A guide to surveillance testing for Erie 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  
• Faculty, adjuncts or staff 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 
• Dual enrollment students

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.

Student athletes will undergo a separate surveillance testing process that is based on requirements defined by the NCAA. This could be as frequent as once or more per week depending on competition schedules. Please follow instructions provided by the Athletics Department and refer any questions to your coach or Kelly Bommer at bommer001@gannon.edu. 

WHAT IF I DO NOT SCHEDULE A REQUIRED SURVEILLANCE TEST OR MISS A REQUIRED TEST?

The University will follow up immediately with those who fail to schedule or show up for their surveillance tests. If you do not schedule a surveillance test, you will be referred to Student Accountability or Human Resources for further discussion regarding your status as a student or employee. If you do not schedule your surveillance test or miss your 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 ERIE CAMPUS LOOK LIKE?

Individuals who have not documented their vaccination on our Erie campus will receive a direct email on Friday, Aug. 13 that will include a link to register for their preferred reoccurring surveillance test time. There are limited slots available for each testing time and these will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline to register for surveillance testing is Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Surveillance testing will occur during the following days and times at the Testing Center located in the University Services Building:

Mon, Wed, Fri:  8:05 - 10 a.m. | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Tues, Thurs: 8:05 - 10 a.m. | 10:30 – 12:30 p.m. | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Sunday: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Surveillance testing will begin the weeks of Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, depending on if you are scheduled in the first or second testing group. You will be notified of the date and time of your first test based on the preferred information you submit. You will then test at least once every other week following your first test. For example, if your first test is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 30, your next test will be 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13 and so on. 

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 testappt@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/.