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. Following a shared set of behavioral expectations helps 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 March 5, 2022
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:
An example of a confrontation interaction might be:
If an interaction becomes disruptive or, in extreme cases, threatening, you may contact University Police (UPD) at 716-645-2222 and UPD will make a referral for student disciplinary action as appropriate.
Student Life
University at Buffalo
9 Norton Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6154; Fax: (716) 645-3376