Onsite COVID Surveillance Testing to Start Next Week for Spring 2021

NOTE: Students are reminded that the Return-to-Campus COVID test requires a saliva sample. Therefore, it’s important to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, or chewing for at least 30 minutes prior to appointment time. However, make sure to stay well hydrated throughout the day, so an appropriate saliva sample can be provided at time of testing.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Health experts believe the environment relating to COVID-19 for the spring semester will generally be like it was in the fall, since it is unlikely that a vaccine will be available to the general population in large quantities until later in 2021. Therefore, all safety protocols and precautionary measures implemented in the fall semester will continue throughout the spring 2021 semester.

As part of our continuing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community, all faculty, staff and students who will be on campus this spring are required to undergo COVID-19 testing. Testing information regarding patients is regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines and will be kept confidential.

Also, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all testing sites will be accessible. Please call the Office of Accessibility Services at 304-788-7405 to make any necessary accommodations.

Who is required to test?

• Employees who are designated hybrid are required to be tested.
• Employees who are designated remote are not required to be tested.
• Adjunct faculty who will be on the Potomac State College campus this spring are required to be tested.
• Adjunct faculty who will not be on the Potomac State College campus this spring are not required to be tested.
• Students taking all online courses are not required to be tested.
• Students taking in-person courses are required to be tested.
• Students utilizing any on-campus resources such as the library or dining services are required to be tested.
• High School ACCESS students who will be taking classes off site and not on the Potomac State College campus are not required to be tested.

All testing will be done from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the J. Edward Kelley Complex Recreation Center at WVU Potomac State College (number 34 on the campus map). The testing schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Jan 11: Resident Assistants (RAs)
• Monday to Wednesday, Jan 11, 12, and 13: Faculty, Staff, and Commuter Students
• Thursday, Jan 14: Residence hall students with even room numbers
• Friday, Jan 15: Residence hall students with odd room numbers

Register for Testing

1. As part of the registration process, everyone will be required to consent to a COVID-19 testing program terms of services, HIPAA waiver, and complete an online pre-test questionnaire. For individuals under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to assist with completing this step.
2. Faculty, staff and students, both residential and commuters, must complete the registration process listed above and register for a preferred testing date/time via StarRez, WVU’s housing portal at myhousing.wvu.edu. View detailed instructions on the registration process.
3. Once in StarRez, click the login button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. (WVU login credentials and a WVUID number are required to register for testing. You can claim your account, reset your password, or find your WVUID number at login.wvu.edu.)
4. After registering, an email confirmation of testing date and time will be sent. It’s recommended to take a screenshot of the confirmation webpage for proof of registration.
5. Remember to add testing date and time to your calendar.
6. If a different appointment time is needed, use the original registration link and directions outlined in #2 and #3.
7. Any student who is unable to attend COVID-19 testing due to extenuating circumstances must seek an exception by sending an email to pscstudentexperience@mail.wvu.edu. If an exception is granted, PSC will accept test results dated after Monday, January 4 from other West Virginia State supported community testing sites in lieu of campus COVID-19 testing. Results from out-of-state testing centers will not be accepted. The process for submitting results will be provided when the exception is granted.
8. If faculty and staff have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from completing testing during the times available to them, contact Ashley Morgan, HR Partner, at ashley.morgan3@mail.wvu.edu for further guidance.
   Masks must be worn to appointments. Arrive on time to the designated testing location. Upon arrival, a PSC ID and/or the 800-student number or employee number must be provided. Please have either readily available.

Test results should be available within three-to-five days. Fully maintain physical distancing and avoid large gatherings as much as possible until test results are available.

• Students may leave their residence hall rooms but are required to wear a mask or face covering and stay physically distant as much as possible.
• Students will be able to eat in the dining halls but must wear a mask or face covering and physically distance while traveling to the dining hall and when they are not eating.
• Faculty and staff may leave their offices or workspaces but must wear a mask or face covering and stay physically distant as much as possible.
  Students, faculty, and staff are required to report if they test positive for COVID-19 (even those who test positive outside of WVU’s testing process) or are self-quarantining due to suspected or known exposure to COVID-19. Students should notify the PSC CARE Team and employees should notify WVU Medical Management.

For students, failure to take a COVID-19 test by Saturday, January 16, will result in a $250 fee being added to the student's account. The student also will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for follow-up.

Employees who fail to take a COVID-19 test by Saturday, January 16, will be subject to employee disciplinary actions until they take the test. These actions include, but are not limited to, being placed on administrative leave without pay and/or being placed on administrative leave while using the employee’s annual leave.

Weekly surveillance testing of 10% of the campus population will continue through the spring semester. Randomly selected faculty, staff and students will be notified by email of their need to complete testing.