SDSU COvid-19 Testing Plan
San Diego State University has launched an initiative to provide COVID-19 tests to all students living on campus, as well as all students who are taking in-person classes and involved in university research or those attending on campus events. COVID-19 testing is offered through Student Health Services, and also through county-sponsored sites, including the site located at SDSU's Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
This plan is an expansion of COVID-19 testing that has been available since fall 2020. Regular testing allows SDSU to monitor and address, in real-time, transmission trends and the prevalence rate of COVID-19. The plan also generates more precise information and will allow the university, in partnership with public health officials, to make timely decisions on additional resource needs, intervention and response. These efforts are part of the SDSU’s ongoing, multi-tiered approach to both monitor and mitigate COVID-19 within the campus community.
Required COVID-19 Testing
As part of this testing program, all students who are taking approved on campus courses, who are living in on-campus housing, or who are participating in approved on campus research will be tested for COVID-19 at least every 14 days regardless of whether they have a known exposure or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Students who have a completed COVID-19 immunization series documented with the university will be exempted from the regular testing requirement and will only need to test if they experience any COVID-like symptoms.
This testing not only allows SDSU to properly care for students who test positive for COVID-19, but enables university team members to properly care for those they are closest to in the residential communities and those students who are attending in-person courses.
Students will receive a personalized testing notification, including instructions of steps to follow, via their SDSU email address. All students are encouraged to check their SDSU email accounts frequently. 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.
SDSU encourages all members of the SDSU community to get a COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so. Students, faculty and staff can get vaccinated directly at SDSU’s Viejas Arena, where the County of San Diego is offering vaccines without the need to get an appointment. The site is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. More information, including other ways to access the vaccine, is online.
Get Vaccinated
SDSU encourages all members of the SDSU community to get a COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so. Students, faculty and staff can get vaccinated directly at SDSU’s Viejas Arena, where the County of San Diego is offering vaccines without the need to get an appointment. The site is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. More information, including other ways to access the vaccine, is online.
Students who have completed a COVID-19 immunization series and have submitted their vaccination information via HealtheConnect are only required to seek testing in the event they experience COVID-like symptoms. Students must submit documentation of a completed COVID-19 vaccine series (one dose of the Jannsen / Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines) to be exempted from the testing requirement.
Students may submit this documentation to be exempted from testing at any point during the semester, but should submit as soon as they are able in order to get clearance to be on campus, as the clearance process takes a few business days.
As a reminder, the California State University (CSU) and University of California systems recently announced that, pending full FDA approval, the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for students, staff and faculty for the fall 2021 semester. The joint system-wide announcement can be found on the CSU website.
The Testing Process
Students who do not have a completed COVID-19 vaccine series on file with the university are responsible for ensuring that they have a current COVID-19 test on file with SDSU every 14 days. In order to be cleared to be physically on campus at any SDSU facility, students must have a negative test result on file.
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 must not leave isolation to visit a testing center or come to campus. Additionally, students who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days do not need to be tested. Students must submit proof of their previous diagnosis through HealtheConnect if they had a positive COVID-19 test prior to arriving at SDSU, but only if the test is within 90 days.
Before arriving at a testing site, students must wear a facial covering and please bring their SDSUid card. Prepare to show identification when checking in for testing. Students with disabilities who have questions about testing are asked to email the Student Ability Success Center for guidance via [email protected]
Students will receive test results via email (HHSA) or secure message (SHS) within one to two business days. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they must notify the university via the COVID-19 Case Reporting Form within two (2) hours of receiving results. They will be asked to isolate for a period of time consistent with public health guidelines. If a student tests negative, they will be asked to continue to follow public health guidelines, wear a facial covering, and practice physical distancing.
Students who are tested at the county-operated Alumni Center site or any other testing site, must upload documentation of test results to HealtheConnect. With the change in the county’s results reporting system, please be sure to upload test results with the necessary information. Students can access the necessary documentation by clicking “View Report” in the Helix results portal.
Testing Instructions for Virtual-Only Students in San Diego
Students who are virtual-only are not required to routinely test, but should seek testing if they experience COVID-like symptoms. SDSU strongly encourages all members of the SDSU community to get a COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so in anticipation of a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Fall 2021.
Contact Information
Students who have questions should contact Student Health Services by emailing [email protected].
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 or other on campus activity 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 must 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. This must be a molecular PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test (PCR, TMA, NAAT, etc.). 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 for individual well-being and public health.
- 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].
