COVID-19 Pre-Arrival/Post-Arrival and Surveillance Testing Requirements and Arrival Quarantine Requirements

September 11, 2021

Dear Seattle U Student: 

As we prepare for fall quarter, I am writing with important information about the university’s pre-arrival testing, post-arrival testing, surveillance testing, and arrival quarantine requirements for residential and commuter students, as well as additional information about requirements for visitors accompanying students to campus for move in.  

Please read this information carefully, as it contains time-sensitive information that may require you to take action to comply with our policies. Failure to comply with these policies may result in disciplinary action.

PRE-ARRIVAL/POST-ARRIVAL TESTING 

All students, including residential students and commuters, are required to complete pre-arrival testing, regardless of vaccination status. Information about when to complete your test and how to submit your test results is detailed below. All COVID-19 test documentation must include your name and date of birth.  

Failure to complete the pre-arrival/post-arrival testing requirements will result in a $250.00 fine.  

Residential Students (Including Vi Hilbert & the Douglas) 

  • Pre-arrival testing: Complete your pre-arrival test in the 72 hours prior to your arrival for move in.  Upload your pre-arrival test results to COVID-19 Test Results submission and select “Fall Quarter 2021 Pre-Arrival testing (Students)”. Pre-arrival testing should be completed in your local area prior to your arrival on-campus. Pre-arrival testing is not available on-campus. Information about off-campus testing sites in the Seattle area is available here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx#sites  
  • Post-arrival testing:  Complete your post-arrival test 4-7 days after arrival. Testing sites will be available on campus starting the week of September 20.  Alternatively, students can test off-campus and upload their test results to COVID-19 Test Results submissionand select “Fall Quarter 2021 POST-Arrival Testing Students)”. 

Students who move in on or before September 16 are exempt from pre-arrival testing but must complete post-arrival testing.  

Students who move in on or before September 16 must complete their post-arrival test no later than September 21, 2021. 

Commuter Students  

  • Pre-arrival testing: Complete your pre-arrival test in the 72 hours prior to your first day of classes. Your pre-arrival test results must be uploaded between September 16 – September 21.   Pre-arrival testing should be completed in your local area prior to your arrival on-campus. Pre-arrival testing is not available on-campus. Information about off-campus testing sites in the Seattle area is available here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx#sites
  • Post-arrival testing: Post-arrival testing is not required for commuter students.   

Note: The School of Law is already in session.  Students in the School of Law are not required to complete pre-arrival/post-arrival testing.  Online-only students who will not be physically on-campus at any time and who have completed the off-campus attestation form are also exempt from pre-arrival/post-arrival testing.

If you have questions about pre-arrival or post-arrival testing requirements, please contact studenthealthcenter@seattleu.edu.  

Move In Weekend: Visitors, Parents, Family Members, & Supporters 

Visitors (parents, family members, and other supporters) accompanying students for move in are encouraged, but not required, to complete a pre-arrival test in the 72 hours prior to arrival. Visitors coming to campus for move in must wear a face covering at all times when inside university buildings regardless of vaccination status.  Visitors are also required to complete and receive approval through the Safe Start Health Check whenever coming to campus.  Students and visitors arriving for move in will be asked to show their Safe Start Health Check approval at check in. 

ARRIVAL QUARANTINE 

A 7-day arrival quarantine is required for all students who are not fully vaccinated.  This includes students with approved vaccine exemptions and those who have started but have not completed their vaccination series. Students who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine.  

  • All students who are not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine for 7 days starting on the day of arrival to campus. 
  • Complete your post-arrival test on day 4 or 5 of quarantine. Post-arrival testing will be available on-campus. If your post-arrival test on day 4 or 5 is negative, you can end your in-room quarantine after 7 full days. 

For arrival quarantine you will need to stay in your room with a few exceptions: 

  • To use the bathroom. 
  • To get food at Cherry Street Market, but you must immediately return and eat food in your room. 
  • To access medical care, such as your post-arrival COVID test. 

If you have questions about the arrival quarantine requirement, please contact deanofstudents@seattleu.edu. 

SURVEILLANCE TESTING 

The university’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program will start the week of September 27. Information about on-campus testing options will be sent to those required to participate. Surveillance testing will be billed to your health insurance, but you will not be responsible for costs that are not covered by your insurance if you use the on-campus testing locations.

  • Unvaccinated Students:Residential and commuter students who are not fully vaccinated, including those with approved exemptions, will be required to test weekly.   
  • Vaccinated Students:A random sample of 10% of vaccinated students will be selected on a weekly basis. If you are selected, you are required to test in your designated week. 

If you are not able or chose not to test at the campus testing locations, you will need to upload your test results from an off-campus provider to the COVID-19 Test Results submission and select “Weekly Testing” by Friday of your testing week. 

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days is not required to participate in surveillance testing, but they must report their positive test result to covid-19-report@seattleu.edu.

Students who do not comply with the surveillance testing requirement may be fined or subject to additional disciplinary action through the Office of the Dean of Students.   

WHAT IF I HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS OR A POSITIVE TEST RESULT? 

If at any point during the academic year you have a positive COVID-19 test result, report your diagnosis to COVID-19-Report@seattleu.edu as soon as possible.  

A student who receives a positive test result must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days. 

  • If you have or develop symptoms you will be in isolation for 10 full days after symptoms onset. 
  • If you don’t have symptoms, you will be in isolation for 10 full days after you tested positive. 

Where to Isolate 

  • On campus students who cannot isolate in their residence hall with their own bathroom will need to move to isolation housing in the Yobi, a university-managed apartment building. You will be able to have food delivered to you in Yobi. 
  • Off campus students should not come to campus until isolation is complete. 

If you have symptoms that could be related to COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible and stay away from others until you have your test results.

WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID? 

If at any point you have been exposed to COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated, you will need to quarantine for 10-14 days after the last known exposure. 

  • You should get tested as soon as possible, and then again 5-7 days after known exposure. 
  • If you are fully vaccinated, then you do not need to quarantine unless you develop symptoms. Wear a mask in public, get tested 3-5 days after exposure, and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. If you develop any symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 again as soon as possible.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & POLICIES 

FACE COVERINGS 

  • Face coverings are required for all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, when indoors or in public places such as classrooms. This requirement is likely to continue through Fall Quarter. Face coverings are also required at outdoor events with 500 or more participants. For more information, access the university’s Face Covering Policy.  
  • Completion of the Safe Start Health Check is required for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, each day they will be physically on-campus.  Access the Safe Start Health Check.You may be asked to show your Safe Start Health Check approval email when entering campus spaces.

SAFE START HEALTH CHECK 

PHYSICAL DISTANCING 

  • No longer required for those who are fully vaccinated. 
  • Recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated and those at a higher risk for severe disease. 

HOW TO PREVENT ILLNESS 

Wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds several times each day.  

  • Cover coughs and sneezes. 
  • Get a flu shot – SU will offer free flu shot clinics this fall. Dates will be announced soon. 

We take seriously our responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to promote a safe and healthy campus community.  Thank you for your commitment to keeping our Redhawk community safe. 

Sincerely, 

James Willette, Ph.D. 
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students