Mandatory COVID-19 Testing Ends Friday

Only two days remain for Texas A&M University students, faculty and staff to get tested for COVID-19 or face sanctions.

Eight testing locations are available across campus in Bryan-College Station. Test-takers — both vaccinated and unvaccinated — can choose from a shallow *nasal swab or *saliva PCR collection.

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

*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 sanctions up to and including being considered not in “good standing.” A status of “not in good standing” renders the student subject to these and other potential 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 will be subject to other, more severe, disciplinary action as appropriate.

Exemptions from mandatory testing* will be managed by Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness. Exemptions requests are due to employee-relations@tamu.edu for all students, faculty and staff by 5 p.m. Sept. 10. You will be notified if your exception is approved.

Testing must be done on campus: Testing performed by other entities off campus will not be accepted to meet the guidelines of the mandatory testing requirement. There is no cost for the testing.

Officials believe there are thousands of campus members who have not yet been tested after several weeks of the mandatory program, which started Aug. 23.

Why is testing so important?

Testing helps to identify individuals who might have an active COVID-19 infection that could spread to others, particularly to those who are at higher risk of severe illness. By knowing your status, you can determine how you can most safely interact with the campus community. It’s also used by the administration to determine safety protocols.

If I tested early on but now think I have COVID-19, should I get another test?

Yes. If you have concerning symptoms you should be tested, regardless of an earlier negative test. All tests have a certain level of detection, and if you have a very low level of the virus, you could test negative one day, but positive a few days later with only mild changes to your symptoms.

Will Texas A&M have testing throughout the semester? 

Free testing will be available throughout the semester.  At this time there are no other mandatory testing requirements, but that could change depending upon COVID conditions in the community.

Outside of Bryan-College Station:

Sites not in Brazos County should review their campus website for guidance. Questions can be answered by emailing covid-19process@tamu.edu.

When to upload test to portal: You do not have to upload or report negative tests. Only positive tests and/or notification of close contact are required to be self-reported into the COVID-19 Report Form.

The Brazos Valley region, which includes Aggieland, has reported 300 COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began.

Helpful information: 

• 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 the A.P. Beutel Health Center.

• Eligibility for Texas A&M’s Voluntary Vaccine Incentive Program is detailed in the terms and conditions posted for students* and employees*.

• Compliance review begins Saturday, Sept. 11, which means those who have not filed for an exemption or tested by Friday will likely face sanctions mentioned above.

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