COVID-19 testing details for SUNY Oswego students
August 12, 2020 - 12:31pm
Dear Student,
As a SUNY Oswego student, we want you and everyone to remain safe and healthy! To help, you are required to be tested for COVID-19 before classes begin on August 24, 2020. To better prepare you for when, where and how the test will be administered, we want to provide you with current information.
First, the test: Our baseline COVID-19 test is a ‘pooled’ saliva test developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU) where your individual saliva sample will be pooled with 11 other SUNY Oswego student samples and submitted to UMU for processing. This pooled saliva test is a sensitive, highly accurate and rapid test with results provided back to our campus in 24-48 hours.
When and where: For students living on-campus, your testing will be performed at your scheduled check-in. For off-campus, commuter students, you will need to come to our drive-up testing site in front of Sheldon Hall between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on August 22 or 23. It is important to note that all students must bring their SUNY Oswego photo ID card and personal mobile device to the collection station. Also, you must not eat or drink anything, or smoke or use smokeless tobacco products within 30 minutes of taking the test, nor brush your teeth or use mouthwash within three (3) hours of taking the test.
As a SUNY Oswego student, we want you and everyone to remain safe and healthy! To help, you are required to be tested for COVID-19 before classes begin on August 24, 2020. To better prepare you for when, where and how the test will be administered, we want to provide you with current information.
First, the test: Our baseline COVID-19 test is a ‘pooled’ saliva test developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU) where your individual saliva sample will be pooled with 11 other SUNY Oswego student samples and submitted to UMU for processing. This pooled saliva test is a sensitive, highly accurate and rapid test with results provided back to our campus in 24-48 hours.
When and where: For students living on-campus, your testing will be performed at your scheduled check-in. For off-campus, commuter students, you will need to come to our drive-up testing site in front of Sheldon Hall between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on August 22 or 23. It is important to note that all students must bring their SUNY Oswego photo ID card and personal mobile device to the collection station. Also, you must not eat or drink anything, or smoke or use smokeless tobacco products within 30 minutes of taking the test, nor brush your teeth or use mouthwash within three (3) hours of taking the test.
How: When you arrive, you will be asked to log on to a UMU website (that we will provide) and register online for the test. You will use a swab yourself to gather saliva from your mouth. Once you have taken the test, your SUNY Oswego Banner account will note you have participated in the baseline test and our Health Services Center will only contact you within 48 hours if the pooled result is positive.
Results: If your pooled result is positive, you will be required to move to an isolated residence hall room (if you are living on campus), or be asked to stay isolated if you live off-campus, until you are re-tested individually. Our Health Services Center will oversee your individual testing and communicate with you throughout this process.
Thank you for your cooperation. We are all committed to staying safe and healthy and by taking the test you are doing your part! Should you have further questions about the baseline COVID-19 saliva testing and whether or not you are included, please contact the Office of Student Affairs via email at studentaffairs@oswego.edu or by phone at 315-312-3214.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerri Howland
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students