Together, we are UB:

2022-2023 Academic Year Health and Safety Guidelines

Protecting the university community

Updated 2/24/2023

The University at Buffalo is continuing to offer a full schedule of in-person classes and a vibrant campus experience. To protect the health of the UB community, the university has implemented a comprehensive set of health and safety guidelines.

UB’s guidelines are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health and SUNY. All members of the UB community are urged to familiarize themselves with UB’s guidelines and to stay informed of any changes. 

As always, the health and safety of the UB community remains paramount. The university may adjust its health guidelines, as needed, based on new scientific evidence and the course of the pandemic.

Guidelines at a glance Complete guidelines Health Guidelines Committee

Complete guidelines

Health and Safety Guideline Index

Vaccinations

Face coverings and physical distancing

Masking, distancing guidelines

Masks are optional on UB’s 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. 
  • Clinical health care settings: Masks are required in clinical health care settings on campus, such as Student Health Services, dental school facilities and testing sites.
  • Buses and Shuttles: Individuals will be asked to put on a mask while aboard UB shuttles to the Student Health Services center at 4350 Maple Road, near Sweet Home Road. Masks are not required on other buses and shuttles.
  • 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, including those who are:

  • Unvaccinated 
  • Immunocompromised
  • Living with someone at higher risk

Please be kind and respectful toward others in our UB community.

Faculty and academic support staff, see Guidance for faculty and academic support staff.

Mandatory COVID-19 testing

  • Surveillance testing requirement
    • UB will not require return-to-campus testing.
    • Students who need to miss class due to COVID-19 illness, isolation or quarantine are responsible for contacting their instructors and making arrangements to make up missed work.

Quarantines and isolation

Isolation and quarantine guidelines during the semester

If you have been exposed to the virus, you should immediately follow the CDC's precautions.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must follow the CDC’s guidance for isolation.

Students

  • Non-residential (off-campus) students are advised to quarantine or isolate at their residence. The university will assist any off-campus student who has difficulty obtaining food and care.
  • Students who need to miss class due to COVID-19 illness, isolation or quarantine are responsible for contacting their instructors and making arrangements to make up missed work.

EMPLOYEES

  • Employees are advised to quarantine or isolate at their residence and report it to their supervisor and to UB’s Office of Human Resources. HR will provide additional guidance.

On-campus housing

On-campus housing requirements

  • All students and advisers living in residence halls and university-owned-and-operated apartments are required to be in compliance with the vaccination policy before moving in to their assigned residence. 
  • Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 must notify Residential Life staff at 716-645-2173 and follow directives regarding isolation and quarantine. 

Restrictions for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings

Vaccination policy for campus events

Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is not  required to attend events at UB.

Spectators do not need to show a vaccination card upon entering sporting events at UB Stadium or Alumni Arena, or to attend cultural events at the Center for the Arts and Slee Hall.

Summer camps

For Participants

  • Non-UB students: Non-UB students in summer camps are required to follow current UB masking guidelines and follow the current vaccination / testing guidelines of their local school districts or colleges as authorized by NYS local health departments. Home schooled students and those attending private schools would follow the rules for the school district in which they reside.
  • UB students: UB students in summer camps are required to follow current UB masking and vaccination / testing gudelines.

For Summer Camp Directors

  • Vaccinations:
    • Non-UB students: Summer camp directors are not collecting vaccination related information for these students.
    • UB students: Registered UB students have already uploaded COVID-19 vaccine documentation to their medical record via Health Services' patient portal in order to enroll  summer camps.
  • Masking: COVID related precautionary measures (i.e., any masking requirements, distancing, etc.) will be based on current guidelines in place at the time of the camp and are subject to change.

Visiting campus

Guidelines for visitors

Masks are optional on UB’s 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. 
  • Clinical health care settings: Masks are required in clinical health care settings on campus, such as Student Health Services, dental school facilities and testing sites.
  • Buses and Shuttles: Individuals will be asked to put on a mask while aboard UB shuttles to the Student Health Services center at 4350 Maple Road, near Sweet Home Road. Masks are not required on other buses and shuttles.
  • 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, including those who are:

  • Unvaccinated 
  • Immunocompromised
  • Living with someone at higher risk

Please be kind and respectful toward others in our UB community.

Faculty and academic support staff, see Guidance for faculty and academic support staff.

Reporting positive cases, monitoring health

If you have been exposed to the virus, you should immediately follow the CDC's precautions.

Students who test positive

Any student who receives a positive COVID-19 test result should isolate. Residential Students who test positive must notify the Residential Life Quarantine Coordinator at 716-645-9330 or campuslivingquarantine@buffalo.edu and follow directives regarding isolation and quarantine

If students need to miss class due to illness, isolation or quarantine, they must notify their instructor as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after missing class. Residential students may request assistance from Campus Living to provide faculty notifications.

Employees who test positive

Any employee who receives a positive COVID-19 test result should isolate and report it to their supervisor and to UB’s Office of Human Resources. HR will provide additional guidance.

UB Human Resources
716-645-7777
ub-hr@buffalo.edu

Notifications of Positive Cases

  • The spread of infection is expected to be low on campus due to vaccine requirements. However, positive COVID-19 cases on campus are anticipated.
  • Notifications will not necessarily be sent out for each reported case.
Monitor Your Health

All students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, should closely monitor their health, stay home if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested immediately.

Clinical placements

  • Students enrolled in clinical rotations or other placements off campus are advised to check with the clinical partner agency regarding its health and safety requirements.
  • Site partners have the discretion to waive COVID-19 vaccination requirements for students who are participating remotely in their rotations, but such students are not guaranteed an exemption.
  • All students, including graduate and professional students, who will have a regular physical presence on a UB campus must comply with all UB COVID-19 health and safety regulations, including vaccination requirements.

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