Spring 2021 COVID Entrance Testing Policy for Students Living on Campus
All WCU students residing on campus in the residence halls are expected to take a
COVID-19 test within 3 to 5 days of their scheduled move-in date and receive a negative
test result.
Students should submit their test results to Residential Living before returning to
campus for the Spring 2021 term. If a student does not submit a negative test result,
for a test taken 3 to 5 days before their move in, they will not be permitted to return
to the residence halls and access to University services will be denied. Residential
Living will disable CatCard access to residence halls and meal plans until students
have successfully submitted their negative test results. Students that violate this
policy will be held accountable pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct and consistent
with COVID-19 related violations.
Students should take the following steps for testing before their Spring 2021 scheduled
move-in date:
Identify where you will take a COVID-19 test. The NCDHHS test site finder website can help in-state students find testing sites in NC. For out-of-state students, we
recommend you contact your primary care physician’s office, a local pharmacy, urgent
care, or your local health department for testing resources. Results from either a
rapid or PCR test will be accepted.
Two weeks prior to your COVID-19 test, and after being tested, please take steps to
minimize your potential exposure to COVID-19 and carefully monitor your health. For
example, avoid parties and other large gatherings of people, monitor your health for
symptoms, and check your temperature daily before you test to be sure you are symptom
free. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should quarantine until you have your
test results.
After you have received a copy of your test results, you can complete the Spring 2021
COVID-19 Test Report form at go.wcu.edu/sp2021covidtestreport. To complete the form, you will need to upload a legible picture or screenshot of
your test result. Residential Living will review each test result submission.
Positive results:
If your test result is positive, you CANNOT return to the residence halls.
Follow the instructions of your test provider and c
ontact Residential Living to reschedule your move-in date.
Negative results:
If your test result is negative, complete the Spring 2021 test report submission form
including uploading your test result documentation.
Residential Living will clear you to return to the residence halls (e.g., activate
your
CatCard, etc.) and email your final confirmation of move-in time to your Catamount
email.
Call Health Services at 828.227.7640 if you have any questions about testing or COVID-19
related symptoms. Call Residential Living at 828.227.7303 if you have any questions
about test result submission and/or move-in for Spring 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residential Living is implementing the entrance testing requirement for the residence
halls to help conserve the limited on-campus quarantine and isolation facilities at
the start of the term. As part of our commitment to keeping our campus community healthy
and well, we strongly encourage all students and employees to test in their local
area before returning to campus in the spring. Local Public Health Departments, pharmacies,
primary care medical provider, and individual insurance companies can provide specific
information.
For faculty and staff, information will be forthcoming about WCU sponsored testing
options similar to the options offered in November and December. As part of our commitment
to keeping our campus community healthy and well, we strongly encourage all students
and employees to test in their local area before returning to campus in the spring.
Local Public Health Departments, pharmacies, primary care medical provider, and individual
insurance companies can provide specific information.
Either test will be acceptable.
Negative test result documentation should be obtained 3-5 days before the student’s
scheduled move-in date.
As in the 2020 fall semester, WCU Health Services will offer no-cost surveillance
testing to students who make an appointment at the start of spring 2021 classes and
throughout the semester.
This entrance testing policy also applies to student athletes living on campus.
Local Public Health Departments, pharmacies, primary care medical provider, and individual
insurance companies can provide specific information about pricing and insurance coverage.
Communication will come directly from Residential Living to students’ Catamount email
accounts regarding the date and time to return to campus.
By providing test results to Residential Living, students are providing that information
as a student record which are subject to confidentiality and privacy policies.
Residential Living is prepared to accommodate move-in dates. Please contact them at
828-227-7303.
