COVID-19 testing takes place at Kent State.

COVID-19 Testing

Kent State's COVID-19 testing plan is for all students, faculty and staff within our eight-campus system. Random tests are not conducted at this time.

Students, Faculty & Staff

  • As of March 15, 2022, Kent State is no longer requiring testing of unvaccinated students, faculty and staff until further notice. 
  • We based our reassessment on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new COVID-19 community levels as well as consultation with experts from our College of Public Health and local health departments. Based on the CDC levels, all Kent State locations and campuses are in counties where the community level is considered low, and these counties have remained at low.
  • Throughout March, we have continued to see a consistent decrease in COVID-19 cases and have recorded the lowest number of new cases since the beginning of the academic year.
  • We will reevaluate this strategy should case counts increase significantly.
  • COVID-19 testing remains readily available on our campuses.
  • Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, should report their illness to Kent Sate’s COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

Other Testing

  • Throughout the spring semester, Kent State will continue to monitor wastewater from campus housing to look for spikes in virus shed to identify possible outbreaks.

How To Get A Covid-19 Test: Locations & Options

At Home Test Kits

At Home Test Kits

  • At home test kits are available for free to any member of the Kent State Community, as supplies last.
    • At-home test kits are available to anyone who requests a kit, as supplies allow.
    • No ID is required to pick up a test kit.
    • Test kits are provided by the Ohio Department of Health and are at no cost to the individual.
    • There is a limit of two test kits per week, per person.
    • There is no paperwork associated with these test kits, and you do not need to sign to get one.
    • There is an insert in each kit with instructions on what to do if a person tests positive.
    • Reminder: Test kits may not be available at all times.
  • The COVID-19 at-home tests can be picked up at the following locations, but may not be available at all times on the Kent Campus.
    Face masks also are available to pick up at these locations.
  • Kent Campus
    • Henderson Hall, Room 216
    • Moulton Hall, Room 131
    • University Libraries first floor circulation desk
    • Kent Student Center information desk
    • Beverly J. Warren Student Wellness and Recreation Center welcome desk 
    • Center for Visual Arts, Room 240
    • Center for Performing Arts, Room B141
    • Bowman Hall, Room 105
    • Cartwright Hall, Room 145
    • White Hall, Room 408
  • Regional Campuses
    • Ashtabula: Main Hall in the Student Service Office near the front entrance.
    • Geauga: Security Office, Room 168
    • East Liverpool: Front desk, second flood, Purinton Hall
    • Salem: Front desk in the main lobby near the student lounge
    • Stark: Library (Learning Resource Center)
    • Trumbull:  Student Services Building Lobby (look for signage)
    • Tuscarawas: Science & Advanced Technology Center, Room 117
    • Twinsburg Academic Center: Security Office, Room 224
DeWeese Health Center

DeWeese Health Center on the Kent Campus is conducting daily testing for symptomatic individuals.

  • Call 330-672-2322 to schedule an appointment with a clinician.
  • Appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • No appointments are available between noon and 1 p.m.
  • Results
Visit Healthcare

2022 SPRING SEMESTER TESTING SCHEDULE 

Weekdays Visit Healthcare on the Kent Campus, will be conducting asymptomatic testing 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Monday through Thursday in the Eastway Lounge. Rapid tests are available on Fridays at the locations listed above, under at-home test kits.

About Testing

  • No appointments are required. 
  • Pre-register in advance with Visit Healthcare at www.visit.covidsecureapp.com/kent to expedite the testing process is recommended.
  • The test is a swab and send PCR test and results will usually be sent the following day.
  • For additional testing locations throughout the state visit the Ohio Department of Health. 
Athletics Testing

 Athletics Testing

  • Kent State student-athletes, athletics staff and auxiliary groups that are part of sporting events, including members of the marching band, cheerleading and dance squads, and their personnel will undergo COVID-19 testing in accordance with athletics rules and procedures which are governed by the NCAA and MAC. This group will receive instructions for testing from their coaches and staff.
  • Athletics will continue to perform surveillance testing for all those involved with sports that are in season and will test a percentage of those who are involved in athletics whose sports are not in season.
  • Those in athletics who are fully vaccinated are not required to test.
Additional Locations
  • The Ohio Department of Health also provides a list of where testing is taking place throughout the state.
  • In addition, anyone can contact their primary care physician, go to an urgent care location or go to a hospital emergency room for treatment of COVID-19 symptoms and/or testing. 
Free Government Tests

The federal government is giving away free COVID-19 tests kits – one per residential address.

  • A box of four tests will be sent.
  • Orders ship for free within a week to 10 days.

Order Tests

Reasons for Getting a COVID-19 Test

If you suspect that you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested to find out if you have the virus to prevent spreading it to others.

  • During this global pandemic, testing is part of the university’s overall strategy to identify those who have the virus, but may not have any symptoms, and are unknowingly spreading the virus to others. 
  • We can’t stop the spread of COVID-19 without knowing who has it and isolating them until they are no longer contagious.
  • Unless you get tested, you can’t know if you have COVID-19.
  • While you may not get ill from the virus, you could spread it to someone who could become seriously ill, require hospitalization or even die from the virus.
  • Getting tested is the only way to know if you are COVID-19, free if you plan to spend time with others who are more physically vulnerable or who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. 
  • Getting tested helps all of us to stay true to Kent State’s core values. Respecting others means respecting their health and well-being and not being reckless about spreading COVID-19. 
  • Getting tested is one of the best ways that Flashes Take Care of Flashes.
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