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Spring 2021 COVID-19 Gateway Communication

We are extremely fortunate at William Penn University to now have four Abbott ID Now rapid testing machines on campus to test for COVID-19.  We have been able to test students and employees every weekday throughout the fall semester for suspected cases, as well as for surveillance testing.  There is no question that these machines and the testing kits have been a critical asset in keeping our campus operational this semester.

If you recall, all students were tested when they arrived on campus in August and we will be completing the same process to start the spring semester.  We are working on a plan to perform this gateway testing from January 4-10, 2021 so that all students have been tested prior to the start of the spring semester on Monday, January 11, 2021.

The current guidance is that those that have recovered from COVID-19 have a 90-day immunity.  As such, if you have had COVID-19 within the 90 days prior to the start of the Spring 2021 semester, you would not have to participate in gateway testing.

  • If you tested positive at William Penn University on or after October 13, 2020 you will not need to take a gateway COVID test.
  • If you tested positive at another testing location on or after October 13, 2020, you are responsible for getting documentation of that positive test result to the University no later than January 4, 2021.  Results may be emailed to COVIDTaskForce@wmpenn.edu. If acceptable documentation is received by the deadline, you will not need to participate in gateway testing.
  • If you have not tested positive for COVID on or after October 13, 2020 OR you do not provide documentation of a positive test result by the deadline mentioned above, you will have to participate in our gateway testing.

Please continue to watch your William Penn University email daily for important notices related to gateway testing and the start of the spring semester.  Kerra Strong will be contacting students in the month of December to schedule their COVID testing time. It’s important that you respond quickly to confirm the proposed appointment time.  She will be contacting students that are registered for the Spring semester, so please make sure you get registered for your spring classes as soon as you can.  If you have any holds on your student account, please work with the Business Office to make arrangements so you can register. aa

Be aware that students that live on campus must have their test completed before they will be allowed to move back into their building.  More information from Residence Life will be coming via email to those living in the residence halls soon about the move-in process for Spring 2021.

Student cooperation for gateway testing for the Fall 2020 semester was nothing short of impressive.  We know that our students will rise to the occasion again so we can start the spring semester as healthy as we possibly can.