
UB has put the following protocols in place to protect your safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For specific concerns please call (24 hours a day):
UB University Facilities Customer Services
716-645-2025
Updated June 4, 2020
UB’s protocol for COVID-19 related quarantine, outlined in UB's Health and Safety Guidelines, complies with current guidelines from the New York State Department of Health and the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH).
The university is assisting students on a one-on-one basis if they are unable to travel to UB because of travel bans. International students who are unable to return are advised to contact International Student Services (isss@buffalo.edu) to discuss the best course of action for continuing their academic careers at UB.
Faculty and staff might have already made travel arrangements and incurred UB business-related expenses for upcoming travel that may have been cancelled due to concerns related to COVID-19. Visit the UB Travel Services website for information on UB and SUNY policies on reimbursement.
Please check with event organizers for the most updated information about scheduled UB conferences or events.
Visit the following page for the latest information on UB's travel reimbursement practices.
Updated September 16, 2021
In accordance with current CDC and ASHREA guidance, UB is not recommending the use of APUs for non-high risk, general occupied areas. However, we do recognize that some may feel an individual desire for an APU in their space. UB will not provide funding for APUs in personal spaces unless UB Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) approves the purchase.
Purchase of APU units is the responsibility of the ordering unit or the individual, and will be approved only after EH&S review and approval of the need for the unit, and with the specified documentation.
Updated June 8, 2020
Information on working remotely and other updates pertaining to employees’ safe return to campus will be provided on the Administrative Services Gateway page.
Visit the COVID-19 Employee Guide for important employee guidance, including information about:
Updated March 11, 2020
FMLA will be administered at UB by the Office of Human Resources based on the legal requirements and individual circumstances with approriate medical documentation.
Updated June 3, 2020
As soon as the university learns that a member of our community hsa been exposed, UB Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and University Facilities activate disinfecting protocols dictated by the CDC and the Erie County Department of Health.
We identify the areas where this person worked and locations they may have frequented. These areas are cordoned off and left unoccupied for at least 48 hours.
EH&S has trained University Facilities’ janitorial staff in safety procedures, cleaning methods and use of protective equipment. We deploy these special teams to the affected areas, where they use chlorine-based disinfecting fogs and EPA and CDC-recommended disinfecting product on all surfaces.
Public health officials contacts anyone who may be at risk of being exposed based.
Updated March 23, 2020
Students, faculty and staff are cautioned against making judgments regarding a fellow student or colleague’s health. If you see someone who is clearly ill, encourage them to contact their health care provider or UB’s Student Health Services at 716-829-3316
As with other forms of influenza (flu) or contagious illnesses such as colds, maintaining a reasonable distance from the person is a starting point. Do not shake hands or make other physical contact. Use a sanitary wipe after the person has left to wipe areas of your work station that the person has touched and follow good hand-washing practices. There may be situations in which a meeting can be rescheduled to a time when the person is feeling better, or the business can be conducted by phone or e-mail.
Updated March 17, 2020
No. You are not required to disclose whether you have a medical condition that might place you at higher risk. The laws prohibiting discrimination based on disability prohibit UB from making these inquiries or requiring medical examinations of employees without symptoms.
If you voluntarily disclose that you have a specific medical condition or disability that puts you at increased risk for COVID-19, or that you are living with someone with such a condition or disability, the department will keep this information confidential. Your supervisor will consult with their unit HR manager to determine the type of assistance that will be needed to mitigate your risk. The appropriate response will depend upon your job duties, responsibilities, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Updated June 4, 2020
Employees returning from areas designated by the CDC with Level 3 Travel Health Notices will be required to follow CDC guidelines for limiting exposure, including self-quarantine (staying at home) for 14 days.
Employees should contact their supervisor to report their plan to self-quarantine. Employees in self-quarantine who develop symptoms of illness should contact their health care provider. Employees with questions related to local health department guidelines should call the Erie County Department of Health helpline at 716-858-2929.
Updated March 13, 2020
No. The University can only require this for areas specified by the CDC or state or local public health officials as having widespread sustained (ongoing) transmission. Individuals with medical conditions, disabilities, or other circumstances that render them vulnerable in cases of exposure should contact their department supervisor, manager, or Human Resources liaison to discuss their options.
Updated August 2, 2021
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, University Facilities has continually monitored guidance from the CDC, NYS Department of Health and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professional associations, and made recommended adjustments to campus HVAC where feasible to ensure optimal indoor air quality. These adjustments include, but are not limited to, the following:
For individuals who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, getting vaccinated remains the most effective method of preventing COVID-19, and continues to be the most significant action that can be taken to protect the health of individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
Read more about how UB's department of Environment Health and Safety is addressing HVAC concerns in this UBNow story.
Updated March 13, 2020
CDC provides recommendations on postponing or canceling travel. These are called travel notices and are based on assessment of the potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. A list of destinations with travel notices is available on the CDC website.
Updated March 11, 2020
UB provides resources to help full-time academic and staff employees and eligible dependents cope with these types of life events through its Employee Assistance Program Hotline (EAP). Call 716-645-4461 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). The EAP provides confidential, short-term counseling at no cost to the employee.
You can also find guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on mental health and coping here:
Updated March 6, 2020
UB Human Resources encourages employees to take the following four actions now to prepare for any possible future changes to normal business operations:
For help with these or additional questions, contact UB's Office of Human Resources at 645-7777 or ub-hr@buffalo.edu.
Updated March 13, 2020
If you voluntarily disclose that you have a specific medical condition or disability that puts you at increased risk COVID-19, or that you are living with someone with such a condition or disability, the department will keep this information confidential. You and your supervisor will determine the type of assistance that will be needed to mitigate your risk. The appropriate response will depend upon your job duties and responsibilities, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Updated March 13, 2020
You should contact your supervisor who will consult with HR to determine what benefits or leave options may be available to you (i.e. accrual usage, NYSPFL, FMLA, or leaves as may be appropriate), and to consider whether there are any alternative work arrangements that would allow you to perform essential job duties. Alternative arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis and their appropriateness will depend upon the nature of your essential duties and responsibilities.
Updated July 7, 2021
The University at Buffalo is taking additional cleaning precautions across campus to ensure the health and safety of the UB community in accordance with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cleaning protocols are reviewed and adapted as the COVID-19 situation evolves and new recommendations are released.
UB custodial staff conduct regular daily cleaning and disinfection of facilities with a focus on high-traffic public areas and frequently touched surfaces. Some units with unique requirements (e.g., housing, dining, labs), have developed their own cleaning protocols.
UB Parking and Transportation Services UB has implemented several guidelines and protocols to ensure a safe experience for our faculty, staff and students. For more information, see COVID-19 Prevention: UB Buses and Shuttles
For more information, see Campus Dining and Shop's COVID-19 Health and Safety Updates.
Updated March 17, 2020
Faculty and staff who are not feeling well are asked to stay home and consult their health care provider as needed. Please notify your supervisor that you will be absent.
If faculty or staff are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, contact your health care provider. Be sure to call ahead and tell your provider about any travel and symptoms you are experiencing. Faculty or staff must notify their supervisor and then Mark Coldren, associate vice president for human resources, at (716) 645-8155 or mcoldren@buffalo.edu to ensure that the University takes appropriate preventive actions.
Students experiencing symptoms should call UB Student Health Services at 716-829-3316.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Updated July 5, 2022
Mask use is an additional layer of protection since COVID-19 vaccines are not perfect. Some masks work better than others to help stop the spread of COVID-19. UB recommends following CDC guidance on proper face masks.
Visit UB's health and safety guidelines page for the latest information on masking requirements.
The following recommendations are for non-health care workers:
If you want to wear a cloth mask, it is strongly recommended that you wear a surgical mask underneath it. When choosing a mask, look at how well it fits and how well it filters the air. Make sure your mask completely covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask. Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.
Updated June 8, 2020
Up-to-date information on COVID-19 can be found here:
Updated March 13, 2020
The Center for Disease control has found that people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 include the following:
It is important to consider not only the risk of exposure to UB students and employees, but also those they come into regular contact with due to living or caregiving arrangements.
Updated March 11, 2020
Please contact your supervisor or UB Human Resources’ Service Center at (716) 645-7777 for specific guidance regarding your personal work situation.