COVID-19 Update: Spring Semester Move-in Testing Information

Dec. 22, 2020 

Dear SLU community,

As I have shared in previous communications, we are planning to offer COVID-19 testing prior to the start of the spring semester. 

We have decided to use the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid test. This test –– which is offered to SLU courtesy of the state of Missouri –– is a nasal swab that delivers results within 15 minutes. 

We will offer pre-spring semester testing for our on-campus residents every day from Friday, Jan. 22 until Jan. 27. Testing will be offered in one-hour blocks between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. It will take place in the Simon Recreation Center basketball courts.

Students who live in on-campus housing are required to get tested before moving back in after winter break. So please, make a plan for your move-in/arrival time based on your testing appointment. We expect to have plenty of availability to accommodate students’ needs each day. Housing and Residence Life staff will be looking for you to show proof that you have completed testing in order for you to get into your building.

It is highly recommended that you consider getting tested prior to coming to campus. If you test positive, that allows you to isolate in the comfort of your home, rather than being moved into on-campus isolation housing. If you get tested within 72 hours of coming to campus and test negative, you do not need to test on campus. Just come to the Simon Rec Center during testing hours with written proof of your test results.

We hope to offer asymptomatic testing as an option to students who live off campus at a later date. Stay tuned for what this might look like as we work to first accommodate all of the required on-campus move-in testing.

In the event the holiday spirit has you otherwise consumed, I want to offer you the rest of the testing update as efficiently as possible. The following information is for students who live on campus:

• We are offering 1-hour time slots. Students can come any time during the hour in which they have registered.
• Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 during the 90 days prior to returning to campus do not have to get tested. To gain access to your on-campus residences, you must come to the Simon Rec Center during testing hours with written proof of your positive test and you will be cleared to move in.
• This testing is only for students who are asymptomatic. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should stay home and call Student Health at 314-977-2323.
• If your program or class starts before Jan. 28, we are working with your school/college or department to discuss testing options. Keep an eye out for more information.
• Students who have lived in their on-campus residences over the Winter Break still need to be tested during the testing window. This will allow our campus community to feel confident that we have done our best to assure that residence halls are free from COVID-19. Note: In these cases, students who do not get tested are out of compliance with the Campus Commitment and with our Community Standards.
• If you are moving in on Thursday, Jan. 28 or later, please contact Student Health to discuss and schedule testing.

A brief note about vaccines

While I am sure all of us are thrilled to see local health care providers receive the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, I want to remind you that we are still weeks or months from having information about what vaccination will look like for the non-clinical SLU community. 

We recently launched a COVID-19 vaccine webpage with some FAQs that the University will update when there is more information to share.

Stay safe and healthy.

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