COVID-19 student testing requirements Spring 2021

Dear students and family members,

While the fall semester has concluded, our pandemic planning to promote health and safety continues. Thanks to the dedicated commitment of members of the Rider community to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, we were able to experience (albeit different than usual) a very positive fall semester.  We plan to expand on this success and continue to adhere to state and federal COVID-19 guidance this coming semester. Toward that end, we are updating our COVID-19 protocols via the Resolved and Ready website. Of particular note this spring is our COVID-19 testing plan for the Spring semester that is designed to mitigate the risk of spread of infection during a time when the virus is projected to peak.

More detailed information will be shared within the next two weeks regarding our various testing requirements. In the meantime, we are sharing the following information as you prepare for spring and consider your living options.

Required COVID-19 random surveillance testing for all members of the Rider community who frequent campus

This spring, we are expanding our random surveillance testing program to include all members of the community who spend time on campus. This includes COVID-19 testing for all residential students; students who have in-person classes; students who are otherwise on campus for work, research or student activities; and faculty and staff who are physically present on campus. A certain percentage of such students, faculty and staff will be randomly chosen to test each week via a saliva based PCR test. We anticipate that students will be tested no more than two times over the course of the semester. Testing will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays in the SRC seminar room from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This essential step in our protocol will help us identify positive cases in our community to help reduce the spread of infection.

Required COVID-19 testing for all residential students before the start of the semester

In addition to our random surveillance testing this spring, all residential students will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test before the start of the Spring semester. Students who do not adhere to this advance testing requirement will risk immediate loss of housing.

The required test is a PCR molecular test (saliva or nasal swab) and must be administered between 5-7 days prior to your arrival. Rapid antigen or antibody tests will NOT be accepted.

Those with negative test results can move back on campus January 30 or 31. Those with positive test results must isolate at home and be cleared by the Student Health Center before returning to campus for the semester.

Limit interactions with others and minimize your exposure between when you get tested and when you return to campus to reduce the risk that you become infected after testing.

Residential students have 2 options to meet the advance PCR testing requirement.  These options are listed in order of preference.  Don’t risk losing your housing – be sure to choose one option before returning to campus this spring semester.

Option 1: Test on your own in advance.

Secure your own PCR molecular test (saliva or nasal swab) between 5-7 days prior to your arrival (January 23-26) for the spring semester and submit your test results via the Healthy Broncs portal. Rapid antigen or antibody tests will NOT be accepted.

Resources to identify an appropriate testing site.

• Contact your healthcare provider about testing availability and potential costs.

• New Jersey testing resources.

• US Department of Health and Human Services resources.

Option 2: Get tested in advance at Rider for free.
Come to campus on one of the following dates/times to get tested free of charge, and go home to await your test results. No appointment is necessary.  Testing will be offered in the SRC seminar room on a first-come, first-served basis. Please prepare for potential wait time, and be patient with staff who are working hard to coordinate testing.

• Saturday, January 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Sunday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Monday, January 25, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, January 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Let us know you're coming by completing this form.

It is important that you follow the instructions below prior to your testing day. Failure to do so may result in an indeterminate finding that must be treated as a positive case, requiring your isolation and potential quarantine for those with whom you’ve had close contact. You can expect test results via the Healthy Broncs portal typically within 72 hours.

• Avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum, or smoking 30 minutes prior to taking the test.

• Be prepared to show that you are cleared by CampusClear that day.

• Do NOT come for testing if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or if you are currently in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19.  

*Winter break residents and Residence Life staff can be tested on one of these days.

If you’ve previously tested positive for COVID-19

If you had a positive COVID 19 test between November 1, 2020, and January 18, 2021, you will need to provide proof of that test prior to arrival to campus via the Healthy Broncs Portal. ***Please note that if you were tested through the University within the last 90 days or if you previously self-reported, you still need to submit your positive test result into the portal.

Additional information about return to spring housing

All students living on campus for the Spring semester must submit negative PCR test results per this protocol prior to move-in.  Students who cannot complete either advance testing option will be required to quarantine immediately upon their arrival on January 30 or 31 and must be tested on campus on February 1.  Students who completed advance testing but whose test results are not received in advance of their arrival will be required to quarantine until their results are received.  Students with roommates and those who reside in suites or apartments will be assigned to a temporary Quarantine Housing location.  You cannot attend any in-person classes or activities while in quarantine awaiting your test results.  This could take a week or more.

All students should reserve a residential arrival appointment through the myRider portal, selecting “Schedule your Move-in/Move-out.”  Please keep the testing timeline in mind as you schedule your move-in day/time. Please understand that early arrival requests for the Spring semester will be extremely limited due to the timelines associated with this COVID-19 testing protocol and will still require advance testing.

Residence Life will send additional communications about Spring semester housing this week.

Exception for those requiring travel quarantine

If you are traveling from outside of NJ, NY, CT, PA and DE, you are required to arrive on campus January 21 or 22 and quarantine immediately as per NJ requirements. You will not need an advance test, but you will be required to be tested at Rider, free of charge, on January 27. Those with negative test results and who are asymptomatic can end their quarantine on January 30. Those who are positive will move into on-campus isolation housing.

Questions

If you have questions related to this protocol, please contact:

• Student Health Center 609-896-5060 or [email protected]
  Medically-related questions about COVID-19 testing and submission of advance test results

• Residence Life 609-896-5102 or [email protected]
  Questions related to registration for spring return to campus residence halls

We understand that we are asking a lot of you to comply with the Rider COVID-19 testing protocol. We are confident that your commitment will continue to promote the health and safety of yourself, your family, and the entire Rider community.

Sincerely,

COVID-19 implementation team