The Daily Bulletin

The following announcement was sent to all students on August 24, 2021:

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, August 23, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) mandate that all students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is now in effect. Buffalo State College strongly supports and will enforce this mandate as we collectively work to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus community.

Effective immediately, all students who are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must adhere to the following deadlines:

(1) Students receiving a vaccine that requires only one dose (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) must receive the vaccine no later than Monday, August 30.

(2) Students receiving a vaccine that requires two doses (Pfizer or Moderna) must receive the first vaccine dose no later than Monday, August 30, and receive the second vaccine dose no later than Monday, September 27.

Students can find a nearby COVID-19 vaccination location by visiting www.suny.edu/knowyourvax. (Please note: residential students and student-athletes are required to adhere to previously communicated vaccination deadlines.)

The Weigel Health Center will track students’ vaccination status automatically through the New York State Immunization Information System and will have their vaccination information on file. Students will not need to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations unless they receive communication from the Weigel Health Center stating that their vaccination information cannot be located.

Any student who fails to complete a vaccine regimen by Monday, September 27, will be automatically removed from all in-person courses by the Registrar’s Office and assigned a grade of W for these courses. Students are financially liable for all courses unless they have officially dropped or withdrawn from course(s) by the published deadlines. The deadline to drop or withdraw from a course without financial penalty is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 7. This policy also applies to students who are withdrawn from courses due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students are responsible for reviewing and understanding applicable policies and financial aid implications related to the receipt of W grades. Students who receive the vaccine after being withdrawn from in-person classes this fall will have the opportunity to re-enroll in in-person classes in spring 2022.

Students seeking an exemption due to medical reasons or religious beliefs should do so immediately or no later than Monday, August 30. Exemption request forms are available on the Weigel Health Center website. Questions about the limited exemption process may be emailed to weigel@buffalostate.edu.

Questions about the vaccine mandate may be directed to the Student Affairs Office by email at studentaffairs@buffalostate.edu or by phone at (716) 878-4704.

Thank you for doing your part to keep the Buffalo State College community healthy and safe.

Resources:
SUNY Board of Trustees Resolution Authorizing Mandate (PDF, 200 KB)
SUNY COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Buffalo State College Coronavirus Information Website