Forward Niagara

As we prepare for the summer and fall 2023 semesters, our Forward Niagara team continues to follow guidelines and protocols provided by the leading health agencies and elected officials in New York state. The team is also monitoring what is happening on campus and in the community so that we can respond quickly if the risk of transmission increases on the Niagara University campus.

We are continuing to focus on promoting healthy habits such as proper hand washing, masking, and social distancing as necessary, as well as the following protocols.  

Vaccines
Poof of vaccination is not required of students, faculty and staff, but it is strongly recommended that all members of our community keep their vaccinations up to date. Please note that some Niagara University external partners may require COVID-19 vaccination for entry into locations or participation in programs. This may include but is not limited to school districts, healthcare entities, and other state/federal facilities.

Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective. They teach our immune system to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. These vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Getting vaccinated is the best way to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Vaccine availability information can be found at Vaccines.gov.

• Employees who are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines do not need to quarantine, but should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after close contact and test on day 6 or as soon as symptoms arise.
• Employees who have received an exemption or are not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines are required to quarantine off campus for five days, and to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days when back on campus.
• Students are allowed to participate in essential university life as long as they are asymptomatic and wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure to COVID-19.
• Students may quarantine in their residence, including residence halls.
• Students may not eat in public spaces, but can get food from the Dining Commons or Gallagher to take back to their room.
• Students must test on the morning of day 6 or as soon as symptoms arise.
• Please see these charts for more detailed information.

• Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) are required to isolate for 5-10 days, depending on symptoms, with day 0 being the first day of symptoms or when the sample for the positive test was taken, whichever occurred first.
• Students who reside on campus in a residence hall and live within 175 miles of campus are required to isolate at their home residence. On-campus resident students who live outside of 175 miles from campus are required to relocate to a university-specific isolation residence floor during isolation. Meals will be delivered by Residence Life staff to students isolating on campus.
• Students in isolation may not participate in any form of university life, including attending in-person classes.
• Employees and students may end isolation when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their other symptoms have improved. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
• As with all absences from class, students are encouraged to work with professors in terms of the course requirements and expectations for attendance.

New York State Department of Health

Niagara University continues to follow guidance from leading health organizations, including the New York State Department of Health.

Niagara County Department of Health Vaccine Information

Use this site to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment (required) at a New York State-run vaccination site. Niagara County Department of Health