Official On-Campus Housing
Campus Resident Health and Safety Guide
Spring 2022
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 continues to change, our health and safety policies evolve as well. Spring 2022 policies may be adjusted as the semester progresses. Check back here frequently for updates.
Vaccine Requirement
On-Campus Resident Requirement
All UB student residents and student advisers living in residence halls and university-owned apartments are required to be fully vaccinated upon move in to their assigned, on-campus residence. Accepted vaccines are those that have been authorized for emergency use or approved by the FDA or the WHO.
*NEW* booster requirement. All students who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to obtain a booster and submit documentation. This booster requirement must be met by January 31, 2022. If you are not yet eligible to receive a booster by January 31, you must obtain your booster and submit your documentation within one week of becoming eligible.
Proof of Vaccination
Continuing Students: you must submit proof of your booster vaccination to update your status in the UB Health Services Portal.
New Students: You must submit your full COVID-19 vaccination status to the UB Health Services Portal.
Medical and Religious Exemptions
Students may qualify for an exemption due to medical reasons or religious beliefs. You can request an exemption through student Health Services. Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by student Health Services; they are NOT automatically granted.
If you have any questions about the exemption process, please contact Student Health Services at (716) 829-3316.
Unvaccinated/Not Fully Vaccinated Student Requirements
If you have been granted a medical or religious exemption or if you are an international student who has registered with Student Health Services you must follow all of the following guidelines:
- Participate in mandatory COVID-19 surveillance testing.
- Wear a mask and maintain six feet of physical distance at all times when indoors and outdoors except when in their residence hall room, suite, or apartment; or when eating meals on campus while seated.
You must get tested throughout the semester. If, for any reason, you miss testing, you will receive both an email and a phone call communicating that you are in violation of university policy.
Campus Living Guidelines
Find details about how the health and safety policy categories below impact you as an on-campus resident.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Effective March 5th, mask mandate lifted in most settings
MASKS OPTIONAL
Starting Saturday, March 5, the University at Buffalo will make masks optional on its campuses in most settings:
- Students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will no longer be required to wear masks in most settings, indoors or outdoors.
- Anyone who wishes to continue wearing a mask in a classroom, office or any other campus space is encouraged to do so.
- In keeping with state and federal regulations, masks will continue to be mandatory for everyone aboard UB buses and shuttles and in clinical health care settings (e.g. UB Health Services, Dental School facilities, on-campus testing sites) on campus.
- UB faculty, staff and students who work or learn at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics or diagnostic and treatment centers off campus must continue to comply with any site-specific regulations in place.
Remember: There are many reasons that individuals may continue to wear a mask. Be kind and respectful toward others in our UB community.
GUESTS
Guest Policy Amended 4/5/22
Restrictions have been lifted for daytime guests in Campus Living spaces including all residence halls and apartments.
Overnight Guests
- Guests must be up to date with COVID vaccinations and have no COVID symptoms.
- Individuals who are experiencing illness, or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, are restricted from visiting the residence halls and apartments and should seek the advice of a health care provider about whether they need to quarantine/isolate.
- Each guest requires a UB resident host. The host is responsible for completing a guest registration form, which includes the guest's contact information, and confirms that the guest meets all vaccine requirements.
Surveillance Testing
Quarantine and Isolation
Campus Living has designated quarantine and isolation spaces on campus. These rooms are offered to students with on-campus housing assignments who are required to quarantine or isolate based on availability.
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
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 (based on availability)
- 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
FAQS
Quarantine
What if I need to quarantine while living in on-campus housing?
A limited number of spaces have been set aside as dedicated quarantine space reserved for the needs of on-campus residents during the 2022-2023 year.
Our dedicated staff are ready to help with everything that you may need including transportation to your quarantine assignment, testing, meals, and anything else that will make your stay in quarantine the best experience possible.
Updated May 24, 2022