Students are expected to comply with COVID-19 public health behavior expectations on campus.
The University at Buffalo is a community, like your hometown, and as a community all members will need to adhere to public health guidance as it relates to the prevention of the spread of COVID 19 infections. If we all work together, we can build and sustain a culture that takes our health, public health and the safety of others seriously. As we return to our campuses in larger numbers in the midst of a pandemic, we must all follow a shared set of behavioral expectations to reduce risk. As part of the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and UB’s plan for a safe return to campus, health and safety guidelines were implemented across the university.
UB student requirements include:
To prevent and respond to non-compliant behavior, University officials should inform students of this public health policy during regular messaging regarding public space and classroom requirements. In particular, faculty or other instructional staff should clarify these public health standards as requirements of class, either in the syllabus, or by referencing the requirements cited in this policy or other relevant policies. Public spaces include but are not limited to: all common areas, lounges, meeting rooms, offices, classrooms, libraries and UB busses/shuttles.
The university recognizes that faculty members, building managers and other university officials are responsible for effective management of the public space and classroom environment to promote conditions that will enhance student learning and promote community health. Fortunately, student non-compliance in public spaces and classrooms is rare and seldom leads to disciplinary actions. For this policy, the term “public health compliance” means “behavior that has widely been adopted by the University and in New York State public settings for prevention of COVID 19 infection spread,” including the expectations listed above.
Occasional mistakes and inadvertent non-compliance may happen from time to time. However, pursuant to UB’s Student Code of Conduct, when students refuse to comply with a reasonable request of a University official in campus public space, classroom or at other university functions, or when the health or safety of members of the campus community is endangered, the administration has approved the following:
Updated February 2021
Effective 10/1/20, SUNY-wide standards for violations of COVID-19 safety protocols strengthen sanctions for reckless behavior and non-compliance. Students found in violation now face immediate academic and housing suspension, as well as possible dismissal, and student organizations in non-compliance face a permanent campus ban as a result of:
View additional details and the full policy.
There might be an occasion where it is appropriate for you to confront someone who is not following the Student Compliance Policy for COVID-19 Public Health Behavior Expectations. On such occasions, remember the following:
Some examples of confrontation interactions include:
If an interaction becomes disruptive or threatening, contact University Police at (716) 645-2222.
Students who do not comply with the Student Compliance Policy for COVID-19 Public Health Behavior Expectations may be referred to Health Promotion to complete a Healthy Campus Public Health Class. The class is an educational, non-disciplinary intervention.
The Healthy Campus Public Health Class is coordinated by Health Promotion. Referred students will meet once virtually. Examples of when a referral to the class may be appropriate include:
When referring a student to the Healthy Campus Public Health Class, faculty and staff might say:
Faculty and staff may refer a student to the Healthy Campus Public Health Class with an online referral form:
If you are referred to complete the Healthy Campus Public Health Class, it is a reasonable request and you are expected to comply. As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, failure to comply with a reasonable request may result in student conduct action.
Student Life
University at Buffalo
114 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2837; Fax: (716) 645-6234
Student Life
University at Buffalo
9 Norton Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6154; Fax: (716) 645-3376
Frequently asked student questions and answers relating to the Daily Health check process.
All recognized events must follow university guidelines for health and safety. Some events may also be subject to guidelines from Student Life and / or other units. Please review the guidelines for reserving space and assembling on campus for more details.
To keep the UB community safe and strong, we must commit to protecting ourselves and others. Together, we are UB.