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January return to campus testing details

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As Clemson prepares to welcome back students, faculty, and staff for the Spring Semester with plans for more than 50 percent of all classes having an in-person component, the University announced specifics for COVID-19 testing both prior to the start of classes on Jan. 6 and throughout the semester.

Below are detailed expectations of students, faculty, and staff returning for the Spring Semester. Registration for University testing, along with detailed instructions, can be found on the University’s COVID testing page.

Students and employees are encouraged to take precautions and follow local health directives during the winter break. Those individuals who test positive for COVID during the winter break are encouraged to upload positive results through the Test Results Upload Tool to ensure pre-arrival tests are not capturing prior infections, which could lead to additional isolation.

ACCEPTED TESTS

The accepted method of testing for students and employees is a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal, nasopharyngeal, throat or salivaNegative antigen tests will be accepted as well for pre-arrival requirements only (samples collected Dec. 28 – Jan.2). The University will not accept a positive serological test at this time.

PREVIOUS POSITIVE TEST EXEMPTION

A 90-day exemption from pre-arrival and ongoing testing will be allowed for students and employees following POSITIVE tests.

For pre-arrival clearance, first positive test must have been administered October 1 or later (Oct. 11 or later for Bridge to Clemson students), with clearance from a health care provider. Acceptable positive test results include:

  • PCR Nasal
  • PCR Nasopharyngeal
  • PCR Saliva
  • Antigen

The University will not accept a positive serological test at this time.

After completion of the isolation period following a positive test, to be exempted from University testing, a student, faculty or staff member will need to upload positive test results to the COVID-19 Test Results Upload Tool along with a clearance letter from a health care provider.

  • Clearance letters from health care providers must be on official letterhead and include the student’s or employee’s full name.
  • If you do not have a health care provider, students may contact the Redfern Health Center at 864-656-3571 and employees should contact Sullivan Health Center at 864-986-1218.
  • Staff at Redfern and Sullivan Health Centers will facilitate clearance if the isolation period has been successfully completed.

TESTING LOCATIONS

  • Clemson’s Main Campus
    • Testing is available on campus Dec. 28 – Dec. 30 and again beginning Jan. 2, and students and employees can use the University’s COVID testing page to register for a free test. Locations and hours will be updated continuously on the testing registration site.
  • Greenville Area Testing
    • In addition to DHEC sites, the University is providing testing at CU-ICAR from Dec. 28 – Dec. 30. Details are below, and students, faculty and staff at CU-ICAR and Greenville One will be notified of additional testing availability as it is finalized in the coming weeks.
  • Statewide Locations

UPLOADING TEST RESULTS

At Clemson-specific testing locations (on main campus, dedicated Greenville location), test results are automatically uploaded and students and employees need not take additional steps.

Students and employees tested anywhere other than a Clemson testing location should continue to use the Upload Tool to submit results.

Requirements for Returning to University Facilities

PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING OPTIONS

For pre-arrival testing (Dec. 28 – Jan. 2), several options for students are available. DHEC has a list of available testing locations across the state of South Carolina. Many other states have similar free testing availability through local Departments of Health.

Additionally, the University will accept submitted results from many mail-in COVID-19 testing programs (if they are PCR tests) collected within the specified time window. Some mail-in testing options include, but are not limited to:

  • Everlywell:Results of the nasal swab available within 24 to 48 hours of the lab receiving the sample. Available to people 18 and older only. Cost: $109
  • Pixel by LabCorp: Results of the nasal swab are available one to two days after arriving back in the lab. Available to people 18 and older. No upfront cost, or $119 if you’re not eligible for insurance or federal funds.
  • Vault: Results of the saliva test taken via Zoom call are available within 48 to 72 hours. The test is valid for both children and adults. Cost: $150
  • Azova: Also available at Costco, and results of the saliva test, taken via a Zoom call, are available within 24 to 48 hours. Cost: $139.99
  • OnSite Safe: Results of PCR saliva-based tests are available within 48 hours after being received by the lab. Available for children and adults nationally. Physical testing locations in New York City, Tampa and Van Nuys. Costs $127.95 with free shipping.

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS

Must provide negative test results:

  1. One test taken on or after Dec. 28, prior to move-in (beginning Jan. 3 at 8 a.m.)
  2. An on-campus saliva test collected upon move-in prior to accessing any other University facilities (i.e., classrooms, dining halls, Swann Fitness Center)

Bridge to Clemson students must provide negative test results:

  1. One test taken on or after January 11, prior to move-in (beginning Jan. 17 at 8 a.m.)
  2. An on-campus saliva test collected upon move-in prior to accessing any other Clemson University facilities (i.e., dining halls, Swann Fitness Center) or returning to in-person classes at Tri-County

NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS ACCESSING UNIVERSITY FACILITIES (in-person classes, student employees, etc.)

Must provide a negative test result collected on or after Dec. 28.

Access to university facilities will be restricted beginning the morning of Jan.3 without proof of negative test.

EMPLOYEES ACCESSING MAIN-CAMPUS FACILITIES

Must provide a negative test result collected on or after Dec. 28.

Access to university facilities will be restricted beginning the morning of Jan. 3 without proof of negative test.

STATEWIDE (NON-MAIN-CAMPUS) STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES

Clemson is requesting all students and employees to obtain a negative test within seven days prior to accessing University facilities.

Nasal PCR testing, coordinated by Rymedi, will be available in Greenville at the CU-ICAR campus the following dates and times:

Dec. 28: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Dec. 29: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Dec. 30: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Testing will be conducted inside the TD Gallery, attached to the front of Innovation Place, located at 5 Research Drive. Parking is available in the adjacent parking garage.

Additional Greenville-area opportunities will be provided as they are finalized.

All other statewide students and employees can reference DHEC’s list of available testing locations across the state of South Carolina.

COMMUNITY TESTING

The University is providing free testing to members of the surrounding community through Dec. 18 and will provide more details on continued opportunities for testing during the spring semester in the coming weeks.

FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO DO NOT NEED TO ACCESS ANY UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

Students, faculty and staff who do not plan to access any University facility (remote work, all online classes, etc.) are not required to submit test results or report for weekly testing. If for any reason, access to University facilities becomes needed at a later date, individuals must provide a negative test result completed within seven days prior.

SPRING SEMESTER ONGOING TESTING 

Beginning Jan. 11, all faculty, staff, and students accessing campus facilities (classrooms, study areas, dining halls, offices, recreation areas, etc.) will be required to test weekly. Registration will be required through the University’s COVID testing page, and further details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Any individual found to be not in compliance with university testing requirements will face disciplinary action.

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