Important Update: Spring 2021 Pre-Arrival Testing Requirements (Students from New York State and contiguous states)

Dear Students and Families:

We are writing as a follow-up to yesterday’s return to campus message, to provide detailed guidance concerning the pre-arrival testing requirements and procedures.

Important: The New York State Department of Health policy regarding travel, testing and quarantine varies significantly based on the state in which you live. You are receiving this email because you reside in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont. As such, you are exempt from New York State’s travel advisory mandating quarantine and additional testing. If you are not returning to campus from within New York, or one of the contiguous states, please visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe for travel guidance from non-contiguous states.

We urge you to review this message in its entirety. It includes important information about the following:

• Pre-Arrival Testing Requirement
• When to Be Tested
• Pre-Arrival Testing Options
  • Option #1: Testing in Your Local Community
  • Option #2: At-Home COVID-19 Test
• Information for Those Who Have Previously Tested Positive
• Options for Financial Assistance
• Where to Direct Questions

Pre-Arrival Testing Requirement

All Syracuse University students returning to campus (including those who live off campus) for the spring semester must participate in pre-arrival testing. A negative pre-arrival test is required to move into campus housing. For students living off-campus, a negative pre-arrival test is required to access campus classrooms and facilities. Students have two options to comply with this requirement:

1. Seek testing from a provider within your local community and provide your negative test result to the University prior to returning to campus.
2. Request and self-administer an at-home COVID-19 test provided by LetsGetChecked, the University’s at-home testing vendor.

When to Be Tested

• On-campus residents: your test must be administered (the sample collected and submitted to the laboratory) within 10 days prior to the day you are scheduled to move into your on-campus residence.
• Off-campus residents: your test must be administered (the sample collected and submitted to the laboratory) within a window of 10 days prior to the day you plan to arrive in Central New York/Syracuse.
• We understand that some students living off-campus have already returned to Central New York (or never departed). If you are in this category, you can satisfy the pre-arrival testing requirement by visiting the Stadium Testing Center prior to the start of move-in for students residing on-campus (Jan. 30) during regular hours (Monday-Friday; 10 a.m to 2 p.m.). When you check in at the testing center, be sure to indicate to the testing center attendant that you are seeking to satisfy your pre-arrival testing requirement.

Pre-Arrival Testing Options

Students have two options to comply with the pre-arrival testing requirement:

Option #1: Seek Testing in Your Local Community      

• To locate community-based testing sites, you can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. You can also check your local or state health department’s website for additional testing information.
• When choosing a local testing provider, inquire about the average turnaround time required to receive your result. Plan accordingly, so that you can be assured you will receive your result prior to arriving on campus.
• Ensure that the testing center is using an FDA-approved diagnostic test; only diagnostic tests will be accepted.
• Contact your health insurance if you have questions about coverage for COVID testing.
• As soon as you receive your COVID-19 test result, upload it to the Student Patient Portal. This must be done prior to returning to campus.
• Detailed instructions as to how to submit your test result are as follows:
  • Log in to the Student Patient Portal using your SU NetID and password
  • Click “COVID-19” on the top menu
  • Enter the date and result of your COVID-19 test and click “Submit”
  • Your “Documentation Status” will be updated to “Needs Documentation”
  • Click “Select File” and upload a copy of your COVID-19 test results
  • Please ensure your name, date of test and result are clearly visible on your uploaded document
  • Upon uploading your documentation, your status will be updated to “Under Review” until reviewed by the Barnes Center
  • If “Under Review” status of your test result has not been updated within 48 hours, please check the Patient Portal for a secure message

Option #2: At-Home COVID-19 Test

Syracuse University has again engaged LetsGetChecked to provide students with the option to secure an FDA-approved at-home COVID test kit, at a highly subsidized cost. Students who elect to use the mail-in test kit will pay $49, which will be billed to Bursar accounts. Please note, this service may not be covered by your health insurance. If you have questions, please contact your health insurance provider. Here is what you need to know:

• How It Works:
  • To get started, visit the LetsGetChecked COVID testing portal.
  • Select “Syracuse University” from the portal’s drop-down menu, and then complete and submit the test request form.
  • Important: When completing the test request form, be sure to have your SU I.D. number ready (nine digits), use only your Syracuse University email address when requesting a test kit.
  • Important: When providing LetsGetChecked a mailing address, remember to use the address where you will be during the period when you will need to administer the test.
  • Upon completing your order, LetsGetChecked will send you an at-home test kit.

• When to Order Your Kit:
  You should administer your test and return your test kit no sooner than 10 days, but no later than five days, prior to your planned arrival on campus if traveling from New York or a contiguous state. To ensure that the timing of your test and test result aligns with this requirement, we strongly encourage you to adhere to the following schedule:
  • Return to Campus Date: Jan. 30; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan 18; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 25
  • Return to Campus Date: Jan. 31; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan 19; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 26
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 1; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 20; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 27
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 2; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 21; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 28
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 3; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 22; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 29
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 4; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 22; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 29
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 5; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 22; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Jan. 29
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 6; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 25; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Feb. 1
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 7; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 26; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Feb. 2
  • Return to Campus Date: Feb. 8; Order Your Test Kit No Later Than: Jan. 27; Return Completed Test to Lab No Later Than: Feb. 3

• When You Receive the Test Kit:
  • The kit includes the test itself, and a pre-paid UPS mailer that you will use to return the completed test to the lab.
  • The first thing you should do when you receive the test kit in the mail is determine the ideal date you should administer the test based on the dates provided above.
  • When administering the test, follow the instructions carefully, and immediately return the completed test to the laboratory in the pre-paid UPS mailer.
  • Important: Do not wait to return the test kit to the laboratory, once you have self-administered the test. Send it the same day you take the test. A delay could degrade the sample, possibly resulting in an inconclusive test result and delaying your return to campus.
  • You can visit the LetsGetChecked website to review FAQs and a video that will help you become familiar with the test procedure before you collect your sample. If you have questions, you can access support services from a LetsGetChecked medical team member by following the directions included in the test kit.
  • You MUST activate your test kit online at LetsGetChecked.com, or on the LetsGetChecked app, in order to receive your results.
  • Important: It is highly recommended that you drop off the completed test at an authorized UPS shipping center to ensure timely delivery and processing. If you don’t have access to a UPS shipping center, you can contact UPS to schedule a pickup at your home. If arranging for a home pickup, you should make these arrangements before you take the test to ensure there is no delay. You may schedule pickup with UPS online or by calling 1.800.742.5877.

• What Happens Next:
  • Your test is sent via UPS to the LetsGetChecked lab, and your results will be available 48-72 hours after the laboratory receives the sample.
  • Specifically, the laboratory will provide you with your results through the online portal, and they will also notify the University of your results.
  • Important: If your test result is negative, no further action is required on your part.
  • Important: Students who test positive will be contacted by a representative from the Barnes Center. Be advised that students who test positive will not be cleared by public health authorities to return to campus until the required 10-day home isolation period has concluded.

• If You Are Under 18:
  • LetsGetChecked cannot ship kits directly to students under the age of 18.
  • If you are a minor, please contact the Barnes Center about how to obtain a kit directly from the University.

If you have any questions about the at-home test kit, you may contact the LetsGetChecked customer care team at 888.397.5754, or by email at university-support@letsgetchecked.com.

Students Who Have Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days prior to arrival on campus, can submit documentation of their positive result via the Student Patient Portal (directions above). Providing this documentation will satisfy the pre-arrival testing requirement.

Financial Assistance

If you are experiencing financial hardship, support and assistance may be available. Please review the information about emergency funding and complete the financial appeal for U.S. citizens/permanent residents or financial appeal for international students to apply. These requests will be reviewed quickly and based on financial need or hardship.

Where to Direct Questions

If you have questions about the pre-arrival testing requirement, please contact the COVID Project Management Office. If you have questions about your personal test result, related personal health concerns, or about the Student Patient Portal, please contact the Barnes Center at The Arch.

We appreciate your continued cooperation, diligence and commitment to the University’s COVID-19 testing and public health programs, now and throughout the spring semester.

Sincerely,

Syracuse University Public Health Team