February 4, 2021
Dear Students:
I want to share my gratitude to all of the students who complied with our pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirement as we began the Spring semester. That requirement was yet another step implemented to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus on our campus.
We will continue our focus with additional steps this Spring to provide comprehensive COVID-19 testing for our campus community.
COVID-19 testing is currently available seven days a week for symptomatic students and employees through Ball State’s agreement with IU Health. Three days a week, we also provide on-campus testing for anyone through Open Door Health Services at Worthen Arena.
Those testing options will remain this semester, and we are increasing our asymptomatic testing capacity even further.
On February 9, Ball State will begin offering rapid antigen COVID-19 testing three days a week at Worthen Arena for students and employees without symptoms. Students or employees tested via the rapid antigen test will receive results within approximately 30 minutes. There is no cost to students or employees, and appointments are not required. Anyone interested in receiving a rapid test should bring a student or employee ID or photo ID and, in advance of arriving, download the blue NAVICA app on your smartphone from the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
The rapid tests will be voluntarily administered and are part of our surveillance testing effort this Spring. Additionally, there will be instances this Spring when the University will require COVID-19 testing of students and employees. In these instances, the University will contact specific individuals and provide testing instructions, including how, where and when to be tested.
We have updated the following pages on our website to provide information and resources including:
While our testing options are robust, it is crucial for all students and employees to remain vigilant. During this pandemic, the best protection continues to be adherence to health and safety protocols—including maintaining physical distance of 6 feet, wearing face masks, washing hands regularly, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home if you are sick and consulting with a healthcare provider.
On a related topic, I want to share what I know regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Ball State University is currently in discussions with local and state health officials about distribution possibilities. We do not yet have specific information but we are prepared to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to our students, faculty and staff, and the community if asked to do so. As more information becomes available regarding vaccines, we will share it promptly. In the meantime, to learn about the COVID-19 vaccine and the state’s vaccination plan, visit ourshot.in.gov.
Thank you for your partnership and cooperation as we continue to work together to protect our campus community.
