WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 13, 2021 — As the spring semester begins on Jan. 19, West Liberty University reminds its students, staff, faculty and visitors of the necessity to follow pandemic procedures of wearing a face mask indoors, social distancing and good hand sanitation. Face masks are required unless individuals are in a private office, vehicle, or in a residence hall room or while eating.
“We are so appreciative of our students and employee cooperation at following all safety protocols in place as we continue to provide our academic tradition during this time of the coronavirus. We thank our campus too for participating in our testing procedures and vaccination system as required by the state of West Virginia. I look forward to the day when we can all relax and recover from the many changes and limitations forced on us by the pandemic. We will get through this and thrive,” said Dr. W. Franklin Evans, WLU president.
COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Spring 2021
Required Mass COVID-19 Testing for all students, faculty, staff and vendor employees will take place from 9 am – 3 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 in Blatnik Gym. Classes will be offered remotely during the first week of the semester and will not meet in-seat or classrooms.
Individuals must report for testing (saliva based/spit test) on specific days, (alphabetical order by last name):
- Tuesday, January 19, Last Names A through D
NOTE: A through B arrives between 9 am and noon, C through D between noon and 3 pm - Wednesday, January 20, Last Name E through K
NOTE: E through HA arrives between 9 am and noon, HE through K between noon and 3 pm - Thursday, January 21, Last name L through R
NOTE: L through Mo arrives between 9 am and noon, Mu through R between noon to 3 pm - Friday, January 22, Last name S through Z
NOTE: S through Te arrives between 9 am and noon, Th through Z between noon and 3 pm
If you cannot attend your scheduled day, you must report during one of the other testing days.
As directed by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and in addition to the Mass COVID-19 Testing, WLU will perform COVID-19 surveillance testing on a weekly basis during the spring semester, testing 10 percent of the campus population selected each week. COVID-19 surveillance testing will be held on Tuesdays starting Feb. 2, 2021 in Blatnik from 9 a.m. -2 p.m. for selected individuals. Further information on surveillance testing will be shared via email later this month.
IMPORTANT TESTING PROCESS INFORMATION
- Testing is for ASYMPTOMATIC individuals only! If you have a fever or symptoms the day of testing, do not report for testing. Instead call Student Health Services at 304-336-8049 to report your symptoms and receive further instruction.
- If you are in isolation or quarantine, do not leave for testing. Please make sure you complete the Positive Report Form to report a positive COVID-19 test or if you are named a contact by a health official.
- If you are take classes 100 percent on-line or work remotely and will not be on campus for any reason OR if you have tested positive for COVID-19 since October 27, 2020, you are not required to test.
- If you are a totally remote student for spring, please complete the Remote Confirmation Form.
- If you are a remote employee, you should contact your Cabinet member.
- Students who have tested positive since Oct. 27, 2020, must upload a copy of positive test results to the Student Health Portal.
- Positive testing employees should contact Human Resources at 304-336-8139.
If you already received the COVID-19 vaccine, you are not exempt from testing.
SALIVA OR SPIT TEST RULES
FREE mass testing and surveillance testing is currently saliva-based. While it is important to hydrate before the test in order to give an adequate sample, please do not eat, drink, use tobacco, chew gum, brush your teeth or use mouthwash 30-minutes prior to your test. This could void your results.
Please follow the testing signs at Blatnik Gym in order to use the appropriate entrance and exit. Testing will occur in the gym. You will be required to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.
Please bring your student/employee ID or driver’s license. You will be required to sign a testing consent found here: COVID-19 Testing Program HIPAA FERPA Authorization Spring 2021. To save time, please sign NOW and bring it to testing site (forms will be available if you don’t.)
You will be directed to scan a QRS code with your cell phone to start the self-registration process on the Vault Laboratory website. You will then be handed a testing kit and directed to a testing station. Laptops are available for anyone unable to use their phone.
After providing a sample, testers will seal their tube and place it in a bag. Testers will then hand their test to a staff member to be sent to the lab. Tests are mailed at the completion of each testing day. Results are typically received in 48-72 hours and will be sent to testers via email.
If you receive a positive result, a member of the WLU Contact Tracing team will contact you. You are also required to complete the Positive Report Form found on the WLU Coronavirus website.
Testing takes approximately 10-30 minutes to complete. If you need assistance, please notify a staff member. For special accommodations related to COVID-19 testing, please contact Chris McPherson, director of the Learning and Student Development Center at christopher.mcpherson@westliberty.edu.
Thank you for participating in this mandated COVID-19 safety measure. If you have questions, please email covid19@westliberty.edu.