Important COVID-19 Testing Information for Students

SU Students,

Surveillance, such as COVID-19 testing, is a critical element in monitoring public health and is one of the reasons we have been able to keep COVID-19 levels low on our campus. In an effort to increase surveillance efforts at a time when COVID-19-compliance fatigue and new variants are a concern, the University System of Maryland has asked us to increase our testing frequency through the use of rapid (Antigen) testing.

Consistent with this guidance from the USM and protocols developed by the University Health Team in consultation with local and state health officials, we will be increasing our testing efforts. Beginning the week of March 1, all SU students will need to take an SU-administered COVID-19 test at least once each week and receive a negative result to maintain access to in-person classes and campus buildings. Testing will be scheduled Mondays through Saturdays in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall. Signups are open online.

Because we will integrate rapid testing into the new protocols, those who test positive will be asked to return for a follow-up PCR test and consultation. A Campus Health nurse will provide additional instructions regarding off-campus isolation and quarantine, and following up with a primary care physician or other medical professional. Students who test positive will be required to work with their faculty on remote and virtual accommodations.

Once a student signs up for testing, that day and time will become the student’s assigned weekly day and time for the remainder of the semester. (Students who later need to change their day and/or time may request to do so at covidtesting@salisbury.edu.) Students should treat this regularly scheduled testing time the same way they treat an academic test.  Be on time and don’t miss! This will replace SU’s former 30-day testing requirement.

All students must receive their first SU-administered rapid test between March 1 and 6, regardless of their last testing date. Those who do not will lose access to campus buildings from noon Sunday, March 7, until their next scheduled or makeup test with a negative result. Residential students who do not comply with the weekly testing requirement at any time may face suspension from student housing until such time.

In addition, all students are asked to fill out a consent form to allow SU to collect testing and vaccine information. This information will allow us to monitor the level of vaccination among members of our campus community and to better plan for the upcoming year.  This information will be held confidentially in Campus Health and can be completed in GullNet.

Due to the large number of SU community members being tested each day, students should not arrive earlier than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Those arriving more than 15 minutes late will forfeit that week’s test. Makeup days will be scheduled every Wednesday for those missing tests on Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays, and every Saturday for those missing tests on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. To request a makeup test, please email covidtesting@salisbury.edu.

Students not planning to regularly be on campus every week for classes or to use ANY campus facility should email covidtesting@salisbury.edu to determine a plan for testing, and building and classroom access. SU employees taking classes virtually or in person also must test weekly as SU students to retain access to campus buildings and offices. This will supersede the SU employee testing plan.

The 30-day testing exemption granted for those who tested positive during SU’s monthly PCR testing mandate will end Sunday, February 28. Students who test positive for COVID-19 via the rapid test will be exempt from testing during their isolation or quarantine period, but must show up for their next regularly scheduled testing day and time after being cleared to leave isolation or quarantine and receive a negative result to retain building access.

For questions, please email covidtesting@salisbury.edu. For the most up-to-date information about the University’s coronavirus efforts, please continue to visit the SU COVID-19 webpage. Thank you for continuing to do your part to #ProtectTheFlock.

Office of Student Affairs