended that, in addition to maintaining 6-feet social distancing, the use of face coverings can help prevent spread of the coronavirus by people who have the virus but who have yet to show symptoms.
  • Non-essential employees to continue to work remotely until 4/15/20
    3/30/20
    In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Governor extended his directive for all non-essential State employees for New York State’s agencies and public authorities in every county, to continue to work remotely until April 15.
  • Non-essential employees continue to work remotely
    3/21/20
    On March 20, the governor issued an executive order mandating that all employees from “non-essential businesses” stay home beginning March 22.
  • Temporary alternate work assignments
    3/17/20
    By direction from the NYS Governor’s office, effective March 17, 2020 and until further notice, all non-essential SUNY employees shall be assigned to perform their work-related duties and responsibilities from alternate work locations, via telecommuting.
  • County state of emergency, UB open
    3/15/20
    Erie County officials declared a state of emergency for the county on Sunday, March 15, 2020. At this time, the University at Buffalo remains open and operational. Employees and supervisors may have questions regarding their work arrangements.
  • SUNY Telecommuting Policy
    8/18/22
    On August 2, 2021, the new SUNY Telecommuting Policy was distributed to the University at Buffalo for implementation at the campus level. The policy has been officially extended by the New York State Office of Employee Relations (OER) through December 31, 2022.
  • Submitting Employee Vaccination and Booster Information
    1/20/22
    As we prepare for the start of the spring 2022 semester, we would like to reiterate that our top priority is the health and safety of our entire university community. The primary way to lower the risk on our campuses is for individuals to be fully vaccinated. As such, UB is updating its guidelines prior to the start of the spring semester, in accordance with new guidance issued by SUNY. This updated guidance requires students to be vaccinated and to have a booster.
  • UB Urges Campus Community to Get COVID Boosters
    10/25/21
    UB is strongly encouraging COVID-19 booster shots for those on campus who are eligible, but has not made them mandatory for students as it did with the initial round of vaccinations.
  • Reminder: Employee Vaccination Information and Weekly Surveillance Testing
    8/6/21
    Employees returning to campus are encouraged to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination information and are reminded to participate in weekly surveillance testing.