Dear Residence Hall Student,
As you prepare for the start of spring semester, it is time to get into the routine of scheduling your weekly COVID-19 test.
As you are aware from communications already sent, weekly testing is part of our program of expanded COVID-19 testing for Spring Semester 2021.
Weekly testing begins the week following your move-in test and every week thereafter through the week of April 11. The residence halls close on Saturday, April 17.
Scheduling your weekly COVID-19 test
- Students must visit the CVS testing portal to schedule your next weekly testing appointment. All residence hall students are required by their housing contract to have a weekly COVID-19 test during the spring semester.
- You can test any day, Monday through Friday. You do not need to test on the same day each week. Just make sure you get tested weekly!
- If you cannot login the CVS testing portal, please contact the COVID Response Team at covid@kent.edu.
COVID-19 Testing Location
- COVID-19 testing for residence hall students will occur at the Ice Arena for the entire spring semester.
- Students must bring their FlashCard or another photo ID.
Exemptions from Testing
Students may be exempt from move-in and/or weekly testing if:
- The student has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. (Only a positive PCR or antigen test, collected within 90 days of a student’s move-in date, will qualify for this exemption. Antibody test results will not be accepted.)
- The student is currently in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19.
- The student has a disability that would preclude them from having the test done.
- The student is currently sick and unable to go to the testing facility. A clinician’s note will be required for proof of this illness.
- The student has a sincerely held religious belief prohibiting testing.
These students must request an exemption by emailing the COVID Response Team at covid@kent.edu.
- When requesting an exemption, please include your name, student ID number and reason for exemption. If that reason is a positive COVID-19 test within 90 days of move-in, you will need to include a copy of the lab/test results and/or a letter from your local health department stating that you have been released from quarantine.
If You Do Not Test
COVID-19 testing is a requirement at Kent State University for specific students based on health and safety standards in accordance with university policy 5-14.2 and the University Housing contract as appropriate. If you are a student and you reside in university housing, you will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing.
If you are not willing to participate in testing, you should cancel your housing contract. To avoid spring housing charges, students must cancel their housing contract and complete the checkout process before Jan. 17. Questions can be sent to QI Housing Operations and Safety Coordinator Chelsea Knarr at cuhl3@kent.edu.
Students who fail to comply with weekly testing requirements may have their housing contract cancelled and/or be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for non-compliance.
Our community goal is to provide an environment in which all are safe to live, learn and work. We need your help to keep our communities safe!
If you have questions regarding an exemption, please contact the COVID Response Team at covid@kent.edu.
If you have questions regarding housing, please contact Chelsea Knarr, at cuhl3@kent.edu.
Sincerely,
Julie Volcheck
Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs
Director, University Health Services
Jill Jenkins
Executive Director, Residence Services