The Equity and Campus Diversity Office and the Civic and Community Engagement Office are opening the application process for two faculty Social Justice Faculty Externship opportunities for summer 2022. This summer partnership initiative focuses on collaborative faculty-community partner connections that deepen understanding and build opportunities to expand and grow equity and justice in our community. The faculty member and community organization each receive financial benefit and funds for materials through a summer partnership focused on learning and sharing. Faculty participants will engage in learning opportunities with community organizations that provide leadership in addressing issues of social justice, and will work to extend their learning to students through curricular change. At the same time, the organizations will benefit through faculty time and attention to a project using the faculty member’s skills and experiences. Please review details and application materials, and contact me or Laura Hill Rao , director of civic and community engagement, with questions. The application deadline is Tuesday, February 15.

Buffalo State College has initiated multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect its strategic campus data assets. An industry best practice, MFA adds a layer of computer security by requiring users to provide information in addition to a username and password. This will make sharing information within the Office 365 (O365) environment more secure from outside threats.

Consistent with SUNY’s mandate that all campuses implement MFA, Buffalo State IT has initiated a soft rollout during which faculty and staff members can voluntarily enroll and have the service activated for their O365 accounts. Your account includes all applications and shared documents in the O365 environment (e.g., email, Microsoft Office files, calendar).

Please follow the instructions to set up multi-factor authentication for your account today. Full participation is required from every Buffalo State account holder—including administrators, faculty, staff, and students—by Thursday, May 19.

 The IT Knowledge Base contains a helpful FAQ about multi-factor authentication that elaborates on these fundamentals of MFA:

• Authentication: The process of proving that you are who you say you are
• Credentials: Your Buffalo State username and password, and any other unique identifiers 
• Multi-factor authentication: Providing two or more credentials to gain access to an account in a system (e.g., using credentials to access your account in the campus learning management system)

We will continue to share information about MFA in the Daily Bulletin. Questions may be addressed to vpfm@buffalostate.edu.

The Undergraduate Research Office (OUR) will celebrate Buffalo State College’s sesquicentennial by hosting the eighth annual multidisciplinary SUNY/CUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC), an all-day event with luncheon and keynote speaker that will take place on campus on Saturday, April 23. Student proposals for research poster sessions, oral presentations, and performances of creative work are cordially welcomed. Online abstract submission will remain open until Monday, March 14. OUR supports SURC registration fees for all accepted Buffalo State student presenters and their faculty mentors. Buffalo State’s 24th annual Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCC) will be incorporated into the SURC event. For further information, please visit the SURC conference website.

Governor Kathy Hochul and the State University of New York announced over the holiday break new guidance to help keep our campuses open, safe, and healthy for the spring 2022 semester.

On Wednesday, January 5, I shared with our students information about the continuation of SUNY’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all students regularly accessing campus facilities, as well as a new requirement that all students receive a COVID-19 booster shot within seven days of becoming eligible. My message to students can be found on the Coronavirus Information website.

Additionally, all students with an in-person presence will be required to participate in COVID-19 arrival testing for the spring semester. More information about arrival testing protocols and regular surveillance testing during the semester will be shared with students in the coming days. 

Surveillance testing of faculty and staff will continue on a weekly basis for those employees who are not yet vaccinated. Fully vaccinated employees who voluntarily provide confirmation of vaccination to Human Resource Management shall be tested less frequently during the spring semester on a sampling basis to monitor for breakthrough infections. Human Resources will share information with employees soon about planned testing intervals for vaccinated employees and protocols for the spring semester. Please monitor the Daily Bulletin for updates.

Also of note, we are aware of Governor Hochul’s announcement on December 31 regarding a vaccination requirement for SUNY faculty. The requirement will be initiated and negotiated by the state and not by SUNY. As a result, it is not included in SUNY’s spring guidance at this time. We will continue to monitor this requirement and work with the governor and SUNY on such implementation as it is further developed.

Governor Hochul also announced this week that campus-based COVID-19 testing sites will open around the state beginning Friday, January 7, including a test site at Buffalo State College. The Buffalo State College Community Testing Site will be operated by Quadrant Biosciences and provide free, appointment-based and walk-in COVID-19 testing for the general public. More information about the community testing site is available online. Please note, faculty and staff members who are required to participate in weekly surveillance testing during J-Term should continue to report for testing in Buckham Hall.

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, 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, including the highly transmissible Omicron variant. It is critically important that we adhere to these protocols for everyone’s safety.

Thank you for all that you do to support Buffalo State College.

Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff members are encouraged to review the college's emergency closings policy (PDF, 124 KB) and sign up for the Buff State Alert system to receive emergency notifications. If you have already signed up for Buff State Alert, please take a few moments to verify or update your contact information.

Because the weather in Western New York can vary greatly within just a few miles, there are times each winter when conditions on campus are favorable for classes to be held as scheduled, but some students, faculty, and staff members may experience difficulty traveling to campus. In those situations, students must communicate with their instructors, faculty with their students, and staff with their supervisors if they cannot travel to campus safely.

Students will not be penalized if they cannot attend face-to-face or hybrid classes in person because of severe weather but are responsible for making up any assignments, quizzes, or exams promptly, in consultation with faculty. Students are responsible for the prompt completion of any alternative assignments. If an absence situation between a student and instructor cannot be resolved, an appeal should proceed sequentially to the department chair, dean, and finally the provost. 

Faculty members who are unable to travel to campus are responsible for making alternative arrangements for their students. If a faculty member must cancel class(es), affected students should be notified via Blackboard and/or direct e-mail as soon as possible.

During inclement weather, essential-critical employees are expected to report to campus at scheduled times. Non-essential and essential-remote employees who may be able to conduct work from an alternate location must consult with their supervisors in advance on all such decisions.  Non-essential and essential-remote employees who do not report to work must communicate the absence to their supervisor and charge the absence to appropriate leave accruals, even when the college cancels classes and activities.

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

This weekly guidance will 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.

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. As our campus community has been evolving with the pandemic, beginning the week of Monday, January 17, 2022, faculty and staff members will no longer be required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire; instead, faculty and staff members will be 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 for isolation and quarantine. Read the new guidance online (PDF, 146 KB).

Weekly Surveillance Testing
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. 

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.

Masks
All members of our campus community are reminded that, regardless of vaccination status, proper face coverings are required to be worn in all indoor spaces unless individuals are actively eating or drinking. Face coverings 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.

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.

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.

All updates to guidance will be announced in the Daily Bulletin.

Faculty and staff members in the Academic Affairs Division are invited to join me for the Academic Affairs Spring Meeting on Tuesday, January 25, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams and can be accessed through the link below. I hope you can join me for this informative session. 
Join the meeting on your computer or mobile app.

Faculty and staff members in the Academic Affairs Division are invited to join me for the Academic Affairs Spring Meeting today, January 25, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams and can be accessed through the link below. I hope you can join me for this informative session.

Join the meeting on your computer or mobile app.

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.

Weekly Surveillance Testing
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. 

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.

Random surveillance testing will be conducted among all those with a regular physical presence on campus who have not received or reported a booster shot. More details will follow.

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. As our campus community has been evolving with the pandemic, beginning the week of Monday, January 17, faculty and staff members will no longer be required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Daily Screening Questionnaire; instead, faculty and staff members will be 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).

Masks
All members of our campus community are reminded that, regardless of vaccination status, proper face coverings are required to be worn in all indoor spaces unless individuals are actively eating or drinking. Face coverings 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.

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.

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.