University Announces New Testing Standards, Fall Semester Plans
Chancellor Robert Jones submits his COVID-19 test on July 2 at a campus testing facility. “It’s really kind of gratifying because it’s absolutely key in our effort to try to return to face-to-face instruction,” he said.
August 3, 2020
The University released a Massmail with more information regarding student and faculty safety early Monday morning. The University will require on-campus testing for all faculty, staff and students who have a need to be on campus at any time.
All students, faculty and staff who participate in any on-campus activities are required to test twice a week for COVID-19. Moreover, students, faculty and staff visiting the campus only occasionally will still be required to go to a testing center, get tested and have test results dated no more than four days prior to entering any university facility.
The University also will require all students, faculty and staff to complete COVID-19 online training by Aug. 24. Face coverings will be required in all university facilities, including outdoor campus spaces where social distancing is not possible.
All students will also be required to provide their residential address for the fall semester through Self-Service in order to ensure that all individuals on or near campus are included in the mandatory COVID-19 testing program. The University will provide more information on this in the days to come.
Furthermore, Friday, Nov. 20 will be the last day of in-person instruction for the fall semester. After that date, all classes and final exams will be conducted through alternative delivery methods.
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The University has also created an app for students, faculty and staff that will display an individual building’s entry status. The app is not available as of yet, but everyone will be expected to utilize the app.
There will also be a COVID Wellness Team that will include student Wellness Ambassadors, a COVID Wellness Answer Center to answer questions and Wellness Support Associates who will verify that the University’s safety measures have been followed at the entrances of buildings and classrooms. The team will begin working on Aug. 24.
