Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Area colleges are preparing to welcome back students to campuses this week and next. And, as they do, the COVID-related restrictions in place during the pandemic have gone away and college leaders hope it will bring more of a return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
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Brian Haggerty says the University at Buffalo is welcoming back a larger number of students living on campus, with some 7,000 living on both the North and South campuses. He says it's almost back to pre-pandemic conditions.
"We're not requiring vaccines for students, unless they're in a health related major, no longer requiring masks for faculty staff, or our visitors, either indoor or outdoor events," said Haggerty, who notes a number of events are scheduled on campus this fall.
Haggerty notes folks are a little more conscious about the sniffles, or when they're under the weather.
"If folks are exposed to the virus, testing positive, where we're asking them to follow the CDC precautions," Haggerty added.
Things are the same at Niagara University heading into the 2023-24 school year, says Chris Sheffield.
"Compared to previous years time, we're seeing a higher than expected level of student interest and engagement. It's getting back to a very traditional college experience," said Sheffield.
Sheffield says getting back to a greater sense of normalcy in this post-pandemic era is really creating a positive climate of enthusiasm and engagement among students on campus.
In addition, Sheffield notes many of the restrictions that were in place during the COVID pandemic have been removed at Niagara University.
"We certainly still have protocols in place to be able to help support students if they do have COVID," said Sheffield, as the campus prepares to treat COVID as a seasonal illness we all live with.
For those who do come down with COVID, alternate spaces will be available.
"In many cases, students who are local would would travel back home and complete their isolation at home. But we continue to work with our faculties so that there's no interruption or limited interruption to their academic progress," Sheffield explained.
At Buffalo State University, Tim Gordon says it's shaping up to be a very strong year.
"We certainly are seeing and expecting more residential students than we have in quite a few years," said Gordon.
Gordon says the university does not have any of the requirements in place, in terms of any vaccination requirements.
"We do continue to provide support to students through our health center if they find themselves feeling ill, or just need to talk to someone about the health," Gordon noted.
Gordon adds the flexibility of technology remains from the pandemic.
"There have certainly been some ways that we continue to engage them with some different technologies in those pieces. But for the most part, we are focused on having our students have a great in-person on-campus experience," Gordon said.
Classes begin next week.