Seattle University has started a COVID-19 surveillance testing program. This is one step the university is taking to mitigate and monitor the spread of COVID-19 in our community. A surveillance testing program means that samples of students will be selected and tested for COVID-19 who don’t have symptoms or known exposure to the virus. The purpose of this type of testing program is to allow the university to monitor and address prevalence of COVID-19 on campus and make timely decisions on intervention and response such as identifying asymptomatic cases for isolation.

Please note that this program will be required only for students taking on-campus classes and those living in university housing, the Douglas Apartments and Vi Hilbert Hall. Students taking all of their classes remotely this quarter will not be asked to participate.

Testing will be Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 9:30 to noon. The test is a self-collected swab from the front part of the nose but observed by a healthcare provider therefore it requires a virtual appointment. The test cannot be accepted if the seal of the test tube is broken prior to this observation appointment. If a student is selected, they will be notified via their university e-mail to schedule a date and time, along with instructions for next steps. This is a required program. Failure to respond and schedule a test may result in a registration and transcript hold as well as a loss of access to university spaces and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct & Integrity Formation. There will be no cost to students participating in the testing through the Seattle University Student Health Center (SHC). 

TESTING PROCESS

• This testing program is for asymptomatic individuals. If you have any symptoms, please notify Public Safety at covid19-report@seattleu.edu or 206-296-5990 as soon as possible, especially if you are living on campus. In addition, contact your primary care provider or the Student Health Center to schedule a COVID test and an medical appointment if evaluation is needed.
  
  
• If you have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days, you should not be tested. Notify the SHC and submit those test results through Medicat, the student medical portal at https://seattleu.medicatconnect.com/.
  
  
• Directions will be in the e-mail on where to pick up the test kit, how to schedule your virtual observation and where to drop off the test kit. If you have any questions, please contact the SHC at studenthealthcenter@seattleu.edu.
  
  
• At the appointment please have your SU ID available. You will not need a health insurance card and there is no cost to you for these tests. 
  
  
• If you have a positive test, a healthcare provider at the SHC will contact you as soon as possible.
  
  
• If you have not heard from the SHC within three business days your test was negative.

FAQs

• Can I opt out of testing?
  
  There are only a few reasons why students may be able to opt out of testing:
  
  -  They have a disability that would physically preclude them from having the test done.
  -  They are currently sick and need to be tested for diagnostic reasons.
  -  They have an order by public health official/provider to maintain quarantine/isolation.
  -  They have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
  -  They are a student-athlete who has been tested through SU Athletics surveillance testing within the last week.
  
  If you believe you meet criteria to opt out of the COVID test, please contact the SHC staff through Medicat secure messaging. 
  
  
• Is testing required?
  
  Yes, this is a required program. Failure to respond and schedule a test may result in a registration and transcript hold as well as a loss of access to university spaces and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct & Integrity Formation. There will be no direct costs to students participating in the testing through the SU SHC. 
  
  
• What if I want to get tested somewhere else?
  
  If preferred, you may be tested by another source within a week of the e-mail notification. Students must share the results with Seattle University. The city of Seattle has many free testing sites with appointments available on weekends. Testing is usually free at these sites but SU will not reimburse for any costs resulting from testing done at alternative facilities. If you chose this option, upload your results to the Medicat portal (same process as pre-arrival test results) and send a secure message to the SHC staff to notify them.
  
  
• Who will be eligible to be assigned for testing? 
  
  All students living in SU housing as well as students attending in person classes/labs or accessing campus. You may be selected to test more than one time throughout the quarter.
  
  
• Can students volunteer for the testing protocol?
  
  No, not as part of the surveillance program. If you want to be tested voluntarily instead, please contact the Student Health Center for an appointment.
  
  
• How will students be selected?
  
  Samples will be pulled on a weekly basis. Students will be contacted by SU e-mail Friday evening with detailed directions.
  
  
• How do I find out about my results?
  
  If you don’t hear from the SHC within three days your results were negative. If your test is positive, you will be notified by the SHC.
  
  
• What if I don’t get tested?
  
  If a student does not schedule an appointment or upload their results within a week after their initial e-mail they will receive a follow up reminder message from the SHC. Failure to respond and schedule a test may result in a registration and transcript hold as well as a loss of access to university spaces and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct & Integrity Formation.
   
• What if a student has documentation that they have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies or have previously tested positive for COVID-19?
  
  If they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they should upload their documentation to Medicat. Not all COVID testing is accepted. For example, antibody testing is not accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact the SHC at studenthealthcenter@seattleu.edu. Thank you for your assistance with this important program and for your ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Seattle University community.