Handbook of Student Policies

Buffalo State requires all students to receive and positively affirm the University's Student Code of Conduct. This section describes the procedures required to complete the affirmation process.

The Code defines student rights, freedoms, and responsibilities as a member of the Buffalo State campus community and identifies conduct that is not permitted. The intent of the Code is to provide students with a due process review of allegations that the Code has been violated and delineates sanctions when guilt has been determined.

Students must follow the procedures described in this policy for resolving academic grievances, including alleged violations of the University and/or course policies or unfair treatment in violation of established academic policy or practice.

All students are expected to display honesty and integrity in completing course requirements and  following academic regulations.  The Academic Misconduct Policy defines the procedures and processes  to be used when allegations of plagiarism, cheating, or other academic misconduct arise.

The University does not have a uniform attendance policy.  Individual faculty members define the attendance requirements for their courses.  This section describes the procedures for students to follow when they wish to provide faculty with notice of absence for legitimate reasons via the Faculty Notification Form.

This website details the guidelines and requirements students must follow when using campus e-mail.

Community members are reminded that images, postings, dialogues, and information about themselves or others posted on the internet (e.g. on social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) are public information.  This advisory contains guidance regarding the appropriate use of technology and possible consequences for wrongful use.

Buffalo State reserves the right to notify parents or guardians of students under the legal drinking age who have violated campus alcohol and other drug prevention policies.  This section describes the parental notification policy.

This section details procedures to follow when reporting a crime or serious incident to University Police by calling the main University Police number at (716) 878-6333.

Emergency closing information can be obtained at this site.

Visit this web site to learn about and sign up for NY-Alert, a service that sends emergency messages via text, voice, or e-mail.

These guidelines describe how the University carries out its responsibility to enforce New York State laws regarding sale, use and distribution of alcohol on campus. 

Information about campus safety and security is available from the office of University Police, including tips for keeping safe on campus and in the community.

The office of University Police is mandated to protect all members of the campus community by preventing and prosecuting bias or hate crimes that occur within the University’s jurisdiction. This section describes procedures to follow if you are the victim of or witness to alleged hate or bias-related crimes.

The Campus Safety Forum is the University’s advisory committee on campus security and reviews current security policies and procedures and makes recommendations for their improvement, especially with regard to preventing and responding to sexual assault.

The unlawful use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances and alcohol on university property or at a University-sponsored activity is prohibited. Information about this policy, the health risks of using alcohol and other drugs and where to get help can be obtained at this website.

This section describes how to obtain information from the annual report of campus crime statistics, as provided to the U.S. Department of Education, through the office of University Police.

University Police and the College Community Relations Advisory Council work with area law enforcement to help provide a safe environment for students, both on- and off-campus.

This section details procedures to follow when reporting a crime or serious incident to University Police by calling the main University Police number at 
716-878-6333.

This website provides students with information about the Federal trafficking penalties applicable to persons found guilty of various drug offenses.

The office of University Police is responsible for the investigation of any violent felony occurring at or on the grounds of the University and for the investigation of any missing student.  Information about the plan for conducting such investigations is available at this website.

This policy outlines the rules for the maintenance of public order (including prohibited conduct), freedom of speech, assembly, picketing and demonstration on campus, along with penalties for violation of the rules.

Buffalo State is committed to the need for proper treatment of all members of the university community. This section describes the University’s discrimination and harassment policy and the procedures to be followed for its implementation.

It is the policy of Buffalo State that no otherwise qualified person with a disability shall, solely by reason of the disability, be excluded from participation in employment or access to programs of the university.  This section describes the policy and identifies resources available to support and assist persons with disabilities.

Under New York State Education Law, no person shall be expelled from, refused admission to, or denied registration for or the right to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days because of his/her religious beliefs. The complete religious observance policy is available in this document.

Recognition is the process by which the University agrees that a social fraternity or sorority may function on campus, enroll members, and identify with the University. This section defines the policies and procedures to be adhered to by all Greek organizations on campus.

Hazing is illegal in New York State and the university strictly enforces the State's anti-hazing law. The law is described here, along with examples of behavior that constitutes hazing activity.

All students must be in compliance with New York State law regarding immunizations.  Tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines; and Tuberculosis tests (PPD) are provided at no charge at the center.  Students must be in compliance to register for classes.

It is the policy of Buffalo State that all buildings and grounds, including indoor and outdoor areas that comprise the Elmwood Ave. campus, and any off-campus affiliated facilities and geographic locations, are to be tobacco-free.

This policy defines student information that may be disclosed by the University for any purpose, at the University's discretion.  This includes student address and telephone information that is displayed in the on-line student directory.  Further information is provided describing how to withhold information from being disclosed in the on-line directory.

Buffalo State University hereby designates the following categories of student information as public or directory information. Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion. 

1. Name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, dates of attendance, part-time/full-time status class, academic advisor.
2. Most recent previous institution attended, major field of study, awards, honors (includes dean's list), degree(s) conferred (including dates).
3. Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight of athletes), date and place of birth, photographs.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the Registrar's Office, Moot Hall 210, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY  14222-1095. Non-disclosure of information will commence thereafter and be effective for the following year. Written notification to withhold disclosure must be made each year. 

SUNY Buffalo State assumes the failure, on the part of any student, to specifically request the withholding of categories of directory information indicates the individual approval for disclosure.  

This website contains the policies and procedures governing residential life at Buffalo State.  Each residential student and visitor to the residence halls is expected to have knowledge of and abide by the information contained in these policies.

Sexual assault can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone, male or female. This web site describes the University’s commitment to prosecuting allegations of sexual assault through the student judicial process, defines the legal provisions of New York State law related to crimes of sexual assault and provides guidance on what to do if you are sexually assaulted.

Sexual harassment is an affront to human dignity and will not be tolerated at Buffalo State University.  This website describes the policy and procedure to be followed in responding to allegations of sexual harassment involving students, faculty, and staff.

Buffalo State will take affirmative action to protect persons from judgments related to sexual orientation. This website describes the University’s policy and assistance available to persons who allege discrimination based on sexual orientation.

This website describes the University's policy and procedure with regard to relationships that arise between students and faculty or staff members where one party is in a position of power and authority and appears to abuse that position.

In response to State of New York Executive Order 136 and the SUNY Board of Trustees Resolution on voter registration, Buffalo State University has implemented the following voter registration procedure:

 •   Voter registration forms are available on an ongoing basis at the Campbell Student Union Information Desk and Residence Hall Offices.  Voter registration
      forms will be distributed during all class registrations.

•   Additional information regarding voter registration may be obtained through the Voter Registration Coordinator, Student Leadership and Engagement, 
    CAMB 400, 878-4631.

To ensure the educational integrity of co-curricular activities on campus, the University has established registration procedures for student organizations. Student Organizations include clubs, organizations, fraternities, sororities, and honorary societies. The Student Leadership and Engagement Office is responsible for oversight of the registration process for student organizations and all student organizations must complete the registration process in order to be recognized as an approved student organization.

Recognition procedures are not the same as registration procedures. Recognition procedures of certain organizations are outlined by the appropriate support department and/or student government. Any student organization seeking recognition by the appropriate support department and/or student government must first receive registration approval by the Student Leadership and Engagement Office. The Student Leadership and Engagement Office is responsible for this oversight.

Students are prohibited from affiliating with any purported student organization or group that is not currently registered with the University or has had its University registration withdrawn. For purposes of this policy, affiliation includes but is not limited to joining; recruitment/rushing; engaging in new member initiation/intake/pledging; accepting an offer of membership; residing in facilities that are owned, rented, or controlled by the group; or being involved in any activity that would normally be associated with being a member of the group.

Student organizations found responsible for violating University policy may lose their registration at the discretion of the President or designee of the University. Students found responsible for violating this policy are subject to conduct referral to the University's Judicial System, which may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal. Organizations in violation are subject to denial of future registration requests.