Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ Response to University’s Free Community COVID-19 Testing

Wednesday, January 12, 2022, By John Boccacino
Share
CommunityCOVID 19Public HealthstadiumTesting Center
people enter stadium at Gate N entrance with highway sign that says "PUBLIC COVID TESTING"

Free COVID-19 testing is available to the Central New York community at the University’s stadium through Jan. 14.

With access to COVID-19 tests becoming increasingly scarce in and around Central New York, Syracuse University began offering free COVID-19 testing to the Central New York community on Jan. 4.

Announced earlier this month by New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul ’80, as part of a concerted, statewide effort to quickly detect and isolate the presence of the virus and limit transmission, the drive to administer free tests to community members came as COVID cases began to spike in and around Onondaga County at the beginning of the new year.

Through the initiative’s first week, nearly 1,700 Central New Yorkers have taken advantage of these free community COVID tests at the Stadium Testing Center on campus.

“The community response has been overwhelmingly positive so far. It has really been heartening to see so many community members take advantage of this resource, and we feel confident we will be able to accommodate everyone who comes out for a test,” says Adam Hepburn, executive director of operations in the University’s Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation.

When the announcement was first made, Hepburn admits he wasn’t sure how the greater community would respond to the free tests. He soon learned just how great of a need there was for complimentary COVID tests. Hepburn says many of the community members who have benefited expressed their gratitude over the University opening up its doors and making these tests available.

“There was a mother of five who brought her children with her to the Stadium Testing Center. As she came through the site, she explained to us just how difficult a time she had in finding tests for her children in the community, and that it would have cost her hundreds of dollars to get her kids tested. She was exceedingly pleased to have access to this testing resource on our campus,” says Hepburn, who credits the campus community for coming together to make this resource available.

Hepburn says the PCR direct saliva tests being administered at the Stadium Testing Center are accurate and reliable, with results known within 24 to 48 hours. Instead of requiring an appointment, interested community members can just walk up to the Stadium Testing Center and receive their saliva test, with very little wait time.

Central New York residents line up at the Stadium Testing Center for free COVID testing

Members of the Syracuse community make their way through the Stadium Testing Center.

“The testing lab has been quite busy with this extra testing; however, we are still able to meet the 24-to-48-hour turnaround time to get test results back to community members,” adds Ramesh Raina, the University’s interim vice president of research and a member of the University’s Public Health Team. “These people who are benefiting from these tests are members of our community. With increased testing needs, combined with limited testing resources, anything we can do to help with testing is a good thing. We’re happy that we can help our community.”

In addition to the Public Health Team members and University staff facilitating the community testing, 10 members of the National Guard were deployed to the Stadium Testing Center to assist with this effort. Both Hepburn and Raina credit the University’s on-campus partners with ensuring the testing process runs smoothly.

Community members can continue to take advantage of free COVID tests at the stadium through Friday, Jan. 14. Testing hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The University will continue providing testing to its campus community, including students, faculty, staff and the families of employees, at Kimmel Dining Hall through Friday, Jan. 14. Testing for campus members will resume at the Stadium Testing Center beginning on Sunday, Jan. 16. Hours for campus community testing are available on the University’s Stay Safe testing webpage.

Syracuse University’s testing available to asymptomatic individuals. Individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms should not visit the stadium; instead, they should contact their health care provider or visit a local urgent care facility. Individuals who plan to test at the Stadium Testing Center, be advised:

  • No appointments are necessary; simply visit the testing center at a time that is convenient for you during operating hours.
  • Parking is available at the Raynor Avenue Lot and Irving Garage; handicap accessible parking is available in the Quad Lot. A parking lot map can be accessed by visiting the Campus Maps webpage.
  • Enter the stadium through Gate N.
  • Do not eat, chew gum, drink, use mouthwash or use any tobacco products for 30 minutes before testing.
  • Deposit enough saliva to reach the line marked on the tube.
  • Only deposit saliva into the tube (no mucus or phlegm)!
  • Hydrate well earlier in the day to prevent dry mouth.
  • Masks must be worn at all times, except when actively depositing the test sample. Surgical masks will be available at the stadium.
  • Individuals will receive test results via email with any appropriate guidance.
  • Individuals who have tested positive in the last 90 days should not participate in this surveillance testing.

To learn more about Syracuse University’s testing strategy, visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe.

  • Author

John Boccacino

  • Recent
  • Newhouse School Announces Winners of 2023 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023, By Genaro Armas
  • University Launches New BioTech/MBA Dual Degree That Combines Business and Science
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023, By Dawn McWilliams
  • New Sustainability Leadership Program Aims to Create Visionary and Ethical Leaders
    Tuesday, March 28, 2023, By Lyndy McLaughlin
  • Syracuse Stage Announces Two-Day Vendor Fair As Part of ‘Our Town’
    Tuesday, March 28, 2023, By Joanna Penalva
  • Sound Beat: Access Audiobook ‘King Arthur and the Book of Corbenic’
    Tuesday, March 28, 2023, By Cristina Hatem

More In Campus & Community

University Launches New BioTech/MBA Dual Degree That Combines Business and Science

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management are launching a new dual degree program: a master of science in biotechnology (M.S. in biotechnology) combined with the master of business administration (MBA). The…

Sound Beat: Access Audiobook ‘King Arthur and the Book of Corbenic’

Syracuse University Libraries’ Sound Beat: Access Audio recently released the audiobook “King Arthur and the Book of Corbenic” written by Christopher Catroppa ’22 on its website SoundBeat.org. This retelling of the king’s tale portrays Arthur as a young man gazing…

International Festival Celebrates Global Campus Community

The Center for International Services and Student Association will host the annual International Festival on Sunday, April 2, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center. Now in its third year, the festival will feature 10…

Traci Geisler ’90 Appointed Director of Blackstone LaunchPad

Syracuse University Libraries recently appointed Traci L. Geisler ’90, MBA, J.D. as director of the Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) effective March 17. Geisler succeeds Linda Dickerson Hartsock, founder and former executive director of the LaunchPad, who has transitioned to the role…

Career Workshop Series: Personalizes Career Confidence

Designed to meet undergraduate students where they are in their career journey, physically on campus or even virtually, Syracuse University Career Services’ newly launched workshop series offers opportunities to learn more about a wide range of valuable and customizable career-related…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.