Bulletins

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School Graham Hammill and Dean of Undergraduate Education Ann Bisantz provided classroom guidance for faculty in a campus-wide email to all instructors. This message includes information on the following:

• Course Planning
• Accommodating Students
• Syllabus & Academic Resources
• What to Expect in the Classroom

Students

All UB students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes in person, pending full FDA approval of the vaccine, which we expect soon. Students who do not meet this requirement by the deadlines will be immediately resigned from all courses with an in-person instructional component and will be assigned a grade of "R" for those courses.  Students are financially liable for all courses unless they have dropped or resigned by published deadlines. Visit the Student Guide Announcements Page for additional details.

Employees

It was announced on July 28, that all New York State employees will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by Labor Day. State employees who do not get vaccinated will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. 

Vice President for Student Life Brian F. Hamluk, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School Graham Hammill, and Dean of Undergraduate Education Ann Bisantz welcomed students back to campus this fall in a campus-wide email to students.

The email also provided resources to help students be as prepared as possible for the fall semester:

• Start Strong This Semester
• Health and Safety Measures
• Daily Health Check Requirements
• Maintaining Your Well-Being
• Your Academic Experience
• Our Community
• Financial Considerations
• Reason to Celebrate

Starting Monday, Aug. 16, COVID-19 surveillance testing on the North Campus will move from the Student Union to the ground floor of Talbert Hall in room 11 (formerly Bert’s food court). Weekly testing is mandatory for all students and employees who report to campus and either have not been fully vaccinated or have not verified that they have completed their vaccination series. Fully vaccinated students and employees who have submitted verification do not have to participate in weekly testing.

Employees returning to campus are encouraged to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination information and are reminded to participate in weekly surveillance testing.

UB’s health guidelines and procedures for face coverings were updated in a university-wide email from UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber and Vice President for Health Sciences Michael E. Cain.

Dear university community:

In accordance with updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Erie County Department of Health, the University at Buffalo will require all students, employees and visitors – regardless of their vaccination status – to wear face coverings while inside campus buildings, effective starting tomorrow, Aug. 3.

Face coverings: Face coverings will be required in classrooms, hallways, libraries and other common spaces, as well as UB buses and shuttles. Face coverings are not required inside personal rooms at residence halls, while eating in on-campus dining areas, when alone within personal offices or in non-public-facing personal workstations.

Outdoor settings: Vaccinated UB students and employees will not be required to wear face coverings on UB campuses. Unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear face coverings in all outdoor settings.  Face coverings will be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at outdoor events or settings where large groups of people congregate, such as at on-campus football games.  

Vaccination: As we safely resume in-person classes and operations for the fall semester, UB strongly urges all students and employees to get vaccinated, in compliance with state and SUNY requirements. Pending FDA full approval, vaccination will be required for all students participating in in-person classes and activities. Vaccination is required for all students residing in university housing. UB will continue to require regular testing of non-vaccinated students and employees.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and as recommendations from federal, state and local entities potentially change, UB will adjust its health and safety guidelines accordingly.

For all updates, please refer to UB’s COVID-19 Planning and Response website.

Sincerely,

A. Scott Weber                                                                   
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs                                                             

Michael E. Cain   
Vice President for Health Sciences
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences       

UB Human Resources sent an email to all UB employees August 2 reminding employees returning to campus of their obligation to complete the Daily Health Check, UB’s COVID-19 screening tool.

Dear UB colleague,

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.

All UB faculty, staff and volunteers, regardless of their vaccination status, must complete the Daily Health Check on the days that they come to campus. Employees should plan to complete their screening prior to their arrival.

With the COVID-19 pandemic entering a new stage, the Daily Health Check will be even more critical in protecting the health and safety of the campus community. Thank you for doing your part to ensure everyone’s return to campus is as smooth and as safe as possible.

For more information about the Daily Health Check, including exemptions, data privacy and more, visit the Daily Health Check webpage.

Sign up for text notifications

As a reminder, smartphone users can sign up for text notifications to make completing their Daily Health Check simpler and more convenient. To sign up for text message alerts:

1. Open the Daily Health Check. 
2. Enter your 10-digit mobile phone number when prompted.
3. Click the link in a follow-up text message to verify your phone number and finish enrollment.

Those without smartphones can directly access the tool via the web by clicking “none” within the chatbot.

J. Brice Bible, UB's vice president and chief information officer, sent a message to all UB employees on July 27 regarding technology help for their return to campus. 

Colleagues, 

If you are returning to campus this summer after working remotely for an extended period, UBIT is here to help as you reconnect with your workplace technology. 

Before you return to campus, we recommend scheduling time with your IT support staff so they can help reconnect any computers, monitors or peripherals that were taken home, and install any updates on machines that were powered off while you were away. 

On your first day back, plan a few extra minutes in your schedule to ensure that the technology in your workspace is connected and working as expected: 

• Sign into your computer. If your IT staff worked on your computer over the past year, you may have to click Switch Users, then enter AD\ followed by your UBITName. 
• Reconnect your wireless devices to eduroam Wi-Fi. UB Secure will be retired in the near future; for uninterrupted service, eduroam is the preferred Wi-Fi network at UB. 
• Check for any missing network drives or files. You may need to restart your computer before they are visible. 
• Update your UB Phone voicemail and other settings. If you’ve forgotten your voicemail PIN, follow these steps to change or reset your voicemail PIN. 

If you encounter problems during this process, contact the UBIT Help Center, online at buffalo.edu/ubit/help or by phone at 716-645-3542. 

Here’s to a healthy and productive fall semester. 

Regards,

J. Brice Bible

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Life at UB will be much closer to normal come fall with the announcement that students who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need to wear masks or stay physically distanced while in the classroom.

The highly anticipated change was made this week by SUNY and takes effect at UB immediately.

The latest guidance from SUNY expands on earlier announcements that lifted masking and distancing requirements for vaccinated students and employees in most indoor and outdoor campus settings, including in classrooms and studios, research labs, offices, residence halls, recreation spaces and dining areas.

However, students and employees who are not vaccinated are responsible for wearing a mask in all indoor and outdoor locations on UB’s campuses, with the exception of in their personal residence hall rooms, personal workstations or while eating in university dining areas. Physical distancing will not be required in classroom settings, but unvaccinated individuals must wear masks.

UB Associate Vice President for Human Resources Mark Coldren sent an email updating UB employees on telecommuting.

Although the pilot telecommuting program agreed to by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER), SUNY and the bargaining units ends on July 2, 2021, UB acknowledges that certain employees may face child care, elder care and personal COVID-19-related medical concerns that make their individual return to campus challenging, Coldren wrote.

These employees may request to defer their transition back to place-based work under the New York State Pilot Telecommuting terms as they address issues limited to child care, elder care or specific COVID-19-related medical accommodations.

As stated in President Tripathi’s spring announcement to the UB community, UB is striving to get back to a fully place-based institution in anticipation of students returning for the fall semester, Coldren wrote. To meet this goal, units should continue to facilitate their return-to-campus plans to meet the goal of having employees return to campus beginning Aug.2.

On Thursday, June 24, 2021, the Office of Research and Economic Development confirmed and clarified SUNY guidance.

With the exception of classrooms and class-based lab settings, fully vaccinated students no longer need to wear face coverings or stay physically distanced in indoor settings (including residence halls) or outdoors. Unvaccinated students are required to wear face coverings and physically distance in all indoor and outdoor settings except when in their own residence hall room alone or with a roommate. Updated guidance from SUNY on face covering and physical distancing requirements is expected soon.

UB has received specific guidance from SUNY and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations regarding our employees' return to work. These guidelines are effective immediately. They provide direction on capacity, physical distancing, masks, health screening and ventilation and air filtration.

The University at Buffalo is aware of Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement to relax most COVID-19 restrictions in NYS after 70% of adults 18 years or older have received at least one shot (dose) of vaccine. On June 3, UB released its health and safety guidelines for the summer months, and is currently waiting for further guidance from SUNY in light of the governor’s recent announcement. Until that time, the university will continue to follow its current health and safety guidelines regarding face coverings, surveillance testing and physical distancing. The university continues to strongly urge students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Beginning on June 14, the surveillance testing sites on north and south campus will now be open only Monday and Tuesdays.

The hours of operations will not change – testing times and locations can be found here.

UB is updating its COVID-19 protocols in preparation for more employees returning to campus over the summer.

The rules for summer reflect revised guidance recently issued by SUNY, as the pandemic continues to evolve and colleges and universities across the state prepare for a more normal return to campus come fall.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees June 3 updating summer protocols at UB.

The University at Buffalo is aware that SUNY has released its updated COVID-19 protocols for summer and fall 2021 semester planning. The university is currently reviewing that guidance and will communicate what this means for UB students, employees and visitors in the coming days. Until this review is completed, the university will continue to follow its current health and safety guidelines regarding face coverings, surveillance testing and physical distancing. The university will continue to strongly urge students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The University at Buffalo is aware of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s announcement that New York State will adopt the CDC’s latest recommendations for fully vaccinated people for most business and public settings. The university is currently reviewing these recommendations in coordination with the State University of New York. Until it receives further information, the university will continue to follow its current face covering guidelines, outlined in UB’s health and safety guidelines, which state that masks are required indoors at UB at all times. In outdoor settings on UB’s campuses, fully vaccinated people can remove their masks.

UB students will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend classes in person in the fall as part of an effort to boost vaccination rates on SUNY campuses, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.

Beginning Monday, May 17, the university will shift to a summer schedule for surveillance testing of students and employees on campus.

Testing appointments are not required and will be available as follows:

NORTH CAMPUS
Student Union, room 210
Monday* and Wednesday: 9:00am–5:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00am–5:00pm

SOUTH CAMPUS
Allen Hall
Monday*, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 9:00am–4:00pm

DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11:00am–1:30pm

Please note that the Greiner Hall location on the North Campus will no longer be available.

*Testing on Monday, May 31, will be suspended in observance of Memorial Day.

In an email to the campus community today, UB President Satish K. Tripathi provided an update on preparations for the fall 2021 semester, noting that UB's intention is to have employees back in person by Aug. 1 to prepare for the start of the new academic year.

The CDC recently released a set of new interim public health recommendations, and the university is updating its Health and Safety Guidelines accordingly.

Where can I get vaccinated? 

Appointments are no longer needed at any state-run or county-run vaccination site. 

• WNY Vaccine Hound (One-stop shop that lists openings throughout the region)
• New York State eligibility and appointments (or call 1-833-697-4829) 
• Erie County Department of Health-operated appointments 
• Pharmacies - See pharmacy websites or call pharmacies   
• Health Care Providers - Check with your health care provider

The University at Buffalo has finalized its plans for commencement season. As was previously announced by UB President Satish K. Tripathi, UB will conduct 17 in-person commencement ceremonies and four recognition and certificate events between April 30 and May 16, with a limited number of guests allowed to attend based on capacity restrictions.

UB’s commencement plans, including protocols for guests, were approved by the New York State and Erie County health departments, and will abide by the graduation guidelines issued on April 12 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Commencement exercises will take place at two outdoor locations, both on the North Campus in Amherst: UB Stadium and the Furnas parking lot (located off Lee Road). All ceremonies will be live streamed.

Requirements will include mandatory mask-wearing, physical distancing and health screening, as well as proof of recent negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination.

In coordination with SUNY and following a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control, the University at Buffalo will pause plans to use the Johnson & Johnson single dose coronavirus vaccine at an on-campus vaccination site for students scheduled to open on Thursday in the Student Union. UB will provide more information about its plans for the on-campus vaccination site over the next few days.

The health and safety of UB students, faculty, staff and visitors remains paramount in all of the university’s plans and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The student vaccine site will open Thursday on the North Campus. UB has 200 doses of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine to offer and anticipates getting more from SUNY as the national supply issues with the J&J vaccine are resolved.  UB will communicate the registration process this week to students.

UB is offering vaccination to all UB students as part of a SUNY program designed to vaccinate students against the coronavirus before they leave campus at the end of the spring semester.

Students — who may now receive the vaccine as eligibility expanded to anyone age 16 or over as of April 6 — will receive the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. Since the J&J vaccine requires only one dose, students can be fully vaccinated before going home for the summer next month.

Students also have the option of making an appointment at New York state vaccination sites. Information on the state-operated and other off-campus vaccination sites can be found below about making appointments at off-campus sites.

• https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/: To check your eligibility and make an appointment.
• WNY Vaccine Hound: For lists of vaccination appointment openings in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara and Erie Counties.

UB soon will begin offering vaccination to all UB students as part of a SUNY program designed to vaccinate students against the coronavirus before they leave campus at the end of the spring semester.

Students — who may now receive the vaccine as eligibility expanded to anyone age 16 or over as of April 6 — will receive the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine. Since the J&J vaccine requires only one dose, students can be fully vaccinated before going home for the summer next month.

Planning currently is underway to establish a vaccination site for students on UB’s North Campus. More information will be communicated to students in the coming days.

Quarantine Requirements have been updated in the following Health and Safety Guidelines' section to reflect the latest information available as of April 1:

• Precautionary Guidelines

The fall 2021 course schedule will be released on March 29. Students received an email on March 25 providing them with important information on registering for courses. Unlike this past academic year, the vast majority of courses in the fall will be delivered in person, reflecting a strong desire among UB faculty to return to campus. More plans for the fall semester will be announced as they are finalized.

The Daily Health Check has been recently updated to reflect expanding access to vaccines and changes to New York State policies. Please be aware of the following:

• The Daily Health Check now asks for vaccination status. If you have been fully vaccinated (i.e., received all required doses of your specific vaccine make), select “yes” when asked in the chatbot.
• Vaccine-related fever is now noted as an exception to COVID-19-related symptoms.
• If you have recently traveled domestically/to and from Canada, or have been in close contact with an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and were fully vaccinated at the time of travel/exposure, you no longer need to indicate risk, and the Daily Health Check will not direct you to quarantine.

Whether or not you have been vaccinated, please continue to observe all of UB’s Health and Safety Guidelines. Wear a face covering, maintain physical distance, practice good hand hygiene, complete your Daily Health Check and carefully monitor your health.

For more information about the Daily Health Check, including exemptions, data privacy and more, visit the Daily Health Check webpage.

Effective March 12, 2021, under recently signed legislation, 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.

Employees are entitled to a leave of absence for COVID-19 vaccinations which are scheduled during the employee’s regular work hours. Employees who schedule vaccinations outside their regular work schedules do so on their own time. For example, employees are not granted compensatory time off for scheduled vaccinations that occur on pass days or holidays.

President Satish K. Tripathi today announced plans for the university to safely hold in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies to honor students graduating from UB this academic year.

The ceremonies will be held April 30 through May 16 at UB Stadium and at another outdoor space on the North Campus, to be named later. Seventeen commencement ceremonies will be held over the three-week period at the two outdoor venues, with mandatory mask-wearing, physical distancing and compliance with UB’s weekly testing requirement in effect for all students, faculty and staff at all ceremonies.

A decision on whether guests will be permitted to attend the ceremonies will be made by the university at a later date, in consultation with the county and state departments of health. All ceremonies will be live streamed.

The university still intends to offer on-campus, in-person celebrations at a later date for graduates of the Class of 2020, for whom commencement ceremonies were held virtually last spring after the onset of the pandemic forced UB to transition to fully remote instruction and activities.

Per the updated NYS DOH COVID-19 vaccine program guidance, all in-person, essential staff at SUNY colleges and universities are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any state or local health department vaccination site, effective immediately. 

UB staff are advised to consult the state vaccination website for additional information about eligibility requirements, proof of eligibility and appointments at state vaccination sites.

Essential in-person staff are those who have been regularly working on UB’s campuses throughout the semester, including, for example, staff from Facilities; Libraries; IT; Residence Life; and those who are deemed by their academic or administrative units to be essential.

This week, UB researchers will begin testing wastewater from a small portion of on-campus housing for SARS-CoV-2, a pilot program designed to help mitigate the spread of the virus and protect the campus community.

The program, which will complement — not replace — the weekly surveillance testing of all members of the UB community who are on campus regularly, will provide a greater understanding of COVID-19’s presence among students living on campus.

It also could help spot emerging outbreaks and improve the university’s response to such occurrences.

Quarantine Requirements have been updated in the following Health and Safety Guidelines' sections:

• Precautionary Guidelines
• Screening and Testing

Locations and times for SUNY-mandated weekly COVID-19 testing for all eligible students who live on campus, or who will be on campus regularly, was communicated today in an email to all UB students.

Beginning next week (Feb 8.), student testing will be available in the Student Union, Greiner Hall and Allen Hall, by reservation, with appointments available Monday–Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (4 p.m. at the Allen Hall location). The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (JSMBS) is available for walk-up testing downtown. 

• What You Need To Know
• How To Get Tested
• FAQ: Understanding Weekly Surveillance Testing
• FAQ: What To Expect
• FAQ: Do I Need To Participate?

Per SUNY requirements, all students who live on campus, or who will be on campus regularly during the spring semester, must participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing. All UB employees who will be on campus regularly must also be tested weekly.

Surveillance testing times and locations are available at:
https://www.buffalo.edu/coronavirus/health-and-safety/testing.html.

Beginning Feb. 1, all employees who come to campus on a regular basis are expected to be tested every week (SUNY policy). 

The following employees should expect to receive an invitation to register with SUNY for weekly testing:

• Employees who have attested several times through the Daily Health Check over the past two weeks that they are coming to campus.
• Instructors teaching a scheduled, on-campus class with room, day(s) and time(s). Roswell Park and other off-campus classes excluded.
• Employees identified by FSA as working on campus.
• Employees with a paid, primary appointment in the following units/departments:
  • UPD.
  • Campus Living (VPSL Campus Living, Campus Living Director's Office, Campus Living Facilities, Campus Living Custodial, Campus Living Maintenance, Campus Living Housing Services, Campus Living Central Services, Campus Living Res Life).
    
  • Facilities (Campus Operations, Design & Construction, Environment, Health and Safety).

Employees with a positive case in the past 90 days have been removed from the list for surveillance testing.

If your schedule has changed and you are working remotely, you are not expected to come in for testing. 

All UB students who come to campus are expected to be tested weekly, so there will be more activity at all sites. Students are required to make a reservation for a time and location which should cut down on longer lines. Faculty and staff can get tested any time the sites are operating.

For more information about weekly testing, please see www.buffalo.edu/testing.

UB's COVID-19 surveillance testing sites in the Center for Tomorrow (North Campus) and Allen Hall (South Campus) will be closing today (Feb. 5) at 2 p.m. If you want to be tested on Friday, Allen Hall and the Center for Tomorrow will be open for testing from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Or you can make arrangements to be tested at UB’s other testing sites.

UB President Satish K. Tripathi welcomed the campus community today in a campus-wide email to students, faculty and staff, in which he cautioned against pandemic fatigue.

“While the vaccine rollout warrants great hope for the future, we must be careful that neither undue optimism nor weariness of pandemic-related curtailments clouds our common sense. At the same time, if the pandemic has taken its toll on your psyche or otherwise overwhelmed you, please don’t hesitate to avail yourself of UB’s academic and mental health services to get the encouragement and assistance you need,” Tripathi said.

UB’s plans and health protocols for the spring semester build upon lessons learned and successes from the fall semester, with the hope that campus life will begin to return to normal next fall.

While COVID-19 remains a persistent threat locally and globally, UB leaders say the university is ready to continue providing transformative educational experiences and conducting groundbreaking research while ensuring the campus community remains safe.

The university’s plans, which are subject to change in response to new state guidelines, were developed by the 23-member Campus Planning Committee. The committee coordinated the work of several subcommittees comprising 137 members of the UB community, and included guidance from SUNY and state and local health officials.

• Students moving in this weekend
• Students to complete screening before return
• Enhanced on-campus testing
• Academics and reduced density
• Wellness and services
• Vaccinations

The new SUNY mandate (Jan. 25) requiring all eligible students who live on campus, or who will be on campus regularly, to be tested every week, starting Feb. 8, was communicated today in an email to all UB students.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees January 25 regarding the SUNY expectation that all employees who come to campus on some regular basis will be tested for COVID-19 each week. 

UB will utilize the current surveillance testing process through SUNY Upstate Medical Center that we have been administering since the fall semester.  Invitations to register for the weekly testing will be generated by the Daily Health Check data submitted.  It is expected that all who come to campus complete a Daily Health Check when they come to campus. Individuals who work remotely do not have to come in for surveillance testing.

The University at Buffalo will implement a policy in the spring semester, required by the State University of New York, calling for all SUNY institutions to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing for the entire on-campus population

SUNY’s updated policy on surveillance testing will require UB to test all students, faculty and staff who live on campus or plan to be on campus regularly during the spring semester. UB’s spring semester starts Feb. 1 and will follow a modified in-person format using a mix of in-person and online instruction.

The health and safety of UB’s students, faculty and staff remains the university’s highest priority. Weekly coronavirus testing — in addition to UB’s other science-based health and safety protocols — will help ensure a safe, productive spring semester for the entire UB community, university officials said.

UB’s additional health and safety measures include:

• A requirement that all students, faculty and staff complete the Daily Health Check for 14 days before their planned return to campus. The Daily Health Check tool screens for travel history, COVID-19 history and COVID-19 symptoms. Students who plan to be on campus must continue completing the Daily Health Check throughout the spring semester, while faculty and staff must also complete it, but only the days they will be on campus.
• A precautionary seven-day quarantine required of any students planning to live, work or take classes on campus, or use campus facilities such as libraries, dining halls and fitness or recreation facilities. Exemptions to this requirement have been made for health sciences students and students who live off campus but are employed and will be on campus to attend class or use campus services.
• Mandatory pre-semester COVID-19 testing for undergraduate, graduate and professional students who will be on campus during the spring. These students must get tested within three days prior to returning to campus, or no later than five days after arriving on campus, per SUNY guidelines.
• Mandatory mask wearing, whether indoors or outside, for all members of the UB community.
• Reduced population density each day in all classrooms, labs, dining halls and other facilities across UB’s campuses in order to maintain safe physical distancing throughout the semester. 

Additional information is available on UB’s COVID-19 planning and response website.

UB’s intention to resume regular in-person instruction in the fall 2021 semester were communicated today in a university-wide email from UB President Satish K. Tripathi and UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber.

University-wide planning will follow best public health practices to ensure the health and safety of our university community.  Tripathi and Weber stressed that the university needs to remain flexible and be prepared to adjust plans, as circumstances may change.

UB administrators provided an update on preparations for the upcoming spring semester in a memo to students today.

In addition, Student Life has revised the Student Guide in preparation for a return to campus this spring. The Student Guide is a resource to provide students and parents with the most up-to-date information, as it becomes available.

Understand your obligations regarding the Daily Health Check so you are properly prepared for a safer start to the spring semester.

PRE-SCREEN FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR RETURN TO CAMPUS

Beginning two weeks before your planned return to campus, all faculty and staff must complete the Daily Health Check every day to screen for COVID-19 symptoms, COVID-19 history and travel history, as mandated by SUNY.

REQUIREMENTS ONCE THE SEMESTER STARTS

At this time, faculty, staff and volunteer faculty and staff who work entirely remotely are not required to complete the Daily Health Check. However, all UB faculty and staff, whether required to do so or not, are strongly encouraged to complete the Daily Health Check on the days they are working throughout the holiday season out of concern for their personal health and the health of the entire community.

MAKE YOUR DAILY HEALTH CHECK MORE CONVENIENT

To assist you in meeting your obligation, the Daily Health Check offers text notifications for smartphone users. To sign up for text message alerts:

1. Open the Daily Health Check.
2. Enter your 10-digit mobile phone number when prompted.
3. Click the link in a follow-up text message to verify your phone number and finish enrollment.

Those without smartphones can also directly access the tool via the web by clicking “none” within the chatbot.

For more information about the Daily Health Check, including exemptions, data privacy and more, visit buffalo.edu/coronavirus/health-and-safety/health-check.

Please note: The university is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all users. If anyone experiences difficulties while using the Daily Health Check tool, please use the following form:www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/forms-catalog/hr/daily-health-check-formstack.html.

Know the rules for the Daily Health Check in advance of the spring semester so you can properly prepare for a safe start.

PRE-SCREEN FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR RETURN TO CAMPUS

Starting two weeks before your planned return to campus to live, work, take classes or utilize services, you must complete the Daily Health Check every day to screen for COVID-19 symptoms, COVID-19 history and travel history, as mandated by SUNY.

UNDERSTAND YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR SPRING

Once the spring semester starts, the following groups will be required to complete the Daily Health Check:

• On-campus residents.
• Students taking one or more classes with an on-campus component.
• Students working on campus.
• Students using on-campus services.
• All other students residing in Erie or Niagara counties.

Those students who are not required to complete the Daily Health Check are strongly encouraged to do so out of concern for their own health and the well-being of those around them.

BE PREPARED TO SHOW YOUR BADGE AS PROOF OF COMPLETION

Over the course of the spring semester, campus officials may ask students for proof of Daily Health Check completion. Therefore, students must be prepared to demonstrate that they have met their obligation for that day.

MAKE YOUR DAILY HEALTH CHECK MORE CONVENIENT

To assist you in meeting these obligations, the Daily Health Check offers notifications via text for smartphone users. To sign up for text message alerts:

1.      Open the Daily Health Check.

2.      Enter your 10-digit mobile phone number when prompted.

3.      Click the link in a follow-up text message to verify your phone number and finish enrollment.

Those without smartphones can also directly access the tool via the web by clicking “none” within the chatbot.

For more information about the Daily Health Check, including student conduct policies, exemptions, data privacy and more, visit buffalo.edu/coronavirus/health-and-safety/health-check.

Please note: The university is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards to ensure we provide equal access to all users. If anyone experiences difficulties while using the Daily Health Check tool, please use the following form:https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/student-guide/daily-health-check-students.html.

The purpose of this communication is to update UB students on important information about your UB Student Account and fee change for the spring 2021 semester.

Parking & Transportation Fee

A 15-percent reduction in the Parking and Transportation Fee has been applied for the spring 2021 semester.  This fee reduction is pending SUNY approval.  The Transportation Fee ensures that services are available without interruption or reduction for students who are currently on campus as well as for students who will return to campus in the future. Service levels consistent with the fall semester will continue in the spring. Students will see the fee reduction reflected in the HUB Student Center.

> Learn more about spring 2021 Tuition and Fees

Paying your Bill

• The eBill notifications for spring 2021 semester will be emailed to students January 4, 2021. 

As a reminder, UB now offers these options to make it easier for students and families to pay their bill:

• Cashless Payment: For the safety of students and staff, payments are no longer accepted in-person in 1Capen. Students are asked to pay online, through QuikPay (in your HUB Student Center). When paying online, payments are posted to the student account in real-time. The university does not charge a convenience fee for payments made with a credit card, debit card or eCheck. Checks and money orders can be mailed to:  University at Buffalo, P.O. Box 10068, Albany, NY  12201-5068.
• UB’s Payment Plan: UB enhanced its Payment Plan to include these new features.
  • Students may enroll to pay in 3, 4 or 5 installments.

PLEASE NOTE:  Jan. 14, 2021 is the last day to enroll in UB’s 5-installment Payment Plan for spring 2021. Enrollment deadlines for the 3- and 4-installment plans are available on the Payment Plan web page.

> Learn more about UB’s Payment Plan

• We know many of our students and UB families have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, and we’re here to support you. Please visit visit Financial Aid’s COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Expecting a Financial Aid Refund

• Get your refunds faster. Enroll in Direct Deposit.

Important Upcoming Dates

To Better Serve You

• In-Person Services: 1Capen has a modified in-person and remote services schedule. Appointments are required for in-person services and can be made on the 1Capen website.
• Student Accounts’ customer service email (formerly UBStudentAccounts@buffalo.edu) has been replaced with a user-friendly Contact Us form. Please submit questions to Student Accounts using this form.
• To better serve our students, in early February 2021 Student Accounts chat-bot will be available to respond to your questions 24/7.  Stay tuned for further details.
• We have streamlined our phone tree to make it easier for you to directly reach the individuals best able to assist you.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

• Tuition and Fees
• Student Accounts: Tuition, fees, billing, payment, refund schedule
• Academic Resources: Course delivery, registration, advising, academic support
• Financial Aid: HEERF, state and federal aid
• Student Guide: Essential information for students for the 2020/2021 academic year. 
• Dining rates:  Campus Dining and Shops meal plan rates for 2020/2021
• Housing rates: Campus Living’s housing rates for 2020/2021.
• Student Health Insurance: Health insurance coverage for students. 

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us:

UB Student Accounts
Contact us online
Phone: 716-645-1800

UB’s plans for the spring were announced on Dec. 17 in a university-wide email from President Satish K. Tripathi and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber.

In most cases, UB’s plans for the spring semester will mirror operations in the fall in that UB will follow a modified in-person format. That means courses will be delivered using a mix of in-person (and socially distanced) instruction, as well as online.

UB Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Graham Hammill and Interim Vice President for Student Life Christina Hernandez provided an update to students as the university gets ready to move to a fully remote schedule following Thanksgiving.

Their message provides helpful information on:

• course expectations
• academic information and support
• academic resources
• financial assistance
• campus dining
• Daily Health Check
• and more

UB has reached 100 on-campus positive COVID-19 cases. However, the university will continue with in-person instruction until the Thanksgiving break, which begins Nov. 25.

The university is continuing operations in order to complete its COVID-19 surveillance testing of on-campus students.

The decision was made in consultation with the Erie County and New York State health departments, as well as SUNY.

UB currently has 100 on-campus positive cases for the two-week period that runs from Nov. 7 to Nov. 20.

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday, Nov. 18, announced that Erie County is shifting to an ’orange’ zone cluster from yellow.

UB continues to follow New York State and SUNY guidance for higher education, and will offer in-person instruction until Nov. 24 as planned.

However, on-campus gatherings are now limited to 10 people. In addition, beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, in-person student clubs and activities will be suspended and campus dining and food service operations will offer takeout service only.

On November 17th, UB President Satish K. Tripathi provided an end-of-semester update to the university community.

The University at Buffalo is closely monitoring an increase in COVID-19 cases among the UB community, which mirrors the uptick seen across Erie County, where UB’s three campuses are located.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees November 10 regarding the testing of in-person faculty and staff:

The University at Buffalo is aware that the Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has designated parts of Western New York as a precautionary “yellow zone” area, and we are monitoring the situation very closely.

At this time, we are not expecting the yellow zone designation to have a major impact on UB operations because the university is already testing on average thousands of people per week through our random surveillance program and our mandatory pre-Thanksgiving testing of on-campus students.

In addition, the university’s health and safety guidelines currently address all of the applicable yellow zone restrictions being implemented in Western New York, with the exception that UB will now limit large gatherings to 25 people instead of 50 and will maintain a four-person-to-a-table maximum in dining areas, in accordance with the new guidance.

We will remain vigilant in our efforts to curb the spread of the virus through rigorous on-campus testing and by reinforcing the need for all students, faculty and staff to follow UB’s health guidelines at all times, including the required wearing of face coverings, indoors and outdoors, on our campuses and the need to maintain physical distancing.

The university will continue to work closely with state and county public health officials to monitor and respond to the current increase of coronavirus positivity rates in Western New York. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the university is our highest priority.

The University at Buffalo has been planning for the spring 2021 semester for several weeks and will be prepared to implement all aspects of SUNY’s reopening guidance for the spring semester, including:

• Starting the spring semester on Feb. 1, safely offering in-person, remote and hybrid instruction
• Requiring all students to be tested for the coronavirus prior to their return for the spring semester
• Requiring all returning students to complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine prior to their arrival on campus
• Cancellation of spring break
• Mandatory mask-wearing at all times as part of a set of comprehensive health and safety protocols
• A program of weekly randomized surveillance testing of students, faculty and staff during the spring semester
• Transparent and public reporting of positive cases at the university on a daily basis

In addition, UB will provide students with regular updates about UB’s plans for the spring semester, including providing information about the format of students’ individual courses prior to starting the spring semester.

“The health and safety of UB’s students, faculty and staff remains of the utmost importance as we conclude a successful fall semester and plan for a safe and productive spring semester,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi.

The university will release full details about the implementation of its plans for the spring semester prior to the end of the fall semester.

UB will begin pre-Thanksgiving break surveillance testing on Monday, Nov. 9.

Any student living on campus, taking one or more on-campus classes, utilizing on-campus services, or working on campus must complete testing within 10 days of departing for break and no later than Nov. 18.

This is a SUNY-wide mandate intended to prevent community spread of the coronavirus as many students leave campus and finish the semester remotely.

To ensure the process is as quick and convenient as possible, appointment-based testing is being made available on campus.

For dates, times and locations, and instructions on how to register, please visit UB's pre-Thanksgiving break testing webpage at: https://buffalo.edu/coronavirus/health-and-safety/testing/testing-students-before-thanksgiving-break.html.

Students also have the option of providing documentation of the result of a COVID-19 test completed off campus within a specified time frame.

This morning, a new SUNY policy was announced that requires testing of students across SUNY’s campuses, including UB, before the university concludes in-person instruction prior to the Thanksgiving break.  Per the SUNY policy, the following groups of undergraduate, graduate and professional students will be required to be tested by UB or other means during a 10-day period before November 25:

• Residential students
• Students who are taking at least one class on UB’s North, South or Downtown campuses
• Students who use on-campus services such as dining, libraries or fitness facilities
• Student employees who work on UB’s North, South or Downtown campuses

UB is in the process of developing detailed plans to implement this policy and will communicate additional information to students in early November following approval by SUNY.

More information may be found here.  

Barbara J. Ricotta, UB's Dean of Students, sent a message to all students regarding Halloween 2020.

UB has seen a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the fall semester. Officials attribute it to the university community’s cooperation with UB’s health and safety guidelines, and a surveillance testing program to detect asymptomatic cases before they spread on campus.

On October 12th, UB President Satish K. Tripathi provided a financial update to the university community.

UB faculty, staff and students can get their seasonal flu shot — a vaccination that public health officials say is more important than ever this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic — at influenza vaccination clinics being held now through mid-November on all three UB campuses.

As UB conducts surveillance testing for COVID-19, members of the campus community may be wondering what they can expect if they’re selected to take part.

The Division of Athletics has taken immediate steps in response to test results indicating that some student-athletes have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

On September 29th, Interim VP for Student Life Christina Hernandez sent an email to students on the uniform SUNY-wide sanctions for COVID-19 health and safety violations and non-compliance.

Dean of Students Barbara Ricotta provided Important information for off-campus students.

As part of UB’s comprehensive efforts to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the university has established a phone line for students who have tested positive for the virus. With this phone line, students can report their positive test and receive assistance as needed.

Reachable at 716-645-1400, the phone line extends support to all UB students, including those living off and on campus. The phone line is not a medical helpline. Phone line staff are trained to assure confidentiality.

“We understand that students will have many questions and concerns as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result,” says Christina Hernandez, interim vice president for student life. “Phone line staff will provide students with important information regarding health, housing and academic resources. As necessary, students will be referred to UB Health Services or their primary care provider for medical care.”

Faculty and staff who are contacted by students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should direct students to the phone line, where they can report their positive test and receive assistance as needed.

The phone line is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Callers will be asked to leave a message when calling outside of these hours.  

As UB continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health and safety of the university community remains paramount. 

UB President Satish K. Tripathi informed the campus community via email Tuesday night that 22 students living off-campus are in isolation after having tested positive for COVID-19.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases within the UB community, including employees, to 27.

The university has reached out to all students who tested positive to offer its support, and to monitor their recovery.

Only those students and employees who have fully recovered and received approval from the Erie County Department of Health may resume normal campus activities. Additionally, UB is working with the health department to help with contact tracing.

In the interest of transparency and awareness, UB is posting data about known positive cases of COVID-19 on UB’s COVID-19 Planning and Response website.

"Given the significant disruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused at universities across the country, let me take this opportunity to reiterate what I stressed on the first day of class: Each of us must adhere to UB’s health and safety protocols. To protect our health, and that of our friends, colleagues and neighbors, we must, without exception, follow the guidelines," Tripathi said.

As part of the next step in the university’s Health and Safety Guidelines, UB will soon begin random COVID-19 surveillance testing of students, faculty and staff using their saliva.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees August 19 regarding the daily health screening tool:

UB has launched an important new tool as part of its comprehensive Health and Safety Guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The Daily Health Check is a virtual screener based on the latest scientific research that uses advanced chatbot technology to detect potential cases of COVID-19 infection early and provide users with need-to-know information tailored to their situation.

Beginning this week, all UB faculty, staff and students are required to complete the Daily Health Check every day, whether or not they plan to visit campus, including on weekends and holidays. Additionally, visitors to campus who are otherwise not affiliated with UB will also be required to complete the virtual screener prior to their visit.

Every year, in the late weeks of summer, our university eagerly anticipates the start of a new academic year. As we prepare for this most unusual semester, we’re especially excited to welcome our students this fall. Our students have shown incredible resilience and grit, and this year, “UB pride” takes on a new meaning.

This semester will be different, but key aspects of the UB experience remain the same. Your health and safety are our highest priorities. You will receive a world-class educational experience, no matter your location. You will pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth and receive our full support as you take on new challenges. You will find an unwavering sense of community and commitment, built around shared daily experiences only possible at UB. Our faculty, staff and administration have been working hard to develop creative solutions that enable us to deliver on these commitments to you.

Remember, we are here for you! The UB community is strong, smart and determined. We will get through this time together, because together, we are UB.

So you can be as prepared as possible we have gathered some information and resources on:

• Health & safety measures
• Basic tips about the class schedule, living and eating on campus, available resource
• Your academic experience
• Our vibrant, global and diverse community
• Being a Bull: what to expect for life outside the classroom
• Maintaining your well-being
• Financial considerations
• Buffalo: Safely enjoying our city of good neighbors

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, we are mindful of the many sacrifices our students and their families make for a successful higher education experience. We realize that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our students and their families financially. UB’s leadership is focused on keeping the cost of a UB education as affordable as possible.

Below is a summary of SUNY’s current approved tuition and fees:

1. SUNY’s Board of Trustees is maintaining 2019-20 tuition rates for fall 2020. 
2. SUNY clarified its policy for Non-Resident Online Tuition eligibility for all SUNY institutions to specify that this rate applies only to academic programs that are “exclusively online.”
3. Overall, students will see a 2.03% increase in the Comprehensive Fee, including the addition of a new Career Services fee. Fees for a few select student services were increased.
   • The Athletics Fee will be reduced by $53.00 to $212.75 for the fall 2020 semester.  This is due in part to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) decision to pause the fall sports season as a result of COVID-19.
4. The Academic Excellence and Success fee (ACES) will remain at an annual rate of $525 for 2020-21.

For additional information about SUNY’s current tuition and fees, visit the UB Student Accounts web page. This pages also includes Frequently Asked Questions:

• Tuition and Fees
• Broad-based Fees
• Billing and Payment
• Student Accounts - General

Some clinical programs and programs that require practical in-person experiences are unable to fully comply with health and safety requirements related to COVID-19 because of the nature of the training or the experience, for example, in-person clinical experiences or community placements. These programs must develop plans to minimize potential exposure. For more information, including how to submit your plan for review, see Health and Safety Guidelines for Clinical and Practical Experiences

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

In the MAC statement, UB President Satish K. Tripathi, who also serves as chair of the MAC Council of Presidents, said "This decision is in the best interest of all Mid-American Conference student-athletes, athletics departments and university communities. The Council of Presidents has always maintained that the health, safety and well-being of everyone within our conference, especially our student-athletes, is our top priority."

"Personally, I feel for all of our student-athletes and staff who have been affected by this decision," said UB Athletics Director Mark Alnutt. "They have prepared very hard for their respective fall sport seasons, doing so by adhering to the very strict health and safety guidelines that we have in place. I'm so proud of how they represent UB and the Mid-American Conference."

UB’s plans for the fall have been amended based on final guidance from the Governor and SUNY Chancellor. The UB plan was created with the health and well-being of all members of the campus community as the foremost priority. “Through our comprehensive planning process, we are planning for every eventuality—from a distance education model to a residential, campus-based experience in a less dense and safe environment, to a potential full return to conventional campus operations.”

J. Brice Bible, UB's vice president and chief information officer, sent a message to all faculty, staff and TAs and GAs on August 4th regarding teaching resources available to support course planning and delivery.

In his message, Bible said that in preparation for the Fall semester, educational design and technology support staff from across UB have been working to develop several new resources and trainings to support them in their course planning and delivery.

Introducing UB Teach Anywhere

UB Teach Anywhere is a new website with curated resources for UB faculty to successfully design and deliver their courses. Use it to explore delivery methods (remote, hybrid, etc.) and find recommendations for technology, accessibility and inclusivity, test monitoring and academic integrity, and more. Learn more about this website.

Classroom upgrades: recording, livestreaming and conferencing

UB instructors can now invite virtual guests to in-person classes using Zoom or Webex in most UB classrooms. These classrooms also now feature the ability for faculty to record or livestream their lectures using the included Panopto software. Learn more about recent classroom upgrades.

Fall 2020 scheduled classroom open the week of August 3^rd. 

Training sessions on teaching technology

To help faculty take advantage of available resources, a series of training sessions are being offered during August 2020.

Student Life provided important updates on campus housing in a message to students.  

• Actions required for the Updated 2020-2021 Housing Agreement
• Important changes for the 2020-2021 school year are highlighted below:
  • Rates
  • Contract Dates
  • Refunds
  • Break Housing=
  • Guest Policies

The full message is available on the Campus Living website.

UB’s health guidelines and procedures for the fall were announced today in a university-wide email from UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber and Vice President for Health Sciences Michael E. Cain.

These guidelines will be implemented across the campus community and will allow UB to continue delivering excellent educational experiences and research programs while protecting the health and safety of the university community.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees July 15 regarding the Daily Health Verification Form.

"The Daily Health Verification Form has been updated on our website and is now available. As a reminder, in order to ensure the safety and public health of the UB campus and community, employees will be required to attest daily that they are free of COVID 19 symptom(s) before reporting to work on-campus," Codren said.

UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber provided academic and calendar updates in an email to the campus community.

Provost A. Scott Weber provided an update on the Screening, Testing and Contact Tracing Protocol Committee’s work to implement customized technology that will allow faculty, staff and students to engage in daily screening protocols.

Among its current tasks, the committee is conducting an inventory and assessment of UB’s classroom and potential classroom space pursuant to physical distancing guidelines.

The new class schedule, which will note which classes will be taught in-person, partially in-person or fully remote, will be posted online July 15.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees June 16 regarding planning employees' safe return to campus.

UB’s plans for the fall were announced today in a university-wide email from UB President Satish K. Tripathi and UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber.

The University at Buffalo is planning to return to campus this fall, offering educational and research programs under a “modified in-person” format. 

While final guidance will come from the Governor and SUNY Chancellor,  the university will offer a mix of in-person and online instruction, while protecting the health and safety of the campus community.

Tripathi and Weber stressed that this decision will preserve UB’s mission as a place-based, public research institution, while providing the needed flexibility to continue caring for the campus community and providing the best possible educational experience for UB students

Interim Vice President for Student Life Christina R. Hernandez provided information on fall semester preparations in a memo to students and parents.

"In light of the recent announcement by President Tripathi and Provost Weber communicating that we will return to campus in a modified, in-person capacity, I continue to be optimistic that we can create a vibrant campus experience this fall. Student Life is committed to providing the best possible resources to support students’ academic setting," Hernandez said.

Student Life has created a Student Guide in preparation for a return to campus this fall that will keep students and parents informed on the most up-to-date information, as it becomes available.

Now that Western New York has entered Phase 2 of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s reopening process amid the COVID-19 pandemic, UB is actively planning and preparing for a phased return of employees to campus. The emphasis will be on ensuring the health and well-being of everyone on campus.

This approach is in line with the “Ramp-up Plan for Research” that the university recently started to facilitate the reopening of labs and research work at UB.

Additional information on UB employees’ safe return to campus, including health guidelines, is available on a new webpage on the Administrative Services Gateway website. Updates will also be provided regularly on the university’s COVID-19 website, which is being transitioned to include information on UB’s fall planning efforts.

The overall goal for UB will be to have a low density of people on campus, with as many employees as possible working remotely on any given work day. Units will be permitted to have a maximum of 50% of employees working on site. Plans must also follow all guidelines provided by Environment, Health and Safety, and the Campus Planning Operations Committee.

UB’s plans for returning employees to campus will adhere to any guidelines set forth by the governor and SUNY.

The university anticipates that decisions related to the fall 2020 semester will be made and communicated to the campus community in mid- to late June, UB President Satish K. Tripathi said this morning in a memo to faculty, staff and students.

Tripathi added that UB envisions a phased return of employees to campus prior to the start of the 2020-2021 academic year. Further, he stated, "it is my hope that such a return will begin in the very near future, including resuming research that has been put on hold."

Tripathi stressed that all determinations about a phased return of employees and the fall 2020 semester will align with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive Orders — including Western New York’s progress pursuant to the state’s Phase 1-4 regional benchmarks.

The president's memo also notes that under Provost A. Scott Weber’s leadership, UB is developing numerous protocols to prepare for the fall. "This preparation includes a full array of measures to ensure the health and safety of every member of our campus community," Tripathi stated.

In light of the ongoing threat of the global pandemic of COVID-19, the university is cancelling UB-administered study abroad programs for Fall 2020.

The cancellation affects programs with start dates from August through November 2020 and is based on a careful assessment of current and future risks from the pandemic in countries where UB administers programs. The health and safety of students remains UB’s highest priority.

The threat of a recurrence of COVID-19 outbreaks this fall remains a serious concern. At this time, the U.S. Department of State continues to list a global health advisory (Level 4: Do Not Travel) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains its Warning Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel, and thus international travel remains heavily restricted.  Consulates serving our region remain closed, which impedes students’ ability to apply for visas to undertake their programs abroad.

This cancellation decision pertains to both conventional UB-administered credit-bearing programs and non-credit experiential learning trips, including those for service, clinical and internship experiences. Students who have applied for such programs and trips through the Office of International Education have been notified.

The university is currently evaluating several instructional scenarios for its home campus in Buffalo this fall, ranging from a full return to on-campus instruction, to continuing distance learning, to modified in-person instruction in a safe campus environment.

Questions may be directed to Mary Odrzywolski, Director of Study Abroad Programs, at maryodrz@buffalo.edu.  Should conditions allow, UB plans to resume study abroad programs in the winter session in January 2021.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent an email to all UB employees May 15 regarding the extension of New York State on Pause to May 28.

The governor's extension comes as five regions of upstate New York can begin reopening because they have met criteria laid out by the governor's office.

When there is a change in the governor’s directive, UB will provide a planned and phased approach for any changes in operations, services and the return of non-essential employees to the campus. Until then, non-essential employees must continue to work remotely, Coldren noted.

Any UB employees who have questions or concerns should contact Coldren at 716-645-8155 or mcoldren@buffalo.edu.

In a memo to all employees on May 7, Mark Coldren, associate vice president for human resources provided a reminder on the Governor’s extension of NYS on Pause.

"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," Coldren said.

"If there is a change in the governor’s directive, you will receive official notification from the university indicating a date when non-essential employees can return to the campus. Until then, non-essential employees must continue to work remotely."

"Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Again, I would like to express the gratitude of the entire UB community to all of our essential colleagues who continue to work on campus each day to maintain the operations of the university."

Student Accounts has worked with fee stewards across the university to determine credits due to students for the spring 2020 semester as a result of COVID-19. 

Students have received prorated credits for certain fees where services have been discontinued or curtailed due to the COVID-19 emergency. A calculated credit amount has been determined for each of these fees.

After credits are applied to the student’s account, a refund will be granted where applicable.

Students anticipating a refund are encouraged to enroll in direct deposit.

Funds should be available in student bank accounts within 2 business days from the time the direct deposit refund is initiated, depending on your financial institution. Direct deposit refunds will be processed the week of May 4, 2020.

For students without a direct deposit profile, refunds will be mailed by check to the student’s permanent address the week of May 11, 2020.

In order to advance UB's academic and research mission during COVID-19, the university will create a framework of university-wide committees that will develop plans for a variety of short- and long-term scenarios, UB Provost A. Scott Weber wrote in an email to the campus community.

The committees are composed of faculty, staff, students and senior administrators.

“In these challenging and uncertain times, campus wide engagement, planning and prudent stewardship of our resources are critical to ensure that we continue to advance our research, education and engagement mission and rise among the ranks of the top public research universities in the nation,” Weber wrote.

UB President Satish K. Tripathi provided an update to the campus commuminty today on planning efforts for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.

“Given the reverberations of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are intentionally preparing for the challenges that lie ahead — from questions about public health, university finances, enrollment, academic continuity, research, and our overall student experience,” Tripathi wrote.

Tripathi has tasked UB Provost A. Scott Weber with leading this comprehensive effort. Weber will provide further details to the campus community this week.

“We will be planning for every eventuality — from a distance education model to a residential, campus-based experience in a less dense and safe environment, to a potential full return to conventional campus operations,” Tripathi said.

The university’s planning efforts will take into account the following:

• ensuring the health and safety of UB students, faculty and staff
• maintaining UB’s reputation as a premier public research university and as a member of the AAU
• providing all students with a distinctive education that prepares them as global citizens in their respective fields
• continuing to pursue the university’s strategic goals
• ensuring that UB is on strong financial footing today and for the long term

At this time, there are two UB students and five staff and faculty members known to have tested positive for COVID-19 since the virus was first detected in Western New York in mid-March.

Three of these individuals have recovered, including the two students. The other four individuals are under quarantine in off-campus residences.

To protect their privacy, the university will not be releasing any other information about these individuals.

The figures do not include physicians who are members of the university community and have been working primarily in area hospitals providing care to patients during the pandemic.

Whenever there is a confirmed case that poses a risk of exposure to members of the university community, UB’s academic or administrative units will notify members of the university community who may be at risk.

In each of the seven positive cases, UB has worked closely with the Erie County Department of Health to take steps to reduce the risk of spread to others. This included contacting directly anyone identified as having had close contact with these individuals to provide guidance on additional precautions, and performing a deep cleaning of impacted areas at the university.

Steps taken by UB over the past four weeks to transition to distance learning and decrease the density of students and employees on its campuses are believed to have reduced the risk of exposure to coronavirus at the university.

We will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and take all appropriate precautions to safeguard the well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

All members of the university community are advised to self-monitor their health closely, follow guidelines recommended by the CDC and check the university’s COVID-19 Information website for updates.

Mark Coldren, UB's associate vice president for human resources, sent a memo to UB employees on April 23 regarding Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's "NYS on Pause" extension to May 15.

The text of Coldren's memo is as follows:

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.

As a reminder, non-essential employees are defined as anyone who does not need to be physically present to perform job functions, or who are not required to meet the core function and programs of their agency/institution during the state’s emergency response.

Essential employees continue to be defined as anyone whose job function is essential to the effective operation of their agency/institution, or who must be physically present to perform their job; and those involved in the COVID-19 emergency response, and individuals who are currently providing a vital service for students who returned to campus and who are enrolled via distance learning.  Once again, I would like to express the gratitude of the entire UB community to all of our essential colleagues for their efforts to maintain the operations of the University every day.

Please also note that state-funded student workers are still operating under the governor’s executive order, which provides direction on pay, working from home, and reporting to work only if deemed essential.  Supervisors of student employees should continue to submit timesheets for work up until May 15.  Federal Work Study students should also continue to be paid until the identified funding is depleted.  If any department has questions regarding FWS student funding, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Included with the governor’s May 15 extension is a host of tools for campuses to use, including but not limited to:

1. The ability to work remotely.

2. The ability to redeploy staff and provide alternate assignments.

3. Continuation of pay for full-time and part-time employees currently through May 15 for anyone not working or not assigned to work.

4. Continuation of pay for any employee quarantined up to 14 days.

In compliance with the State Executive Order for face coverings, UB’s Environment Health & Safety team is currently facilitating the distribution of masks for all essential employees. In anticipation of non-essential employees returning to UB campuses, we will need to prepare for resources and materials, per State guidance and mandates.

To be more efficient and effective in this transition, all Personal Protective Equipment and disinfectant materials will be sourced centrally for the entire University. This would include face coverings and disinfectant cleaning materials such as Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. Centralizing this process will enable consistent, compliance-based and cost effective purchasing to be accomplished.

Individual units should not initiate purchasing transactions for any of these items.  Acquisition, storage and distribution will be managed centrally. More information about this process will provided as plans are developed for the return of non-essential employees to campus. 

If you have questions about any of these matters, please contact me at mcoldren@buffalo.edu or 645-8155.

A staff member from the School of Dental Medicine has tested positive for COVID-19, Joseph J. Zambon, DDS, PhD, the school’s dean and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Periodontics and Endodontics, said in an email to members of the School of Dental Medicine community.

This individual is now under quarantine and is following the guidelines set by the Erie County Department of Health.

Based on the timing of when this individual was last in the school’s facilities, Zambon said there was limited exposure to others within the School of Dental Medicine.

Zambon said the school is working closely with the Erie County Department of Health to take steps to reduce the risk of spread to others, including contacting directly anyone identified as having had close contact with the individual who tested positive. The school is also deep cleaning impacted areas.

In a memo to all employees on April 13, Mark Coldren, associate vice president for human resources, provided an update to the recommended safety measures for essential personnel who are still working on UB’s campuses.

“In 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,” Coldren said.  “As was shared previously, we are working to have these materials to be distributed with area supervisors as soon as they are sourced and available.”

“We know that these are challenging and fluid times. Please know that everyone’s health and safety is our top priority.  Thank you for your continued support and cooperation to help us conserve higher levels of respiratory protection for medical professionals and first responders. This guideline is designed to be consistent with local, state, SUNY and federal guidelines so we can continue to protect the well-being of the entire campus community. Again, many thanks to all of our essential colleagues for all that they are doing for our campus community.