Preparing to take your Online/Hybrid Course at Buffalo State

Student Guide to Online: The following items are designed to contribute to a successful semester within your online/hybrid course.

Welcome to Buffalo State University! You have enrolled in a class that is online or hybrid. Please complete the following items designed to contribute to a successful semester. Best Wishes on your online educational journey! 

Instructional Modality

• Review the definitions of the instructional modalities to understand the type of course for which you are registered. Some courses based on instructional modality may require the following:
  • a microphone and camera.
  • set day/time to meet online via MS Teams
  • set day/time on campus to meet

Campus Technology

• Welcome to Buffalo State 
• Review Technology Guide 
• Activate your network account 
• Contact IT Help Desk Support Desk for assistance 
  • 716-878-4357  
  • IT Portal

Brightspace (Learning Management System (LMS) & SUNY Digitial Learning Environment)

Once you have successfully activated your Buffalo State Network account and multi-factor authentication, you will be able to access your online course in Brightspace. The recommended browser to use for Brightspace is Google Chrome.

• Read Brightspace Overview
• View Student Brightspace Orientation (Overview Video: 4:19) 
• Log into Brightspace (mylearning.buffalostate.edu) 
• Complete the Student Training Module within the My Courses Widget 
• Check the BUC Mail Widget on the Homepage to verify email
• Contact SUNY Online Help Desk for assistance 
  • 1-844-673-6786 
  •  SUNY Online Help Desk Portal

Support Resources

• Obtain course textbooks and materials. 
• Obtain your Bengal ID Card 
• Access E. H. Butler Library: Over a half million e-books, and over 90 thousand online journals you can access remotely using your network ID. 
• Student Accessibility Services: Students are invited to make their needs known to the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Office by completing the Initial Accommodation Request form. 
• Fee Waivers: Students enrolled exclusively in courses that are 100% online and who reside outside of Erie
  and Niagara counties may be eligible for a waiver of the broad-based fee

Online Readiness

Before you start your online course, check out these resources to set you up for success.

• Are you ready? Orientation to Online Learning