Dear USF community,
As part of the University of South Florida’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of students, faculty and staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made several updates to our public health processes and requirements for the spring 2021 semester.
Please read this entire message carefully to ensure a smooth transition.
Return to Campus Assessment
As in the fall, all faculty, staff and students will be required to complete our Return
to Campus COVID-19 Assessment prior to the start of the semester on Jan. 11, 2021. Based on your feedback, we have improved this survey to provide more flexibility
in your responses.
This assessment must be completed by all students, faculty and staff prior to the spring semester, including those who completed it prior to the fall semester. It can be accessed by visiting MyUSF or clicking the graphic above.
Daily Symptom Check and CampusPass
If you indicated plans to return to campus in the assessment, you will be required
to participate in the USF Daily Symptom Check. This brief survey must be completed
every day before you come to campus. The tool helps you monitor your own health and
maintain a healthy environment for all members of the USF community and will alert
a university health care provider to contact you to determine if you need to be tested
for COVID-19 or need other support.
When you complete the daily survey and are approved to return to campus, you will receive a green check (CampusPass) that will allow you to enter USF facilities. Be prepared to show this CampusPass anywhere on campus. No one is allowed on campus without a CampusPass.
Testing
Individuals returning to campus will also be placed in a pool for weekly random COVID-19
testing, which the university will continue to utilize as an important part of our
disease-mitigation strategy. Those selected at random will receive specific instructions
to receive a test. If you are selected, you must participate, unless you can provide
a COVID-19 test result from within the past 14 days.
You are also now required to self-report if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive. You should self-report through the Daily Symptom Checker app and notify your instructors and/or your supervisor.
All members of the USF community are encouraged to get tested if you develop any symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing is available on all of the USF campuses:
- Tampa campus: The Hillsborough County testing site on campus is located in the parking lot adjacent to the USF Health Therapy (MDT) building. Please check the county website for details. Students, faculty and staff can also contact Student Health Services for possible testing accommodations.
- St. Petersburg campus: A testing site will be open every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. outside of the Student Life Center; tests are done by appointment only.
- Sarasota-Manatee campus: Testing will be conducted outside of the SMD by appointment only on Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Other Mitigation Measures
USF research shows that public health measures such as face coverings and physical distancing
may have averted over a million COVID-19 cases in our region. In fact, prediction
models show that even a minor increase in adherence to these safety practices could
drastically reduce the spread of the virus, possibly bringing an earlier end to the
pandemic.
Individuals should also practice physical distancing, washing hands, disinfecting spaces and other mitigation measures as posted on our campuses. Hand sanitizer, which also doubles as a disinfectant, will continue to be made available to everyone for free through campus vending machines.
Anyone who does not comply with these requirements will be asked to leave campus. Our Respectful Responders are available to respond to any incident where a classroom or service center is disrupted by someone out of compliance.
As such, wearing face coverings at all times – while indoors and outdoors – remains a requirement on our campuses. If needed, face coverings are available at the Marshall Student Center on the Tampa campus, at the Reef at the University Student Center or at the Bayboro Hall common area on the St. Petersburg campus, or in the rotunda on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Additionally, you are expected to complete our Return to Campus training module in Canvas if you have not already done so or would like a refresher.
Events and Meetings
All in-person events, meetings and travel remain prohibited at this time. Exceptions
to this policy may be reviewed by request and must be submitted prior to the event in question.
To recap, to remain in compliance with the university’s procedures, you must take the following steps:
- Complete the Return to Campus COVID-19 Assessment no later than Jan. 11.
- Beginning Jan. 11, complete the USF Daily Symptom Check every day you intend to be on campus. If you don’t receive a Campus Pass (green check), you must stay home. Student Health Services will be automatically notified and a representative will contact you to provide support.
- Respond to any correspondence you receive from USF to participate in random COVID-19 testing.
- Report any COVID-19 positive test results or exposures.
- Follow the university’s guidelines for wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, washing hands, disinfecting spaces and other mitigation measures as posted.
The health and safety of our campus community -- and the wider community around us -- depends on this important shared responsibility. Thank you for doing your part.
Please visit our coronavirus site for more information and review our FAQ. If you have further questions, visit usf.edu/covidquestions.