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September 10, 2021
Dear Spelman community,
Thanks to each of you and your committed adherence to all of our safety protocols we have successfully welcomed more than 2300 students to campus and held many in-person classes, while maintaining a campus positivity rate that is less than 1%. Bravo!
We are also happy to share that 90% of both our student and employee populations have received at least one or more vaccine shots, and 100% are in compliance with our vaccination policy. Words cannot express
our gratitude to each of you for your dedication to not just the health and safety of yourself but that of your fellow community members.
As you are aware, COVID-19 testing is an important layer to our approach to ensuring health and safety. Unvaccinated individuals are tested bi-weekly with a rapid test. This will not change. This testing will continue to take place in the Suites Private Dining Room (Testing Site #1). If you are an unvaccinated employee, and have not received a letter with testing instructions please contact Desiree Mack at dmack9@spelman.edu.
Due to the current surge in local and statewide positivity rates, as well as the high transmissibility of the delta variant, even in vaccinated individuals, the College will now require vaccinated individuals to take one weekly rapid test on
campus beginning Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.
This serves as screening testing, and not diagnostic.
Here are the details regarding rapid testing for vaccinated individuals:
Do I need an appointment?
No. The testing site will be open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., four days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Feel free to stop in at any time.
Will I need
to wait for my test result?
No. If you have a positive result, you will be contacted immediately by HR (employees), or Student Health Services (students).
Who will administer the test?
A medical professional will administer the test for you.
What kind of test will I take?
A nasopharyngeal rapid test (BINAX rapid test). If you are medically unable to take this test, please contact Human Resources (employees) or Student Health Services (students).
When will testing
begin?
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.
Where should I report for testing?
Beverly Tatum Suites Dining Hall (Testing Site #2)
What do I need to bring with me?
Your student/employee ID number and ID badge or driver's license
Do I have to pay for this or will my insurance be charged?
No, this testing is at no charge to you. The College will absorb all costs.
Individuals may be exempt from the weekly rapid test for a given week(s)
based on the following criteria:
- Currently not on campus, or will not access campus
- Isolating due to COVID-19 positive test
- Quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure
In addition to the weekly rapid testing of all faculty, staff and students, the College will also perform randomized PCR diagnostic testing each week of randomly selected faculty, staff and students.
Only 65 employees and 246 students will be tested with the PCR test each week. This testing
will begin Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Only those contacted directly by HR (employees) or Student Health Services (students) via e-mail will participate in this testing.
Here are the details regarding the randomized PCR testing for ALL individuals:
Do I need an appointment?
No. The testing site will be open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesdays. Feel free to stop in at any time.
Will I need to wait for my test result?
No. If you have a positive result, you will be contacted
by HR (employees) or Student Health Services (students).
Who will administer the test?
A medical professional will administer the test for you.
What kind of test will I take?
A nasopharyngeal PCR test. If you are medically unable to take this test, please contact Human Resources (employees) or Student Health Services (students).
When will testing begin?
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2021.
Where should I report for testing?
Beverly Tatum Suites Dining Hall (Testing Site #2).
How will I know if I have been selected for testing?
You will receive an e-mail on the Friday or Monday prior to your Wednesday test.
What do I need to bring with me?
Your student/employee ID number and ID badge or driver's license.
Do I need to take a rapid test that week if I have been selected to take a PCR test?
No.
Do I have to pay for this or will my insurance be charged?
No, this testing is at no charge to you. The College will absorb all costs.
We anticipate that ALL faculty, staff and students will be tested the week of Oct. 4, 2021 with a PCR test. Details regarding location and times are forthcoming.
Finally, we ask that you continue to be flexible. Testing frequency and modalities are data driven. Therefore, as the semester continues, there may be changes to our protocols that we will share as soon as we are able to finalize the
details.
Thanks again for your continued support and stay safe!
Best regards,
Dawn Alston
CFO & Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs, Treasurer
Darryl B. Holloman, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
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