Official On-Campus Housing
Campus Resident Health and Safety Guide
Spring 2021
This guide will help you understand what to expect from on-campus housing and learn more about what role you will play in keeping our community healthy and safe.
On this page:
Health and Safety Policies Currently Under Review
As the COVID-19 public health situation improves, our health and safety policies continue to evolve. Fall 2021 policies are currently being developed and will be announced later this summer. Check back here for updates.
Campus Living Guidelines
Find details about how the health and safety policy categories below impact you as an on-campus resident.
What to do when others aren't following the guidelines
Together, we can help ensure a safer campus experience. By making good choices, we can work to stop the spread of COVID-19. Remember — this is a shared responsibility.
Surveillance Testing
Weekly Testing is Mandatory
All students who reside on campus must participate in surveillance testing every week.
Testing is a critical way to keep our campus safe, and disregarding these mandates will have consequences. Residents who do not attend testing will initially be sent reminders. Missed testing in consecutive weeks may result in suspension from on-campus housing, as well as in-person classes.
Making Your Appointments
Student testing will be available in the Student Union, Greiner and Allen Hall, by reservation. Locations have appointments Monday-Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Walk-Up Appointments
The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (JSMBS) is available for walk-up testing downtown.
Testing Exemptions
If you have a health risk or cannot/will not report for testing, please use the EXEMPTION FORM to submit your reason.
(NOTE: Tests collected off-campus will NOT be accepted for weekly surveillance testing.)
Your Health
Daily Health Check
You must complete your Daily Health Check everyday, including weekends and holidays. You should complete it early in your day, before leaving your room.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Tips for Hand Washing
5 Steps to Clean Hands
CDC recommends a 5-step process for hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold); turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
Source: University Facilities
Tips for Physical Distancing Around Campus
All members of the campus community are expected to keep 6 feet of physical distance between themselves and others in all areas of campus whether visual guidance is provided or not.
Outdoor Spaces
In outdoor spaces on UB’s campuses, it is required that you maintain 6 feet physical distancing between you and others.
Waiting in Line
UB units and operations with high traffic will communicate their specific requirements for maintaining safe physical distance in queues. In general, try to keep safe distance (6 feet) between you and the next person in line. Listen carefully for instructions from those operating the queue.
Hallways and Stairwell
Stay to the right and walk in single file when traveling through hallways, walkways and staircases. When possible, judge the density and either wait until an area is less crowded, or seek alternate routes. Travel outdoors if possible.
Source: University Facilities
Elevators
Limit elevator occupancy to 2 people (or occupancy stated on posted signs). Stand in each corner to maintain safe distance and face away from other occupants. Please consider giving up your elevator spot to those who need it, especially those with physical disabilities.
Fire Drills and Evacuations
Leave adequate space between you and others while exiting building. Remember to hold the handrails on stairs and to disinfect your hands once you are able.
Visitors on Campus
Whether you’re coming to UB for business (e.g., employees, contractors, speakers or other invited guests) or leisure (e.g., walking your dog on campus grounds), all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors will be required to abide by all campus safety protocols (including the use of face masks and physical distancing). Hosts of invited guests must ensure their guests are aware of and follow university protocols.
Visitors Must Wear Face Coverings at All Times
Face coverings must be worn at all times, according to UB’s face covering protocol.
Exception: Some construction or trade workers are bound by requirements (New York state or OSHA) that may differ somewhat from UB’s health and safety guidelines. Such work should always be taking place in areas fenced or cordoned off from the general campus population. Within those cordoned off areas, workers are required to abide by New York state and OSHA COVID-19 guidelines. As soon as those workers leave the restricted work area, however, they are required to follow UB health and safety guidelines, including wearing face masks at all times.
If you notice construction or trade workers who are not wearing face masks outside their restricted work area, please contact Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S).
Visitors in Campus Housing
Students may only enter the residence hall or apartment where they reside. Students will not be allowed to host anyone in their rooms, including other campus residents. Off-campus guests, are not permitted to enter residence halls.
Visitors and Daily Health Check
Visitors to campus are required to complete the Daily Health Check prior to their visit and every day they are on campus.
- Do a CDC COVID-19 symptom self-check every day before leaving your home.
- Stay home and contact your health care provider if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms.
Stronger Together
The Student Life Gateway Student Guide has more information about how to socialize safer, achieve your academic goals, and more.
Quarantine and Isolation
Campus Living has designated quarantine and isolation spaces on campus. These rooms are available to students with on-campus housing assignments who are required to quarantine or isolate by a health care provider or who are travelling from a restricted area outside of New York State.
Identification and Notification
Test Results, Symptoms, Close Contact
Student Health Services will notify Campus Living when students in their care need to quarantine. But it is up to students to contact their RA or CA to tell us if:
- They are instructed by their own private doctor that they must be in quarantine or isolation for any period of time
- They have been in close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19
Travel Quarantine
If you will be travelling outside of New York State for more than 24 hours, it is your responsibility to notify Campus Living before you return. This is critical so that we can help you make the necessary arrangements to complete your NYS mandated quarantine upon arrival.
Reassignment and Accommodations
Once we know that a student needs quarantine we will arrange everything to make the process as easy as possible. Campus Living will:
- Assign a new room in one of our designated quarantine facilities
- Arrange transportation for the student and their needed belongings to the new space
- Provide written expectations about conduct
- Coordinate with Campus Dining and Shops to ensure food service
- Facilitate mail delivery, garbage pickup and laundry services
- Complete daily check ins with the student to answer any questions and find resources for further support if needed
Are You Entering Quarantine?
Find out what to expect, what to take with you and links to all of the resources that you may need to keep you safe and cared for while you are in quarantine housing.
Completing Quarantine Off Campus
It is not advised that a student in isolation or quarantine while living in campus housing return home due to the risk of spread of the virus to his/her family and other communities.
If you do decide to return home, you may NOT use public transportation, and it is not safe for someone who is feeling ill to drive themselves home. If a parent or friend chooses to drive you home, that person must understand that they and anyone else traveling with you are at risk of getting infected.
Anyone in quarantine or isolation should have their own private bedroom and bathroom. Anyone else living with someone in quarantine or isolation is at risk of getting infected.
Before leaving to complete quarantine off campus, you should call Campus Living at 716-645-2171 or speak with your Hall or Complex Director when you are leaving, and provide them with the address where you will be staying.
Additional Policies and Procedures
When you live in UB’s residence halls and apartments, you sign an agreement that specifies your responsibilities as a student, including the health and safety guidelines detailed on this page. The additional rules that apply to living in on-campus residence halls and apartments can be found in:
- Guide to Campus Living
- Campus Living Housing Agreement
- UB Rules and Regulations
