Ohio State University requiring all students to take COVID-19 test before returning to

On Jan 6, 2022

Ohio State University is the latest college to make major changes for the spring semester. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, OSU is now ramping up testing for most students on campus. Students living in campus housing — or off-campus fraternity or sorority houses — must get a negative test to return. And each student will take a rapid test with the university before moving back in.They will then be required to take weekly tests.This also applies to anyone with an exemption to the school’s vaccination requirement.Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University are all following the same approach.For Ohio State housing this weekend, Buckeye students will need a rapid antigen test. At Ohio University, all Bobcat students are now required to test before the spring semester.According to UC’s website, “Students can return to campus residence halls as scheduled on a voluntary basis but, for the time being, must participate in required COVID-19 screening testing regardless of vaccination status.”At Xavier University, 5,000 undergrads will return Monday for in-person learning.But before they do, they are supposed to test negative at a local outlet or negative with an at-home test.Recognizing the degree of difficulty in that, Xavier is providing a third option. Some might term it “the almost test.””Do a self-diagnosis,” said Doug Ruschman, who handles marketing and communications there. “And a self-check, to be able to submit that knowing that when they get back here to campus they may then need to get tested.”The online form is brief, essentially affirming that the student has had no symptoms and has not been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Ohio State University is the latest college to make major changes for the spring semester.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, OSU is now ramping up testing for most students on campus.

Students living in campus housing — or off-campus fraternity or sorority houses — must get a negative test to return.

And each student will take a rapid test with the university before moving back in.

They will then be required to take weekly tests.

This also applies to anyone with an exemption to the school’s vaccination requirement.

Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University are all following the same approach.

For Ohio State housing this weekend, Buckeye students will need a rapid antigen test. At Ohio University, all Bobcat students are now required to test before the spring semester.

According to UC’s website, “Students can return to campus residence halls as scheduled on a voluntary basis but, for the time being, must participate in required COVID-19 screening testing regardless of vaccination status.”

At Xavier University, 5,000 undergrads will return Monday for in-person learning.
But before they do, they are supposed to test negative at a local outlet or negative with an at-home test.

Recognizing the degree of difficulty in that, Xavier is providing a third option. Some might term it “the almost test.”

“Do a self-diagnosis,” said Doug Ruschman, who handles marketing and communications there. “And a self-check, to be able to submit that knowing that when they get back here to campus they may then need to get tested.”

The online form is brief, essentially affirming that the student has had no symptoms and has not been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.