Student COVID Info Fall 2021 Housing
Information below is only for the Fall 2021 semester.
Will there be COVID rules, regulations, and restrictions in place for the 2021-2022 academic year?
At this time, students should assume that some restrictions may be in place. West Chester University is hopeful that with the mitigation orders being lifted, housing will be able to revise protocols for students living on campus this Fall. Students living on-campus will receive an email communication, if at any point, additional safety protocols are necessary based on CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.
Please read the full Addendum to Occupancy/Lease Agreement: On-Campus Housing COVID Rules and Regulations Fall 2021 .
What is the current guest policy for on-campus housing?
Effective Friday, August 20 at 4:00 p.m., West Chester University guest policy will be as follows: WCU Building Residents ONLY: No guest (parents, guarantors, non-students, off-campus students, or other students not assigned to the building) will be allowed to visit after move-in. Only students living in the same building are allowed to visit your suite, apartment, or room. Please know that we are continually evaluating COVID infection rates and will adjust the guest policy accordingly by emailing and posting in our Residence Halls and apartment communities.
What happens if I test positive for COVID while living on campus?
Students will be asked to promptly quarantine/isolate at their primary residence or at a local hotel location until West Chester University Health Services clears them to return to campus.
More information about testing and monitoring FAQ pages.
Will masks be required in WCU Managed and USH Managed residence halls and apartment buildings?
Regardless of vaccination status, all students are required to wear a mask in common
areas of the residence halls and apartment buildings where three (3) feet of social
distancing is not possible. Masks are not required inside an individual student’s
bedroom, suite, or apartment.
Will masks be required during move-in?
Although we are planning a socially distanced move-in process, students, parents, and their guests are required to wear a mask while inside the residence halls and apartment buildings during move-in.
What is the procedure if a roommate tests positive ? Or a suite mate? Will they need to quarantine?
Roommates/Suite mates will quarantine for 14 days if they have been in close contact within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period unless they have been fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated students who have been exposed by a single source (i.e roommate) will need to quarantine off campus for 14 days.
People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
What do students moving on campus need to provide prior to moving in?
Students moving on campus must provide one of the following:
- Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination, or
- Proof of negative COVID-19 results (PCR or antigen) from testing no earlier than 3 days prior to arrival on campus and no later than 3 days after move-in, or
- Proof of a previous positive PCR/antigen test in the past 90 days
Students who do not submit documentation above will be requested to complete campus COVID-19 testing.
How do students submit documentation requested?
Submit vaccination records by logging in to MyWCU and clicking on the “Submit Record of Vaccination” tile on their homepage.
Submit test results using the COVID-19 Information Form.
Will there be random screening testing throughout the semester?
Yes. The purpose of screening testing is to monitor cases and transmission. Residential students who have been fully vaccinated and provide documentation will be exempted from screening testing. Random screening testing will be conducted using a sampling strategy. Residential students who previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days will also be exempted from screening testing.
- Residential students selected for screening testing will be notified by email and provided instructions for testing and requesting a medical exemption if needed. Students are responsible for checking their WCU email daily.
- Residential students will not be charged for regular screening testing.
- Residential students who receive a positive test during screening testing may be: (1) referred for additional confirmatory testing (PCR) with Student Health Services or another provider, and (2) directed to isolate off-campus while awaiting confirmatory results. Students may be responsible for full/partial cost of the PCR test (based on student insurance plan coverage or availability of CARES Act funding for under/not insured).
Where do I find a COVID-19 vaccine near me?
If you are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, use vaccines.gov to find a location near you. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) resource Vaccines for COVID-19.
Is there anything happening on campus after I move in until the beginning of classes?
Yes! Welcome Week is packed with activities, fun events, and information to prep you for a successful . Check out RamConnect or your email for the schedule and how to register.