THIS INTERIM POLICY ACTION EXPIRED ON MAY 31, 2021.

UPDATE: Per Section 5, paragraph 1 of the policy below, please see the document below for President Thompson’s directive to UW System Chancellors regarding Spring 2021 COVID-19 testing requirements from March 18, 2021. This supersedes the original directive from December 11, 2020.

The document below is the most recent directive distributed by the President, and shall be updated as new directives are issued.

Original Issuance Date:         December 11, 2020

Expiration Date:                       May 31, 2021

1.     Interim Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish COVID-19 testing requirements for students and employees during spring semester 2021 at UW System institutions. Regular student and employee testing for COVID-19 (otherwise known as the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2) is key to the UW System keeping students, employees, and visitors safe while continuing to provide critical in-person learning opportunities.

2.     Related Policies

This is a new interim UW System Administrative Policy.

3.     Scope

This policy affects on-campus students, off-campus students, and employees, as defined in section 4 of this policy, at UW System institutions.

This policy does not limit the authority of the UW System President or Chancellors to set testing requirements for other groups of individuals as appropriate and necessary.

4.     Definitions

On-campus students: Individuals taking course(s) at a UW institution and who live in a residential facility that is operated or managed by a UW System institution, or any residential facility for which the university assigns housing.

Off-campus students: Individuals taking a course(s) who do not live in a residential facility that is operated or managed by a UW System institution, or any other residential facility for which the university assigns housing. For the purposes of this policy, the definition of an off-campus student is limited to those coming onto property owned, occupied, or otherwise controlled by the Board of Regents once a week or more.

Employees: means any individuals who hold a faculty, academic staff, university staff, limited appointment, student employment, employee-in-training, temporary or project appointment with any UW System institution. For the purposes of this policy, the definition of an employee is limited to those coming onto property owned, occupied, or otherwise controlled by the Board of Regents once a week or more.

5.     Interim Policy Statement

The UW System President will establish an ongoing COVID-19 testing requirement for on-campus students, off-campus students and employees at all UW institutions for spring semester 2021. The UW System President may require testing for on-campus and off-campus students and employees at intervals before and during the semester.

Chancellors will submit to the President (or designee) upon request implementation plans and related COVID-19 testing protocols to fulfil the ongoing testing requirement for on-campus students, off-campus students and employees established by the UW System President. UW System institutions may tailor their implementation plans to meet the needs of their institution while adhering to the overarching requirement set forth by the President.

Chancellors may establish more stringent COVID-19 testing requirements for on-campus students, off-campus students and employees, or subpopulations of students or employees. Any institutional action that goes beyond the minimum testing requirements set forth by the UW System President must be approved by the President.

6.     Supplemental Documents