On-line club meetings are highly encouraged.

Priority for approval will be given to events that: 

• Are not possible or effective to host virtually. 
• Involve quick and/or outdoor interactions with minimal contact. 
• Directly support higher learning. 
• Directly benefit the institution. 
• Directly relate to civic engagement. 

This process will be used campus-wide for all programs and activities hosted by campus departments, academic programs, and student groups.  For student groups, the initial review will be conducted by the Office of Student Unions prior to sending to Environment, Health and Safety to review. All requests should be submitted at least 14 days in advance.  Commercially packaged snack items (e.g., granola bars, candy, chips, popcorn, crackers, dried fruit, trail mix, nuts) do not need to go through the food permit process for approval.

Groups are highly encourage to host programs remotely.  If not feasible, groups may make a request through the Office of Student Unions to host a campus event.  

The review process will include the five criteria outlined above.  In addition, the event should include the following considerations:  

• Personal face coverings are a required for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people prior to entry into all events. Attendees can only remove face coverings when actively eating/drinking. 
• Personal face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated people.  Proof of vaccination (e.g. COVID-19 vaccination card, NYS Excelsior pass) must be presented prior to entry into all events.
• Physical distancing must be maintained in events where vaccinated and unvaccinated people are in attendance.
• Physical distancing is not required to be maintained in events held with fully vaccinated people.
• Staff and attendees should wash their hands frequently (e.g., after touching frequently touched surfaces or items). In the absence of soap and water, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used.
• Groups structured around physical exercise, performance and musical rehearsal/practices will be restricted to online events, due to the increased risk of coronavirus transmission associated with these kinds of activities. 
• Event advertising should remind participants to follow public health guidelines (wearing a face covering, physical distancing, etc.).
• Events will be restricted to University at Buffalo students and faculty/staff only with campus ID and a completed daily health check at the start of the event. Advance sign-up is required, and attendance must be taken, and records kept in case contact tracing becomes required. Student groups are required to use the Event Pass feature on UBLinked for all reservations.
• Events held outdoors must not be advertised to non-students/staff, off-campus.  
• No communal food (buffets, etc.) shall be permitted. All food must be prepared by Campus Dining and Shops (CDS), an approved vendor or pre-packaged already prepared (cooked) store bought.  Homemade foods are not allowed. 
• Indoor food events that have a mixed crowd of vaccinated and unvaccinated people must be served as a grab-and-go. The event duration should be no longer than 90 minutes (from the time food is available to take). Fully vaccinated people may have a sit-down meal with no physical distance between attendees. There are no restrictions on the length of the event. 
• Outdoor food events that have a mixed crowd of vaccinated and unvaccinated people must be split up into smaller groups with a 6 foot physical distance between attendees (e.g. 72” table – 4 chairs, 60” table – 2 chairs). There is no limit to the number of attendees per table for fully vaccinated people.  
• Student groups looking to contract outside entertainment services (e.g., inflatables, mini golf, carnival games, etc.) must ensure and provide documentation that those vendor(s) will comply with campus standards for physical distancing, cleanliness, etc. 
• Event capacity must not exceed the adjusted room capacities for physical distancing. Outdoor venues will also have established capacities based on the current guidelines established by the state. 
• Groups must clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and items after the event.
  

• Restricted to four groups at a time and only in approved indoor areas to be determined. Each group will be limited to a maximum of two members present per table during the tabling period wearing a face covering and physical distancing. The floor will be marked with an “X” to identify the proper spacing of chairs. The Office of Student Unions will take tabling reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis and groups will be limited to one date per week.   
• Indoor tabling activities will be permitted if physical distancing can be maintained throughout the duration of the event.

EH&S does not need to review or approve events held off campus.  As representatives of the University, students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and abide by the NYS and Erie County Department of Health COVID guidelines set forth for the establishment.