Environmental Health and Safety

A pandemic or epidemic event involves the widespread outbreak of an infectious disease and has the potential to disrupt global social and economic relations, school and business operations as well as travel. Examples of a pandemic/epidemic include, but are not limited to, Covid-19, influenza, Monkeypox, measles, and meningitis. These viruses spread easily from person-to-person, may cause serious illness or death, and can sweep across the entire country or round the world in a very short time. No one can predict when the next pandemic/endemic will occur.

Buffalo State will implement health measures recommended by the county or state public health departments or by the Governor of New York State.

Buffalo State has supplies (i.e. gloves, masks, N95 respirators, hand sanitizer, name badges, etc.) to be issued to essential personnel to effectively perform various duties.

• Buffalo State currently uses appropriate cleaning products that are said to kill various infectious disease viruses.
• Any Buffalo State staff required to clean or disinfect a room, equipment, etc. will wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

Buffalo State has designated buildings to house any on-campus students who are required to quarantine due to contracting an infectious disease virus.

• Buildings will be locked down and cooled/heated to the minimum per the EMS.  Essential personnel will respond to problems and walk the buildings looking and listening for issues.

The decision to close the campus is made by the Governor of New York state. The decision to cancel classes is made by the Buffalo State President (or designee).

• When efficient human-to-human transmission of the pandemic virus reaches North America, Buffalo State University will make an early decision to cancel classes and activities for a period of up to twelve (12) weeks.  Within 72 hours of making the decision to cancel classes, the University will implement the plan as follows:
  -Commuter students will be directed to evacuate campus at the close of current business cycle.
  -Events will be canceled effective close of current business cycle.
  -Resident students will be directed to evacuate campus within 72 hours.
   
• Marketing & Communications will provide closing information to media outlets – campus-wide email, Buff State Alert – within 72 hours, all offices must prepare to be closed for a 12 week period.  Turn off the lights, close windows, take home plants, empty and unplug refrigerators, change voicemail messages, get IP address of computer for remote access capabilities. Log out of your computer but leave it on. A phone number will be published and activated to handle questions.

View the SUNY pandemic response plan (PDF)