SDSU COvid-19 Surveillance Testing Plan
San Diego State University has launched an initiative to test all students living on campus and also, as announced on Sept. 29, 2020, all students taking in-person classes. COVID-19 testing is offered through Student Health Services, and also through county-sponsored sites, including one located at SDSU's Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
The testing plan is an expansion to COVID-19 testing that has been available since Aug. 11, and will allow SDSU to monitor and address, in real-time, transmission trends and the prevalence rate of COVID-19.
The plan will also generate more precise information and will allow the university, in partnership with public health officials, to make timely decisions on additional resources needs, intervention and response. These efforts are part of the university’s ongoing, multi-tiered approach to both monitor and mitigate COVID-19 within the campus community.
Required COVID-19 Testing
As part of this surveillance testing program, students will be tested for COVID-19 regardless of whether they have a known exposure or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Students living in on-campus housing (with a Housing License Agreement with SDSU) and those taking in-person classes will be tested at least every 14 days.
This testing not only allows the university to properly care for our students who test positive for COVID-19, but enables SDSU to properly care for those they are closest to in the residential communities and those students who are attending in-person courses.
The testing plan also allows the university to make inferences about the level of spread of the virus in the student population. Students will receive a personalized notification of their scheduled testing timeframes and options for time slot appointments, along with instructions of steps to follow, via their SDSU email address. There will be no direct cost to students participating in the testing at either of the two campus testing sites at Student Health Services or the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
The Testing Process
While SDSU is requiring testing for students who are living on campus and taking in-person classes, students living off campus who are not taking in-person courses should continue to seek testing. Off campus, virtual students can do so by scheduling an appointment through Student Health Services, contacting their primary care physicians, or visiting a San Diego County testing site (various locations).
All students living on campus, regardless of whether already identified as having a potential exposure and/or symptoms will be tested at SHS or the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in isolation due to a positive test do not need to be tested and should not leave isolation to visit the testing center. Additionally, students who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days do not need to be tested. Students should submit proof of their previous diagnosis through HealtheConnect if they had a positive COVID-19 test prior to arriving at SDSU, but only if it is within 90 days.
Before arriving, wear a facial covering and please bring your RedID card. Prepare to show your identification when you check in for testing. Students with disabilities are asked to email the Student Ability Success Center for guidance via [email protected]
Students are asked to come alone, as visitors and others will not be allowed to enter the center during testing hours. Testing will occur with a physician and, again, visitors and other guests are not allowed. Only those who need to be tested will be allowed to enter the center.
You should receive your results via email (HHSA) or secure message (SHS) within a 48 hour period. If you test positive, you will be asked to isolate for a period of time consistent with public health guidelines. If you test negative, you will be asked to continue to follow public health guidelines, such as not gathering with non-household members, wearing a facial covering, and practicing physical distancing.
Testing Instructions for Virtual-Only Students in San Diego
SDSU is strongly encouraging students who are living in the San Diego region and who are not taking in-person classes to get tested.
Student Health Service and San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), working in partnership, are offering testing to both students living on campus and those living in houses, apartments and other properties off campus.
Students who live off campus in San Diego have several testing options:
- Visit the San Diego County-run testing site located on campus at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5250 55th St., which is across the street from Viejas Arena. Testing will be offered at no cost to you on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Contact Student Health Services (SHS) to make an appointment as time allows. SHS testing and contact information is available online.
- Visit any of the other San Diego County testing sites. County testing site locations and hours are available online.
- You may contact your preferred healthcare provider to get tested, and report your test results to SDSU. If you seek testing with your preferred healthcare provider, it must be a PCR test. Antigen and antibody testing will not be accepted. Please be sure your provider is aware of this requirement.
Contact Information
Students who have questions should contact Student Health Services by emailing [email protected].
Surveillance Testing Plan
This is a required program, with some exceptions, as noted below. Beyond those exceptions, failure to test as scheduled may result in a directive to quarantine or isolate until testing can be completed and/or the inability to attend in-person courses at SDSU. In addition, students may face possible student disciplinary consequences, including suspension.
As a reminder, when students chose to participate in student housing, they agreed to abide by the terms set forth in the Housing License Agreement, the COVID-19 Addendum, and the COVID-19 Notice and Disclosure. Students are responsible for their actions within a community and the impact those actions can have on others. Students are asked to continue to be responsible and considerate of their community.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 are not permitted to attend in-person classes until they have completed their isolation period, as defined by HHSA or SHS. Students who test positive will be advised regarding their ongoing testing requirements, based on guidance from the CDC and HHSA.
Students may be eligible to receive an exemption from this testing requirement. An exemption may be requested for the following reason:
If the student has had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days, the student should not be tested. The student should submit proof of this previous diagnosis through the exemption process by uploading test results and/or related documentation into the HealtheConnect portal on the Uploads tab. If appropriate documentation is not provided, testing will be required.
In addition, students may be able to opt-out of this testing for one or more of the following reasons:
- The student has a disability that would physically preclude them from taking the test.
- The student prefers to be tested by another source within three days, before or after their assigned time. This must be a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Antigen and antibody tests will not be accepted. Students must share the results with SDSU via HealtheConnect. SDSU will not reimburse for testing completed at alternative facilities.
- The student is currently sick and unable to get to a testing facility. A healthcare provider or university staff member will follow-up to provide appropriate support and directives. Directives of the healthcare provider and university staff member must be followed.
- The student has a sincerely held religious belief.
- The student has another outstanding reason. The student must provide rationale for this reason, which will then be assessed by Student Health Services and/or other university staff.
FAQs
Students may be able to opt-out of this testing for one or more of the following reasons:
- The student has a disability that would physically preclude them from taking the test.
- The student prefers to be tested by another source within three days, before or after their assigned time. This must be a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Antigen and antibody tests will not be accepted. Students must share the results with SDSU via HealtheConnect. SDSU will not reimburse for testing completed at alternative facilities.
- The student is currently sick and unable to get to a testing facility. A healthcare provider or university staff member will follow-up to provide appropriate support and directives. Directives of the healthcare provider and university staff member must be followed.
- The student has a sincerely held religious belief.
- The student has another outstanding reason. The student must provide rationale for this reason, which will then be assessed by Student Health Services and/or other university staff.
If the request to opt-out is not approved, the student must participate in the required SDSU COVID-19 Testing Program. See the policy on Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities website for more information: http://csrr.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/srr/
This is a required program, with some exceptions. Beyond those exceptions, failure to test as scheduled may result in possible student disciplinary consequences, including suspension. See the policy on Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities website for more information: http://csrr.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/srr/
Students are expected to meet the testing requirement. Those who do not will be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities. Non-compliance may result in possible student disciplinary consequences, including suspension.
Students will receive a date, time slot and location. The time slot will be between three and four hours, during which time they are asked to visit Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5250 55th St. or Student Health Services at the Calpulli Center to get tested. Students can arrive at the center at any time during the window of time they are assigned.
If student residents are unable to attend the test period at their designated time, they can schedule an advance appointment at Student Health Services via HealtheConnect.
Testing is offered at no cost, and all students will be provided a $5 Starbucks voucher when they show their SDSUcard. Also, 10 students will be randomly selected to receive $100 gift cards to the SDSU Bookstore.
SDSU has implemented a requirement that, with very limited exceptions, all students living in SDSU on-campus housing must be tested for COVID-19. Exceptions will be offered to students who:
- Is currently ill and unable to visit a testing facility;
- Had a positive test within a 90-day period (students need to share verification of their testing); tested on or after Friday, Sept. 11, and received a negative test result (verification must be provided);
- Prefers to be tested elsewhere within three days of their designated test time;
- Has a disability that physically precludes them from taking the test;
- And/or has a religious belief that restricts testing.
To seek an exception, or if you have questions about the testing requirement, contact our COVID Assessment and Response Team by emailing [email protected].
