COVID-19

Mandatory COVID-19 Testing For Students, Faculty And Staff Underway Aug. 23-Sept. 10

Vaccinations and wearing face coverings are strongly encouraged.
By Texas A&M University August 22, 2021

Mandatory COVID-19 testing for the entire Texas A&M University campus – regardless of vaccination status – starts Monday and continues through Sept. 10, a measure that public health experts across the globe say is necessary to help slow the “silent spread” fed by individuals who don’t have symptoms.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services:

  • On Friday alone, Texas reported 22,650 new COVID-19 cases and 198 deaths.
  • The Brazos Valley region – which includes Aggieland – did not have any intensive care unit beds available on Friday. Of the 576 staffed hospital beds in the region, only 36 were available.
  • Unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than people who are fully vaccinated.
  • Two proven tools to help protect people from the contagious virus: Full vaccination and wearing face coverings. Texas A&M strongly encourages both. Vaccinations, offered at no cost to students, faculty and staff, are offered through Student Health Services at A.P. Beutel Health Center.

All students, faculty and staff at every Texas A&M location are required to participate in this first mandatory COVID-19 testing program for Fall 2021. Everyone will be required to submit a COVID-19 diagnostic test provided at no cost by Texas A&M. Effective testing results are one of the factors the administration considers in determining safety protocols.

  • Exemptions from testing* will be managed by Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness.
  • Testing is widely available across the flagship campus; a full listing is below.
  • For the campus in Bryan-College Station, testing performed by other entities off-campus will not be accepted to meet the requirements of the mandatory testing.
  • Sites outside Bryan-College Station, see below guidance.

Sanctions For Not Complying With Mandatory Reporting

Students reported for failing to comply with the mandatory COVID-19 reporting and/or quarantine/isolation requirements will be referred to the Student Conduct Process. This may result in a student facing possible separation (i.e., suspension or expulsion) from the university or being considered a student “not in good standing.” A status of “not in good standing” renders the student subject to the following restrictions:

  • Ineligibility to hold an office in any student organization recognized by Texas A&M or to hold elected or appointed office.
  • Ineligibility to represent the university in any way, including at an official function, intercollegiate athletics or any form of intercollegiate competition or representation both on and off campus.

Faculty and staff who do not comply with mandatory COVID-19 reporting, testing and/or quarantine/isolation requirements will receive a written reprimand, at a minimum, that will impact their eligibility for merit increases and also will be subject to other, more severe, disciplinary action as appropriate.

Testing performed by other entities off campus will not be accepted to meet the requirements of the mandatory testing requirement. Effective testing results are one of the factors the administration considers in determining safety protocols.

A&M Sites Outside Bryan-College Station

Sites outside the flagship campus may have different mandatory testing dates, consistent with their academic calendars. If you are at one of these campuses, please confirm your required testing window with your local campus. Check with the following regarding testing and vaccine locations:

Testing Details

No testing will be offered on Sundays, nor will it be held on Saturday, Sept. 4. Locations and times are detailed below.

You have the choice of shallow nasal PCR swab or *saliva PCR collection.

Shallow Nasal Swab Testing

Shallow nasal swab testing is available at any of the following testing sites. Appointments can be made through the Texas A&M Curative Inc. site. Results are available directly from Curative, usually within two days. This test involves a self-collected shallow nasal swab. Testing is available for any faculty, staff, student or contract worker at Texas A&M but is not open to the public.

Maroon Line, 8441 Riverside Pkwy., Bryan

*Appointments are required.

Each Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

YMCA Grand Lobby

*Appointments are recommended. Walk-up/on-site registration as slots are available.

Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Rudder Plaza Kiosk

*Appointments are recommended. Walk-up/on-site registration as slots are available.

Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Mays Plaza Kiosk

*Appointments are recommended. Walk-up/on-site registration as slots are available.

Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Mobile Testing Van

Walk-up/on-site registration only.

College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Aug. 23-24, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

White Creek Apartments: Aug. 25-28, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

* Hours of operation and site availability may be adjusted due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Updates will be posted on this site and social media as feasible.

All who test positive must self-report and follow the Guidance for Sick and Exposed* campus members.

Texas A&M Saliva PCR Testing

Saliva PCR testing, which involves giving a saliva sample, does not require an appointment but pre-registration is recommended for all sites. Walk-up/on-site registration is available. Results are available within two business days. Testing is available for any faculty, staff, student, or contract worker at Texas A&M but is not open to the public.

Pre-registration for faculty and staffhttps://redcap.tamhsc.edu/surveys/?s=NKT9NNNPDL

Pre-registration for studentshttps://redcap.tamhsc.edu/surveys/?s=9H44TDTN9F

Student Rec Center – 187 Corrington Drive, College Station

Courts 5 & 6. Enter on the south side of the building, near the baseball stadium and follow signage to the testing site on the courts.

Parking is always available in 100J for anyone holding a Texas A&M parking permit. A few designated free parking spots have been made available for non-permit holders to use while testing.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 25: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 26: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 27: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 31: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 1: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 3: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Monday, Sept. 6: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 9: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 10: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Rudder Tower, 2nd Floor above Exhibit Hall – 401 Joe Routt Blvd., College Station

Enter from the front of the building and follow signage to the 2nd Floor, above the Exhibit Hall.

  • Friday, Sept. 3: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Sept. 6: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 7: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 9: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Zachry Engineering Education Complex *- 125 Spence St., College Station

  • Monday, Aug. 30: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 3: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Monday, Sept. 6: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 8: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

SBISA Testing Tent *- 233 Houston St., College Station

  • Monday, Aug. 23: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 24: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

COMMONS Testing Tent *- 725 Mosher Lane, College Station

  • Monday, Aug. 23: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 24: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gardens Apartments *- 1100 Hensel Drive, College Station

Community Learning Center at the Gardens

  • Saturday, Aug. 28: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fan Field Drive Thru

  • Wednesday, Aug. 25: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 26: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 27: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Monday, Aug. 30: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 31: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 1: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 2: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

* Hours of operation and site availability may be adjusted due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Updates will be posted on this site and social media as feasible.

Other Mandatory Actions Previously Announced

  • As outlined in an Aug. 5 *message emailed to the campus community and posted online, students must confirm they’ve read and agree to adhere to the outlined guidelines by logging on through the Howdy PortalFaculty and staff must complete the course assignment now in TrainTraq.
  • All who test positive must self-report and follow the Guidance for Sick and Exposed campus members.

* This link is no longer active and has been removed.

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