COVID-19 Testing Protocols

All students must provide verification of negative COVID-19 test results to the University prior to accessing campus property, including residence halls and University-owned houses, beginning January 4, 2021. The date of the test must be within seven days prior to campus access. A PCR or Rapid Antigen test is acceptable.  Verification of test results should come from a healthcare provider or from a certified laboratory. 

Student Services in conjunction with Student Health Services and Athletic Training with guidance from Washington Health System will coordinate the on-campus testing and verification process for students.

In addition to testing, it is important that all students also quarantine for at least seven days prior to returning to campus to reduce the chance of exposure after the test is administered and follow all other health and safety protocols in this plan.  Students will be required to complete and submit the WU COVID-19 Screening Machform 24-48 hours prior to their return to campus, as well. Students who report symptoms of COVID-19 or who have had close contact with a confirmed positive case should not travel to campus. 

Off-Campus Testing

To be able to attend classes in person and avoid the need to quarantine on campus, students should be tested PRIOR to returning to campus. Students may be tested off campus at Med Express, Urgent Care, CVS, Walgreens, or through their health care provider.  If a student tests positive prior to returning to campus, the student will not be permitted to access campus and should follow the CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation. In addition to reporting to Health Services, the student should also submit the WU COVID Screening Machform, so that adjustments can be made for remote learning through the Pathways Center. Please note that not all healthcare and testing providers will provide testing for asymptomatic individuals, so making arrangements to be tested will require planning in advance of your travel.  

Out-of-State Students

In November 2020, the PA Dept. of Health issued new Travel Recommendations in attempt to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus with people traveling to and from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  These recommendations include a 14-day quarantine period or proof of a negative COVID-19 test with 72 hours of entry into Pennsylvania. 

Out-of-state students should follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s travel guidelines, which reduces the window for acceptable testing to 72 hours PRIOR TO entry into the Commonwealth. The University will attempt to accommodate out-of-state students with individual travel needs and by providing testing upon return to campus, if necessary.  Out-of-state students who commute to campus are exempted from this travel recommendation. 

Reporting

Students should provide verification of negative or positive test results to Student Health Services via email at StudentHealthServices@waynesburg.edu with subject line “COVID VERIFICATION.”  Verification should be a document provided by a healthcare provider or from a certified laboratory. Students who test positive at any time during the holiday break should notify Student Health Services at StudentHealthServices@waynesburg.edu.

On-Campus Testing

If a student is unable to be tested before returning to campus, the student must notify Student Services at studentservices@waynesburg.edu or 724-852-3206.  The University will conduct on-campus testing for students to accommodate only those students unable to be tested off campus. This will be the Rapid Antigen test and results are returned usually in 15-20 minutes.  A follow-up PCR test verification may be necessary depending on test results.  Students will not be permitted to access campus until a negative test is verified. 

If a student tests positive upon return to campus, the student will be required to quarantine on campus in accordance with CDC guidelines and the Keep Waynesburg Well Plan (7-10 days) or the student may opt to return home. 

Student Services will schedule and communicate testing days, times, and locations to students through email.  The University will make reasonable efforts to offer same-day testing for students who need immediate access to campus, but cannot guarantee availability, so students should plan ahead to avoid conflicts with class or work obligations.

All personnel must provide verification of negative COVID-19 test results to the University prior to accessing campus property beginning January 4, 2021.  The date of the test must be within zero to seven days prior to campus access. A PCR or Rapid Antigen test is acceptable.  Verification of test results should come from a healthcare provider or from a certified laboratory. The Human Resources Office with guidance from Washington Health System will coordinate the on-campus testing and verification process for employees.

Three options are available to employees for testing:   

1. Off-Campus Testing: Employees may be tested off campus at Med Express, Urgent Care, CVS, Walgreens, or through their health care provider and provide verification of negative or positive test results to Tom Helmick, Director of Human Resources via email at thelmick@waynesburg.edu with subject line “COVID VERIFICATION.” Employees should keep receipts related to their out of pocket expense (co-pay, etc.) related to their COVID testing. The University may reimburse the employee for the COVID test. To initiate a reimbursement request, employee must send their name, mailing address and receipt to Lisa Patterson, Business Office (lpatters@waynesburg.edu) for reimbursement check processing. Reimbursement checks will be mailed to the employee address provided, or on file, within 14 days of receipt of reimbursement request. 
2. Self-test Kit: If unable to be tested off campus, employees may request an EverlyWell COVID Self-test kit for their home use and provide verification of negative or positive test results to Tom Helmick, Director of Human Resources via email at thelmick@waynesburg.edu with subject line “COVID VERIFICATION.”   This is a nasal swab PCR self-test, which must be immediately shipped to the EverlyWell lab (provided with instructions in the kit).  A UPS dropbox is located in the Greene Plaza in Waynesburg, PA, but not available for pickup on weekends.  Results are returned in 2 to 4 days generally, so the employee must request the test kit at least one week in advance to allow for processing prior to access to campus. No reimbursement is authorized for this testing option.   
3. On-Campus Testing: The University will conduct testing for employees on campus to accommodate employees unable to be tested externally or unable to use the self-test kit.  This will be the Rapid Antigen test and results are returned usually in 15-20 minutes.  A follow-up PCR test verification may be necessary depending on test results.  The Human Resources will schedule and communicate testing days, times, and locations to employees through email.  The University will make reasonable efforts to offer same-day testing for employees who need immediate access to campus, but cannot guarantee availability, so employees should plan ahead to avoid conflicts with work obligations. There is no cost to the employee for this test and verification of negative or positive results will be reported to Tom Helmick, Director of Human Resources.