Ball State Doesn't Require COVID Test For Staff And Students To Return To Campus

Ball State University won’t require students or staff to be tested for COVID-19 before the campus fully reopens for in-person classes next month.  The Muncie school announced its coronavirus screening procedures Monday.

Employees already back to work at Ball State University have been asked to self-monitor and self-certify they’re not sick.  It’s a practice that will continue under a detailed screening plan released Monday and will soon include students.

Before moving in to residence halls, students have two options – self-certifying that they’ve quarantined for 14 days before moving in or presenting a negative COVID-19 test from within seven days of moving in.  In an email to campus, Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns says the school will have rooms available for students to quarantine or isolate in residence halls, should they get the virus.

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Mearns also says Ball State has an agreement with IU Health to test any student for COVID-19 at the Student Health Center on campus.  That’s for students that want a test or develop symptoms.  For faculty and staff, Ball State suggests they go see their own doctor if they want a test – or head to a local testing site or the Employee Quick Clinic if they can’t get into a doctor’s office.

Ball State’s fall semester opens with in-person classes on August 24.