FAQ

Yes, all incoming first-year and transfer students must complete orientation. Failure to attend will not remove the orientation fee from your first semester bill.

All new students must attend an orientation session. If the current available dates do not work for you, connect with our office as there may be 1 or 2 makeup dates available prior to the start of the semester.

Not completing New Student Orientation will place you at a disadvantage for the start of your academic career at Buffalo State. New Student Orientation is a great way to learn about the campus and make early social connections. Financially speaking, students are billed for orientation regardless if they attend or not. A hold may also be placed on your student account until this fee is paid. Holds prevent the ability to register for the following semester’s courses.

No, attending your athletic or EOP orientation session counts as orientation attendance. Every incoming student is only asked to attend one orientation session.

For your overnight stay, we recommend you pack light and only bring the necessities. If you eventually will be living on campus we recommend checking out the full "what to bring/what not to bring" list on the Residence Life home page.

Must Have Items:

• Pillow/pillowcases
• blanket, bedspread, mattress pad, sheets to fit a twin extra-long mattress
• Clothes (at least 2 outfits and some pjs)
• Towels and washcloths
• Lock Box (for medications you need to take while at orientation)
• Shower caddy & Shower shoes/Flip Flops
• Toiletries (soap, deodorant, hair products, comb/brush, headscarf/du-rag, lotion, hand sanitizer, cologne/perfume)
• Hair dryer
• First Aid kit
• Cleaning products (Clorox wipes, etc to sanitize the room if you prefer)
• Refillable water bottle
• Cell phone and charger, Laptop/Tablet and charger
• Umbrella
• Fan (large and/or clip)

If you are unsure whether specific items are allowed, contact Residence Life at (716) 878-3000 for clarification.

We get it, transitioning to college can be a confusing process, but it doesn't have to be. We have professional staff on campus who can support incoming first-year students and ensure that they have a successful collegiate transition. Please reach out to us at anytime for support in this transition!

If you are attending the Parent and Family Orientation the extra $100.00 fee per guest covers the meals that you are provided, as well as swag items and presentations that you will experience over the course of the two days. Housing and transportation is not included in this fee and is the responsibility of the guest to book on their own. 

Yes! Buffalo State University is located in the heart of the Elmwood Village with many options close by. Some include:

The Richardson Hotel: https://therichardsonhotelbuffalo.com/

Residence Inn by Marriott Buffalo Downtown: https://www.marriott.com/search/availabilityCalendar.mi?isRateCalendar=true&propertyCode=BUFRD&isSearch=true¤cy=&costTab=total#/0/ 

Candlewood Suites Buffalo-Amherst: https://www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/us/en/amherst/bufcw/hoteldetail

Courtyard Buffalo Airport: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bufap-courtyard-buffalo-airport/overview/

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Buffalo-Airport: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/cheektowaga/bufap/hoteldetail

For more recommendations, please search in google "hotels near Buffalo State University" or "hotels near the Buffalo/Niagara Airport"