A guide to surveillance testing for Ruskin Campus

Posted: August 11, 2021

As we prepare for the start of the semester, we would like to share additional details regarding one of the major COVID-19 mitigation efforts that will continue as we work through this academic year: surveillance testing.

We are actively working to educate, encourage and support our students and employees to get vaccinated. We are seeing progress toward reaching our goal of having at least 80% of our campus communities vaccinated, but we are not there yet. We have not mandated the vaccine and understand some may have medical or other essential restrictions that might preclude them from getting the vaccine. We have also loosened several other restrictions that were in place last year - for example the removal of social distancing measures across our campuses – and hope to be able to again eliminate the masking requirement when we achieve our 80% vaccinated threshold. 

As we prioritize the safety and continue intensive mitigation efforts to protect the health of all our campus community members, anyone who has not reported their fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard will be a part of Gannon’s surveillance testing program and be tested at least once every two weeks. 

Outlined in the details below is what to expect as well as responsibilities of those who will be required to participate in surveillance testing.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE SURVEILLANCE TESTING?

Surveillance testing is required for all employees and students who have not reported their fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard. The only individuals who will be exempt from surveillance testing are outlined in the list below. All others not included in the exemptions below will be contacted to schedule a reoccurring surveillance test time.

• Individuals who are exempt from surveillance testing: 
• Vaccinated individuals who’ve reported their fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard
• Those who’ve reported being within 90-days of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis to hlthcoun@gannon.edu  
• Adjuncts and other faculty who do not report to campus in-person 
• Students in clinical or other placements who do not report to campus in-person – many placements may require testing or vaccination and students will be required to meet the expectations of each placement.  
• Students enrolled in fully online programs who do not report to campus in-person 

Those who are in progress of receiving the vaccine are not exempt from surveillance testing until 14 days after their final dose of their vaccine. If you are taking steps toward becoming fully vaccinated, let us know by emailing hlthcoun@gannon.edu.

WHAT IF I MISS A REQUIRED SURVEILLANCE TEST?

The University will follow up immediately with those who fail to show up for their surveillance tests. If you miss your scheduled testing time without approved prior notification, you will not be allowed on campus until you are tested and prove you are negative for COVID-19. Remediation of student academic work missed cannot be guaranteed and missed work time by employees due to failure to fulfill testing requirements will require the use of vacation time or unpaid leave. If you miss two tests without approved prior notification, you will risk suspension or possible termination. 

For questions or concerns regarding required surveillance testing for unvaccinated individuals, students may contact compliance@gannon.edu and employees may contact hrdept@gannon.edu.  

WHAT DOES SURVEILLENCE TESTING ON OUR RUSKIN CAMPUS LOOK LIKE?

All unvaccinated employees and students will receive a COVID PCR test prior to returning to campus. New students participating in Orientation on Aug. 23 and 24 will be tested on August 19 and 20. Unvaccinated returning students will receive a COVID test on Aug. 23 prior to the start of fall semester on Aug. 25. One half of the unvaccinated employees and students (Group A) will begin surveillance testing the week of Aug. 30. The second half (Group B) will begin surveillance testing the week of Sept. 6.  

All scheduling will be arranged by Dr. Johnson via email. All students and employees will be asked to confirm their appointments much the same way it has been handled during the summer. COVID tests will not conflict with scheduled class times. An attempt will be made to test each individual on the same day and time every other week. 

It is your responsibility to schedule around standing academic and employment commitments. It is also your responsibility to add these reoccurring testing times to your calendar to attend. Rescheduling a surveillance test will only be permissible in the event of emergency situations and should be done 24 hours in advance of your scheduled time by emailing Rick Johnson at johnson171@gannon.edu in advance. 

We thank each and every student and employee for your continued commitment to keeping yourselves and our campus communities as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For questions or comments, you may submit them on update.gannon.edu at https://www.gannon.edu/Questions-or-Comments/.