Return-to-Campus Testing Information (Spring 2021)

Jan. 13, 2021

Dear SLU students and parents,

As we get closer to the start of the semester, I want to take the opportunity to remind you about our required return-to-campus COVID-19 testing for all residential students, and answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Also, I have included our faculty and staff on this email, so they too are aware of our return-to-campus testing plans. 

Students who live in on-campus housing must be tested before moving back into their residential prior to spring semester. We are offering testing from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in one-hour blocks every day from Jan. 22 through Jan. 27. Testing will take place at the Simon Recreation Center basketball courts.

We strongly encourage you to be tested for the COVID-19 infection prior to leaving your hometown, where you can remain with your family should you test positive. Please contact your local public health department to identify testing sites in your hometown. 

If you get tested within 72 hours of your arrival at Simon Rec and can provide proof of a negative result, you will not need to be tested again. I’ve included more information below about how that process will work.

For this return-to-campus testing, we are using the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test. Results will be available within 15 minutes. This is a simple nasal swab test provided to SLU by the state of Missouri. It is not as flinch-inducing for most people as a nasopharyngeal swab.

Students who live in on-campus housing should register for testing if you haven’t already. Students who test negative will receive a sticker to place on your student ID. ResLife staff will be looking for that sticker in order for you to move in.

Students who test positive will be able drive back home alone to spend 10 days of isolation in the comfort of their family. Or they will immediately be transported to on-campus isolation housing for that time period.

Here are some reminders and common questions that students have asked since our last testing communication:

• If you have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arriving on campus…
• You do not need to make an appointment. Just bring proof of your test result to the Simon Rec during testing hours and we will have a special table set up so we can approve you for move-in and give you your sticker. If you get tested but do not yet have your test result, you must schedule an appointment to be tested in Simon Rec Center.
• If your travel plans mean you will get to campus after 5 p.m. and not be able to test before moving in…
• ResLife staff will allow you to move in the night of your arrival and will note that you are required to register and get tested first thing the next day. You are required to stay in your residence hall or apartment until you get tested. Failure to comply with this could result in a referral to the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards.
• If you are already living on campus or plan to return before Jan. 22…
• You are still required to either have a negative test result within 72 hours of the start of move-in testing, or be tested in the Simon Rec.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days…
• You do not need to schedule an appointment for testing. Just come to Simon Rec during testing hours with proof of your past-positive test result and we will have a special table set up so we can provide you with a sticker for move-in.

• If you need a copy of your test results and you got tested at SLU…
• Did you test at the regular, asymptomatic testing at Simon Rec? Email pandemic@slu.edu to get your results. 
• Did you get tested at Student Health? Sign up for MyChart to view your results, or email shc@health.slu.edu.
• Did you get tested off-campus? Contact that testing site to receive proof of your results.
• If you are returning to campus after Jan. 27…
• Please contact Student Health (shc@health.slu.edu or 314-977-2323) and inform them of your anticipated return date and time. Student Health is working to understand testing needs so we can get you scheduled and tested before you move in.
• If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19... 
• You are still required to have a negative test result within 72 hours of moving in or to be tested in the Simon Rec.
• If you are a student who lives off campus…
• We haven’t forgotten you. We will open up optional, free testing for you soon.
• If you live on campus and choose not to register for COVID-19 move-in testing…
• Failure to comply with this will result in a referral to the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards.

I hope these points help you and your families make decisions about moving back to campus. We are excited to have you back. As always, please email pandemic@slu.edu if you have any additional questions.

Stay safe and healthy.

Terri Rebmann, Ph.D., RN, CIC, FAPIC
Special Assistant to the President
Director, Institute for Biosecurity
Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
College for Public Health & Social Justice