The Daily Bulletin

All members of our campus community are reminded that we must continue our commitment to work together in protecting the campus community while protecting ourselves and maintaining a safe in-person semester.

This will be the last weekly guidance message published in the Daily Bulletin this semester. Please continue to monitor the college's Coronavirus Information website for up-to-date information. Please email hrcovidresponse@buffalostate.edu with COVID-related questions.

Campus Mask Mandate Remains in Effect at Buffalo State
Although the indoor mask requirement has been lifted for private businesses across New York State, the indoor mask requirement at Buffalo State College remains in effect until further notice. 

All members of our campus community, including visitors, are reminded that, regardless of vaccination status, close-fitting face masks are required to be worn in all indoor spaces on campus. The only exceptions to the indoor mask mandate are when faculty or staff members are alone in their personal offices, when students are inside their private residence hall rooms, or when someone is actively eating or drinking in a campus dining area.

Face Mask Distribution
Environmental Health and Safety has distributed a surgical face mask and a KN95 mask for each staff member on campus. Additional masks can be requested by email.

Mask Handling and Storage
Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask, and do not touch the mask when wearing it. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after removing it.

The CDC recommends that users store used KN95 masks in a breathable container during their shift if worn for extended use. The container must be well marked (to prevent accidental use) and stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for temperature and moisture.

Self-Testing Kits
Employees who do not wish to disclose their vaccination status or who are not fully vaccinated must continue to participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance pool testing.

Beginning this week, self-testing kits will be delivered to departmental offices for pickup. Self-testing procedures are available on the COVID-19 website. 

As a reminder, self-testing kits must be dropped off the same day you take the test.

Designated drop-off locations and hours:

Chase Hall: Safe Trade Zone (UPD) - 24 hours

Buckham D Wing Testing Site:                 

Mondays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Tuesdays 6:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Thursdays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–6:00 p.m.

Fridays 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Employees who have completed a full vaccination series, received their booster shot, and provided proof of their vaccination and booster to Human Resource Management are exempt from surveillance testing this semester.

COVID-19 Events and Visitor Information
All events taking place at Buffalo State operate under the current guidelines and restrictions in place for the college, SUNY, Erie County, and New York State as recommended by the CDC and must be registered through the Events Management Office.

Consistent with current guidance, face masks are required at all indoor events regardless of vaccination status.

Vaccines and Boosters
We strongly encourage employees to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination and boosters to the Human Resource Management Office. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, having employees’ voluntary vaccination information is key to our efforts. You can upload your information or call Human Resources at (716) 878-3042 to schedule an appointment to provide your documentation in person.

COVID-19 vaccine and booster appointments are available through New York State’s vaccine website.

Wellness Resources
Buffalo State’s EAP website is a link to many useful resources pertaining to COVID-19 concerns and general wellness.

Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we continue to be agile and flexible in following all appropriate protocols set forth by the state, SUNY, and CDC. 

While there is still much to learn about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, we will continue to evolve from where we were in spring 2020. Vaccines and boosters as well as the wearing of masks have helped in our efforts by providing us with tools that were not available two years ago. We have done a remarkable job of adhering to the guidelines, and we should be proud of our commitment and efforts.

At the start of the pandemic, all employees were asked to complete a Daily Health Screening of their personal health status. This tool has helped individuals understand the symptoms related to COVID-19 as well as the importance of monitoring their own health daily. Faculty and staff members are no longer required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire; instead, faculty and staff members are reminded via email to continue to monitor their personal health status and to report any symptomatic or positive case to their supervisors and Human Resource Management. The health and safety of our campus community remains our number one priority. 

Reporting Positive Cases and Monitoring Health
Any employee who receives a positive COVID-19 test result should report it to his or her supervisor and to Human Resource Management at hrcovidresponse@buffalostate.edu. 

Erie County is currently following updated guidance (January 4, 2022) from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) for isolation and quarantine. Read the new guidance online (PDF, 146 KB).