Health Notices

Resident Testing and Screening Requirements – Spring 2021

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, all students who intend to live in University Managed housing and USH Managed Housing must sign and comply with the Rules and Regulations contained in the Addendum to Occupancy/Lease Agreement: On-Campus Housing COVID Rules and Regulations .  The Addendum includes requirements for testing and symptom screening.  WeCU Here students signed up for the weekend experience will follow the pre-arrival and entry testing requirements below only.

All residential students are required to test for COVID-19 and submit results before arrival on campus (pre-arrival COVID-19 testing).  In addition, all residential students will be administered a rapid test within 48 hours of arrival on campus (entry screening testing).

Resident Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Testing Requirements

1. All residential students are required to test for COVID-19 and submit results before arrival on campus.
2. The purpose of pre-arrival testing is to prevent possible COVID-19 cases from entering the residential community.
3. Residential students must be tested for COVID-19 using a PCR test. After being tested, students should limit social interactions outside their household and take precautions to reduce the risk for future exposures until move-in.
4. Students residing in Pennsylvania should be tested within ten days of their scheduled move-in date. 
5. Students residing outside of Pennsylvania, including international students, should be tested within 72 hours before entering Pennsylvania.
6. Students who do not submit test results will not be permitted to move into campus housing. 
7. Students who submit positive test results will not move into campus housing until they are cleared by their medical provider, health department, or Student Health Services. 

1. Students must submit their test results using the Resident Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Form at least 24 hours before their scheduled move-in date and time. 
2. If a student has not received and reported their test results before their check-in time slot, they will be required to wait until they have the results to schedule an alternative check-in time slot.  

1. Students with a previous positive PCR in the past 90 days before move-in may submit their previous test results using the Resident Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Formfor review and exemption.
2. Students must submit the previous test results within the timeline of at least 24 hours before their scheduled move-in date and time.
3. Students who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 may submit a copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card using the Resident Pre-Arrival COVID-19 Formfor review and exemption by Student Health Services.

For pre-arrival COVID-19 testing, students may be tested by their primary care provider, local health department, or by visiting retail locations offering COVID-19 PCR Testing.

For entry screening testing, a rapid test clinic will be available March 19 – 21 from 9 am - 5 pm at Brandywine Hall, Room 004, located on the North Campus. Pre-registration is required.

Students with questions about COVID-19 and testing should contact Student Health Services at healthctr@wcupa.edu. Student Health Services is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4 pm.

  Yes.  In addition to pre-arrival COVID-19 testing, entry screening testing is required.

• The purpose of entry screening is to facilitate the early identification of cases by testing students during move-in.
• A rapid test clinic will be available March 19 – 20 from 9 am - 5 pm at Brandywine Hall, Room 004, located on the North Campus. 
• All residential students checking in will be required to test at the designated rapid testing clinic before move-in.
• Residential students will not be charged for the rapid test. 
• You must pre-register for the testing clinic 

• Skip the schedule and appointment section.
• Do NOT provide your social security number.
• Use your university address, not your home address. (Room and Hall Name, West Chester, PA 19383)
• When you reach the “How will you be covering your visit?” section, select the “Self-Pay.” 
• When asked “Reason for Testing,” answer “No.”
• As the final step in the “Upload Documents” section, submit a picture of your WCU ID (if available). 
• Click here to pre-register for the testing clinic.

1. Resident students who receive a positive test during entry screening will be referred for additional confirmatory testing (PCR) with Student Health Services or another provider, and
2. directed to isolate while awaiting confirmatory results. Students may be responsible for the full/partial cost of the PCR test (based on student insurance plan coverage or availability of CARES Act funding for under/uninsured). 

Yes, residential students will be required to test regularly (surveillance testing).

• Testing our resident population is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the purpose of surveillance testing is to monitor cases and transmission.
• Because COVID guidance and testing procedures are subject to change, details about the exact process of surveillance testing will be communicated to students directly after moving in. 
• Residential students will not be charged for regular screening testing.

The purpose of symptom screening is to help residential students decide when to seek testing or medical care and provide guidance on when to quarantine/isolate, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. A symptom screening tool is available and administered online for residential students through the Student Health Services (SHS) portal.

Residential students must complete the symptom screening tool daily

Students who are not cleared will be directed by the symptom screening tool to contact Student Health Services for guidance and care. A step-by-step guide to accessing the Wellness Check – Daily Symptom Screening tool is available for assistance.