Amherst, NY (WBEN) - The University at Buffalo updated rules Friday upon returning to classes come fall. Students who are vaccinated will get a closer to normal campus experience.
The University says students who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer need to wear masks or stay physically distanced while in the classroom. However, students and employees who are not vaccinated are responsible for wearing a mask in all indoor and outdoor locations on UB's campuses, with the exception of when in their personal residence hall rooms, personal workstations or while eating in university dining areas. Physical distancing will not be required in classroom settings, but unvaccinated individuals must wear masks.
"With the virus at an all-time low in Western New York and New York State, and with the high rates of vaccination in our campus community, UB will be fully in person in the fall," says President Satish K. Tripathi. "We are excited to welcome back to campus our students and our faculty and staff who have been working from home," Tripathi says. "And, as we return to a much more normal campus experience, the health and safety of our university community continues to be our highest priority, and we remain ready to adjust our plans accordingly."
Masks are required for all passengers on UB buses, in keeping with guidance from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Masks are also required within certain campus health care settings (e.g. Student Health Services, the UB Dental Clinic). Vaccinated students and employees may choose to wear a mask in all settings for their own comfort or personal medical reasons.
The University says it is requiring its students to be vaccinated for Covid to attend classes in person in the fall, though the requirement is pending final approval from SUNY and is also still subject to full approval of the vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration. Students may qualify for an exemption due to medical reasons or religious beliefs, or if they are learning fully remote.
Even with the requirement, all students and employees will be asked to continue to submit a daily health screening.
Though the University says students will need to be vaccinated, they also give rules for unvaccinated students, saying they will need to provide proof they tested negative for Covid within five days prior to arriving on campus for the semester. That must be followed up by another Covid test on their day of arrival on campus. In lieu of a negative test, unvaccinated students can attest to UB that they quarantined at least 10 days prior to or upon arrival to campus.
UB football games and other fall sports competitions will be held at full capacity in front of fans.
