REVISED: Spring On-boarding and Surveillance Testing
Posted: January 6, 2022
As the university announced the delay of the start of in-person classes to Jan. 18, we have also made adjustments to move-in and required testing for on-boarding and unvaccinated students to align with this revised date.
Please see the following modified instructions for spring on-boarding and surveillance testing originally shared on Monday. Important updates to this include:
- We are encouraging returning students to delay their move-in until Jan. 15 for those who can, but are continuing to welcome student-athletes, global students and other students who had unique schedules or cannot change their plans to arrive this week and next.
- Required on-boarding testing for returning unvaccinated students (both on- and off-campus) is rescheduled for Jan. 15; but accommodations are being made for those who cannot adjust their travel plans and need to arrive sooner.
- Move-in for new students and on-boarding testing for unvaccinated new students is Jan. 14. New Student Orientation is rescheduled for Jan. 15.
- Global Student Orientation will be held virtually and is rescheduled for Jan. 12.
(*Please note, information for on-boarding and surveillance testing for student-athletes, as well as new domestic and global students may differ from the details outlined below due to NCAA and travel guidelines. These students should follow instructions from their coaches, athletics office, office of leadership development and campus engagement, or office of global support and student engagement.)
KEY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND:
- Jan. 3-7: Required return-to-work testing for unvaccinated employees
- Jan. 12: Global Student Orientation
- Jan. 14: Encouraged move-in day for new students
- Required testing for new unvaccinated students
- Jan. 15: Encouraged move-in day for returning residential students
- Required testing for returning unvaccinated students (both on- and off-campus)
- New Student Orientation
- Jan. 18: First day of in-person classes for the spring semester
REQUIRED RETURN-TO-WORK TESTING FOR UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES
Employees who have not reported a fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard are required to complete a return-to-work test, as well as complete routine surveillance testing once a week throughout the spring semester.
Return-to-work testing began Monday and extends through Jan. 7. Testing must be completed at Gannon; tests conducted off campus will not be accepted for return to work. Please email testappt@gannon.edu to reschedule any missed appointment prior to Jan. 7.
Employees’ weekly surveillance testing for the spring semester will be scheduled when you arrive for your return-to-work test at Gannon’s Testing Center located at the University Services Building. Please see the revised “Spring Semester Surveillance Testing Schedule” below to assist you in planning around your work schedule and obligations in advance of your arrival.
Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days are exempt from testing. If you have received a positive diagnosis in the last 90 days, please email your test results to hlthcoun@gannon.edu.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION & REQUIRED TESTING FOR NEW UNVACCINATED STUDENTS
New Student Orientation has been rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15.
Prior to attending new student orientation, new students who are unvaccinated are required to test with the university between 7:45-11:15 a.m. on Jan. 14. Delaying your move-in until this this date is also strongly encouraged. Please report to the Testing Center located at the University Services Building (406 Peach St.), where you will complete your test and receive a complementary to-go meal as well as your key card access to your residence. Please limit guests/move-in help to two additional group members. Students should plan to complete a *limited quarantine until test results are received, typically within 24 hours.
*Limited quarantine means you are limited to only attending educational and university obligations and picking up to-go meals until you receive negative test results. Residents will be provided food immediately after their test to limit their exposure outside their room. Masks will be strongly encouraged while in your room if you are not alone and are required in campus buildings. Limit your exposure to others while attending university obligations by keeping interactions to less than 15 minutes and distanced by six feet or more.
GLOBAL STUDENT ORIENTATION & CHECK-IN
Global Student Orientation will be held virtually and has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 12. Students will be assigned a date to complete their check-in process in person. More information on this, including Zoom links for orientation will be emailed to students. Please email globalsupport@gannon.edu with any questions.
REQUIRED ON-BOARDING TESTING FOR RETURNING UNVACCINATED STUDENTS
Returning students living both on- and off-campus who have not reported a fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard will be required to complete an on-boarding test with Gannon, as well as complete weekly surveillance testing throughout the spring semester.
Unvaccinated students were emailed directly by our testing team from testappt@gannon.edu to complete a form, selecting one of the following five options for your required on-boarding testing. Please complete the form emailed to you to confirm your test appointment and avoid losing access to Gannon systems that are essential for starting the academic semester.
- You must move in on Jan. 8 due to circumstances beyond your control and will keep your originally scheduled test time.
- You will reschedule your move-in to Jan. 15, and need to reschedule your test appointment for this day.
- You are already on campus but have not completed on-boarding instructions and need to schedule a test.
- You are already on campus and have properly followed on-boarding instructions, and no further action is needed.
- None of these options work and you require additional assistance. Please complete the form and also email testappt@gannon.edu.
For unvaccinated students moving into an on-campus residence, an on-boarding test must be completed prior to your move-in. Plan your test and move-in time accordingly. Please report first to the Testing Center in our University Services Building (406 Peach St.), where you will complete your test and receive a complementary to-go meal as well as your key card access to return to your residence. Please limit guests/move-in help to two additional group members. Students should plan to complete a *limited quarantine until test results are received.
Weekly surveillance testing for the spring semester for students will be scheduled when you arrive for your on-boarding test at Gannon’s Testing Center located at the University Services Building. Please see the revised “Spring Semester Surveillance Testing Schedule” below to assist you in planning around your class schedule and university obligations in advance of your arrival.
*Limited quarantine means you are limited to only attending educational and university obligations and picking up to-go meals until you receive negative test results. Residents will be provided food immediately after their test to limit their exposure outside their room. Masks will be strongly encouraged while in your room if you are not alone and are required in campus buildings. Limit your exposure to others while attending university obligations by keeping interactions to less than 15 minutes and distanced by six feet or more.
MOVE-IN DAY FOR RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
We encourage our returning residential students to delay their move-in to campus until Jan. 15 if possible. However, we understand some of you may have booked travel arrangements that are unmovable and we are here to support you if that is the case, too.
- For residents who cannot delay arrival and need to pick up a key (returning and those attending orientation, which is postponed to Jan. 15) keys will be available for pick up at the University Services Building, 406 Peach St., from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8. If you are arriving outside of these times, your keys will be available at Police and Safety, 210 W. Sixth St.
- For residents who are able to delay arrival (highly encouraged) and need to pick up a key (returning and those attending orientation) keys will be available for pick up at the University Services Building, 406 Peach St., from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, and from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. If you are arriving outside of these times, your keys will be available at Police and Safety, 210 W. Sixth St.
If you cannot make these dates or times, reach out to the Office of Residence Life at reslife@gannon.edu for move-in questions. If you are unvaccinated and require COVID testing or if you have questions about testing in general, please reach out to testappt@gannon.edu.
SPRING SEMESTER SURVEILLANCE TESTING SCHEDULE
To assist unvaccinated students and employees in planning, below is an outline of when weekly surveillance testing will be available for the spring semester.
| Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 7:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 7:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | ||
| 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
FAQ:
WHO IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ON-BOARDING AND SURVEILLANCE TESTING
On-boarding and surveillance testing is required for all employees and students who have not reported their fully vaccinated status to update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard. On-boarding testing is required for all global students regardless of vaccination status. The only individuals who will be exempt from testing are outlined below. If you do not meet one of the following exemptions, please follow the above on-boarding and surveillance testing instructions.
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.
HAVE YOU TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN THE LAST 90 DAYS
Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90-days prior to the start of the spring semester should ensure that their positive test result is on file with the Gannon Health Center in order to follow guidelines for fully vaccinated or 90-day prior-positive individuals. To report being in the 90-day window from a COVID+ diagnosis, please email your test results to hlthcoun@gannon.edu.
WHAT IF I DON’T SCHEDULE OR MISS MY ON-BOARDING OR SURVEILLANCE TEST
The University will follow up immediately with those who fail to schedule or show up for their on-boarding and surveillance tests. Those who have not scheduled an on-boarding or return-to-work test have been referred to Student Accountability or Human Resources for further discussion regarding their 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. Missing your appointment will result in your Gannon credentials and access, such as email and Blackboard, being suspended. You will not regain access until completing a test, and re-activation could take up to 72-hours after your completed test.
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 testing for unvaccinated individuals, students may contact compliance@gannon.edu and employees may contact hrdept@gannon.edu.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY OR MISSED MY TEST AND AM LOCKED OUT
If you are going to miss a test due to an emergency situation, please email testappt@gannon.edu in advance to reschedule.
If you have already missed a test and are suspended and locked out of your Gannon access, please email testappt@gannon.edu (from a personal email address since your Gannon email will not work) or call 814-397-8158 to rectify the situation and reschedule.
We thank each and every student and employee for your continued commitment to keeping yourselves and our campus community as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For questions regarding moving into your residence hall, please contact reslife@gannon.edu.
For questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact hlthcoun@gannon.edu.
For other questions or comments, you may submit them on update.gannon.edu at https://www.gannon.edu/Questions-or-Comments/.