SMITHFIELD, RI - As students drive onto campus for fall 2020 move-in, they are directed to a drive-through area near the athletic fields to be tested for COVID-19. Ongoing weekly surveillance testing of all asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff on campus will be conducted in the Multipurpose Athletic Center (MAC) in the Chace Athletic and Wellness Center.
“We are committed to testing on campus, which is critical for getting the rapid results that will help to keep our community safe and allow us to continue operations.”
“The health and safety of our community is our highest priority,” says Bryant President Ross Gittell. “We are committed to testing on campus, which is critical for getting the rapid results that will help to keep our community safe and allow us to continue operations.”
Bryant’s surveillance testing program is a key component of the University’s Reopening Plan, which was based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and infectious disease experts, and approved by the state with commendations for its clarity and comprehensiveness.
More about Bryant’s testing program here>>>
Reopening and student move-in information here>>>
"We have a dedicated staff mobilized to administer the tests, and the entire community is doing their part. It’s very encouraging to see.”
“The process has been going very smoothly during this busy move-in week. We have a dedicated staff mobilized to administer the tests, and the entire community is doing their part. It’s very encouraging to see,” said Director of Testing Paul A. Ullucci, Jr., PT, DPT, Ph.D., who is leading the implementation of the program on campus.
The purpose of Bryant’s aggressive asymptomatic testing protocols, including case investigation and contact tracing, is to quickly identify asymptomatic individuals and quickly take steps to isolate cases and protect students and the campus community. Bryant’s plan is among the most comprehensive, with weekly testing for all students, staff, and faculty on campus – an estimated 5,000 tests per week. Results are being closely monitored to determine the need for an increase in testing frequency. The University has invested $3 million in the program.
"This is a good place to start, and it gives a lot of confidence to both students and faculty."
"The testing experience was quite simple," said Henry Wang '23. "I think it reduced a lot of my concern. This is a good place to start, and it gives a lot of confidence to both students and faculty."
Samples are sent twice daily to the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT labs for testing. Negative results are emailed within about 24 hours after being received by the Broad Institute lab, and anyone who tests positive will be notified directly by a member of Bryant’s Health Services staff.Results will be reported on a seven-day moving average once the University has concluded a full cycle of testing the entire community on site.
Data on all tests performed, negative cases, positive cases, case positive ratios, and spread rate for our campus will also be shared with RIDOH to ensure that daily test numbers performed on campus are accurately reflected in the overall state numbers.
