The Daily Bulletin

As we are preparing for the spring semester amid evolving guidance related to the pandemic, we will provide you with current guidelines related to health and safety campus protocols. 

This weekly guidance will continue to be posted in the Daily Bulletin until February 8, after which time we will refer you to the college’s Coronavirus Information website for current information.

Spring Surveillance Testing Requirements for Employees
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.

Vaccinated employees with a physical presence on campus who have not yet reported or received their booster shot must test once per month for the duration of the spring 2022 semester, or until they receive their booster and provide proof to Human Resource Management. Additional information about monthly testing protocol for these employees will be forthcoming.

Self-testing kits are available for pickup at the University Police “Safe Trade Zone,” Chase Hall 126. You may also pick up test kits at the COVID-19 Testing Center in Buckham Hall's D Wing gym during normal testing hours. Employees who are required to test weekly or monthly may choose to test via a self-testing kit or during normal testing hours in Buckham Hall.

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. 

Masks
All members of our campus community 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. High-quality face masks remain one of the best protections we have against the spread of illness, and it is critically important that we adhere to these protocols for everyone’s safety.

When choosing a mask, consider how well it fits, how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has. Make sure your mask completely covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask. Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets from getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick. High-quality, tight-fitting, high-filtration masks can be requested through Environmental Health and Safety, (716) 878-4038.

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).

Looking Ahead
As we prepare for the return of our students and the start of the spring semester on January 31, 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.

Please continue to monitor the college's Coronavirus Information website for up-to-date information. Please email hrcovidresponse@buffalostate.edu with COVID-related questions.