1. POLICY
Issued: 1/7/2021
Last Revised: 8/22/2022
Last Reviewed: 8/18/2022
2. Policy Purpose
To protect and support the health and safety of the University of Southern California (“USC”) community by surveillance testing faculty, staff, and student populations for potential COVID-19 infection, and to use this information to prevent, reduce, track, and contain the transmission of COVID-19 at USC. This policy does not address COVID-19 testing available for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have a close exposure. It is effective August 12, 2022 through December 31, 2022 and may be extended as necessary.
3. Scope and Application
This policy applies to faculty, staff, and students who are on-campus at the University of Southern California. Vendors and contractors whose business with USC requires that they come on-campus are subject to testing requirements set forth in the Vendor and Contractor COVID-19 Testing Policy and Procedures.
4. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
| On-Campus | For purposes of this policy, a location is considered on-campus if it takes place within USC’s Clery geography, as defined in the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report issued by the USC Department of Public Safety. This includes, but is not limited to, University Park Campus, Health Sciences Campus, USC Village, USC Housing, and the Coliseum. |
| COVID-19 Population Surveillance Testing | Testing performed for asymptomatic and non-exposed individuals. |
| Fully Vaccinated | Individuals are considered fully vaccinated if they have provided verification of having received a vaccination approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use listing (EUL) to meet USC vaccination requirements and two weeks have passed since their final vaccine dose. |
| Up to Date on Vaccination | Individuals are considered up to date on vaccination if they are either (1) fully vaccinated and not yet eligible to receive a booster dose or (2) fully vaccinated and have received a booster dose. |
5. Policy Details
Effective August 12, 2022, regular COVID-19 surveillance testing is highly recommended for all students, faculty, and staff (regardless of vaccination status) who will be physically present on campus, which include:
- Faculty, staff, and students working on campus, as defined above, at USC’s direction
- All students attending in-person classes or participating in any in-person activity or event that USC faculty/staff sponsor, fund, or organize and in which involvement or participation by one or more USC students, faculty, and/or staff is planned or reasonably expected to occur
- All students living in USC Housing or in housing owned or controlled by a recognized student organization, even if they are taking a fully online schedule
- Any USC faculty or staff member coming on campus for any length of time for work regardless of frequency who have not been fully vaccinated
- Any student coming on campus for any length of time regardless of frequency
Thereafter, the same recommendation will stand through December 31, 2022 and may be extended as necessary. COVID-19 Population Surveillance Testing will be available at no charge through USC.
Additional testing requirements may be in place in selected schools and units based on risk and when approved by USC Student Health and Environmental Health and Safety. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors to these areas should consult with local leadership and must comply with any applicable requirements.
Employees who work at Keck Medicine of USC should refer to Keck Medicine of USC-specific policies related to COVID-19. To be clear, this policy excludes employees who work at Keck Medicine of USC, including but not limited to those who work at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.
6. Procedures
The university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is based on guidance from public health officials and current research. As guidance or research changes, the university community may be asked to follow processes and procedures not specified in this policy. New or amended procedures will be shared with the university community at we-are.usc.edu. Information about testing hours and locations can be found at https://studenthealth.usc.edu/pop-testing-hours-and-locations/.
7. Forms
N/A
8. Responsibilities
| POSITION or OFFICE | RESPONSIBILITIES |
| USC Student Health | Maintaining and implementing this policy. |
| SVP of Administration | Authorized to issue official university policy. |
| All faculty, staff and students | Expected to comply with university policy. |
| Departments with contractors or visitors | Departments receiving information about a contractor or visitor to campus who has tested positive for COVID-19 should contact the COVID-19 line 213-740-6291 or covid19@usc.edu. |
9. Related Information
Compliance
To participate in in-person university activities or access campus, students, faculty, and staff must participate in the on-campus testing program, when required.
No exceptions to testing requirements are permitted, except where required by law. Students, faculty, and staff who fail to comply with the policy will not be authorized to work on site/enter campus or participate in certain in-person university activities, and the behavior may put them at risk of disciplinary action.
Faculty, staff, and students with a positive test result must follow all applicable isolation requirements.
COVID-19 population surveillance testing is only one strategy in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Faculty, staff, and students who are tested are also expected to follow all other published university policies and guidelines regarding the reduction of COVID-19 transmission, including hand washing and wearing a face covering where required.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/ihe-testing.html#tier-2
Testing Locations
The university has a number of on-campus testing locations spread out across campus. Visit studenthealth.usc.edu/covid-19-testing/ to see the locations and hours.
Testing Schedules
The university will help students, faculty, and staff create a testing schedule that specifies which days to get tested. Students, faculty, and staff can visit any of the on-campus COVID-19 testing locations to participate in the testing program.
Testing requirements will be applied in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and state and federal guidelines.
10. Contacts
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:
| OFFICE | PHONE | |
| COVID-19 Hotline | 213-740-6291 | Covid19@usc.edu |
11. Policy URL
The policy will be listed at policy.usc.edu. This link may be shared in community messages and on the We are SC website.