Dec. 17, 2020
COVID-19 update for CWU Students
Dear Wildcats
As we enter the holiday season, it’s important that we keep in mind the recommendations of our health experts: avoid close contact with people outside your household, continue to wear your face covering, practice physical distancing, avoid confined indoor spaces, and wash your hands often. By doing so, you can protect your loved ones and those who are most vulnerable to the virus.
To better help control the spread of COVID-19, Central Washington University is requiring that all students living or working on campus, or attending face-to-face or hybrid classes be tested for COVID-19 at the start of the winter quarter.
To make this easier, free Welcome Back Testing is available for students on January 8 and January 11-14 in Nicholson Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flu shots will also be offered for students during this time.
Any student unable to be tested on those dates must present a PCR or equivalent test to Student Health Services for clearance prior to working/living on campus or attending classes. The test must be equivalent to the PCR tests used on campus and should be no older than 72 hours (from the time the results are known to when they are provided to campus health officials).
To drop off your test results, make an appointment at the Student Health Center or email the test results to: Wildcathealthcovid@cwu.edu. Once approved by Student Health Services (SHS) you will receive an email from SHS showing clearance to return to campus.
Students living in King, Pierce, or Yakima counties can take advantage of free testing opportunities in those areas. The following links offer specific information about dates, times, and locations:
- King County
- Pierce County
- Yakima County
Students who are not tested or who do not provide test results cannot live or work on campus or attend face-to-face or hybrid classes but can enroll in remote learning classes.
Students are encouraged to go to MyCWU to update their current physical address information so they will receive any critical health information regarding COVID-19. Students will also be required to complete the Winter Quarter online Attestation form via MyCWU by Jan. 15 (the attestation form will be available in late December).
The university also will offer more robust prevalence testing protocols during the winter quarter. A sample of the student population will be tested each week (150-200 students) in a way that allows local health professionals to monitor—and respond to—any potential spread of the virus in the community. Students will be notified via email if they have been selected to randomly test and where to go.
Starting in winter quarter, students will be required to submit updated immunization records to Med+Proctor by February 1. Students are encouraged to satisfy these requirements before arriving on campus. Those who have not received the required vaccinations can obtain them at Student Health Services once they are enrolled and attending classes. There is a fee for immunizations.
Students who do not receive the required vaccinations prior to registering will have a hold placed on their next quarter registration. Students requesting an Immunization Exemption can find the required forms on the Med+Proctor portal or the Student Health Services website. Complete immunization information is available on the CWU Immunizations website.
Students are encouraged to download the Washington State Department of Health’s new WA Notify (Washington Exposure Notification) app on their smartphones. The app alerts users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and is another tool for protecting yourself and others.
If you show any of the symptoms of the virus, such as a higher-than-normal temperature or loss of taste or smell, get tested as soon as you can.
It is recommended that students who travel out-of-state or are returning from a COVID hot spot should quarantine for 14 days if they are asymptomatic. If unable to do that, then it is suggested that they quarantine for seven days, assuming they are asymptomatic all seven days, and then get tested.
I am confident that if we adhere to these guidelines and continue to follow safe practices, we can minimize the impacts of the virus on our campus and our community.
Best wishes for a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.
Gregory Heinselman
Dean of Student Success