Dear CAS Students,
I hope your spring break is going well and you are having opportunities to relax and rejuvenate. I am writing to provide you with updates and expectations for CAS residential students as we look forward to restarting classes after the break.
Entry Testing Requirement for all CAS Residential Students
As you know, we had a surge of positive COVID-19 cases in the residence halls prior to spring break. For that reason, we are requiring all CAS residential students undergo post-break entry testing—even if you stayed on campus during the break. This testing is provided free of charge.
The only students who are exempt from this testing requirement are those who have tested positive for COVID-19 since December 25, 2021 (i.e., in the 90 days prior to our post-break testing program). If you have previously had contact with Wellness staff to inform them of a COVID infection in the last 90 days, you will automatically be exempted from this re-entry testing requirement. If you have not informed Wellness staff of a positive test result from the last 90 days, please e-mail covid19info@lclark.edu as soon as possible, so that you can be excused from this requirement.
If you are subject to the testing requirement, you will need to take two at-home antigen tests: the first as soon as possible after your arrival to campus*, and the second about 72 hours (3 days) after the first test. These tests involve use of a self-administered nasal swab. Directions are contained in the testing kit. These tests assess for current infectiousness, and will not generally pick up on past illness.
*It is very important that you complete any required testing by 8:15 p.m. on a given day, so that staff have adequate time to support you into isolation housing, should you test positive.
Test Distribution
Two free antigen tests will be provided to each residential student. Residents should head to the RA staff office for their area to claim their antigen tests at the following times and locations:
Distribution Times
- Friday March 25, 2022
- Saturday March 26 and Sunday March 27, 2022
- Monday March 28–Sunday April 3, 2022
RA Staff Office Locations
- Holmes, Hartzfeld, & Apartment residents: Holmes 252
- Copeland Hall residents: Copeland G22
- Stewart, Odell, & Akin residents: Stewart 126
- Platt-Howard Hall residents: Platt W135
- Forest Halls residents: Alder 002
Procedure: You will need to show photo identification when picking up your antigen tests so that Campus Living staff can mark those tests as distributed. You may pick up tests for roommates, suitemates, and apartment-mates only if you have an email or text message authorizing you to do so, or if you have your roommate/suitemate/apartmentmate on phone/video chat to confirm you have permission to get their tests for them. They will also be marked as having received their tests.
After You Test
Immediately after each test, you must complete this form, and attach a photo of your test results, meaning you will need to complete this form TWICE. If you test positive either time, immediately self-isolate. If you obtain a positive test result over the weekend or after hours, call Campus Safety at 503-768-7777 and follow their instructions. Starting Monday, March 28, if you obtain a positive test result on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., upload any positive test results into the Health Information Portal; call the Health Service at 503-768-7165; and also complete the SCARF (available in the Portal).
If you have any questions about the testing program, please e-mail covid19info@lclark.edu.
If you are required to test and you do not follow through (i.e., taking both tests and documenting both test results), you will be referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities for potential disciplinary action.
Recommended Testing for all Off-Campus CAS Students
Although the surge we experienced prior to spring break was primarily in our residential population, we recommend that ALL students undergo entry testing. We recommend that off-campus students utilize at-home antigen testing 24 hours before you return to campus for classes and then again 72 hours later. You will need to acquire these tests at your own expense.
Finishing Strong
By the time you return to campus, we will be about 40 days away from the end of the semester. I strongly encourage you to be mindful about the decisions you make and the social activities you participate in. Many of you will be completing your senior thesis, last performances, finals, and for some, graduation. It is very important for you to do all that you can to avoid contracting COVID and needing to quarantine or isolate for 5 to10 days during the critical end of the semester. Avoid attending large gatherings, especially parties, make good choices, and remember to utilize all of the tried and true mitigation measures that we know work. All LC community members are still required to wear a KN95 or N95 mask until the mask mandate is lifted on campus. Thanks for all that you do, and let’s finish up the semester healthy and strong!
Robin H. Holmes-Sullivan
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
