COLUMBIA, S.C. _ University of South Carolina officials are preparing to welcome students back for the fall semester. But before students can move into on-campus housing, they must submit proof they've been tested for COVID-19.
The move is for the safety of all University of South Carolina students and an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, university officials said.
Prior to arriving on campus in Columbia, students must show one of the following:
_ Proof of prior COVID-19 infection.
_ Proof of presence of COVID-19 antibodies.
_ Proof of negative COVID-19 test results taken within 10 days of scheduled move-in day.
Students waiting for test results are asked to delay moving in until being able to upload the documentation.
This affects students living in all on-campus housing _ including dorms, fraternity and sorority houses in the Greek Village, in addition to student apartment complexes 650 Lincoln, Green Crossing, Park Place and Younion, according to university officials.
Anyone who does not upload the COVID-19 test information to the university's My Health Space portal will have to self-quarantine at a non-university facility "at your own expense until test results are available," officials said.
For any students looking to be tested for the coronavirus, the university has scheduled on-campus clinics from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and July 29 at the Center for Health and Well-Being. Tests will be self-administered nasal swabs, officials said.
The cost of the on-campus tests is expected to be covered by insurance, a university spokesperson told The State. Information was not available on whether the university would reimburse students who are unable to get to campus and have to pay for COVID-19 screening.
Anyone with questions about testing can call (803) 777-3175.
Students who live in off-campus housing will not be required to take a coronavirus test before returning to campus. But other requests are being made of them, along with all of the university's students.
In a July 17 letter, university President Bob Caslen said he is optimistic in the plans to reopen. In spite of that confidence _ and the insight of university researchers, epidemiologists and public health experts _ Caslen said it won't work if students, faculty and staff members don't take necessary safety precautions.
"Our plan to mitigate risk and limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the Columbia community will succeed only if every student, faculty and staff member commits to appropriate public health behavior both on and off campus," Caslen said. " ... Gamecocks, I am eager to welcome you back to campus next month, but I also stand prepared to alter our plan should that become necessary."
Caslen has shown that willingness to change during the coronavirus pandemic when the university had students move out of campus housing in March, days after going to online classes for the rest of the 2020 spring semester. The university has also canceled plans for an in-person graduation ceremony as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in South Carolina.
"Your health, safety and well being remain our top priority as we look to a new semester that will demand patience, determination and resilience from all of us," Caslen said in the letter.
