Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Orientation:
What can I expect at Orientation?
Orientation is a mandatory program for students to become acquainted to the college community. It provides workshops of different services offered by the college, academic advisement, interaction with faculty, staff, students and peers, and other valuable information.
Is Orientation really mandatory?
Yes. At Buffalo State College, all new matriculated transfer and first year students are required to attend orientation prior to the start of classes. Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on a student's account. All students are expected to remain for the duration of the program.
General Buffalo State Questions:
A map of the college can be found here.
What is your B#?
Your B# is your Banner ID Number that is given to you when you are admitted to the college. This number logs you into the Banner system to register for classes and serves as an identification number. If you do not know your Banner ID number you can look it up on the Banner ID Lookup Page.
Where do I get my ID/Bus Pass?
You can get your Buffalo State ID Card and your bus pass during Orientation in the Library or you can get it anytime from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and summer, intersession, and holiday hours vary. Your Buffalo State ID Card is very important and is used for taking out library books, campus meal plans, and printing in the library. Your NFTA Bus Pass is a free bus pass paid for through your mandatory student activity fee and can be picked up with your Buffalo State ID Card.
Do I have to have health insurance?
All full time students are required to have health insurance. Students registered for 12 credit hours or more, (undergraduate and graduate) are automatically enrolled into Buffalo State College's Health Insurance Plan and their Student Account charged for the health insurance premium for the Spring/summer plan. (For exact price click HERE) Students with their own private health insurance are required to complete an online waiver. (You will need to have your insurance card available to provide proof of insurance information on the waiver.) Completing the waiver removes the student from enrollment in the Buffalo State College Health Insurance Plan and eliminates the charges for the health insurance from their student account. You can waive the health insurance by going to the Weigel Health Center website.
In order to register for classes, all students must be in compliance with New York State law regarding immunizationsfor Measles, Mumps and Rubella and for Meningitis.
Official Immunization records for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) must be provided to the Health Center. This documentation can consist of a record from another school or the New Student Health Form completed and signed by a health care provider. If you have not already received the “New Student Health Form”, it is available here.
Proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella form (PDF, 7KB).
This form also contains the requirement for Meningitis. If you have completed Section II of this form, you have met the requirement for Meningitis.
If you have requested your immunization records to be forwarded to the health center from another school and have not received a Meningitis shot, you will want to complete the online Meningitis Information Response Form through the following link. Submit your meningitis immunization information. If you have completed the New Student Health Form, including Section II, you have met the requirement for Meningitis. If you prefer to complete the online version of the Meningitis Information Response Form, or you are not sure that it was previously completed, you may complete it through this link.
If you’re having difficulty locating your records, the Health Center can provide assistance for obtaining records and/or provide measles, mumps, and rubella immunizations at no charge.
You may return the completed New Student Health Form by fax to 716-87-6727.
If you would like to check if your immunizations have been accepted, you may call the Weigel Health Center at 716-878-6711 or email Weigel@buffalostate.edu.
What is the deadline for registering, adding and dropping my classes?
You can view deadlines for Spring 2009 by visiting the Registrar's Office website.
How do I find out who my roommate is?
You will receive a letter from the Residence Life Office prior to the beginning of the semester informing you of your roommate's name, address, and phone number. Click Here for Residence Life's Website.
Can a student have a car on campus if they are living in the residence halls?
Parking on campus is permitted for sophomore and higher standing students. First Year students are not permitted to have a car. For information concerning permit costs and parking locations, please contact Parking Services.
For more frequently asked Residence Life questions visit the Residence Life Webpage.
Buffalo State provides students with many different ways to stay safe on campus. We have NFTA circulators that transport students to Wegmans and Tops, an escort van service, walking escorts, as well as University Police patrolling campus 24 hours a day. We also have 37 Blue Light phones across campus that will notify University Police of location when activated. Upon activation, University Police will respond to the Blue Light immediately. For more information on safety and blue light phones visit the University Police website.
Where do I go to find out who my advisor is?
Assignment of students to advisors is different for every department. To find out who your advisor is contact your major department’s office and ask them about advisement. If you are a first year student who is undeclared or not accepted into a major yet (Pre-major), you can visit University College in South Wing to find out who your advisor is.
How do I find out how to get involved on campus?
Orientation is a great place to learn about getting involved on campus. Orientation will provide opportunities to get acquainted with campus departments, clubs and organizations. The United Students Government has over 65 clubs and organizations varying from academic clubs to social organizations. For more information on these clubs and organizations, visit the United Students Government website.
What is ANGEL?
ANGEL is a resource for faculty and staff to upload course information online for students to access for their classes. This includes course rosters, syllabi, and any forms, notes and assignments that the course may have. ANGEL is also used for online courses. Your ANGEL username is your Buffalo State username and password you choose for your login for Buffalo State. Initially, the password is the first six digits of your social security number. To find your username, visit the Banner ID Lookup Page.
What is Degree Navigator?
Degree Navigator is a course tracking system used for advising. This tool shows what courses have been taken and what requires it has fulfilled as well as what requirements still need to be fulfilled for graduation. Your Degree Navigator username is your Buffalo State username and your password is the first six digits of your social security number. To find your username, visit the Banner ID Lookup Page.
